Comments: The "Apex" is nothing of the kind. While it is capable of reading probe values and beeping when probe values are out of your limits and it can switch outlets on and off for very basic scenarios, thats all I can say for this highly overpriced light switch.
<br />
<br />The web server freezes up frequently, the base unit requires you to change the same setting several times before it finally records the change, the programming language and functions are a joke. This glorified light switch is ok for the most basic needs but, even then, should not cost anywhere near $500.00
<br />
<br />Before you buy this POS, I strongly suggest looking at the Reef Angel and the Profilux controllers.

Comments: This is my first controller, but I love it! It was easy to set up and program. I did have to do some research on programming on some forums. I access it remotely on my Android phone using Aquanotes. My only complaints are the cheezy little cord that runs to the display and the use of USB connectors. I imagine there was some cost cutting meetings at Neptune that drove these choices. The cord that runs to the display is so ridiculously small. I'm afraid that if the display ever falls then is caught by the cord it will rip out or separate. And the use of USB connectors is just asking for trouble. Not smart.
<br />
<br />Other than that I am very happy with the unit. I also installed the ORP probe as well. You might want to invest in a probe holder as this does not come with any.

Comments: I had an Octopus controller for almost 10 years and it worked well, but needed web access while I travelled and this unit definitely works great. This unit, a dns service, and a few webcams have enabled me to view and maintain my tank from overseas.
<br />
<br />Only complaint is spotty safari browser support (though firefox on mac is so-so), and it had problems recovering from a power outage once so I had to reset it manually).

Comments: Everyone should have one of these. From a very simple perspective, this took my water changes from 6 hours to about 1 hour. You can control almost every part of your tank with this unit. Now instead of worry about cutting off battery backups at the right time to prevent sump overflow, I can just push a button and it turns what I want off. Everything can be synced, timed, etc. This is not nearly as hard to program as many people post here. The instructions manual is very detailed. The best $500.00 I have ever spent, hands down.

Comments: Fantastic device. This product is very flexible and does so much. No only turn on and off outlets, but the parameters and conditions are limitless. Time, high/low on/off conditions (including more then one condition ie-temp high and lights on), time running, even if a different outlet is on or off.
<br />
<br />The lights can be controlled with a season table embedded in the apex unit. Follows the sunrise, sunset and moon cycles as they change through the season. You have the ability in increase or decrease the seasonal times as well easily. Email alerts, monitors power failures.
<br />
<br />Wave pumps easily programed to osculate with another pump, turn off at night, and off during feed mode. I start the wave pumps up 10 minutes before the main pump starts to kick the food up one last time to get it suspended again before sending it to the filter. Limitless lines of conditions and parameters that can be entered to control outlets. Awsome unit!

Comments: First of all, the thing just works. When I plugged it in, I was immediately able to get control and readings on my computer. It has a built-in web server which works with most browsers (not Safari on the iPad). The interface seems a little outdated, but I can live with it because I wasn't going for pretty.Every product is going to have one kind of problem or another... at least with me at the helm. What makes Neptune worth the money is that the Neptune System office actually responds to questions. Their excellent documentation answered all my questions. When I started coloring outside the lines, the Neptune office was there for me with real/live human help (unlike Digital Aquatics).Kudos to Neptune Systems. Y'all done good on this one.

Comments: I started years ago with my trusty AC3-Pro unit which I learned to program and put to use quite quickly.For some reason one of the two DC8's died and the power supply for the AC3 fried.I managed to construct a power supply to get the AC3 going again. However with the remaining DC8 it sometimes won't turn my pumps on/off during feed cycles.So it is time to retire the unit.Enter the APEX!First off I'm very impressed with the construction and the visual appeal of the package.I did have sticker shock at the price of $499.99 but please with my purchase in any event.Right away I found that the unit was two firmware revisions behind so...The upgrade process was very difficult because wireless devices cannot be used in the upgrade process and a few other network configuration nuances. (I'm a network engineer).Once I got the correct combination network wise, firmware and webpage upgrade went fairly quickly and flawlessly.Without reading the manual I used my knowledge of the AC3-Pro to do some basic snooping around and programming.This is not for the faint of heart initially however READ the MANUAL FIRST!Otherwise you'll find that the units uses the Aquabus system which are really USB connections.WARNING: Do not plug any of you USB devices into the Aquabus or #$%@#^^...frytime vice versa don't plug any of the APEX units into your pc or other devices USB ports.You have also look closely as the Variable speed ports use ethernet sockets but ARE NOT FOR NETWORK connections.The four variable speed ports are really ports that can output 0~10volts. As of this writing I've not tested to see if the ports are DC or AC and what the current limit is as there was no indication in the user manual.Also there were no pinout of the ports. It would appear that they are dedicated for TUNZE, Vortech or compatible device with I find very limiting and not leaving me much choice as to what I want to control with the ports.(bummer)Programming is somewhat intuitive for the very basic functions however to make this baby sing, you'll have to read the manual. I will add that if you like being able to control every aspect of your controller and screens then this baby is a joy! I really get into the programming probably more than the actual use :-).It is backwards compatible with most of the legacy Neptune systems hardware with the exception of the Temperature probe.It's not a perfect unit but then again to my knowledge no company makes the perfect unit. However I would not trade this unit for any of the other ones on the market.Support is AWESOME and sometimes you actually get to speak to CURT who I think is the designer! Anyone that you speak to at Neptune Systems are very informative, patient and helpful.If you need more help, look up the Neptune Systems forum on WWW.ReefCentral.com and a huge amount of help and sample programs will be at your disposal.I would suggest that of the three APEX units available you call Neptune systems to find the right unit for your marine setup.I would give the unit 5 stars but for because:- No Voltage/Current or pinout info. on Vari-speed ports.- Vari-speed ports use ethernet sockets- Aquabus ports are USB ports which is confusing- Initial costs for full unit very steep- No mounting hardware for the modulesI will remain a Neptune Systems patron for as long as I host my marine friends.

