Reef controller question

DrewCam · 05/01/2017, 10:28 AM

Thinking about getting an apex jr. to run a couple dosing pumps (alk and cal) and my heater. Maybe add a module for a couple Tunzes later. Good idea/bad idea?

Scott07 · 05/01/2017, 12:15 PM

I got a jr. about 2 weeks ago. So far no complaints. It does exactly what I thought it would, and was very easy to set up.

thegrun · 05/01/2017, 03:52 PM

If you suspect you are going to stay in the hobby long term I would save up for a full Apex. I know it is a lot of money to shell out but the full Apex does so much more than the junior you will almost certainly want to upgrade down the road.

DrewCam · 05/01/2017, 06:50 PM

Ive been doing this awhile. I'm keeping this system simple. Can't see why I'd need anymore than the two dosers, heater/temp control, maybe a pH monitor. I have an ATO already that's been running reliably for a long time, my lights have their own built in timer (ATI T5 system). I might want to control a couple Tunzes later. Why would I need more than this? I've heard more than one person say just get it so you have it, but I really can't see what else I might need. I'm never gonna run ozone, no UV, not gonna run a calcium reactor, not gonna dose anything but alk and calcium on dosers. Why would apex even make a jr. otherwise? Just trying to REALLY justify it because 6-800 dollars is A LOT more than 225. Convince me.

thegrun · 05/01/2017, 07:52 PM

I found numerous things to control that I originally didn't think I would need that are very helpful. I just don't see where the 4 outlets that Apex Jr. provides are nearly enough. For starters I use two heaters at half the required wattage for added protection. I have them set at different temperatures so only one comes on initially and the second heater comes on line if the first one cannot keep up with demand. My lights are controlled via Apex. If the temperature gets too high Apex will shut off the lights. That could be a tank saver if you are on vacation and your AC goes out in the summer.
I use Apex to shut off my return pump and skimmer when I feed the tank. I have fans for cooling also controlled via Apex. I would agree that unless you are running a calcium reactor the pH probe is not of much value. The ORP gives you a very general overview of tank health, but again it is far from necessary. The new Apex also gives you power consumption of each outlet, this will tell you when a pump needs to be cleaned, a heater malfunctions...
I use the variable speed 10V ports to power LED cabinet lights and also to power a warning light that comes on whenever I override a piece of equipment that is automated such as my lights which I can move to full daylight or full blue light.
I really didn't see me using the Apex nearly as much as I do when I first bought mine, but I am so thankful I got the full version instead of the Jr.

rocsec1 · 05/01/2017, 08:07 PM

Inman the same wY. I use mine for way more then I thought I would. Petty much the same things the above poster does.

evokid511 · 05/03/2017, 06:40 PM

I always said to myself that if it was all I needed then I would be good with just that, and I was pretty much set on getting the apex junior, but now after reading this it seems like the safety features end can be well worth the upgrade

DrewCam · 05/05/2017, 08:34 PM

Thanks all. I certainly don't want to waste money. Maybe the full version is the way to go. Better to have it and not need it, than to not have it.

Grayhead · 05/06/2017, 06:59 AM

Here's my take.
Pros
You can build enough redundancy in a system to make it as fool proof as possible. Leak detection, sensors, outlet control, lighting, all things that are nice to have. Everything that I could possibly build into my system with secondary redundancy I did. Being able to control almost everything is nice, especially when you are out of town.

Cons, having so much in one piece of equipment. That's the reason I build in redundancy. For instance, my top off tank or my salt mix tank has high/low sensors which tell he when it's full or empty. My apex knows to shut it down when the full indicator is triggered. Plus it notifies me via text and email. I also have a manual float switch that will stop the water flow if the apex were to fail.

05/01/2017, 10:28 AM	#1
DrewCam Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 82	Reef controller question Thinking about getting an apex jr. to run a couple dosing pumps (alk and cal) and my heater. Maybe add a module for a couple Tunzes later. Good idea/bad idea?

