Do I need an APEX?

A

allendehl

New member
Hi there,

I am still gathering all the info and equipment I'll need to setup my first tank ever. Stuff is starting to show up at home!! Very excited.

Until now, I didn't have an APEX in my plans. To be honest I am not even clear of what its function is. By reading and looking it up online I see it is a device that allows to control power to several things in the tank. Is this a must have from the beginning or is a "make your life easier" kind of investment? If the latter...how much easier?

My setup so far is:

- Reefer 350 with 2X Hydra26
- Reef Octopus Classic 152-s Skimmer
- Sicce Syncra 3.0 return pump
- 2X Jebao PP8 powerheads


Thank you as usual!
 
You absolutely do not need a reef controller to run a tank.. (APEX is only one brand.. there are others too)
Its functionality is very clear..
 
No you do not NEED a controller. Especially if this is your 1st tank. You will need to make decisions setting it up that you have no experience to base on. It will complicate what has already a very steep learning curve.

Keep it simple for now and slowly add pieces as your tank evolves.


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you don't need one but I certainly like mine. it depends what your plan is. I justified the cost of mine (I have a JR. so the cheaper one) by looking at what it does and seeing the cost of the apex Vs. separate units. For example:

I needed an Auto top off because i know i'm to lazy to top off everyday so I looked at the JBJ which was close to $100 but couldn't send me a text when the reserve was empty so plus for Apex.

then I thought about a heater controller which was about $50 and the apex can do that.

you could definitely not have one and it is a "Nice to have" but get the tank setup and see what you need.
 
Well, if you decide to buy an Apex, you may want to do it within the next couple of days. BRS has a sale on them right now- i'm also in the same boat as you.
 
i added an apex to my 150 gal (+25 gal sump) after 3 months. it's nice to be able to monitor salinity/orp/ph/temp, and control all power outlets, via the iphone app.

the best feature for me is the ability to control and monitor my Ca reactor and CO2 regulator via a ph probe in the reactor.

since you dont have one i've posted some pictures below of what the app can display:
 

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Oh wow...thanks a lot for the explanations and pictures. I believe I'll pass for now because of all the other expenses of a full setup but this is definitely something to have in the shopping list.

Thank you!
 
Probably a good call. Besides, pH isn't an issue, salinity hardly ever changes unless you add water and temperature should be an easy read with a cheap thermometer. How can that justify spending hundreds of dollars?
 
Now you have even more incentive to get an Apex. They just announced the Trident!

Not only does it monitor Alk, it does Ca and Mg too!

55f78668d3dcbaabe6bd387c66dd5a49.jpg



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ron, i agree i wouldnt recommend an apex just to monitor basic parameters, but its ability to notify you of problems such as power failures, pump failures, as well as regulate ATO, wave makers, reactors, etc is worth it once your setup gets extensive.

my apex has notified me of problems with my CA reactor that i wouldnt have known if not for the app. i have enough invested in my set-up to view the apex as both operationally beneficial and insurance (piece of mind).
 
I setup my first reef aquarium 4 months ago (last one I had was freshwater back in the mid 90s), it is a 60g cube. One of the most haves on my list was a controller of some type. I did not find that it added complexity to my first tank, just the opposite actually. In the beginning I was concerned about all the water parameters and having the Apex let me check those at a glance and move on to other more important and complicated things.

They are by no means a necessity, but I feel they make reefing a manageable hobby for people with a busy family life. I do feel that the basic parameters that it monitors are not as crucial as the tank matures, but the outlet control (heaters, lights, reactors, etc.) is the real power and convenience to it.
 
I have one and wouldn't go without it. Necessary, of course not, but very helpful

That said, I think the decision to not get one right away is the right decision. You will get to know your tank and its little quirks and when yu do go to a controller you will have more confidence in what, AND WHY, you are doing certain things.

Not sure that makes any sense.
 
Thank you very much for all the input folks!! It is clear that it is not needed and, Gary, I agree with you. It is better to go old school for a while so things make sense later instead of just reacting to the controller and w/o knowing the "why" of the things.
 
Tried to "Edit" but could not find the way.

Just to clarify , when I said "not needed" didn't mean to say "useless" at all, just that is not a requirement to start.
 
The Trident looks awesome -- too bad it probably will cost an arm and a leg.

I have managed for years without a name brand controller.

That said, I built a DIY temperature controller and have my lights all on digital timers.

The one thing I would love automated is my alk/ca monitoring & corresponding dosing to keep them balanced. Even with a doser I have always found alk/ca to be a headache -- but that is probably because I bought a used bubble magnus.
 
There's such a huge learning curve to saltwater tanks that I would learn the basics before I got controllers to control and monitor everything before I even know what they were supposed to control and monitor. People have been reefing for decades without it and have been very successful. Yes they make life easier, but like I said, learn the basics of chemistry first, then move on from there
 
What's an APEX? If you've got the time to feed your fish once a day couldn't you just cancel this so called APEX out? Do the work in other words... ;)
 
I don't regret buying mine. It saved my tank from itself mire then a few times.


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