AquaPi is an open-source project designed to connect your aquarium to your home automation system.  

It uses an ESP32 microcontroller and various sensors to monitor your aquarium's water quality and other parameters.  

AquaPi then sends this data to your home automation system, like Home Assistant, allowing you to view it, set alarms, and create automations.

AquaPi can monitor several parameters, including:

• Water level  

• Water leak

• Temperature  

• pH

• Salinity   

• ORP

• Dissolved Oxygen

• CO2 - Gaseous

• O2 - Gaseous

• Humidity

• and more!

Yes, AquaPi is designed to be flexible, allowing you to add your own sensors and create a custom solution for your aquarium.

• Open-Source vs. Proprietary: AquaPi is an open-source project. This means that the design and software are freely available, allowing for community contributions and modifications. In contrast, the Apex Neptune is a proprietary system with closed software.  

• DIY and Customization: AquaPi is designed for DIY enthusiasts. It uses a modular design with expansion slots, allowing users to add their own sensors and create custom solutions. Apex Neptune, while highly capable, is a more pre-built system with less emphasis on user customization at the component level.  

• ESPHome and Home Assistant Integration: AquaPi is specifically designed to work with ESPHome and Home Assistant. This gives users the flexibility and power of a general-purpose home automation system for their aquarium. Apex Neptune has its own software and ecosystem.  

• Cost-Effectiveness: AquaPi is designed to be an affordable aquarium monitoring and automation solution. By leveraging open-source software and readily available components, it can be a more cost-effective option compared to high-end commercial systems like the Apex Neptune.  

• Focus: AquaPi is primarily focused on monitoring and automation using sensors and integration with home automation systems. While it can control some devices, its strength lies in its data collection, alerting, and automation capabilities within the Home Assistant ecosystem. Systems like the Apex Neptune often include a broader range of built-in control features.  

In essence, AquaPi prioritizes flexibility, customization, affordability, and integration with open-source home automation platforms, while systems like the Apex Neptune provide a more comprehensive, pre-built, and supported commercial solution.