Reef keeper VS. Apex

[binford4000]

Ok ring the bell ! I am looking at replacing my Apex. It keeps freezing up and has become totally unpredictable and know has lost it connectivity to my phone which now makes it worthless. The system is officially on manual power strips now with a finnex controller for heat. I have been looking at the RKE ,it first cost less but the down side is the power strips only have 4 outlets which means have to buy more of them. So this becomes more about dependability then money. So I thought I would ask fellow reefers about what they think. So please speak up about your reef keepers or your Apex systems. I am not looking to slam either brands just looking for others input before replacing anything. Thanks for looking and hope to hear constructive opinions.

Jim,anyway we could poll this ???? :oldman:

[FlynnFish]

I had a similar issue a few months back. The apex decided to turn everything off and i didn't notice it till 12 hours later. Lost seven fish and almost lost my prized fish, a 9 inch fowleri tang that i had for two years was on his back gasping for air. My husband rebooted everything and we called Neptune directly. They walked is through resetting everything back up. Worked fine for a day. Same thing happened on day two, but we noticed it after an hour. Called Neptune again, they accessed our computer and went into the apex unit and it blocked them out. ??? So the guy told us to send in the base unit. Sent it in and was told that it was an internal electrical failure that was "not uncommon". Was fixed and returned within a few days for $60. Haven't had an issue since. Call Neptune.

[binford4000]

I had a similar issue a few months back. The apex decided to turn everything off and i didn't notice it till 12 hours later. Lost seven fish and almost lost my prized fish, a 9 inch fowleri tang that i had for two years was on his back gasping for air. My husband rebooted everything and we called Neptune directly. They walked is through resetting everything back up. Worked fine for a day. Same thing happened on day two, but we noticed it after an hour. Called Neptune again, they accessed our computer and went into the apex unit and it blocked them out. ??? So the guy told us to send in the base unit. Sent it in and was told that it was an internal electrical failure that was "not uncommon". Was fixed and returned within a few days for $60. Haven't had an issue since. Call Neptune.

Thanks for the input. I have been on the phone,computer and way too many e mails. It has came to the point that we need to send in the brain but am not very impressed with the service and we bought this Apex used so to replace it is not really an issue. Even the screen on the key pad is starting to do strange things.

[FlynnFish]

Lol. We got our display fixed too. It was on but no lettering showed up

[petercar]

Have yu looked into the higher scale controller ?the profilux brand.? Bigshow of bigshowfrags has one. ..he is away from home for 2 weeks then home for 2 weeks then away for 2 weeks


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[jimsflies]

Neptune will also sell you a replacement or second head unit for $210. I'm wondering if the latest firmware has anything to do with this. Granted it has been running the firmware for a few months which would make it less likely to be the case but maybe the memory is filling up and causing it issues?

[binford4000]

I know you didn't list it as an option but I really like my ReefAngel. The programming is a bit different but you can program it to do anything (and they have their own forum with all kinds of tips/ tricks and preset up programs to copy and paste), and when I had problems I dealt with the owner not some flunky in Bangladesh (I had a couple bad cables that weren't shielding properly in the beginning, but haven't had an issue since he sent replacements). The ATO is built into the base unit and as long as you keep the float switches clean works flawless. I run my LEDs through the proper module, temp, ph, all runs flawlessly and has for over a year now. Also, the plug unit has 8 outlets and the expansions also have 8.

IMO they are small enough to give a damn about their customers, while being big enough to work properly :)

Just figured I would give you another option and my experience w/ it.



Also, I have an older AC Jr. if you want to borrow it until you get yours working or get a replacement unit.... I've never been able to get it to connect to the net, but it functioned properly while I had it in use (recently took down the nano it was on)

Thanks for the input Chris. Any chance of sending me a link of someone who sells this unit.I am trying to keep an open mind on this purchase. The Apex has done well tell now but it does seam that people are haveing issues more often then in the past. I am also no very impressed with the rep I dealt with. The previous guy was awsome and he refused to transfer the ticket to him and when I called he really got pretty s#$tty with me because I was not agreeing with him.It is obvious that something internal has gone very wrong,as well with the support that they we're so well known for. Jim, yes I am aware of the 210.00 base price. The Neptune rep sent me enough e mails about it that I got the point that it was pretty much a sales rep and not a tech rep. Arrgh not going to slam !!! Any way ,Chris if you can PM some links or contact info on the RA I would appreciate it.
Tx for the poll Jim also !!! :oldman:

[jimsflies]

I wonder how long we can expect a controller to work without problems? My controller worked flawlessly for 3 years till I started having some problems. How long does it have to run without an issue to be a "good one"?

[binford4000]

I wonder how long we can expect a controller to work without problems? My controller worked flawlessly for 3 years till I started having some problems. How long does it have to run without an issue to be a "good one"?

