SoloGarth
Active member
They have fixed the static ip /port forwarding need. Neptune at least with fusion. The Archon was sold as a cloud based device. I think that's still in the works though.
Digital Aquatics or Neptune Systems
- Thread starter vertigo01
- Start date
They have fixed the static ip /port forwarding need. Neptune at least with fusion. The Archon was sold as a cloud based device. I think that's still in the works though.
Wow that is nice. Pretty cool it work with older units.
They need to update their wedsite
"There is no need, ever, to connect it directly to a computer to monitor your aquarium or update its firmware. And, once you set up external access via port-forwarding on your router, you can easily access your Apex from anywhere in the world via a web browser or via our iOS or Android apps!"
I will add, the only time I connect my computer directly to my Apex is for firmware upgrades. Trying to do them via your wifi is just asking for trouble. So yeah, once every few months connect it to my computer and update the firmware, restart and plug back into my wifi adapter and ready to go.
n2585722
Well-known member
I mentioned it to Dave a fellow Team DA member. He has moderator privileges on the forum. I assume he approved your post for you. Neither of us work for Digital Aquatics but are members of Team DA along with a few others. We have years of experience with the Digital Aquatics products and were selected by them. We are here to help with programming issues and help with controller setup. If there is something we cannot help with we can send Eric a message and get him to involved.
I haven't been on the forum in a while due to being busy at my regular job. When I go on to the DA forum I approve any posts or users as I see them. Once you are approved as a user, your individual posts do not need to be approved. As mentioned earlier in this thread, the approval process is there to prevent spam. I do think that if you had chosen to go with the Archon you would be very happy with it. I am happy that you have found a controller that you are comfortable with. I am a huge advocate of using a controller on a tank, regardless of which one. I am sure you will be happy with the Apex as well.
If you need anything on the DA forum, just pm me. My username there is the same as it is here.
I know this thread is dead but I just wanted to say I purchased an Archon. I figured it was the natural transition from the RKL. Now at first I was highly agitated because i couldnt get this thing working per the manual. I tried the DA support forum but my posts never got approved. Then I tried on the Archon owners thread here on Reef Central and I got plenty of replies to my questions from plenty of users, a few of which have posted in this thread. There were still some issues, I was so mad I bought a Apex Jr. But I never needed to open it because I got in contact from Eric from DA and with in 20 minutes, he had me up and running. Since then I have emailed him 2 times and he has gotten back to me within an hour. But since then it has been running like a champ. I am just waiting for UPS to get here to finish the transition to the Archon. Ive already been able to access my system outside my home network and will soon have a IP camera. Im pretty sure I have read every Archon thread and yes it did have a ROUGH start but it is smooth now. Everyone seems to want to throw it by the wayside but I definately think its worth giving it a shot. Now I just need to get rid of the Apex Jr. Just my 2 cents
elmexotics
Member
The First few post have to be approved by an admin as there have been instances of people posting things that do not belong on the site, ie porn)
I am still researching as well as saving $$ . Glad to hear of your positive experience.
Reefn'_Dude
New member
Experienced reefer - Back in it and I bought a RKE
Experienced reefer - Back in it and I bought a RKE
Hi All, long time member, posted maybe a few times long ago.
I know this is an old thread, but let's revisit another year gone past the archon release, new modules for both units.
Was real big into marine tanks for a several year stint a few years back, and got back into it again last year.
Before, I did not have the means to automate so I had timers and switches galore... I even used a Lego RCX with several inputs on it to do some basic control features.
fast forward to today: Fully custom tank system build from the ground up. I'm taking pictures and will post a complete build when I can.
I was eager to get into it before I had the tank finished, so I got a basement quarantine up and running. it became a bit of a full display and needed more attention than I could give.
I started researching and 2 clear leaders came up: RKE and Apex. There were other flavors and systems including the SenEye which I considered, but for what I needed and wanted and had to spend I eventually landed on RKE.
I DID NOT know at the time about the Archon, or I'd have seriously considered that too. That being said, i'm still considering it after 6+ months of success for me.
When I got to comparing, the Apex comes loaded out of the box, lots of modules and super support. Large following too, but boy is the initial price tag high. I considered what I was losing spending about $500 less, and when it comes down to it, I don't think I'm missing much.
As an IT pro, I know about finicky electronics and how if you care for them deploying the first time, you can usually count on them in the long run. I say this, as I was concerned the RKE was going to be a problem.
So far, the RKE with all addons I have is running 3 tank systems with varying degree of automation.
I saved $$$ as far as I'm concerned (So far barring epic failure) and only have 3 minor issues:
1. I had an aqua-lifter plugged into a triarc outlet before I knew it was possible to be always on at low voltage. water on floor. If I had read the forums carefully enough though, I could have avoided this issue.
2. The graphing leaves alot to be desired, but with the SID plugged into a windows machine, and remote access, have access to nearly everything I could want. Worth the savings to me so far.
