RKL or AquaController Apex Jr

[nate_newton]

For the budget reef. Which would be better. A Reef Keeper Lite or Neptune AquaController Apex Jr? And why.

[rosebud161616]

What all will you be doing with it? Calcium reactor? 2 part? Dimming LEDs?

I find that the RK lites end up being quite a bit more expensive when you add in all of the components that you need to get to that Apex point. I would research a RK elite vs. the Apex, if that's the level that you want to be in.

[Manoj's Reef]

For the long run. Apex would be better.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I too am a budget reefer. I went with the RKL. It handles what I need it to (lights, heaters and a Tunze 6055) and is fairly easy to program. If the time comes where I need more I will upgrade to the Elite.

I have not owned an ACjr. so I can't give you any feed back on it.

For those recommending the Apex... yes, it probably is better. But it is a bit off topic since the OP specifically stated a budget option.

Tom

[jimsflies]

There is an apex jr. now. $149.

Neptune Systems - AquaControllers - Apex Comparison (http://www.neptunesys.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=62&Itemid=40)

[nate_newton]

I'd be using it for lights/t5, temp, pH, ORP(future), NET. Are any controllable through the net?

[rosebud161616]

There is an apex jr. now. $149.

Neptune Systems - AquaControllers - Apex Comparison (http://www.neptunesys.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=62&Itemid=40)

Ah you're right. I was thinking of the apex lite. I didn't realize they replaced the ac jr with an "ac apex jr."

[Flynnstone]

Neptune Apex if you wish to controll / monitor ORP

RK basic package is cheaper, but will add up to be more with what your wanting to do.

the Jr. does not monitor ORP, unless you purchase an expansion module.

[rosebud161616]

I have put together a price list for you based on what you said you would need:

Apex Jr

This comes with NET already, but does not come with PH or Orp probe inputs. You can add these by adding a PM1 module to the system.

Base unit - 149.95
PM1 - $74.95
Total - $224.90

RK Lite Base

This does not come with NET or PH/ORP inputs. You can add a NET module and a SL1 module to get this functionality. So...

Base unit - $119.99
SL1 - $60
NET - $115
Total - $294.99

RK Lite Plus

This is the next step up in the RK Lite and it does come with the SL1, but not the NET module. So if you add this...

Base unit - $279.99
NET - $115
Total - $394.99

RK Lite Net

This comes with the SL1 and the NET module.

Total - $379.99

So for what you want, I think you get the most bang for your buck with the Apex Jr. Hope that helps!

[nate_newton]

I have put together a price list for you based on what you said you would need:

Apex Jr

This comes with NET already, but does not come with PH or Orp probe inputs. You can add these by adding a PM1 module to the system.

Base unit - 149.95
PM1 - $74.95
Total - $224.90

RK Lite Base

This does not come with NET or PH/ORP inputs. You can add a NET module and a SL1 module to get this functionality. So...

Base unit - $119.99
SL1 - $60
NET - $115
Total - $294.99

RK Lite Plus

This is the next step up in the RK Lite and it does come with the SL1, but not the NET module. So if you add this...

Base unit - $279.99
NET - $115
Total - $394.99

RK Lite Net

This comes with the SL1 and the NET module.

Total - $379.99

So for what you want, I think you get the most bang for your buck with the Apex Jr. Hope that helps!

Thanks for putting that all together.

[RussM]

One other point to consider is expandability.... and in this regard, the Apex Jr (mostly) blows away the RKL.

Both the RKL and Apex Jr have built-in limits to the number of modules that can be added.... the RKE is limited to 4 modules, the Apex Jr can be expanded with 4 modules plus the optional display head.

The RKL comes with one 4-outlet PC4 power strip which counts against that limit. The Apex Jr comes with 4 outlets built-in, leaving the ability to still add 4 AquaBus modules for more outlets, probes, moonlights, and control of dimmable LEDs & Tunze pumps, and control of Vortechs

Add a NET module to the base RKL package including a PC4, and you are down to only being able to add 2 more modules; The Apex Jr has embedded network capability, so no extra module is needed, leaving the expansion capability undiminished.

Neptune has both 4 and 8 outlet power modules available, Digital Aquatics only has 4-outlet modules; the Apex Jr has, in effect, the capability to handle over twice the number of outlets as the RKL.

With expansion modules, both models support 0-10 volt analog dimming of compatible LED and T5 lighting. Both have Tunze Stream pump control. Both have AI Sol control. Only the Apex has Vortech control though. And you can do AI Sol control, 0-10V dimming, and Tunze pumps all with one module, the VDM. To do that with the RK requires 2 modules (ALC & APC)

Digital Aquatics has a clear edge when it comes to probe expansion modules - they offer more for comparable cost... the SL2, for example has temp, pH, and conductivity/salinity. The equivalent Apex PM2 module has only temp and conductivity/salinity. The DA SL1 has temp, pH, -and- ORP; the Neptune PM1 has temp and a port which is selectable as pH -or- ORP.

The RKL is undeniably easier to setup.