Comments: Functionally, this controller is great. It does most of what i need out of the box nd you can buy additional items to increase its functionality... I do have a few complaints.
<br />
<br />First, What moron decided that we should move form nice sturdy controllers (keep in mind that the RK2 had a metal housing!) to these cheap feeling crappy plastic housings. the thing feels like a toy in your hands. I would like neptune to take a hint from Apple and start building some more solid products. The wires are thin and feel like they are designed to break. Particularly the one that is on the head unit. for 500 bucks, I would like a water tight gasket on the system.
<br />
<br />Also, it is unacceptable that the consumer is required to buy an aftermarket internet adaptor to get this unit to work wirelessly. Everything under the sun has wifi capability-- why no this? Given the low cost and functionality of smart phones these days, I bet the technology is there...its just not being used for aquariums.
<br />
<br />Also, the need for a breakout box to use float switches is a bit pathetic.
<br />
<br />So unlike most, I give this controller a c+.
<br />
<br />I want a unit that has all the features I want to use without a ton of crazy add ons and extra gadgets to attach.

Comments: Simple setup, quality equipment, flexible programming. I've learned a lot about my tank by analyzing the data provided by my Apex. I had it up and running correctly in an hour and within a week I was dialing in on temperature and pH fluctuations I didn't realize I had. The seasonal light progamming is great as well. My critters are happier and now I feel better about that upcoming vacation. I'm planning to add conductivity (better top off control) and I'm thinking through a process to automate water changes. This unit opens all kinds of possibilities....

Comments: I have been using this unit for 3 months now. My purchase came with the Energy Bar 8, Apex Display, System (main unit), and Standard PH Probe. After connecting everything, I was getting no signal from the main unit to the display. I called the manufacturer who said the main unit was defective. I called Marine Depot and they quickly gave me an RMA number to send the whole thing back, no problem there. I received a new unit within a week. This time, everything worked right out of the box and setup was easy. All my lights are plugged into the Energy Bar 8 which includes two 150 watt metal halide bulbs, two 96 watt bulbs, and moon lights. The web interface is very good and I can control each set of lights independently. At this point, I have not felt the need to connect all my other items to the Energy Bay 8. I had a power failure at my house after 4 weeks of use and when the power came back on I received an e-mail alert at work from the system telling me the power failed from 2pm-2:30pm and giving me the water temperature, power status, PH level. Unfortunately, when I arrived home that day, I found my Apex display stopped working but the rest of the system was fine. I called the manufacturer who gave me an RMA just for the display. They fixed it in one week for free. Even though the price is steep, I could not imagine being without this. A real time saver. You need to also buy 2 bottles of PH calibration fluid (7 & 10). If you don't, the PH readings will not be accurate. Calibration was easy. Just follow the instructions on the Apex display. Readings were exact after I calibrated. I used a second digital PH reader to verify as well.

Comments: WOW. Just upgraded my main reef from a reefkeeper 2 to the full Apex controller. I just keep saying "WOW!" I have full monitoring and control of the tank over the internet. It was an easy upgrade. If Neptune Systems could add motorized web cams (1 for the tank and 1 for the sump) to this package then it would almost be like being in front of the tank, anywhere in the world. Did I mention I have web cams on my tanks. Apex is like therapy to obsessive-compulsive reefers like me. To be fair, I do have the ReefKeeper Elite on my other tank and it is nearly as good, just without remote control. WOW.

