Thinking about switching to Neptune Apex

[goosemans]

I currently have Hydros controllers, specifically the X10, XP8, and Wave Engine. I’ve thought about expanding my collective with more of their stuff, but no longer will be buying any products from coralvue. To me, it looks like they are falling apart as a company. I have this feeling they’re not gonna be around much longer or be bought out. Main reason why I went with hydros to begin with is their controllers were relatively cheaper than Neptune. In less than one year the XP8 has gone up from $279 to $330, along with outrageous price increases for everything they sell and distribute. I could go on and on about problems/issues I’ve been noticing.

I’ve seen the reviews on the EB832 on BRS and they don’t look to be that positive. What are y’all’s experience with Neptune? Any regrets or things that I should be aware about?

 

[Reef Jedi]

I currently have Hydros controllers, specifically the X10, XP8, and Wave Engine. I’ve thought about expanding my collective with more of their stuff, but no longer will be buying any products from coralvue. To me, it looks like they are falling apart as a company. I have this feeling they’re not gonna be around much longer or be bought out. Main reason why I went with hydros to begin with is their controllers were relatively cheaper than Neptune. In less than one year the XP8 has gone up from $279 to $330, along with outrageous price increases for everything they sell and distribute. I could go on and on about problems/issues I’ve been noticing.

I’ve seen the reviews on the EB832 on BRS and they don’t look to be that positive. What are y’all’s experience with Neptune? Any regrets or things that I should be aware about?

I think you are going to get a lot of mixed answers here. I personally use the apex system and I love it. It’s accurate and works as intended. I think a lot of people overload or mis use the energy bar. I have two for over a year and no issues with either. But that’s also why I have two, so I can spread the load. The apex ecosystem is nice to use and laid out in any configuration you want. I have a trident and two dose units and all work as intended. The salinity probe is most likely the one to get the most flack as it goes out of adjustment quickly. However it you understand margins for errors in any electronic equipment then it’s acceptable. Personally I wouldn’t run anything but apex and I know this is a hot topic for debate.

 

[goosemans]

I currently have Hydros controllers, specifically the X10, XP8, and Wave Engine. I’ve thought about expanding my collective with more of their stuff, but no longer will be buying any products from coralvue. To me, it looks like they are falling apart as a company. I have this feeling they’re not gonna be around much longer or be bought out. Main reason why I went with hydros to begin with is their controllers were relatively cheaper than Neptune. In less than one year the XP8 has gone up from $279 to $330, along with outrageous price increases for everything they sell and distribute. I could go on and on about problems/issues I’ve been noticing.

I’ve seen the reviews on the EB832 on BRS and they don’t look to be that positive. What are y’all’s experience with Neptune? Any regrets or things that I should be aware about?

I think you are going to get a lot of mixed answers here. I personally use the apex system and I love it. It’s accurate and works as intended. I think a lot of people overload or mis use the energy bar. I have two for over a year and no issues with either. But that’s also why I have two, so I can spread the load. The apex ecosystem is nice to use and laid out in any configuration you want. I have a trident and two dose units and all work as intended. The salinity probe is most likely the one to get the most flack as it goes out of adjustment quickly. However it you understand margins for errors in any electronic equipment then it’s acceptable. Personally I wouldn’t run anything but apex and I know this is a hot topic for debate.

What would you have run to cause it to overload it? Do you not use all eight ports on it? Thanks for the reply

 

[rtparty]

The early 832s had a “weak link” part in them. Something with the 24v system I think? That is the number one failure with them and that part has been replaced in new builds.

I had great success with Neptune with the only “failed” part being a DOS motor that I abused pretty heavily with tons of kalk dosing.

My current Apex is on my dart frog tank it’s coming off this week though as I only kept it for fun and don’t actually need it. My new aquarium has no controller.

 

[reely989]

I currently have Hydros controllers, specifically the X10, XP8, and Wave Engine. I’ve thought about expanding my collective with more of their stuff, but no longer will be buying any products from coralvue. To me, it looks like they are falling apart as a company. I have this feeling they’re not gonna be around much longer or be bought out. Main reason why I went with hydros to begin with is their controllers were relatively cheaper than Neptune. In less than one year the XP8 has gone up from $279 to $330, along with outrageous price increases for everything they sell and distribute. I could go on and on about problems/issues I’ve been noticing.

I’ve seen the reviews on the EB832 on BRS and they don’t look to be that positive. What are y’all’s experience with Neptune? Any regrets or things that I should be aware about?

I’ve had both and they are both good systems. I’ve had far fewer connectivity issues with hydros however and I had a firmware update really screw up my apex which is what got me to switch.

