🖥️
ReefCtrl vHub
A tiny app that runs silently on your home computer and keeps your reef data synced — automatically, 24/7.
Download vHub
Free with ReefCtrl · macOS 11+ · No additional software required
Who is vHub for?
⚡Neptune Apex users
vHub connects directly to your Apex over home WiFi and syncs all probe readings, outlet states, and system data automatically.
📋Manual loggers
Don't have an Apex? No problem. Use ReefCtrl to manually log your parameters and get AI-powered analysis, trends, and maintenance tracking — vHub isn't required.
How it works
1
Runs on your home computer
Install vHub on any Mac or PC that stays on your home WiFi. It sits quietly in your menu bar using almost no resources.
2
Connects directly to your Apex
vHub reaches your Neptune Apex using its local IP address — the same network your Apex is already on. No router changes, no external services.
3
Syncs to the cloud every 5 minutes
Your parameter readings, outlet states, and system data are pushed to ReefCtrl automatically. View real-time data on any device, anywhere.
4
Always on, always syncing
vHub runs 24/7 in the background. Your data stays fresh even when your phone is away from home.
Setup guide
1
Download and install vHub
Download the correct version above. Open the
.dmg file, drag
ReefCtrl vHub to your Applications folder, and open it.
⚠ macOS security prompt
If macOS says the app is "damaged" or can't be opened, run this in Terminal:
xattr -cr "/Applications/ReefCtrl vHub.app"This removes the quarantine flag macOS adds to downloaded apps. ReefCtrl vHub is safe — it only connects to your local Apex and reefctrl.com.
2
Get your Reef ID and Hub Token
In ReefCtrl, go to Settings → Apex tab. Scroll to the vHub section and click Generate hub token. You will see two values — copy each one using the copy button.
3
Enter your details in vHub
The setup window asks for:
- Apex IP — your Apex local IP address (e.g. 192.168.1.100)
- Apex username and password
- Reef ID — paste from Settings
- Hub token — paste from Settings
vHub connects to your Apex and starts syncing. The menu bar icon turns green. Open your ReefCtrl dashboard — your parameters will update within 5 minutes.
5
Enable auto-start (recommended)
To keep vHub running after restarts: System Settings → General → Login Items → add ReefCtrl vHub.
FAQ
Does it work when I'm away from home?
Yes — vHub runs on your home computer 24/7 and pushes data to the cloud continuously, so you can view it from anywhere.
What if my computer goes to sleep?
vHub pauses when the computer sleeps but resumes on wake. The display can be off — only sleep interrupts sync. To keep syncing 24/7: on Mac go to System Settings → Battery → enable Prevent automatic sleeping when display is off. On Windows set Power Settings sleep to Never when plugged in. A Mac Mini or always-on PC is ideal.
Is the hub token secure?
Yes. The token is a 64-character random secret that only allows pushing data to your specific reef. It cannot access your account, read other data, or change any settings.
Do I need an Apex to use ReefCtrl?
No. ReefCtrl works great without an Apex — you can manually log parameters and use all the AI analysis, livestock tracking, ICP analysis, and maintenance features. vHub is only needed for automatic Apex sync.
Ready to get started?
Sign in to ReefCtrl and have your Apex syncing in under 5 minutes.
Open ReefCtrl →