Neptune Apex vs ReefKeeper

[Ok_cowboy1]

I am interested in putting a controller on my new 220 gallon build and debating the Neptune Apex or the Reef Keeper. Anyway have pros or cons of both?

 

[bevo5]

I don't have any experience with the reef keeper, but in my opinion the Apex is the industry standard. It's by far more popular....which tells me it's probably the best option.

 

[domination2580]

I've heard a lot of problems coming from apex...but don't know for sure....I have the reef keeper elite....It does the trick for me.

 

[Ok_cowboy1]

I don't have any experience with the reef keeper, but in my opinion the Apex is the industry standard. It's by far more popular....which tells me it's probably the best option.

I know it is by far the most popular, but I am looking at price point too. What makes it worth so much more money?

 

[bevo5]

I can only speak about the APEX as I have two. When I set up my first biocube 29 a few years ago I never imagined spending $250 (for the junior) on a glorified timer. But once you get it hooked up to the net it becomes invaluable. Just the alarms alone make it worth it. Knowing if the temp or ph or whatever is out of whack goes a long way in peace of mind.

Then there's the ultimate controllability of everything. I'm an APEX novice but even I figured out how to get a lot of cool stuff. The breakout box, for instance, gives you so many cool options for little bells and whistles that just make things easier.

Ultimately, whether or not it's worth the money is up to the individual.

If it were me - I'd go with a junior. The new APEX is super sweet and has built in wifi which is amazing, but very spendy. You can get the junior and build what you need from there. If you built up to the regular APEX it would cost more, but if you want to go slow that's the way to go.

I'm sure the reef keeper is also great. I just don't have any experience with it.

 

[Ok_cowboy1]

I can only speak about the APEX as I have two. When I set up my first biocube 29 a few years ago I never imagined spending $250 (for the junior) on a glorified timer. But once you get it hooked up to the net it becomes invaluable. Just the alarms alone make it worth it. Knowing if the temp or ph or whatever is out of whack goes a long way in peace of mind.

Then there's the ultimate controllability of everything. I'm an APEX novice but even I figured out how to get a lot of cool stuff. The breakout box, for instance, gives you so many cool options for little bells and whistles that just make things easier.

Ultimately, whether or not it's worth the money is up to the individual.

If it were me - I'd go with a junior. The new APEX is super sweet and has built in wifi which is amazing, but very spendy. You can get the junior and build what you need from there. If you built up to the regular APEX it would cost more, but if you want to go slow that's the way to go.

I'm sure the reef keeper is also great. I just don't have any experience with it.

The reason I was looking at the New Apex is for the eb8 bars. I have 4 lights, 3 heaters, two pumps, an ato, reactor pump, sump light, two gyro wavemakers just to start lol

 

[bevo5]

Trust me - you're going to be buying new EB8 bars regardless. I have two EB8 bars at the moment with a spare EB4 waiting in the wings.

I bought the Gold version about two months before the new apex came out. I wish I had known and I would have waited. It's a major upgrade. That said, the classic does just fine.

A relatively recent update to the junior also makes it to where you can add many more modules. You used to be limited, but now you have more freedom. So a jr plus an extra EB8 could be just what you need. Although the built in wifi of the new model is a big deal.

 

[p7willm]

The Apex has more things, is more expandable, and works with more stuff. At the basic level it is a timer. But, it is a timer that can turn off the lights if it gets too hot. It is an ATO that can email you if it takes too long to refill. Everything will break eventually but I generally have 2 things making sure stuff is OK and if 1 fails I get an email. It does my water changes for me.

It is more spendy. Before I got the Apex I looked at the reefkeeper. It was a lot cheaper. But, there were some things the Apex did that the reefkeeper would not do at any price. Think about what you want now and what you want in the future. If the reefkeeper will do it good. If the reefkeeper will do what you want now but not the future probably get the Apex now rather than later.

The problem with the Jr is that it is limited in the number of modules it can have. The classic is cheaper but it does not have WiFi, mine is close to a router so I use hard wire. The 2016 module also has the new energy bar that monitors power for each outlet, nice to be sure stuff is really working, and DC outlets. I have a classic and plan to get the 2016 if I ever need something it does, I want the power monitoring but I don't need it yet.

 

[ibob991]

IMO: Price wise, the reef keeper wins every time. The only downside is the the company behind it is not really keeping up with times and rumors are going around that they wont be in the business much longer. Apex has a price tag through the roof because they really have no competition and they set the market with their product. For what the Reef keeper can do, it's just about the same as the "original apex" , while the brand new 800 buck model does have its ups because it's the newest tech vs older tech.

TLDR:
Apex is expensive and will continue to have stuff added for the forseeable future
Reefkeeper gets the job done without all the bells and whistles and may not have future support (rumors)

The question you have to ask yourself is this: What do I need the controller to do?

*waiting for apex fanboys to jump on me*

 

[Areseebee]

Reefkeeper will tell you what your parameters currently are and control equipment in response but it is impossible (or very limiting) for connectivity and remote access/alerts. I have set up my reef trying to always take the minimum cost option, I did the same with the rkl and ended up selling it 30 days later and going with apex.

 

[Ok_cowboy1]

This is the last part that I want, not necessarily need for my 220 gallon build. I have everything but a controller sitting here waiting on the tank and stand to show up. I travel a lot and want to make it easier for wife to keep up with. I am leaning towards the apex but trying to justify the money.

 

[Areseebee]

In my opinion you will have way too much money invested to not have the advantages of heartbeat and remote monitoring and alerts.

 

[Ok_cowboy1]

Yeah well I already have almost 8k in it, try justifying to the wife lol.

 

[Salty1962]

The ReefKeeper is a good Basic system. If all you want to do is control devices on your tank then I'd say it's ok. I've converted to the APEX because I wanted to be able to monitor and control my devices from anywhere there is internet access. Makes vacations and business trip a lot less stressful. The flexibility and control you have with an APEX far out weighs the capabilities of the ReefKeeper. May as well do it right the first time and go with an APEX. Many people have them for sale, Classics, at a good price and they will be able to do most anything you'd want to control or adjust. It boils down to what you want to do and how you want to do it.

 

[mcarroll]

This is the last part that I want, not necessarily need for my 220 gallon build. I have everything but a controller sitting here waiting on the tank and stand to show up. I travel a lot and want to make it easier for wife to keep up with. I am leaning towards the apex but trying to justify the money.

There's nothing about a controller that will make the tank easier for your wife to deal with.

Automation = more complexity. Not less.

I disagree with all the Apex snobbery. "Advanced" is relative and popularity is a sketchy indication of quality at best.

From my experience, a simple Reefkeeper Lite will be all you need at a basic level and they work great. You'll have room for all the power strips and pH monitors you'd want.

A Reefkeeper can do almost everything an Apex can (what are the actual differences?), but I mostly use mine as a heater controller and an A/B wavetimer to run a tide simulation on my tank that uses non-controllable pumps. (My Tunze's have their own controller.)

I love my Reefkeeper for my dual-tank setup, but.....if you already have programmable lights (or timers) and an automatic doser, and quality right-sized heaters, then you might not need a controller at all. There's certainly nothing wrong with starting at the RK Lite level....it does what you want it to.

 

[Areseebee]

It's not a reduction in complexity, it's a safeguard. When I lose power at my home I'm often the first to know. If my return pump dies I'm going to get a text and email and so is my wife (sorry hunny).

I think remote access, event alerts and heartbeat are the big things apex has over reefkeeper, if you don't need those things or have another way to achieve them then there's not much advantage one way or another.

 

[DaveMorris]

The Archon, which is the latest from Digital Aquatics, is quite a change from the RKL or the RKE. It still uses the same modules, but email notifications and the connectivity things that the Apex has are available on the Archon as well. It also has ph, ORP, temp, and switch ports all built in along with 0-10v control. The RKL is a great basic controller if you only need small things to be controlled. The Archon would be my next choice.

 

[mcarroll]

Well said, @DaveMorris. Thanks!!!

 

[Ok_cowboy1]

Thank you all, I will research the archon and compare to the apex. I just can't see spending 1000.00 for a controller. Like I said it's a want, not a need.

 

[jgvergo]

I love my Apex. The Fusion cloud features are fantastic for ease of use, alerts and remote access. My only suggestion is to skip the salinity probe. Mine constantly drifts (probably due to bubbles). I wind up using and trusting my refractometer.