The drop off in Apex quality over the last 20 years is shocking

[Dolphins18]

The quality of Apex has gone to crap over the last 20 years. At one point this company was the head of reef tank innovation. Now a days this company is clearly just trying to get every penny out of the consumer with little to no care about QA.
As someone who has spent $10k+ on Apex over my time reefing I’m done. Completely done.
When we have to replace old products that fail with newer products the quality drop off is evident nearly immediately. Do better, Neptune, for the customers who will continue to put up with this nonsense.

You place huge mark ups on products and the Chinese stuff from eBay is more reliable.

 

[Snowxcross]

The quality of Apex has gone to crap over the last 20 years. At one point this company was the head of reef tank innovation. Now a days this company is clearly just trying to get every penny out of the consumer with little to no care about QA.
As someone who has spent $10k+ on Apex over my time reefing I’m done. Completely done.
When we have to replace old products that fail with newer products the quality drop off is evident nearly immediately. Do better, Neptune, for the customers who will continue to put up with this nonsense.

You place huge mark ups on products and the Chinese stuff from eBay is more reliable.

Ya? I wouldn't know as i've had my apex system for probably 7 years at this point and you're right, it's pretty flawless. So if i was thinking about purchasing another Apex for a different system of mine, what would be an alternative suggestion (if you know). Thanks.

 

[JoeG370Z]

Ya? I wouldn't know as i've had my apex system for probably 7 years at this point and you're right, it's pretty flawless. So if i was thinking about purchasing another Apex for a different system of mine, what would be an alternative suggestion (if you know). Thanks.

Coralvue

 

[GSPClown94]

Not surprising they are owned by Aperture now.

 

[Dolphins18]

Ya? I wouldn't know as i've had my apex system for probably 7 years at this point and you're right, it's pretty flawless. So if i was thinking about purchasing another Apex for a different system of mine, what would be an alternative suggestion (if you know). Thanks.

the stuff that came out 7 years ago is still good. It’s the last 5 or so years things have really dropped off. Ever since they got bought out things have gone down hill.
I love my GHL. It’s a pain to set up but the quality of the equipment is just so much better. unfortunately I am so invested in Neptune that I have felt the need to continue to go back when things do fail.

 

[JoeG370Z]

Coralvue hydros

 

[Snowxcross]

the stuff that came out 7 years ago is still good. It’s the last 5 or so years things have really dropped off. Ever since they got bought out things have gone down hill.
I love my GHL. It’s a pain to set up but the quality of the equipment is just so much better. unfortunately I am so invested in Neptune that I have felt the need to continue to go back when things do fail.

Ya i hear you! I do have a hydros on a smaller system and like it too - just havent purchased/tested out the parameter tests yet. So it's about jumping into something new i'm not sure about... Might just take the plunge. Thanks!

 

[ScottF]

When I bought my Apex in July, the WiFi didn't work in my original unit and I had to RMA it.

My original Trident came with one of the tubes not completely connected to the manifold and was leaking fluid all over the solenoids and the bottom of my stand. I had to RMA it.

Six months later, a clog forms in the tube between the sample line and manifold of my Trident which caused it to read Alk 1.5 dKH to 2 dKH too low. Even immediately after calibration. I had to take it apart and clear the clog with a Franks F Aiptasia syringe.

I don't think that my TridentNP has even been close to accurate. At some point it formed a clog in the supply line and was reading 6/0.06 when it turned out my nutrients are closer to 25/0.25. I was dosing NeoPhos and NeoNitro because I thought that I was in danger of bottoming out.

Over all I love the functionality of my Apex. They could definitely do a better job of QA and I wish the Tridents were more reliable.

 

[Rollnwthdatide]

I've never had an issue outside of having to replace a sim card, so definitely not the experience I've had and a lot of stuff I buy is second hand, still no issues.

 

[JoeG370Z]

Ya i hear you! I do have a hydros on a smaller system and like it too - just havent purchased/tested out the parameter tests yet. So it's about jumping into something new i'm not sure about... Might just take the plunge. Thanks!

My IV pro is really accurate and I’m sure the maven will be even better

 

[JumboShrimp]

There is an eye-opening video out there-- a full tour of the Coralvue / Hydros office and manufacturing plant. I was very impressed.

 

[JoeG370Z]

There is an eye-opening video out there-- a full tour of the Coralvue / Hydros office and manufacturing plant. I was very impressed.

It’s only 40min away from me too

 

[Christian0505]

I totally agree.
My trident keeps breaking down, with neptune refusing to send out parts. They want me to use the €200 replacenent service for a broken pinch valve that can’t be ordered on chinese sites for €15-20….

I am on my third liquid level sensor in 15 months….. which is also a simple chinese knock off.

I won’t be adding modules or replacing any broken items with new neptune products.

 

[OriginalUserName]

My original Trident came with one of the tubes not completely connected to the manifold and was leaking fluid all over the solenoids and the bottom of my stand. I had to RMA it.

My brand new Trident has the waste and sample water lines crossed internally. I figured it out and swapped my lines on the outside and support was like "Oh cool, glad you fixed that."

Like guys, that's a product defect. You don't care to pass that along to the factory?

 

[Christian0505]

My brand new Triden has the waste and sample water lines crossed internally. I figured it out and swapped my lines on the outside and support was like "Oh cool, glad you fixed that."

Like guys, that's a product defect. You don't care to pass that along to the factory?

Well, you are just expecting too much from a product that holds its lines together with some electrical tape and zipties

 

[dlegare]

The quality of Apex has gone to crap over the last 20 years. At one point this company was the head of reef tank innovation. Now a days this company is clearly just trying to get every penny out of the consumer with little to no care about QA.
As someone who has spent $10k+ on Apex over my time reefing I’m done. Completely done.
When we have to replace old products that fail with newer products the quality drop off is evident nearly immediately. Do better, Neptune, for the customers who will continue to put up with this nonsense.

You place huge mark ups on products and the Chinese stuff from eBay is more reliable.

I must admit you've got a point. I've disassembled a few modules for repair due to corrosion (my fault entirely) finding internal circuit boards held in place with dabs of hot glue. IMO this would be suspect practice for rapid testing prototype boards during R&D, it's absolutely unacceptable for a production grade item, especially one with a price point of the majority of Apex modules. Things have gone from highly sus to worse following the merger with Aperture.

 

[PapaFishRocks]

Well, you are just expecting too much from a product that holds its lines together with some electrical tape and zipties

Hey!!! Zip ties are my fave fix for everything!!

 

[Christian0505]

Hey!!! Zip ties are my fave fix for everything!!

Exactly, they are my favorite fix because I am lazy they can’t be the standard on an $800 unit….

 

[revhtree]

Hello,

I understand your frustration but creating rant threads just to rant, is not allowed. If you have genuine first hand feedback you are allowed to leave feedback in the vendor feedback forum.

Thank you.