Sneak Peek: AvidAqua InSight Apex Controller Display

I’ve always liked to keep my reefing simple. But, I'm not glued to my tank around the clock, so I rely on my Apex to catch problems before they become disasters. It’s saved me more than once by alerting me to failed equipment, or most recently, a tripped GFCI outlet I never would have noticed in time.

I admit, when I first heard about the AvidAqua InSight, I dismissed it as redundant. Why in the world would I ever need a display for my Apex when I have access to the Apex Fusion app right in my pocket? And even if I wanted a display, how is the InSight any different from the Apex Display Module?

Terence, AvidAqua co-founder, recently sat down with Josh to tell us more. Now that I've had a few days to digest the conversation and think more about the InSight's use cases, I'm ready to share some initial thoughts and impressions.

First Impressions

At first glance, the InSight feels like a fresh take on something familiar. Unlike the Apex Display Module, it features a bright, full-color touchscreen that immediately feels more modern and better fits the overall aesthetic of most aquariums today.

It’s clean, minimalist, and button-free, which I really like. There’s no bulky bezel, no complicated navigation, and no cable running back to the Apex (but, more on that last point later).

It’s simple but thoughtful, and it seems designed for reefers who care about both form and function.

It Looks Great, but What Does it Actually Do?

The InSight can display any parameter your Apex Fusion dashboard can. This means you have the ability to display not only the basics like temperature and pH, but also more advanced parameters like calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium for those running a Trident automatic tester.

It's not just a display; it's a monitor too! Terence tells us the InSight is going to launch with two different models: InSight and InSight Pro.

In addition to displaying your Apex-related water parameters, the Pro version will also monitor the surrounding room's stats. Temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, and even VOC (volatile organic compounds).

For me, the most useful one here is without a doubt the CO2 levels in the surrounding room. As we've discussed on BRStv in the past, high CO2 in the surrounding room leads to lower pH in the aquarium, which leads to slower coral growth over time. Having some sort of baseline for the CO2 levels in the surrounding room will not only help reefers troubleshoot pH issues, but also help them decide if a CO2 scrubber is a worth-while investment.

The VOC monitoring is also really interesting, though I don’t fully know how reefers will use that information yet. Volatile organic compounds include things like cleaning products, aerosols, and off-gassing from furniture or paints. These are things that have always been present in our homes but not something commonly measured around reef tanks before.

That's what makes this feature exciting to me. It creates an opportunity for future discoveries about how our home environments might affect our aquariums in ways we haven’t documented yet. Even if the benefit isn’t totally clear today, there’s real potential for new learnings as more people start tracking this kind of data.

How it Connects to Your Apex Controller

The InSight does NOT physically connect to the Apex. It uses an often forgot about connection method in Apex Local. As long as the InSight and your Apex are on the same WiFi network, you're good to go.

What I like most about this is the flexibility. It doesn’t have to be right next to your Apex at all. I see this being especially useful for those of us who have a remote filtration room, like in the basement or in a room behind the tank itself.

Put it in your kitchen, next to your desk in your home office, or even on the nightstand in your bedroom if you like. For those opting for the Pro model, I see the InSight being most useful when placed next to the display tank to take advantage of the extra monitoring of the surrounding room mentioned previously.

Getting it All Set Up

All of the AvidAqua InSight setup is handled through the MyAquarium app on your phone. Inside the app, you can customize which widgets appear on the InSight home screen, so you see the information that matters most to you.

I’ll be the first to admit that this is where aquarium gear can sometimes go from hero to zero. Apps in this hobby aren’t always the most stable, polished, or user-friendly. Thankfully, the MyAquarium app is straightforward, and from what we've seen so far, it just works.

Once it's set up, you can use one of three mounting options:

• Table Stand: Props the InSight up on any flat surface like a desk, table, or countertop.
• Panel Mount: Cut an opening, slide the InSight into place, and secure it with the included strap. I can see this useful for a low-profile installation on controller boards or cabinets.
• ModMag Magnetic Mount: No surprise here; the InSight is compatible with AvidAqua's modular magnetic mounting system, the ModMag. This allows you to mount the InSight directly on your aquarium or controller board, while giving you the flexibility to move it to another location in the future.

Table Stand

Clip for ModMag Mounting Option

How Much Does It Cost?

The AvidAqua InSight is expected to launch at $159.95, while the InSight Pro comes in at $199.95.

In an age of microtransactions and subscriptions, it's important to add that there are no recurring costs. You pay once and you are done.

Should I Buy the InSight or InSight Pro?

If you are only interested in seeing your Apex data in a dedicated display, the standard model will get the job done.

If you want additional information about the room around your tank, the Pro version is what you'll want to go with.

AvidAqua InSight

Available in Standard and Pro Models
Starting at $159.95

Learn More

So... What's Next for InSight and InSight Pro?

Beta testing is complete and the InSight is expected to be released in the coming weeks. Head over to the InSight product page on our website and hit that 'Notify Me When in Stock' button and we'll send you an email when it's available!