Neptune System Yay or Nay?

[Aquius]

Same boat why I switched from GHL to APEX.

I do still have an undying love for my Profilux though. Its so well built.

I have heard APEX support outside the US is kind of bad. Regarding GHL's support here in the US, though I cannot personally say I have needed it, I have not heard of any issues. Is there something I am not aware of, or am I just late to the game and their support is improving..?

 

[CC13]

I have heard APEX support outside the US is kind of bad. Regarding GHL's support here in the US, though I cannot personally say I have needed it, I have not heard of any issues. Is there something I am not aware of, or am I just late to the game and their support is improving..?

I never had an issue with GHL and their stuff was top notch. At the time their expansion modules and accessories weren’t carried by a lot of suppliers here and would go out of stock all the time so you were stuck ordering from GHL but then you paid a ton for shipping, VAT and duties.

I still use their dosing pumps and they are extremely reliable and accurate. I can’t see any others even close in terms of quality and reliability unless you go to medical or lab grade equipment.

 

[DarthSimon]

Apex all day!!! Programing is easy, and support and their forums are super helpful and patient....
I am able to finally grow SPS because of my Apex running my tank super consistent, and monitoring all the key aspects...

 

[ChrisW]

Or which BBQ?

I hate white sauce! There, I said it!

What's this "white sauce" you speak of? I'm guessing its a Mason-Dixon line thing..
Kinda like how GHL is more UK/EU and Apex is US. I have a Apex classic, though I really did want a GHL but scoring an Apex for $250 kinda sealed the deal for me. Now this white sauce thing, not so sure...

 

[CC13]

What's this "white sauce" you speak of? I'm guessing its a Mason-Dixon line thing..
Kinda like how GHL is more UK/EU and Apex is US. I have a Apex classic, though I really did want a GHL but scoring an Apex for $250 kinda sealed the deal for me. Now this white sauce thing, not so sure...

White sauce? Diana Sauce is far better. Gets rid of ICH and cycles your tank in a week too.

 

[Oshengems]

Sure, so I'll give you context. The price of the system is quite literally insane. They play off of others ignorance...and it works.

It's essentially a $30 mini computer with extra components. Look up Reef-Pi here on the forums. Other people have duplicated the Neptune system because quite frankly it's the farthest thing from revolutionary.

To put it into perspective, when you buy a Neptune product you are buying a Kia. All of the R&D was done by other companies and then they decided to smash them together into their own product and sell them for a 2000% profit margin. When Neptune has done their own R&D (trident) they are unable to actually do so...and disappointing Apex dude-bros everywhere.

My recommendation is to explore Reef-Pi, find out for yourself exactly how ridiculous the cost of an Apex is, and go from there on whether or not you'd rather pay for convenience vs DIY.

Vague miss information of course the root of so much confusion in this hobby

 

[Oshengems]

To sum it up in a nutshell for the OP their is not best controllers, neither are they a necessity in this hobby.... Apex has been around longer than GHL and has pour money and support over their product that’s why you will find more information on it, GHL seems like a great company and I’m glad they took the challenge of givin us options with their product(hopefully drive prices down more competition) since Apex had almost a monopoly on this market. They are also others that are a bit cheaper like the ReefLink and Reefangel and if you like DYI projects Reef-Pi is for you. For now it’s just a matter of choice but there’s not too many in this hobby my first tank I had 2 Timers for the light my 2nd & 3rd got a used reeflink, on my current I caught a deal on a Apex and the option to view what’s going on in my tank remotely it’s GOLDEN! Just a few months ago i was away for a weeding I forgot to re connect my heaters, cold front finally moved in that weekend in NYC but luckily I got an alarm from Apex called my niece walked her through it problems solved, another instance because we feel I won’t need it but we all make mistakes and the stuff we can’t account for and why I made the switch. My previous 75g popped a leak one of the seems gave up luckily I was home getting dressed to go out partying on a Friday night but spent my night transferring stuff to a brute container, after that I was sold I live in an apt building my landlord and downstairs neighbor would have not been happy with roughly 80g of salt water in their bedroom. I’m conclusion some of the bells and whistles are not needed on and off can be done easily but LEAK detectors in a tank that has a few thousands of dollars of livestock invested and give you a heads up if something is wrong is vital to me, Everything else is just a plus. I’m a Apex user but leaning to GHL for their Director Trident is taking too long and I like underdogs

 

[CC13]

To sum it up in a nutshell for the OP their is not best controllers, neither are they a necessity in this hobby.... Apex has been around longer than GHL and has pour money and support over their product that’s why you will find more information on it, GHL seems like a great company and I’m glad they took the challenge of givin us options with their product(hopefully drive prices down more competition) since Apex had almost a monopoly on this market. They are also others that are a bit cheaper like the ReefLink and Reefangel and if you like DYI projects Reef-Pi is for you. For now it’s just a matter of choice but there’s not too many in this hobby my first tank I had 2 Timers for the light my 2nd & 3rd got a used reeflink, on my current I caught a deal on a Apex and the option to view what’s going on in my tank remotely it’s GOLDEN! Just a few months ago i was away for a weeding I forgot to re connect my heaters, cold front finally moved in that weekend in NYC but luckily I got an alarm from Apex called my niece walked her through it problems solved, another instance because we feel I won’t need it but we all make mistakes and the stuff we can’t account for and why I made the switch. My previous 75g popped a leak one of the seems gave up luckily I was home getting dressed to go out partying on a Friday night but spent my night transferring stuff to a brute container, after that I was sold I live in an apt building my landlord and downstairs neighbor would have not been happy with roughly 80g of salt water in their bedroom. I’m conclusion some of the bells and whistles are not needed on and off can be done easily but LEAK detectors in a tank that has a few thousands of dollars of livestock invested and give you a heads up if something is wrong is vital to me, Everything else is just a plus. I’m a Apex user but leaning to GHL for their Director Trident is taking too long and I like underdogs

GHL has all the same sensors and leak detection devices as the APEX. Just saying.

