Reefkeeper VS. Apex

I'm looking into getting a controller for my tank and would like to get some opinions / advise for my set up.

I have a 110 gallon reef tank with softies, LPS and SPS. I have two reefbreeders controllable LED fixtures. For flow I have one Vortech MP40 and a koralia power head. I'm currently building a separate stand to house my dosing system. I have 3 dosing pumps from BRS and i'm going to dose Alk, Cal and Mag. I will also have a 10 gallon tank in that stand for a JBJ ATO system. In the future, I would like to get rid of the koralia power head and replace it with another Vortech.

I'm not really trying to break the bank with a controller purchase but I want to get something that is going to be suitable for my current needs.

Any thoughts / opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Start by saving some cash and using a WP 10, 25, or dare I say 40 or the new 60.
Has there own controller too.

Can't help you with the controllers, don't have one. I think there have been some posts comparing though.

 

I own a ReefKeeper Elite. If Apex would have been comparable in price (at the time), I would have gone with Apex. I will buy a full out Apex setup for my next build. RKE is just behind in the new tech coming out. Apex seems to be keeping pace.

 

Apex is quite a bit better. I have both. Reefkeeper sits in a box.
You can program Vortechs on their own but with the Vortech module they won't lose memory every time the power is cut off so there is a nice advantage with the vortech module. For instance if power goes off for a vortech you have to tell it again when to go into night mode.
Apex feeder can be programmed so pumps go off during feeding.
I do not own the feeder or Vortech module but considering it.
I did a mini review here:
http://www.3reef.com/forums/filters...-elite-v2-mini-review-74080.html#.UvKJTijR_rU
Oh yeah, The main reason I'm on Apex now is Mac compatible. RKE is PC only.

 

I use RKE on my Mac with no issues, not sure what the problem is. I have never had an APEX, but my RKL that I currently have is very easy to use, and retains all programming if the power goes out. I am upgrading the head unit to a RKE using the trade up program at the digital aquatics website.

 

Unless they changed something back in October 2013 when I was setting up my new aquarium. The RKE was PC only.

 

I had my Reef Keeper Lite setup in March 2013, I did my updates with my Mac, and monitored everything using my Mac and my iphone. Most of the major programming I did using the head unit.

 

Simply because you're mentioning vortechs, and Apex is a better match for you.

This is a useful thread/read too: http://www.3reef.com/forums/filters-pumps-etc/aquarium-controller-poll-135454.html#.UvLGVPFj30M

 

I ordered a WP 25 off Amazon today to try out. I'm not totally sold on the Vortech that I bought but I don't have anything bad to say about it.

I will read all the comments on this link. I may hold off on the controller for a little while. I'm really undecided on what to do right now.

 

I'm not sure how unless your running some sort of parallel software or windows on mac. Reefkeeper requires Windows XP or higher:
http://www.digitalaquatics.com/downloads/RKE_application_guide_web.pdf
I went round and round with their support folks last fall. They said PC windows was the only supported format.

This is from Digital Aquatics Support as of today:
Nothing has changed with myReef. It is still a Windows only software program. I use Parallels to deal with it on my MacbookPro.

Also it's not the Apex that loses memory with a power outage it's the Vortech itself for the nightmode. If power is lost on a vortech you must tell it when to go into nightmode.