I run full apex, and have taken apart quite a few of their components. Many of their accessories are very poorly designed and use cheap components. I would not put it near water (which is kind of ironic) as it is for saltwater. But I have sunken too much into it already. The MXM module is a complete joke. The AFS is hot garbage, and will break if you put it near water as the internals will corrode. The DOS is decent, but the DDR is a big waste (yes, I have it). I do like the controller interface. I'm glad I purchased many of their stuff used, so even when I don't like it...I'm not out the full retail price.
I SWEAR CONTROLLERS HATE ME.
- Thread starter DEWreefing
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I personally never used Apex just because looking at their equipment they all look like cheaply made toys. From what I hear other people reporting they sound like finicky crap as well. The only thing they have going for them IMO is the Trident testing system. I am running Hydros and am happy with it. One of the dumbest things about APEX is that it relys on a central brain to control a bunch of dummy modules. if the brain fails everything fails.
Hydros uses a network system called CAN bus this is how cars work. This is were all of the modules think for themselves then communicate their needs to one another. If one module fails all others keep running as planned until the bad module is repaired. This way you may lose a portion of control not total control. If you want to add extra features just buy another contoler module, add it to the network and tell it what you want it to do.
Also the components are IP65 rated water resistant with military grade connections. They even sell adapters to connect aftermarket pumps and sensors if you want to use other peoples gear. Its like the difference between Apple and Android. One plays nicely with others and the other one makes everthing proprietary to force you to buy more of their stuff. Oh and the # 1 perk....Hydros is MADE IN USA.
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Hydros uses a network system called CAN bus this is how cars work. This is were all of the modules think for themselves then communicate their needs to one another. If one module fails all others keep running as planned until the bad module is repaired. This way you may lose a portion of control not total control. If you want to add extra features just buy another contoler module, add it to the network and tell it what you want it to do.
Also the components are IP65 rated water resistant with military grade connections. They even sell adapters to connect aftermarket pumps and sensors if you want to use other peoples gear. Its like the difference between Apple and Android. One plays nicely with others and the other one makes everthing proprietary to force you to buy more of their stuff. Oh and the # 1 perk....Hydros is MADE IN USA.
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I’m an early adopter of Neptune systems. Prior to the original aqua controller the only real option was octopus which cost as much as a down payment on a house.
Prior to Neptune everything had to be done by hand. you’d trust the thermostat in the heater or chiller, use mechanical timers for lighting and even though there were some pH controllers, most of us set up our calcium reactors by hand. That took about 2 days and had to be done several times a year.
Prior to Neptune everything had to be done by hand. you’d trust the thermostat in the heater or chiller, use mechanical timers for lighting and even though there were some pH controllers, most of us set up our calcium reactors by hand. That took about 2 days and had to be done several times a year.
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I started reefing when there really were not many controlers available. Only the really hard core and high budget guys ran them. I found things to be a bit more reliable back then as all of the components were separate. If one controler(Light timer, ph controler, heater controler) failed you didnt crash the whole system...as long as you caught it in time.
I quit reef keeping in 2008 prior to the big controller shift so when I came back a little over a year ago I was able to do some comparison shopping before controlling. Honestly I would have gone with GHL but they never seemed to get the ION D off the ground. If they would have got that going I would have used their system over the Hydros.
I understand that Apex was the first really decent controller package for the hobby level. I am just not a fan of the all in one brain and the poorly made components (most are not even water resistant). Looking at the progression from the outside in, it seems to me that if a company revamped their platform (IE Neptune) that they should focus on making it more robust and reliable than its predecessor rather than just repackaging the same product and throwing in some equally unreliable equipment options.
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I quit reef keeping in 2008 prior to the big controller shift so when I came back a little over a year ago I was able to do some comparison shopping before controlling. Honestly I would have gone with GHL but they never seemed to get the ION D off the ground. If they would have got that going I would have used their system over the Hydros.
I understand that Apex was the first really decent controller package for the hobby level. I am just not a fan of the all in one brain and the poorly made components (most are not even water resistant). Looking at the progression from the outside in, it seems to me that if a company revamped their platform (IE Neptune) that they should focus on making it more robust and reliable than its predecessor rather than just repackaging the same product and throwing in some equally unreliable equipment options.
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