But again, GHL is definitely harder to locate in North America in terms of parts and service.

 

[Oshengems]

GHL has all the same sensors and leak detection devices as the APEX. Just saying.

Yeah I know I, finally some competition or options for a “ reliable “ monitor I been considering since I read my apex won’t work with trident

 

[CC13]

Yeah I know I, finally some competition or options for a “ reliable “ monitor I been considering since I read my apex won’t work with trident

I didn't know this, the Trident wont work with the APEX 2016? Why on earth would they do that?

 

[Oshengems]

I didn't know this, the Trident wont work with the APEX 2016? Why on earth would they do that?

I was told and read but you know how it goes in this hobby and it’s infinite of threads so my sources are not that credible lol... there’s always a self proclaimed expert in the matter

If this is true I’m gonna be really ticked and will be the trigger to switch, I also like their neat profile I’m a bit tired of the orange lol

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

I was told and read but you know how it goes in this hobby and it’s infinite of threads so my sources are not that credible lol... there’s always a self proclaimed expert in the matter

If this is true I’m gonna be really ****** and will be the trigger to switch, I also like their neat profile I’m a bit tired of the orange lol

Off topic, but the Trident will work with the 2016 and EL. (You can now also buy just the head unit and keep the rest of your equipment)

Neptune Systems claims the processor in the Classic and Jr can't handle the Trident.

Or which BBQ?

I hate white sauce! There, I said it!

Apple Butter BBQ sauce is best!

 

[Kinettik]

Yay if you have the money to continuously dump into it. Nay if you know even a shred about programming.

To be more helpful, neptune software is probably the most poorly written software I have ever cracked open.

I am a computer scientist, I graduated magna *** laude, and I received the highest calculus 1,2,3 scores of any student at my University, with over 100% (professors all gave extra credit questions on exams).

I know a lot about programming, that has zero correlation to this......

You were right, it is a very rudimentary coding language, but not too dissimilar to a Python based code. Very simplistic If/Then statements, which is great for the layman.

Also, being in this field since 2013, as a developer, I have never heard anyone call themselves a "Computer Scientist" unless they were a part of a research team and not a developer or engineer.......

But, to the OP, neither Apex or GHL is better. Apex gives you more for the same price, but it is minimal and not game changing. If you want a controller, you cannot go wrong with either honestly.

 

[Mathieu Lafleur]

Thank you all for the reviews and advice. I will look out for sales on either the Apex or the GHL.
Thanks again.

 

[CC13]

Thank you all for the reviews and advice. I will look out for sales on either the Apex or the GHL.
Thanks again.

What was your choice on the bbq and related sauces? lol

 

[Mathieu Lafleur]

What was your choice on the bbq and related sauces? lol

I must say, I'm a Diana sauce fan.. :)

 

[CC13]

I must say, I'm a Diana sauce fan.. :)

I knew it. From your first post I knew you were one of us LOL

I can sense a fellow Canadian from miles away.

 

[Mathieu Lafleur]

I knew it. From your first post I knew you were one of us LOL

I can sense a fellow Canadian from miles away.

Kind of curious about the white sauce tho...

 

[CC13]

Kind of curious about the white sauce tho...

I dunno, Diana Sauce is hard to come close to. I have tried to stray, eventually its always back to her.

 

[wesman42]

I know a lot about programming, that has zero correlation to this......

You were right, it is a very rudimentary coding language, but not too dissimilar to a Python based code. Very simplistic If/Then statements, which is great for the layman.

Also, being in this field since 2013, as a developer, I have never heard anyone call themselves a "Computer Scientist" unless they were a part of a research team and not a developer or engineer.......

But, to the OP, neither Apex or GHL is better. Apex gives you more for the same price, but it is minimal and not game changing. If you want a controller, you cannot go wrong with either honestly.

It's not entirely dissimilar to a Python-based code....but that's not the point I was trying to make. I wasn't arguing what it was, but rather that the purpose it serves could be much improved considering you can make them entirely visual-- think Scratch.

As for you, congrats on having more experience than I. I do appreciate input from other programmers, but I am, in fact, a Computer Scientist. I've been creating AI for 5 years, and it included a robot for use with children on the Autism Spectrum. Written in Objective-C, and used an old iPod touch. Shortly after, I joined a research lab whilst under the care of a PhD in Applied Psychology and Computer Science. I've started 2 companies, as well as assisted with the marketing, and digital management of a 501c3 devoted to serving underprivileged youth. So yes, I do consider myself a Computer Scientist because I'll be continuing my education.