Comments: its a awesome system it dose alot of different things its a little complicated to program but ull get use to it definitely recomemd it to a friend

Comments: I've been using the Apex controller for a couple months now. This thing is just amazing! Takes a bit to learn how to use it, but Curt over at Neptune has emailed me answers to all my questions inside 24hrs. I now have every piece of equipment on my tank hooked up to the apex and can control it from my Iphone. I set up a "water on floor" sensor tonight. The apex will automatically turn off my skimmer if it overflows and then will email me to let me know whats going on. The apex is just silly....

Comments: When I first purchased the Apex it was a nightmare. The first 8 items on the menu are factory set and are not adjustable so I spent forever trying to rename them; cant be done. You must also know that on the 8 outlet Energy Bar there are 6 outlets that are 5amps each and two are 10 but THE MAXIMUM FOR THE ENTIRE BAR IS 15. I fried my energy bar but the folks at Neptune took good care of me and all is well. Excellent controller but you must take your time and learn it. Call Neptune the are more technical than I would like but they will help.

Comments: This is my first controller so I cant compare, but I am glad I bought this one. It controls everything, the display is real cool and functional and the web interface lets you manipulate every minute detail of your tank. The possibilities truly are endless. I highly recommend.

Comments: This product is absolutely great! It`s easy and simple to use.If you loking for to buy one,this is the one you should purchase,and yes, I will recomend this product to my friend.

Comments: I travel a lot, so having a reliable controller is critical. Having owned the Apex's predecessor, the Neptune AquaController III Pro, I thought I'd never upgrade. I LOVED the ACIII Pro. Before buying it, I researched the heck out of controllers and Neptune's AquaControllers were the best out there, hands down. Well, after reading up on the new features embedded in the Apex, I had to make the switch, even though I was already heavily invested in its predecessor. This thing rocks! I couldn't be happier. You can do everything, whether it's having an email sent to you if the temperature gets too high or having the lights turn on and off according to the season to get your corals to spawn. The possibilities are limitless. You can even remotely monitor how much electricity your power bars are using and thereby tell if you are having a problem with, say, a pump. The list goes on and on. Pretty much any device that plugs into a regular outlet can be easily controlled with the Apex. You can use this very easily for everything from a small, simple system, to a very complex, multi-tank system running all sorts of devices (like I'm doing). And you can monitor and even make changes to it all over the web.
<br />
<br />One of the coolest features is that it is totally backwards compatible with the accessories from previous AquaControllers (why don't other manufacturers do that???). If you already have DC8s, no problem. Same with the PX 1000s. They all work on the Apex. That said, if you are starting from scratch then I strongly recommend getting the new accessories, if and when you need them, since they do have some much improved features.
<br />
<br />There is a reason that those who know pick Neptune's AquaControllers; get the Apex and join the club. Incidentally, there is an outstanding forum filled with helpful people on Reef Central.
<br />
<br />Enjoy!

Comments: Having finally outgrown my old AquaController II, I left myself be convinced to purchase a DA RKE. Big mistake! I should have stuck with Neptune products. I bought an Apex & sold the RKE - six weeks later, I am supremely satisfied. The Apex runs circles around the RKE. There were a few small bugs, but it is a new product, and most have already been fixed with an easy firmware update.

Comments: I guarantee this will be the last controller you will ever need to purchase!
<br />
<br />Out of the box the controller supports temperature, PH, ORP (or second PH), (4) variable speed ports for Tunze or controllable lighting systems, (6) inputs for floats, networking (with daily logging, status, control and programming, RSS and XML output). This set of features is something no other control on the market I have seen to have in 1 box. In addition there are open domain programs (e.g., iPhone app) that support the Apex for those who travel allowing status, control and logging delivered directly to your phone. For those without an iPhone any phone with a browser will gain you the same level of access or (as I just did) using a hotel WiFi to access the controller.
<br />
<br />Owing AC3s prior the main (new) features: power monitoring, advanced power fail over scenarios, fallback in case of controller failure (e.g., disconnect, power loss), flash file system doesn't lose logs during power outage,
<br />
<br />I am really exceited to see how this controller will evolve as new features are added!
<br />
<br />If you heard that AquaNotes was supported (as the last reviewer mentioned) then I suspect they may have confused AquaNotes (the iPhone application) with AquaNotes (from Neptune that works with the older controllers).
<br />
<br />I have seen nothing to indicate the controller isn't rady for prime time though I can understand the frustration you might have if you found something you expected to be there was missing that you might not think so. That said; the controller is new and is certain to grow in features over time and that is really exciting.
<br />
<br />I'm sure I've forgotten something but you get the idea that I really like it!

Comments: As a previous owner of the Aquacontroller Jr. and Aquacontroller III, I was very excited when I order my new Apex controller. That excitement has dimmed considerably after receiving this controller. I truly wish I had my III back. The Apex is just not ready for prime time yet. Although I was told before I purchased it, that my AquaNotes would be compatable with it, it is not. The manual is a joke. Please, please save your money on this one.