Apex vs RKE

[whyamisofly]

Why would you choose one over the other? I have been looking for a couple weeks and can't see much of a difference in them other than a label.

Can you fill me in? I've never used a one before and have been in the hobby for almost 20 years.

Right now I'm looking for something to turn on my lights, control my heaters, and monitor salinity and temperature. I've never been one to dose, so I don't need that aspect.

RKE Elite (used from a fellow reefer)
-Head unit
-PC4 power bars x 5 (one is still new in box)
-SL1
-SL2
-NET modue
-Netgear small wifi adapter
-ORP probe x 2, One is new in package
-Salinity Probe
-pH probe
-Temp probe x 3
-SID V2 x 2
-RKM-SW5
-RKM-HUB
-API Advance prob
$450

Apex (the one with built in WiFi) with all lab grade probes - brand new
$650

 

[Malign Reefer]

RKE only inclues the following for $369.99

System includes:
1 x ReefKeeper Elite Head Unit
1 x RKM-SL1 (pH, ORP, temperature, 2 micro switches)
2 x RKM-PC4 (total of 8 outlets)
1 x Programming Dongle
1 x pH Probe Kit
1 x Temperature Probe

 

[ca1ore]

I bought into Apex (in 2013) because it seemed to me at the time that they were most actively developing new capabilities. For me, this was an important consideration. I've no experience with RKE, so they may be just as innovative, dunno. I just think it should be part of the assessment.

 

[whyamisofly]

RKE only inclues the following for $369.99

System includes:
1 x ReefKeeper Elite Head Unit
1 x RKM-SL1 (pH, ORP, temperature, 2 micro switches)
2 x RKM-PC4 (total of 8 outlets)
1 x Programming Dongle
1 x pH Probe Kit
1 x Temperature Probe

Updated OP to signify a used system.

 

[jubjub47]

Why would you choose one over the other? I have been looking for a couple weeks and can't see much of a difference in them other than a label.

Can you fill me in? I've never used a one before and have been in the hobby for almost 20 years.

Right now I'm looking for something to turn on my lights, control my heaters, and monitor salinity and temperature. I've never been one to dose, so I don't need that aspect.

RKE Elite (used from a fellow reefer)
-Head unit
-PC4 power bars x 5 (one is still new in box)
-SL1
-SL2
-NET modue
-Netgear small wifi adapter
-ORP probe x 2, One is new in package
-Salinity Probe
-pH probe
-Temp probe x 3
-SID V2 x 2
-RKM-SW5
-RKM-HUB
-API Advance prob
$450

Apex (the one with built in WiFi) with all lab grade probes - brand new
$650

Where are you seeing the new apex at that price?

 

[fishguy306]

I am a reefkeeper guy, mostly as the price of Apex kept me from ever really considering it. That said I am also using the Archon and have good results with it. Overall I am very happy with it.

That said, Apex does have more module types and capabilities at the moment, leak detectors, flow meters, Ecotech control. Are they necessary? Nope, but they could be neat. At the moment I'm happy, I keep my fingers crossed that Digital Aquatics keeps coming up with new modules as well.

 

[whyamisofly]

I am a reefkeeper guy, mostly as the price of Apex kept me from ever really considering it. That said I am also using the Archon and have good results with it. Overall I am very happy with it.

That said, Apex does have more module types and capabilities at the moment, leak detectors, flow meters, Ecotech control. Are they necessary? Nope, but they could be neat. At the moment I'm happy, I keep my fingers crossed that Digital Aquatics keeps coming up with new modules as well.

I really have no intentions of using EcoTech products - have never been a fan.

Where are you seeing the new apex at that price?

Fellow reefer.

 

[whyamisofly]

I'm getting conflicting information searching online.

With the items listed for the RKE, am I able to set either text or email (or both) alerts?

 

[fishguy306]

With the net module you can set it up to send an email if there is an alert, if you enter your cell # in an email format it'll text you the alert as well.

 

[whyamisofly]

But I will have to run an Ethernet cord to either, correct?

 

[fishguy306]

I believe it is possible to set up with a wifi adapter, but I don't know how to go about doing so, otherwise at least for the RKE ethernet will be needed. I believe the older style Apex is the same way.

 

[n2585722]

Have you looked on the Digital Aquatics forum for the information? This link is to the NET module specific part of the forum http://www.forum.digitalaquatics.com/viewforum.php?f=22.

 

[shellsea]

I had the RKE but now have the Archon. I would definitely go Archon over RKE. No experience with Apex


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[frankv702]

I had an rke and apex. I much prefer the apex... biggest reason is Fusion. I had an rke with a net module and wasn't a fan of the interface. I'm not the savviest with networking and couldn't get it set up so I could view it off of my network. Fusion I had up and running in no time even with using a wifi adapter so I didn't need to run an Ethernet cable from upstairs to my tank downstairs. I like logging my tests in there and it graphing for me as well although that might be something you can do but I didn't figure out on the rke. I'm a huge Vortech fan too and love the controllability integration of my MP pumps on the wxm module. It also seems to me there's more controllability with how you can control stuff in apex. For me it was just easier to use, cleaner to install, and has a very user friendly interface.