 

[n2585722]

I currently have Hydros controllers, specifically the X10, XP8, and Wave Engine. I’ve thought about expanding my collective with more of their stuff, but no longer will be buying any products from coralvue. To me, it looks like they are falling apart as a company. I have this feeling they’re not gonna be around much longer or be bought out. Main reason why I went with hydros to begin with is their controllers were relatively cheaper than Neptune. In less than one year the XP8 has gone up from $279 to $330, along with outrageous price increases for everything they sell and distribute. I could go on and on about problems/issues I’ve been noticing.

I’ve seen the reviews on the EB832 on BRS and they don’t look to be that positive. What are y’all’s experience with Neptune? Any regrets or things that I should be aware about?

A lot of the parts are from overseas sources and they may have gone up quite a bit recently depending on were the parts are coming from so the price of the end product will also have to go up. I have had Hydros for over 4 years and have not had any major issues with the system. I am up to 17 controllers now. So I have quite a large collective of 15 controllers.

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

Knock on wood….I’ve had pretty good luck with Neptune.

Running two COR-20s, two DOS pumps, SKY, three EB832s…some of these have been running for three years with no issues yet

 

[goosemans]

A lot of the parts are from overseas sources and they may have gone up quite a bit recently depending on were the parts are coming from so the price of the end product will also have to go up. I have had Hydros for over 4 years and have not had any major issues with the system. I am up to 17 controllers now. So I have quite a large collective of 15 controllers.

Coralvue blames their price increases on chips because of tariffs. I’m not buying that excuse. They have a cash flow and cost management problem. Big mistake letting the largest reefing online retailer (BRS) walk. Their reef octopus skimmers and Varios pumps were their cash cow. I know they had a falling out regarding hydros competing against their parent company, Neptune. I’ll just say it’s a huge coincidence that ever since they stopped distributing to BRS they’ve increased their prices at a rate much higher rate than everyone else.

 

[reely989]

Coralvue blames their price increases on chips because of tariffs. I’m not buying that excuse. They have a cash flow and cost management problem. Big mistake letting the largest reefing online retailer (BRS) walk. Their reef octopus skimmers and Varios pumps were their cash cow. I know they had a falling out regarding hydros competing against their parent company, Neptune. I’ll just say it’s a huge coincidence that ever since they stopped distributing to BRS they’ve increased their prices at a rate much higher rate than everyone else.

I imagine it's a combination. Either way, hope they stick around. The space definitely needs more options than just Apex and GHL.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

Coralvue blames their price increases on chips because of tariffs. I’m not buying that excuse. They have a cash flow and cost management problem. Big mistake letting the largest reefing online retailer (BRS) walk. Their reef octopus skimmers and Varios pumps were their cash cow. I know they had a falling out regarding hydros competing against their parent company, Neptune. I’ll just say it’s a huge coincidence that ever since they stopped distributing to BRS they’ve increased their prices at a rate much higher rate than everyone else.

I don't have any facts to support my speculation here, but I wonder if what you call a 'big mistake' was something more idealistic. I personally am not sure that these buyouts/mergers have proven to be a net good for "the hobby" in the long term -- take Central's acquisition and quick diminishment/destruction of TFH, AGA and Oceanic (and other businesses whose prevalence in the hobby might be missed less, such as Kent and Coralife). Consider the removal of the original MaxiJet from the market after Spectrum bought Aquarium Systems. And further back, the loss of Metaframe aquariums after Mattel bought that company.

So I wonder if Coralvue sees these same harms and wants to stay far away from that possibility by distancing themselves from a brand collection (BRS, et al -- all the possessions and exclusive distributorships that are Aperture Pet & Life) owned by an investment firm (Bertram) that has no non-financial interest in what they're doing.

Maybe there's something else going on, but it is plausible that Coralife simply hasn't sold out, and that's what explains the price observations.

 

[get-salty]

I use Neptune Apex A2 on my system for 4 years. I have 3 eb832 and a DOS with reservoir and so far ZERO issues. Always keep up with the updates and im lucky enough to have great internet connection where i live.

I cant imagine running a tank w/out some sort of automation. I have few programs where the skimmer waits 50sec, for the return pump to fill up the tank so the collection cup doesn't overflow. On water change day, i only shut off the return pump bc the skimmer is programmed to shutdown as soon as the return is OFF. Also, when i ran UV sterilizer, i had the UV bulb wait 30 sec until the UV pump fill up the inside so it doesn't burn the internal. Super fast. Super easy.

Just use what works and what works for your you.

