Apex Lite Vs. Apex Full

[bdeibler]

So I am getting ready to purchase a Apex System for my tank, I have been searching around and have not found anything yet that has helped me understand what the main differences are between the Apex Lite system and the Apex system with standard ph probe. I get that It does not come with a ph probe. But is there anything ells different? Why such a cost difference?

 

[drsalomon]

Apex jr has severely limited number if modules you are allowed to connect at same time. This limitation is removed in the lite.

 

[James77]

The full Apex has 4 dimmable( 0-10v) ports, as well as an additional ph/ORP port. For the extra $120, it is a good deal...as to get those added to the Apex Lite would need a PM1 module and a VDM module, about $180.

The Apex Lite is not limited on modules, only the Apex Junior is.

 

[bdeibler]

The full Apex has 4 dimmable( 0-10v) ports, as well as an additional ph/ORP port. For the extra $120, it is a good deal...as to get those added to the Apex Lite would need a PM1 module and a VDM module, about $180.

The Apex Lite is not limited on modules, only the Apex Junior is.

Great that is spot on to what i'm looking for! Full Apex is what i'm going with then. thanks so much for the help the purchasing sites are not very clear on that.

 

[bdeibler]

The full Apex has 4 dimmable( 0-10v) ports, as well as an additional ph/ORP port. For the extra $120, it is a good deal...as to get those added to the Apex Lite would need a PM1 module and a VDM module, about $180.

The Apex Lite is not limited on modules, only the Apex Junior is.

Thanks for the reply I am going to go with the Full Apex!

 

[dkeller_nc]

By the way - An Apex can run more than one tank with only one "head unit". For an additional tank, you need at minimum an additional energy bar and a straight-through USB cable long enough to reach the remote tank. If you want pH/Temp information from this extra tank, you need an extra PM1 module.

 

[Rocklgnd2b]

My advice is to call neptune systems. They're really good with explaining it and helping you figure out what you need. I ended up going full apex. I love it but a computer programmer had to help figure it out otherwise I'd have sent it back. It's a *****

 

[zenom]

I just went through this and to be honest, get the Lite, not the Full. Almost everything you need, you need to buy a module for anyway. I bought the full thinking it would have all the stuff I needed. But I still needed to buy a PM2 and a probe for salinity, I still have to buy a VDM and a cable to control my apex + ready lights. I personally right now do not have the need for a second PH/ORP probe, but maybe if I get a reactor, but I would imagine I could have bought a module at that time.

I personally think I would go with the Lite and buy what I needed as I needed it. The $500 system wound up being $800 after having to buy extra modules, probes and cables, where the lite would have at least saved me $120.

 

[raybyrne67]

I decided to go with the Apex Lite for the same reasons as venom stated. I have no need for dimmers or an extra PH/ORP probe. It all depends on your setup.

 

[bdeibler]

I just went through this and to be honest, get the Lite, not the Full. Almost everything you need, you need to buy a module for anyway. I bought the full thinking it would have all the stuff I needed. But I still needed to buy a PM2 and a probe for salinity, I still have to buy a VDM and a cable to control my apex + ready lights. I personally right now do not have the need for a second PH/ORP probe, but maybe if I get a reactor, but I would imagine I could have bought a module at that time.

I personally think I would go with the Lite and buy what I needed as I needed it. The $500 system wound up being $800 after having to buy extra modules, probes and cables, where the lite would have at least saved me $120.

Good to know! Thanks for responding!

 

[FlyPenFly]

I just went through this and to be honest, get the Lite, not the Full. Almost everything you need, you need to buy a module for anyway. I bought the full thinking it would have all the stuff I needed. But I still needed to buy a PM2 and a probe for salinity, I still have to buy a VDM and a cable to control my apex + ready lights. I personally right now do not have the need for a second PH/ORP probe, but maybe if I get a reactor, but I would imagine I could have bought a module at that time.

I personally think I would go with the Lite and buy what I needed as I needed it. The $500 system wound up being $800 after having to buy extra modules, probes and cables, where the lite would have at least saved me $120.

You don't need a VDM if you have Apex Full as that has the VDM ports.

 

[zenom]

That's not entirely true. Only if your lights can plug into those variable speed ports. My apex plus acan lights still need a vdm and cable to work. Only a couple of sets of lights can plug into those ports by default according to the docs

 

[bdeibler]

That's not entirely true. Only if your lights can plug into those variable speed ports. My apex plus acan lights still need a vdm and cable to work. Only a couple of sets of lights can plug into those ports by default according to the docs

Good to know, thanks! I'm starting to think it would be better to go with the apex lite and add as needed.

 

[ca1ore]

Add me to the list of folks who bought the lite. No need for a second pH or the VDM ports, and ORP is useless ..... so lite it was! Then proceeded to go hog wild on extras: second EB8, then a third, WXM for my Vortech pumps, the moon light module, then a PM2 .... soon the feeder. Then you can't figure out how you ran a tank with out it .... the whole thing is just a big scam!

 

[bdeibler]

Add me to the list of folks who bought the lite. No need for a second pH or the VDM ports, and ORP is useless ..... so lite it was! Then proceeded to go hog wild on extras: second EB8, then a third, WXM for my Vortech pumps, the moon light module, then a PM2 .... soon the feeder. Then you can't figure out how you ran a tank with out it .... the whole thing is just a big scam!

I know what you mean every bit of it is not cheep by no means. i'm gone with work a good amount in the summer and my wife is always worried that she is going to kill the fish or something. so it give her and i peace of mind that is why i want it.

 

[Timber77]

or check out the reef angel, way cheaper and its at least equal to full apex if not better.
there are other controllers out there.

 

[firebirdude]

or check out the reef angel, way cheaper and its at least equal to full apex if not better.
there are other controllers out there.

I've often heard this. But I'm looking at their page and I see that the main head unit is $220-$270, plus $110 for the WiFi attachment. Then it has a whole slew of expansions you can buy. Salinity expansion, for example, is $150. So though it does indeed allow you to custom code, it certainly doesn't look "way cheaper".

 

[zenom]

Well the lite unit is 399 and up from there. So it is 130 dollars cheaper.

 

[firebirdude]

Well the lite unit is 399 and up from there. So it is 130 dollars cheaper.

It's $369 on BRS right now and comes with internet capabilities. So that's nearly the same exact price after the internet attachment.

 

[zenom]

Apex Lite Vs. Apex Full

Ah right forgot that the ra needs a diff module for internet. Although it is wifi. The apex is not wifi.