Neptune Systems, manufacturer of the highly prized Apex Aquacontroller, once again managed to stand out from the crowd at MACNA 2016 with their expansive, well-designed booth. We had the chance to see some brand new additions to their line, as well as prototypes of products still in development. But center stage was taken by the new Apex, a long-awaited update to the industry standard when it comes to aquarium controllers.

Neptune Systems latest generation Apex on display at MACNA 2016

It looked just as amazing in person as in the pictures I’d seen – the clever new main unit, with connections facing downwards and a built in Wi-Fi, the new energy bar, albeit larger in size, but featuring strategically spaced outlets,  and all the redesigned accessories that expand apex already massive list of capabilities were all impressive to look at.

New Apex base module

I caught Terence Fugazzi, Neptune’s VP of Sales and Marketing (and probably the most recognizable character in the company), to give me an update on the new and upcoming products in the apex line. First, Terence showed me the PMUP, it’s a small sized pump that can be used as an ATO pump, an acclimation device, a dosing pump, or a standalone return pump in small aquariums; it uses the Link1 module proprietary 24V outlets we saw in the WAV pump kit (you can find my detailed review of that pump HERE). It can be programmed using the apex interface, naturally.

New Apex accessory PMUP

Another interesting new accessory is the FMM (Fluid Monitoring Module). Similar to the ALD (Advanced Leak Detection), the new module will accept apex Leak detection sensors, and will also be able to function as a motherboard for the yet-to-be-released fluid level sensors (for monitoring ATO pumps and protein skimmer overflow, among other things) and inline flow meters. Terence showed me a couple of prototypes of the latter, which will come in several different sizes and configurations.

Finally, there was the latest COR pump prototype. This is the product I, as well as a legion of aquarists already using apex infrastructure, am most excited about. neptune Systems’ answer to a controllable, DC-powered return pump is in its final stages of development, and will come in two sizes, differented by their flow rating.

Apex COR pump controller

Apex

Below is a gallery of pictures I took at the neptune Systems booth. I am working on full, detailed reviews of the apex PAR Monitoring Kit, as well as the new PMUP accessory. Stay tuned!

neptune SYSTEMS BOOTH GALLERY