Digital Aquatics or Neptune Systems

[Tom39]

At the time I purchased my DA controller, I was looking for a controller to do basic functions and provide me the opportunity make my system somewhat automated. When I say basic functions I only wanted a controller to monitor and or control ph, temp, ATO, wave maker, cooling fan, algae turf scrubber lighting skimmer, reactors and return pump.
Not long after the initial setup I discontinued the use of the controller for control of the return pump, skimmer, reactor pump and DT lighting (has its own built-in timer) as I found that it was more cumbersome to use the controller to control those functions and I simply added them to an independent of the controller power strip.
That said, I ran a DA Reef Keeper Elite for almost 3 years with no issues and found it to be a very stable aquarium controller system and would recommend it to anyone that wants to have basic functions of an aquarium automated. For my upcoming build I went with Apex for its bells and whistles and hope that I will be happy in the end.
So if you want bells and whistles and have the means, Apex is the way to go. If you want a controller you set and forget, go with DA.

 

[USC-fan]

I have had many DA systems over the years .........
DA RK lites and RK Elites .

I now run a full loaded Apex, and am much happier, and feel much more in control . My son Runs an Apex Jr .

Its pretty nice to be able to pull up all your reef tank parameters while on vacation, at work ..........or even just out at the movies or a restaurant ! I can check Temp , PH, ORP, Salinity, Amp draw , and control almost anything on my tank while I am out. Heck I can even feed the fish if I forget and even see them eating the food with the live video feed . All from my smart phone.
Laptop is also an option while away. Like on vacation or a business travel for instance.


I think I can safely say this ...........

There are lots of reefers who have made the switch from ReefKeeper to Apex !
But how many reefers have you heard of that switched from Apex to Reefkeeper ???

Enough said ............

Just go with an Apex .

:wave:

I switched. I fact i still use the original reef keeper on my tank and an elite.

Now i havent even looked at neptune since i switched years ago. Back then there was a huge learning curb with neptune. I dunno how it is now. I pretty much had to learn to code to program it.

 

[Herbie]

:wave:

I switched. I fact i still use the original reef keeper on my tank and an elite.

Now i havent even looked at neptune since i switched years ago. Back then there was a huge learning curb with neptune. I dunno how it is now. I pretty much had to learn to code to program it.

Neptune Systems of the past are nothing like the Apex of today.


Still holding firm .............

How many reefers have you heard of that switched from APEX to Reefkeeper ???


Granted, the DA RK Lite does have some solid uses in the aquarium world still . Its an entry level controller that does a LOT for $119. Nothing else comes close for the price point.

Its when you step up to the DA Elite , that the Apex should be a serious consideration. No comparison between the Apex and DA RK Elite . I vividly remember trying to program my DA Elite to run an LED lighting program , it was way harder than it should have been . Gave me a friggan headache !
Compare that to the current Apex using the Fusion control ...........it literally couldnt be any easier . Just slide around points of reference on the color and intensity graphs ............DONE !

I am a long time DA user converted to Neptune Apex .......... I will never go back !

My son was looking to get a DA lite for his set-up . I wouldnt even let him, lol .
I bought him an Apex Jr , so I wouldnt have to help him with the DA Lite !


Herbie

 

[ca1ore]

I agree with the scale being tipped in favor of the Apex.

It's not a bias necessarily, just that all things being equal people tend to recommend what they use. That the 'scales are tipped' simply suggests that more folks use Apex than they do DA. I use an Apex and have been quite happy with it; buddy of mine has been using DA and is very happy with it. Might be more helpful to ask folks why they picked what they picked as a way to align your needs. BTW, apex lite is discontinued.

Not sure anyone's mentioned it, but the primary reason I went with apex was the higher likelihood of the company sticking around. The current economic environment is not kind to small, niche manufacturers so it made sense to me to go with the market leader for future innovations and support.

 

[SoloGarth]

To me it's not about who bought what and why. A better metric is to speak to everyone who has had both (or all 3) systems and ask which they would buy again.

As an owner of a RKE, Archon and APEX I vote APEX. Haha.

 

[bps619]

Getting my tax return...about to ball out with the apex

 

[vertigo01]

Decision has been made

Decision has been made

In choosing which aquarium controller is best for me. It's Apex for the win.

