controller question

[ssky]

Hi all,
I need some expert advice from you all. I have been looking into getting a aquarium controller either reef keeper lite basic or Apex. The issue I am seeing is that every other equipment I [;an on buying also comes with its own controller. As an example, I am looking for these

Jebao DCP 6500 return pump -- comes with its own controller
Jabao PP-8 power head -- comes with its own controller
AI Prime HD, 26 or Hydra -- comes with is own controller

So if I get RKL or Apex am I only using it to monitor temp, pH, salinity etc?
If Yes then the price of these controller really don't justify.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks

[CarrieB]

It's worth for me for just the "email if something basic is wrong" piece. While I was on vacation, I got an error that temp was dropping. Turned out the tank had cracked.


If you only want a few things, look at the Apex Junior. You can get them used for a reasonable price.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Elricsfate]

I have an Apex. I do not have all the fancy gadgets for it yet. But the part where it makes sense (imho) is that you can control all of those devices with the Apex and not with their own individual controllers.

So, for instance, I hit the feed mode A button on my Kindle. The return pump, power heads, and skimmer all shut down. 5 minutes later the pumps come back on, but the skimmer waits an additional 5 minutes.

Also...the Apex can take input from your tank, like temperature, and decide to turn on fans, or turn down the lights, or turn on a chiller, if the temp is too high. The controller that came with your lights can't do that.

It boils down to integration and consolidation. The Apex becomes the brains that run the whole ball of wax in one interoperable unit that receives data from all of the attached devices.

And to be honest...if I calculated out the amount of time it takes to use a test kit to measure my PH, check the temp, check the SG, and manually turn on/off various devices at various times for a variety of reasons (feeding, maintenance, etc.) several times a day...the Apex pays for itself in short order IMHO.

Not to mention the fact that as I sit here at work I can pull up my tank on fusion and see what is running and what is not, what the parameters are, etc. If something is going on, I know about it. NOW. Not when I get home in 6 hours.

[ssky]

Thank you elricsfate. That was a good post. ummm.. so f go the apex route, I still have to have all the other controllers hooked up too. correct? or I can throw all of them and just have Apex do all the controlling. As an example the controller on dcp 6500 allows you to dial back or forward the flow of the pump, controller on pp-8 allows different wave motions and intensities.

[charlesgage]

You can get converters for many lights and pumps to go apex. I researched and chose a used apex in seas of a new apex jr. apex has better net, app, and alert options and the largest user base.

Your uses: ph and temp alerts, feed mode, etc.

[Elricsfate]

Originally Posted by ssky

Thank you elricsfate. That was a good post. ummm.. so f go the apex route, I still have to have all the other controllers hooked up too. correct? or I can throw all of them and just have Apex do all the controlling. As an example the controller on dcp 6500 allows you to dial back or forward the flow of the pump, controller on pp-8 allows different wave motions and intensities.

You will have to examine the control options for each piece. My Tunze powerheads have a controller. There is a cable to connect that controller to my Apex. So the controller is still there, it is just acting as a conduit for the actual control of the equipment, which is coming from the Apex.

Some things you may be able to get rid of the controller completely and plug straight into a port on the Apex, others you will need to connect as I described above. This is going to be product specific.

[ssky]

And that is exactly what my thoughts were. For most equipment, I will not be able to reduce the wiring and controllers. They need to be there. Some I will be be able to simplify the config.

I think a controller will help me in the monitoring side of things like temp, ph etc. It will also help me in the ATO side of things as well as some automation for feeding etc.

Now the question is for that kind of usage shall I plunk 240 for Apex jr. 85 for PM1 and 40 for breakout box + 40 for the ph probe some monies for the float switches etc. (approx 400)

Or pay 125 for RKL basic, 80 for SL2V2 and 40 for a ph probe (total of 245). I know I will not have an email alert feature with this.

What you guys think.