 

[Kyl]

I don't have any facts to support my speculation here, but I wonder if what you call a 'big mistake' was something more idealistic. I personally am not sure that these buyouts/mergers have proven to be a net good for "the hobby" in the long term -- take Central's acquisition and quick diminishment/destruction of TFH, AGA and Oceanic (and other businesses whose prevalence in the hobby might be missed less, such as Kent and Coralife). Consider the removal of the original MaxiJet from the market after Spectrum bought Aquarium Systems. And further back, the loss of Metaframe aquariums after Mattel bought that company.

So I wonder if Coralvue sees these same harms and wants to stay far away from that possibility by distancing themselves from a brand collection (BRS, et al -- all the possessions and exclusive distributorships that are Aperture Pet & Life) owned by an investment firm (Bertram) that has no non-financial interest in what they're doing.

Maybe there's something else going on, but it is plausible that Coralife simply hasn't sold out, and that's what explains the price observations.

Buyouts or manufacturer consolidations are NEVER good for the end users. Even worse if they're at the hands of a publicly listed entity.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Buyouts or manufacturer consolidations are NEVER good for the end users. Even worse if they're at the hands of a publicly listed entity.

That is a broad generalization that ignores that in many cases consolidation is the only path for the product or brand to continue to exist.

 

[RoanokeReef]

Buyouts or manufacturer consolidations are NEVER good for the end users. Even worse if they're at the hands of a publicly listed entity.

Buyouts happen all the time in the IT field, some good and some bad. In terms of Neptune it seems their support if over worked and slowed down. I remember in the day when the main guy would e-mail you back if you have a question but support was also slow than. I think people just got used to Amazon level support and forget this is a niche product, which I'm also guilty of sometimes.

 

[Reefer Matt]

IMO, it’s a Coke vs Pepsi thing anymore, kinda like lighting. Both have their flaws and strengths from reviews I’ve read. I have an Apex system with four tanks on it, but I’m not gonna tempt fate by commenting on reliability or the like, lol!
I did notice that Hydros used to be the more budget friendly option, but now it seems they are about the same price as Apex when comparing with the same features.

 

[chapter7]

IMO, it’s a Coke vs Pepsi thing anymore, kinda like lighting. Both have their flaws and strengths from reviews I’ve read. I have an Apex system with four tanks on it, but I’m not gonna tempt fate by commenting on reliability or the like, lol!
I did notice that Hydros used to be the more budget friendly option, but now it seems they are about the same price as Apex when comparing with the same features.

Which one is Coke and which is Pepsi? I prefer Pepsi!

 

[Reefer Matt]

Which one is Coke and which is Pepsi? I prefer Pepsi!

Hmm, not sure on that. Me too! Except at Christmas time for some reason?
Maybe too many 80’s Coke commercials, lol!

 

[BlueBayouReefHTX]

The early 832s had a “weak link” part in them. Something with the 24v system I think? That is the number one failure with them and that part has been replaced in new builds.

I had great success with Neptune with the only “failed” part being a DOS motor that I abused pretty heavily with tons of kalk dosing.

My current Apex is on my dart frog tank it’s coming off this week though as I only kept it for fun and don’t actually need it. My new aquarium has no controller.

How much kalk? I drip kalk at night with my DOS.

 

[nickng]

I currently have Hydros controllers, specifically the X10, XP8, and Wave Engine. I’ve thought about expanding my collective with more of their stuff, but no longer will be buying any products from coralvue. To me, it looks like they are falling apart as a company. I have this feeling they’re not gonna be around much longer or be bought out. Main reason why I went with hydros to begin with is their controllers were relatively cheaper than Neptune. In less than one year the XP8 has gone up from $279 to $330, along with outrageous price increases for everything they sell and distribute. I could go on and on about problems/issues I’ve been noticing.

I’ve seen the reviews on the EB832 on BRS and they don’t look to be that positive. What are y’all’s experience with Neptune? Any regrets or things that I should be aware about?

I couldn’t decide between apex or hydros initially. In the end I went for apex because (1) there’s an Ethernet port on the apex brain, it’s much more reliable than WiFi in my experience. In situations when WiFi is heavily used, my wired Ethernet is still working. (2) big 2nd hand reuse market makes it easier to pick up nonfunctional parts or replacement components to fix any out of warranty hardware if ever needed. (3) programability - if one has some programming/software background or willing to invest time to learn, it’s very flexible.
The eb832 is reliable, just keep it in a cabinet or some distance away from a humid/wet area. There was an issue with early eb832s that used a less robust 12v internal supply. There are some webpages detailing the fix.
Otherwise buy an older eb4 or eb8 which are rock solid.
My concern with Hydros is that it relies entirely on WiFi for connectivity.

 

[chapter7]

Hmm, not sure on that. Me too! Except at Christmas time for some reason?
Maybe too many 80’s Coke commercials, lol!

"Have a Coke and a smile!" We need more Coke in R2R!