That's a good question. I think for 500+ dollars that you should be able to get more then 3 years. I do like the Apex honestly.I am just very disappointed more in the service change then I am the unit failing tho

[pjr]

Had 3 of the 4..... a few go arounds.I would rate them:

In terms of customer responsiveness, 1. Apex 2. Profilux 3 RKE

Web Forum: 1. Apex 2. Profilux 3 RKE

In terms of product quality: 1. Profilux 2. Apex 3. RKE

In terms of most arrogance: 1. Profilux 2. RKE 3. Apex

Ease of use: 1. RKE 2.Apex 3. Profilux

Networking (ease, cost, and standard packages) 1. Apex 2 RKE 3. Apex

[youngtimothy]

I have the reef keeper lite and love it, costumer service has been great ( just called with a couple questions) only problem I've had is my temp probe has gone bad but could be because of where I have it.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I too have a reefkeeper lite. It's run flawlessly for 3 years, and programing has been a breeze. It's the only controller I've owned so I can't give opinons on the other brands.

I was considering eventually switching to an APEX, but with the number of recent failure reports and now poor customer service... I am thinking I'll more likely upgrade to an elite if/when I outgrow the lite.

Tom

[jimsflies]

That's a good question. I think for 500+ dollars that you should be able to get more than 3 years. I do like the Apex honestly.I am just very disappointed more in the service change then I am the unit failing tho

While I am disappointed mine had issues, I guess the fact it is 3 years old and they can fix it up good as new for $60 (based on Flynnfish's post) doesn't seem too unreasonable. The biggest hassle to me is not having the controller during the time it is sent back for service.

The fact that they are very fast to respond to problems, the helpfulness of the Apex community in general, and the regular updates to firmware that add functionality to the controller still make Neptune my favorite controller option.

[binford4000]

While I am disappointed mine had issues, I guess the fact it is 3 years old and they can fix it up good as new for $60 (based on Flynnfish's post) doesn't seem too unreasonable. The biggest hassle to me is not having the controller during the time it is sent back for service.

The fact that they are very fast to respond to problems, the helpfulness of the Apex community in general, and the regular updates to firmware that add functionality to the controller still make Neptune my favorite controller option.

I agree to some point Jim. I have decieded to get another base and then save the programs to it and send in my old base unit and hey pad.. Service is the most important part of these units IMHO. Another thing to is how they respond to complaints of bad service. Neptune has made it worth while to stay with them and has fully addressed the issue of how my ticket was handled.Thanks to everyone who responded!

[pinhigh1886]

I just recieved my AFS and AWM module. At that point everything but water changes will be controlled. I have been nothing but impressed with Neptune and the APEX. I have 2 senarios where I need help including one time where ultimately I had to send my display module back. I have only had this contoller for a littke over a year so the display was covered by warranty. My router was going bad and caused lots of problems. I bought a new brand of router and could not get anything going. Neptune logged into my computer and stayed on the phone with me for over an hour until everything was right. I am bummed about your experience and I would be as upset as you are for sure. I hope they make it right!

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

[binford4000]

I just recieved my AFS and AWM module. At that point everything but water changes will be controlled. I have been nothing but impressed with Neptune and the APEX. I have 2 senarios where I need help including one time where ultimately I had to send my display module back. I have only had this contoller for a littke over a year so the display was covered by warranty. My router was going bad and caused lots of problems. I bought a new brand of router and could not get anything going. Neptune logged into my computer and stayed on the phone with me for over an hour until everything was right. I am bummed about your experience and I would be as upset as you are for sure. I hope they make it right!

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

Neptune did repair the main unit and also the keypad. I ended up buying another complete Apex to get things back on line tell they repaired and returned my unit. Never really explained what they had to do tho! Guess we have a back up plan now. Lol they do make a very powerful unit that pretty much can do anything you want it to do now with all the new modules they're coming out with now

[pinhigh1886]

I had a similar issue a few months back. The apex decided to turn everything off and i didn't notice it till 12 hours later. Lost seven fish and almost lost my prized fish, a 9 inch fowleri tang that i had for two years was on his back gasping for air. My husband rebooted everything and we called Neptune directly. They walked is through resetting everything back up. Worked fine for a day. Same thing happened on day two, but we noticed it after an hour. Called Neptune again, they accessed our computer and went into the apex unit and it blocked them out. ??? So the guy told us to send in the base unit. Sent it in and was told that it was an internal electrical failure that was "not uncommon". Was fixed and returned within a few days for $60. Haven't had an issue since. Call Neptune.

I was thinking about this today and how aweful it was. Do you have email alerts and alarms set p to notify you next time? Also not sure if you know about reeftronics.net? RussM who is close or an associate of Neptune set it up. You give him all your IP info and a few other things and then your programs, status, and few other graph options are store on his site. Others can see your program but can't do anything with it. The best part if the site loses communication with your Apex you get lots of email notifications!

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

[FlynnFish]

For some reason the unit doesn't always send emails. I had the alarm go off from the temp being to high and never received an email. Something I still have to look into.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk