PowderBlue Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Im a little torn on controllers right now. Im looking into an apex Jr or possibly a reefkeeper lite. This is what i want to control 48 inch 6 bulb tek Temp probe ph(i have a 3 week old neptune lab grade ph probe already) Will a Jr be enough? Tank is 48x24x12 with a remote 40 gallon sump. I have an ato as well but not sure if the controllers can do anything with them? It seems to me that apex offers far more than the reefkeepers and with the jr the expandability seems to be a lot but im not sure if i should go with a jr, a rkl, or wait any buy a apex standard? Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltwater newbie Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 I wouldn't touch a reefkeeper ever again their customer service is absolutely horrible apex all the way for sure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderBlue Posted May 10, 2016 Author Share Posted May 10, 2016 well that answers that haha! Do you think the jr would be enough for my setup? Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Apex all the way!! sent from a Samsung note 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matteo Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Reef Angel Plus FTW!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderBlue Posted May 10, 2016 Author Share Posted May 10, 2016 Reef Angel Plus FTW!!!!whats that? Is it new? Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodus Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Most people i know that get a reefkeeper end up selling it and going with Apex, if you can afford the Full out Apex I would do that otherwise you will end up dropping another $150 for the EB8, and if you want pH you will need to buy the PM1 module and probe. Many will state well the jr is limited on devices, well that upped and it's now to 7 plugins which is more than what most people I personally know using apex's are using so you should be good in that department, but still I would initially go for the full version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefnjunkie Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Hopefully Reef Angel has change how you "program" them but I think Reef Demon Satan Seed Nightmare of All Nightmare would be a closer name for the past units I was familiar with -Just my opinion of course.. APEX for sure and the JR wouldn't be a bad option with the few things you need to control. You'd add a break out box to handle all float devices and can build one for cheap or by it from Neptune. I may have a JR for sale here soon. I bought 2 recently, the first one was a good buy, the second a little better, both to the point I couldn't say no How soon are you wanting to pick one up? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matteo Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Hopefully Reef Angel has change how you "program" them but I think Reef Demon Satan Seed Nightmare of All Nightmare would be a closer name for the past units I was familiar with -Just my opinion of course.. APEX for sure and the JR wouldn't be a bad option with the few things you need to control. You'd add a break out box to handle all float devices and can build one for cheap or by it from Neptune. I may have a JR for sale here soon. I bought 2 recently, the first one was a good buy, the second a little better, both to the point I couldn't say no How soon are you wanting to pick one up? not even close to true at all. If you know anything about Arduino it is very simple setup and use. Reef Angel is awesome because if you know how to code or read through the forums the interface can be 100% customized to your liking and there are expansions after expansions on what it can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matteo Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 whats that? Is it new? Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk nope! Been around for a few years now! http://www.reefangel.com/product_raplus.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderBlue Posted May 10, 2016 Author Share Posted May 10, 2016 Hopefully Reef Angel has change how you "program" them but I think Reef Demon Satan Seed Nightmare of All Nightmare would be a closer name for the past units I was familiar with -Just my opinion of course.. APEX for sure and the JR wouldn't be a bad option with the few things you need to control. You'd add a break out box to handle all float devices and can build one for cheap or by it from Neptune. I may have a JR for sale here soon. I bought 2 recently, the first one was a good buy, the second a little better, both to the point I couldn't say no How soon are you wanting to pick one up? Im not in a huge hurry, i am going to go apex for sure. Let me know if you want to sell one. I think you still have my number Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefnjunkie Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 I will be selling one, I'll text ya later-I'm slammed the next two days. How quickly you need/want it Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderBlue Posted May 10, 2016 Author Share Posted May 10, 2016 i got cash waiting I could grab it next tuesday if thats good for you Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefnjunkie Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Market share??? LOL- stay away Powder IME/O Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefnjunkie Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Nothing personal Matteo, just sayin everybody who I know and had to "write code" hated it I guess the take away is "if you know how to code" Demon seed Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderBlue Posted May 10, 2016 Author Share Posted May 10, 2016 yea i have no idea how to write code... Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matteo Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 (edited) Nothing personal Matteo, just sayin everybody who I know and had to "write code" hated it I guess the take away is "if you know how to code" Demon seed Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk even if you do not know how to code the program you download has a built in Wizard for super super easy configuration. I just think APEX has the name going for it because everyone in this hobby is such a gear snob Not saying the APEX isn't a good product but there are cheaper alternatives but.... if you have $$$$ to spend hahaha Edited May 10, 2016 by Matteo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matteo Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 https://www.google.com/search?q=reef+angel+wizard&biw=1280&bih=899&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiGwYjd8M_MAhVM0WMKHbj6CKQQ_AUICCgC&dpr=1#imgrc=7-Brgk4b9N8_pM%3A dont have to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderBlue Posted May 10, 2016 Author Share Posted May 10, 2016 I agree to a point. Some people will only buy "the best" Im not that guy when it comes to some things, but with the vast majority of people who have their tank fully controlled run apex, its hard to look another way. Ive never run much through a controller besides a heater so with apex having so many possibilities, and thousands of people using it, i think its the best suit for me. Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matteo Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 I agree to a point. Some people will only buy "the best" Im not that guy when it comes to some things, but with the vast majority of people who have their tank fully controlled run apex, its hard to look another way. Ive never run much through a controller besides a heater so with apex having so many possibilities, and thousands of people using it, i think its the best suit for me. Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk sure thing. I got my reef angel plus for DIRT CHEAP so it was a great deal for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matteo Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Also you will find having a controller makes you feel so much cooler. Not gonna lie.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderBlue Posted May 10, 2016 Author Share Posted May 10, 2016 it looks like it can do just as much as he Apex, im kind of shocked ive never heard of it. But then again im somewhat new to controllers Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matteo Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 it looks like it can do just as much as he Apex, im kind of shocked ive never heard of it. But then again im somewhat new to controllers Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST PNWMAS is a little behind on the "whats happening" hahahahah if you look around other forums with more traffic you will always know what the new thing or old thing is. granted Reef Angel isn't as popular due to APEX but you will find a lot DIY dudes have Reef Angels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Apex for me is more than the programming, it's also about the customer service and knowledge base. I bought a reefangel and hated it. I tried to get help on line and it was very frustrating, that was years ago so it may be different now. I also owned a Reefkeeper and hated it also, especially their customer service. I love my Apex, I bought mine used and saved a ton of money. I have always been able to find help with any issue and have even had neptune take over my computer to fix an issue I had for me. I would recommend getting what you want the first time around though. Jr's are nice and do all that you need now but are limited out of he box without having to spend $ on modules. I bought a gold package because of the price, I almost sold the extra EB8 and I'm glad I didn't, I'm about to start using it. The controllers fill up fast once you start learning how much you can actually do with them 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halcyonism Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 I must be one of the few people in the hobby that like the Reef Keeper Lite. It's really hard to beat what you can do with it for $120... heater control, timers, temp, etc. Heck, buy an SL1 for an extra $80 and you can use it as your ATO as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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