3. The bus failure. in 6+ months, I had 1. the audible and visual alarm went off on the RKE and some but not all equipment stopped functioning. power cycling the equipment seems to have resolved the issue as I have not had much for bus errors reported in the software since.
I now run everything behind 2 GFCI and a UPS. I have not experienced any issues really with the RKE that would make me run away.
I am currently considering swapping my RKE head unit and net module for the Archon, but not 100% yet, still want to read some more from people who had success and shared.
I get the many and great reasons to have an Apex. If I had more $$ at the time, that might have been what i ended up with. As an IT pro who wanted to do this build economically and can afford to do some tinkering, the trade off to me seems totally worth it.
I have also been happy with the gradual ramp-up possible with the RKE. you can buy more systems separately and the overall cost is lower to run multiple tanks.
I am happy to report that even after reading the horror stories about people who hated their RKE experience and went Apex and never looked back, I tried it and I'm happy. I had/have success, and have no real complaints. I have learned alot having the system and would recommend to others who can handle it.
Experienced reefer - Back in it and I bought a RKE
Hi All, long time member, posted maybe a few times long ago.
I know this is an old thread, but let's revisit another year gone past the archon release, new modules for both units.
Was real big into marine tanks for a several year stint a few years back, and got back into it again last year.
Before, I did not have the means to automate so I had timers and switches galore... I even used a Lego RCX with several inputs on it to do some basic control features.
fast forward to today: Fully custom tank system build from the ground up. I'm taking pictures and will post a complete build when I can.
I was eager to get into it before I had the tank finished, so I got a basement quarantine up and running. it became a bit of a full display and needed more attention than I could give.
I started researching and 2 clear leaders came up: RKE and Apex. There were other flavors and systems including the SenEye which I considered, but for what I needed and wanted and had to spend I eventually landed on RKE.
I DID NOT know at the time about the Archon, or I'd have seriously considered that too. That being said, i'm still considering it after 6+ months of success for me.
When I got to comparing, the Apex comes loaded out of the box, lots of modules and super support. Large following too, but boy is the initial price tag high. I considered what I was losing spending about $500 less, and when it comes down to it, I don't think I'm missing much.
As an IT pro, I know about finicky electronics and how if you care for them deploying the first time, you can usually count on them in the long run. I say this, as I was concerned the RKE was going to be a problem.
So far, the RKE with all addons I have is running 3 tank systems with varying degree of automation.
I saved $$$ as far as I'm concerned (So far barring epic failure) and only have 3 minor issues:
1. I had an aqua-lifter plugged into a triarc outlet before I knew it was possible to be always on at low voltage. water on floor. If I had read the forums carefully enough though, I could have avoided this issue.
2. The graphing leaves alot to be desired, but with the SID plugged into a windows machine, and remote access, have access to nearly everything I could want. Worth the savings to me so far.
3. The bus failure. in 6+ months, I had 1. the audible and visual alarm went off on the RKE and some but not all equipment stopped functioning. power cycling the equipment seems to have resolved the issue as I have not had much for bus errors reported in the software since.
I now run everything behind 2 GFCI and a UPS. I have not experienced any issues really with the RKE that would make me run away.
I am currently considering swapping my RKE head unit and net module for the Archon, but not 100% yet, still want to read some more from people who had success and shared.
I get the many and great reasons to have an Apex. If I had more $$ at the time, that might have been what i ended up with. As an IT pro who wanted to do this build economically and can afford to do some tinkering, the trade off to me seems totally worth it.
I have also been happy with the gradual ramp-up possible with the RKE. you can buy more systems separately and the overall cost is lower to run multiple tanks.
I am happy to report that even after reading the horror stories about people who hated their RKE experience and went Apex and never looked back, I tried it and I'm happy. I had/have success, and have no real complaints. I have learned alot having the system and would recommend to others who can handle it.
n2585722
Well-known member
I have used the Archon since it came out. I have posted about it on by build thread, but it is on another website. It is a 42 gallon hex tank build and should not be too hard to find. I don't think they would let me post a link here.
FYI, the Archon is a Linux based unit. That might be some help to you if you are into IT.
FYI, the Archon is a Linux based unit. That might be some help to you if you are into IT.
n2585722,
If you could pm me the link, I would be interested in taking a look at your build.
As for my experience with a RKE, I absolutely love my RKE and have had it running flawlessly on a tank for a little over 3.5 yrs with no issues. To be honest, about 2 years ago was the last time I made any changes to the programming and I have not updated the firmware since I put it in service. In my opinion if you are looking for a set and forget controller and don't want to pay out the nose, the RKE is a solid reliable controller.
But like others I I too looked at the apex' s many features and for my current build I am joining the Apex user group.
As for my experiences with the apex thus far, I am not a fan. But then again I am only a week in so if you ask me in a year I may have changed my mind.
HIH,
Tom
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