[Ucantwin]

Think of a controller as insurance. I do not know how much you have invested in your tank but a controller will alert you if something is going on with the tank. Think of all the extra gadgets you can add as a bonus. I originally felt like you did about controller aren't worth if I'm only using it to monitor a few things, as my equipment has their own controllers also. Since I have $1000's wrapped up in livestock and corals a controller gave me piece of mind.

No one likes to buy insurance but your glad you had when it is needed.

[homer1475]

Your PP8's for instance, while they won't use thier own control box anymore, you will need the module to hook them up to the apex. You only have a few options with the built in controller, the control ability is endless with the apex. For instance, I run my pp-4's in an on/off mode where they run for 10 seconds at 50%, then their off for 30 seconds. This creates flow in a crazy pattern which is what you want to accomplish. I could not do this type of thing with the built in controller.

Keep in mind also, the apex jr can only use so many modules. You will find many more things to do with it once you have it.

[ssky]

Great thanks to homer and uantwin. My setup is very simple. I have 46 gallon sumpless tank but upgrading it to 75 with a sump. And you are right I have hardly 100 dollars tied into livestock and such. But I do like to monitor and do things so I do appreciate the need for a controller. Apex vs RKL I am kinda leaning towards RKL unless I find some good used APEX deal from someone. By the way, is a used Apex is as good as new?

Thanks

[CeresReef]

To piggyback on ssky, if I buy a used Apex, can the original owner somehow control my tank, or is there a factory reset option?

-Ceres

[charlesgage]

Originally Posted by CeresReef

To piggyback on ssky, if I buy a used Apex, can the original owner somehow control my tank, or is there a factory reset option?

-Ceres

There is a factory reset option, however it is MUCH easier if the existing owner unlinks it from their account (fusion) on the web before the sale. Ask for them to do this, it takes all of ten seconds.

[ifarmer]

Originally Posted by Elricsfate

I have an Apex. I do not have all the fancy gadgets for it yet. But the part where it makes sense (imho) is that you can control all of those devices with the Apex and not with their own individual controllers.

So, for instance, I hit the feed mode A button on my Kindle. The return pump, power heads, and skimmer all shut down. 5 minutes later the pumps come back on, but the skimmer waits an additional 5 minutes.

Also...the Apex can take input from your tank, like temperature, and decide to turn on fans, or turn down the lights, or turn on a chiller, if the temp is too high. The controller that came with your lights can't do that.

It boils down to integration and consolidation. The Apex becomes the brains that run the whole ball of wax in one interoperable unit that receives data from all of the attached devices.

And to be honest...if I calculated out the amount of time it takes to use a test kit to measure my PH, check the temp, check the SG, and manually turn on/off various devices at various times for a variety of reasons (feeding, maintenance, etc.) several times a day...the Apex pays for itself in short order IMHO.

Not to mention the fact that as I sit here at work I can pull up my tank on fusion and see what is running and what is not, what the parameters are, etc. If something is going on, I know about it. NOW. Not when I get home in 6 hours.

if you shutdown return pump, power heads, light...and skimmer all shut down. does this means you have to reprogram your powerhead to the correct mode again and to have the correct clock setting on your light again?

[homer1475]

Originally Posted by ifarmer

if you shutdown return pump, power heads, light...and skimmer all shut down. does this means you have to reprogram your powerhead to the correct mode again and to have the correct clock setting on your light again?

No, the apex will pickup right where it left off. Even in a power failure, when the power is restored the apex picks right up where it left off.

So for instance, say you have your lights come on at 8am. Your power goes out at 7am, then comes back on at 9am. The apex will turn the lights on just like they would be at 9am.

Once programmed you never have to touch that programming again, unless you want to change it.

[hkgar]

Mine
Turns lights on off
Turns hood fans on off by temp
Monitors temp, ph, orp, salinity and Ca reactor ph
Controls auto top off
Does automatic water changes
Doses carbon
Controls heaters
Return pump, Skimmer pump and turf scrubber flow monitored.
Shuts down all pumps if leak detected
Notifies me via email if anything important gets out of wack