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    Thread: Apex or not apex.

    1. #1
      seanmcknew is offline Registered User
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      Apex or not apex.

      So I have had saltwater reef tanks for about 10 years now. I have never had a controller for my tank. I hate doing my water tests for manual dosing (no I do not use a dosing pump either).
      I am considering getting the trident and the Apexel with DOS dosing heads. The reason being is even though my tanks have always been ok but I want to actually grow coral rather then keep it.

      My question for all of you apex users what should I get and what shouldn't I get and why? Thanks for all of your input in advance.

      Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

    2. #2
      Hypsophrys is offline Registered User
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      I ran an apex for about a year. It was cool as hell. I also don't think I'll bother again. All the best equipment have good stand-alone controllers, and integration is a little overrated. Some of the things I did really appreciate: Keep skimmer off for n minutes after power failure, or after I turned off the return for any reason (I was planning to switch this to trigger off float switches instead, but never did), Disable (kalk) ATO if pH went too high, Turn off lights at a temperature threshold, etc.

      But I feel like I spent half my time tweaking various settings - the software can be really finicky - and those features were never entirely stable.

      I used a standalone doser at the time so can't speak to that aspect.

      Anyway, this was an Apex classic a few years ago. The new ones probably have better software. And the Trident thing is wow. But so is the cost.

      I'm going to be making heavy use of the new wifi "smart" power strips on my next build.

    3. #3
      seanmcknew is offline Registered User
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      Quote Originally Posted by Hypsophrys View Post
      I ran an apex for about a year. It was cool as hell. I also don't think I'll bother again. All the best equipment have good stand-alone controllers, and integration is a little overrated. Some of the things I did really appreciate: Keep skimmer off for n minutes after power failure, or after I turned off the return for any reason (I was planning to switch this to trigger off float switches instead, but never did), Disable (kalk) ATO if pH went too high, Turn off lights at a temperature threshold, etc.

      But I feel like I spent half my time tweaking various settings - the software can be really finicky - and those features were never entirely stable.

      I used a standalone doser at the time so can't speak to that aspect.

      Anyway, this was an Apex classic a few years ago. The new ones probably have better software. And the Trident thing is wow. But so is the cost.

      I'm going to be making heavy use of the new wifi "smart" power strips on my next build.
      Thank you for the input

      Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

    4. #4
      Hypsophrys is offline Registered User
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      Actually, sorry for going off. I was literally in the process of talking myself out of an Apex when you posted, so I was full of opinions lol. Take with a grain of salt.

      For real, auto testing + dosing is the holy grail, but, I'd like to see Trident mature.

    5. #5
      crustaceon is offline Registered User
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      Get a dosing pump and forget the apex. It’ll be a heck of a lot easier to keep your parameters stable and once you get things dialed in, you’ll be able to test a lot less.


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    6. #6
      oceanslide is offline Registered User
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      Get the apex you wont be disappointed, i personally wouldn't run a reef tank without one now

    7. #7
      OhioStreetz is offline Registered User
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      I would recommend getting an Apex if you are trying to make your life easier. I ran the apex with trident combo on my last build and was able to keep my cal alk and Mag stable for 6 months while on deployment using my iPad from Iraq. It made me so much more comfortable with keeping a tank while gone for work. If you have the money by all mean spend it and save yourself the headache. I swear by the apex with the new Wifi version it is just easy to use and has way more benefits than not running one.

    8. #8
      SammieT is offline Registered User
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      I have one and absolutely love it. Keeps an closer eye on everything for me

    9. #9
      BajaReefs is offline Registered User
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      I was thinking that silly Apex fun run

    10. #10
      dizzyjay is offline Registered User
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      Controller for sure. GHL would be my choice. All GHL products are stand alone, they are a standard, stackable (rack mount) size and they are built well. Apex has a larger community and better smart home integration (Alexa) but both have apps and remote connectivity. Apex mostly relies on vertical integration and is not built as well. I have both and can show you the difference~

    11. #11
      dshillen is offline Registered User
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      Apex for sure and I personally would go for the full version one not the EL, but that's just my opinion. I was told a couple of years ago from another reefer that I NEEDED a Neptune Apex. I asked why and he couldn't really give me a good answer as to why I needed it. I ripped the band-aid off and purchased one anyways. Now I own 2. So I think that sums that up. So I will just say you NEED one and leave it at that. Hope that answers your question. Don't know much about GHL so I can't speak on that product.

    12. #12
      seanmcknew is offline Registered User
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      Quote Originally Posted by dizzyjay View Post
      Controller for sure. GHL would be my choice. All GHL products are stand alone, they are a standard, stackable (rack mount) size and they are built well. Apex has a larger community and better smart home integration (Alexa) but both have apps and remote connectivity. Apex mostly relies on vertical integration and is not built as well. I have both and can show you the difference~
      Awesome. I have done a little research but almost feel over my head with whole process of figuring out what does what and what I truly need. I will be implementing this into a custom built 110g AIO. (Cant have a sump currently)

      Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

    13. #13
      trixxx619 is offline Registered User
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      GET IT while you can. The trident on marine depot was out of stock for months and months and recently they just got some in about a week or two ago and they are almost or fully gone already. A guy just posted a brand new Trident on here for sale.

      Not only does it save the time and hassle of testing and monitoring. But it has multiple key features and alerts for things that might do wrong, as well as the ability for controllable add-one such as power heads, dosers, controllable return pumps, etc.

      I bought it since I am out of town and work so much. I had a very good doser setup that worked perfectly for a year when all of a sudden something locked up and dosed way too much and next thing you know I lost have of my SPS. So I’m my opinion, it’s worth it just as a safety thing as well.

    14. #14
      crustaceon is offline Registered User
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      Apex or not apex.

      I don’t think you truly “need” anything aside from the basics. Many people will tell you to get the apex and trident setup in order to prevent catastrophe, but what happens when the apex or trident units fail? It’s an added layer of complexity that personally, I would never fully trust. The expenditure certainly doesn’t guarantee a lower chance of failure. What I would go for though are systems and methods that are simple and redundant. An example would be using a dosing pump and keeping the additive bottles below water level to prevent siphoning in case of dosing head failure. Maybe go with a lower dose through that system and back it up with lightly saturated kalk in your ato, so if one dosing method kicks the bucket, the tank is still getting dosed through the other method at a lower, but coral-saving level. Maybe for nutrient export, run chaeto with two bulbs in case one burns out, or a combination of chaeto and a skimmer. Go with two small return pumps instead of one, etc. IMO a tank with a bunch of Radion xr30 g5’s, four ecotech mp40’s, a full apex system with doser and a triton auto tester isn’t inherently going to be a better or easier to keep system than a basic tank with a six bulb t5ho fixture, lots of hydor koralias, a trash can full of kalk solution on a timer + aqualifter and occasional manual testing. I honestly would rather have the cheaper setup and spend the money saved on fish and frags. The aesthetic inside of the tank is always going to be my priority over the aesthetic outside of the tank or showing off pricey toys to my fiancée and her friends who couldn’t care less about my weird hobby but does like the looks of my pretty “tree-looking rocks”. SMH.


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      Last edited by crustaceon; 02-20-2020 at 09:08 AM.

    15. #15
      trixxx619 is offline Registered User
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      Quote Originally Posted by crustaceon View Post
      I don’t think you truly “need” anything aside from the basics. Many people will tell you to get the apex and trident setup in order to prevent catastrophe, but what happens when the apex or trident units fail? It’s an added layer of complexity that personally, I would never fully trust. The expenditure certainly doesn’t guarantee a lower chance of failure. What I would go for though are systems and methods that are simple and redundant. An example would be using a dosing pump and keeping the additive bottles below water level to prevent siphoning in case of dosing head failure. Maybe go with a lower dose through that system and back it up with lightly saturated kalk in your ato, so if one dosing method kicks the bucket, the tank is still getting dosed through the other method at a lower, but coral-saving level. Maybe for nutrient export, run chaeto with two bulbs in case one burns out, or a combination of chaeto and a skimmer. Go with two small return pumps instead of one, etc. IMO a tank with a bunch of Radion xr30 g5’s, four ecotech mp40’s, a full apex system with doser and a triton auto tester isn’t inherently going to be a better or easier to keep system than a basic tank with a six bulb t5ho fixture, lots of hydor koralias, a trash can full of kalk solution on a timer + aqualifter and occasional manual testing. I honestly would rather have the cheaper setup and spend the money saved on fish and frags. The aesthetic inside of the tank is always going to be my priority over the aesthetic outside of the tank or showing off pricey toys to my fiancée and her friends who couldn’t care less about my weird hobby but does like the looks of my pretty “tree-looking rocks”. SMH.


      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

      Well said. Completely agree it’s not “needed”. It’s all situational based. Success is based on hard work and experience and knowledge. In my case, the apex helps me keep things on track and monitored since I can’t be home often. So it’s completely up to you!

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