I don't know if I am the only one but I am in the beginnings of a new 180G tank and looking at upgrading a lot of gear. Its disappointing that I cant automate things as easy as I did with my old gear. I see almost all new things have their own app and non Apex supported. I love the new gear I am buying but it sucks that I have to either go into multiple apps to control each device or just have the Apex shut off power.
This is all first world problems for sure but many of these apps are crap and each one is adding a new type of difficulty as well as new security holes in our networks/tanks. When my phone/tablet updates software my device controls become susceptible to failures. All of theses vendors are new to the IOT development world and its obvious they dont have quality UX (User Experience) teams or funding for real time updates for Android/IOS builds. I know personally the MyAI app and Reef beat app constantly crash or wont except changes on my phone. I am glad for now Ecotech is supporting both Apex and Mobius but that probably wont last for long.
I just find it funny that Automation in our tanks is becoming more and more popular but the manufactures are all going different directions for control. Apex is becoming a probe and power controller with less value. I probably wont be spending $800 on a new Apex when mine dies. Its fine as long as there are alternative means for universal control. Its just a shame that for many technology thats meant to make things easier is going to complicate things more. I haven't looked into API support for different vendors but if most of them support it then we can all build our own managers but that will not be as easy as having an "Aquarium Controller" actually controls my aquarium devices.
It might be time for a COVID-19 project. See what vendors support API (help us all if its SNMP only). Dust off an old Raspberry Pi or Arduino, some breadboards and start conceptualizing a homemade control.
This is all first world problems for sure but many of these apps are crap and each one is adding a new type of difficulty as well as new security holes in our networks/tanks. When my phone/tablet updates software my device controls become susceptible to failures. All of theses vendors are new to the IOT development world and its obvious they dont have quality UX (User Experience) teams or funding for real time updates for Android/IOS builds. I know personally the MyAI app and Reef beat app constantly crash or wont except changes on my phone. I am glad for now Ecotech is supporting both Apex and Mobius but that probably wont last for long.
I just find it funny that Automation in our tanks is becoming more and more popular but the manufactures are all going different directions for control. Apex is becoming a probe and power controller with less value. I probably wont be spending $800 on a new Apex when mine dies. Its fine as long as there are alternative means for universal control. Its just a shame that for many technology thats meant to make things easier is going to complicate things more. I haven't looked into API support for different vendors but if most of them support it then we can all build our own managers but that will not be as easy as having an "Aquarium Controller" actually controls my aquarium devices.
It might be time for a COVID-19 project. See what vendors support API (help us all if its SNMP only). Dust off an old Raspberry Pi or Arduino, some breadboards and start conceptualizing a homemade control.