I figured it best if I created a profile on the DA " Archon " support page, to do a bit of reading as well as ask questions.

Again, figuring that I would let DA sell me on their product, ( who better to sell a product with knowledge and experience, than the manufacturer? ) I posted a question or 3 as to why I should spend my hard earned $$$ on their product as well as voicing the reservations I had regarding the past and current problems with the unit.

Seeing as it has been over 24 hours since I submitted my thread/topic for review without it being posted.
It dawned on me:sad2: that DA does not want an open discussion with regards to their product, nor do they advocate anyone starting one.

Honestly, I was hoping for a mod to contact me and quell my fears with regards to the past and current problems of the Archon but no such luck.

In the end, my money goes to Apex.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

 

[n2585722]

Your account has to be approved before the post is allowed. There were a lot of spam postings and that is why this is done now. I think Dave is the one moderating it.

 

[vertigo01]

Your account has to be approved before the post is allowed. There were a lot of spam postings and that is why this is done now. I think Dave is the one moderating it.

I was sent an email stating that my acct was approved, roughly 20 min's after I created my acct.

 

[n2585722]

Yes, that is an auto reply. They had to go to someone approving before the post will appear. That is only to make sure if is not spam. Once approved then you are good to go from that point. I can send Dave an email if you want. Are you using the same name as here?

 

[rainydave]

I was sent an email stating that my acct was approved, roughly 20 min's after I created my acct.

I'm not seeing your post. I do see that your post count is 0.

 

[vertigo01]

I'm not seeing your post. I do see that your post count is 0.

You don't see it because it probably wasn't approved by a moderator.

DA requires that all New topics be approved by a moderator before being posted. Atleast that is the message I received.

As a matter of fact, I posted 2 messages several hours apart and neither of them showed up.
I didn't realize that each new topic had to be approved until I submitted the second.

 

[vertigo01]

Yes, that is an auto reply. They had to go to someone approving before the post will appear. That is only to make sure if is not spam. Once approved then you are good to go from that point. I can send Dave an email if you want. Are you using the same name as here?

No offense towards you but if their forum is so slow that it takes someone to contact someone else on behalf of a potential customer, then I think it in my best interest to spend my $$ elsewhere.
IMHO it show's how lackadaisical they are with regards to communication.

 

[Herbie]

DA used to have a sponsor forum on RC .
It was almost comical how non-involved DA was about answering questions. :rolleye1:
Even the most simple question , like ........ how do I plug my Reef Keeper in , went unanswered for days or weeks .
Not-surprisingly, they are no longer sponsors, and dont have the DA forum on RC any longer.

If you need a cheap controller, the DA RK lite is great . Cant beat $119. !
For ANYTHING more than that, Apex is the way to go !
Good choice with the Apex Vert ! :thumbsup:

 

[n2585722]

you guys think 24 hrs is slow? To me that would be a very quick response.

 

[vertigo01]

you guys think 24 hrs is slow? To me that would be a very quick response.

I think a mod approval of a post is super slow if it takes 24 hours just to be posted. At this point, it is past 24 hours for my first post, more like 30.

 

[Manfredo]

I would not purchase the lite either way. Just my opinion but as someone mentioned in another thread you can't use float switches with the lite without purchasing another module (pm1 or pm2) in addition to the breakout box.

Not sure who said you cannot use float switches with the Lite, I own one and use a float switch with a BOB with zero problems..

 

[SoloGarth]

Digital Aquatics or Neptune Systems

Not sure who said you cannot use float switches with the Lite, I own one and use a float switch with a BOB with zero problems..

I don't own the light. But in another thread someone mentioned that the light cannot have a bob attached without buying an additional module. Is that not correct?

From what I can tell it doesn't look to have the correct connector.

 

[SoloGarth]

Never mind. I figured it out. Confused apex lite with apex Jr.

 

[USC-fan]

To be completely honest looking at the new systems from both companies is crazy how little they have advanced from when i brought my systems many years ago.

This is 2016 you should have have to port forward anymore or have a static IP. None of my nest, smartthings, ecobee, smartcams, etc need a static IP. How have they not fixed this? Insane....

I see why DA cleaned house. The reef keeper was very advance back in 2004 when i brought it. Even the ACIII and Reefkeeper elite i brought can do just about everything these new systems can.

Both systems need a major refresh.