05/01/2017, 12:15 PM	#2
Scott07 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 384	I got a jr. about 2 weeks ago. So far no complaints. It does exactly what I thought it would, and was very easy to set up. __________________ 65 gallon mixed reef Good maintainence and husbandry is a cumulative effect, not a single event.

05/06/2017, 06:59 AM	#9
Grayhead Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 581	Here's my take. Pros You can build enough redundancy in a system to make it as fool proof as possible. Leak detection, sensors, outlet control, lighting, all things that are nice to have. Everything that I could possibly build into my system with secondary redundancy I did. Being able to control almost everything is nice, especially when you are out of town. Cons, having so much in one piece of equipment. That's the reason I build in redundancy. For instance, my top off tank or my salt mix tank has high/low sensors which tell he when it's full or empty. My apex knows to shut it down when the full indicator is triggered. Plus it notifies me via text and email. I also have a manual float switch that will stop the water flow if the apex were to fail. __________________ 240 Gallon mixed reef, Apex Controlled Radion gen4 pro/T-5 hybrid combo, TBS Liverock Lifereef sump, skimmer, and Fuge 2- MP 40, 1- Vectra M1 return pump, Build thread below http:

05/01/2017, 03:52 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	If you suspect you are going to stay in the hobby long term I would save up for a full Apex. I know it is a lot of money to shell out but the full Apex does so much more than the junior you will almost certainly want to upgrade down the road.

05/01/2017, 06:50 PM	#4
DrewCam Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 82	Ive been doing this awhile. I'm keeping this system simple. Can't see why I'd need anymore than the two dosers, heater/temp control, maybe a pH monitor. I have an ATO already that's been running reliably for a long time, my lights have their own built in timer (ATI T5 system). I might want to control a couple Tunzes later. Why would I need more than this? I've heard more than one person say just get it so you have it, but I really can't see what else I might need. I'm never gonna run ozone, no UV, not gonna run a calcium reactor, not gonna dose anything but alk and calcium on dosers. Why would apex even make a jr. otherwise? Just trying to REALLY justify it because 6-800 dollars is A LOT more than 225. Convince me.

05/01/2017, 07:52 PM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I found numerous things to control that I originally didn't think I would need that are very helpful. I just don't see where the 4 outlets that Apex Jr. provides are nearly enough. For starters I use two heaters at half the required wattage for added protection. I have them set at different temperatures so only one comes on initially and the second heater comes on line if the first one cannot keep up with demand. My lights are controlled via Apex. If the temperature gets too high Apex will shut off the lights. That could be a tank saver if you are on vacation and your AC goes out in the summer. I use Apex to shut off my return pump and skimmer when I feed the tank. I have fans for cooling also controlled via Apex. I would agree that unless you are running a calcium reactor the pH probe is not of much value. The ORP gives you a very general overview of tank health, but again it is far from necessary. The new Apex also gives you power consumption of each outlet, this will tell you when a pump needs to be cleaned, a heater malfunctions... I use the variable speed 10V ports to power LED cabinet lights and also to power a warning light that comes on whenever I override a piece of equipment that is automated such as my lights which I can move to full daylight or full blue light. I really didn't see me using the Apex nearly as much as I do when I first bought mine, but I am so thankful I got the full version instead of the Jr.

05/01/2017, 08:07 PM	#6
rocsec1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Medina oh Posts: 1,782	Inman the same wY. I use mine for way more then I thought I would. Petty much the same things the above poster does.

05/03/2017, 06:40 PM	#7
evokid511 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 60	I always said to myself that if it was all I needed then I would be good with just that, and I was pretty much set on getting the apex junior, but now after reading this it seems like the safety features end can be well worth the upgrade

05/05/2017, 08:34 PM	#8
DrewCam Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 82	Thanks all. I certainly don't want to waste money. Maybe the full version is the way to go. Better to have it and not need it, than to not have it.