Advice, Neptune Systems Apex

[alanbates12]

I'm looking at buying the Apex controller for my 180 and need some advice. First I'll give you a brief on my system. It's a 180g Reef/Fish. Some SPS and LPS and inverts. T5 lighting that has a built in controller. UV that I'll turn on once a month. I've got a bubble magnus pump that I use for CA and Alk, still has an open pump. Sump with a fuge that has a light also. And a ATO built from a kit.
Ok so all that said I'd like an Apex setup to run my system. I'm a Fireman so every third day I'm away from my tank for 24 hours so it would give me some piece of mind. Plus I just like the idea of a controller.
I know there are several types with probes and surge protectors. Currently I've got 11 different things plugged in, power heads, heathers, skimmer, ATO, pump, light. So what would be your recommendations if you were buying an Apex system.

[yellowRubi]

Apex is very nice ( confusing a lot in the beggining but after You will read more and more about it it can do magic ) If u get Apex, You also need to break box ( u can pay 39.99 for it from Neptune or You can build ur own for 20-20 bucks, to this box You can connect couple float switches, and a water on the floor switch , so if something bad will happen the apex can email you or a send a text message to Your phone...
theres much more good , but those are the important to me at least things that sold me on it

[alanbates12]

bump

[A_Z]

ever look into the Reef Angel controller? half the cost ($220).

you get:

Head Unit
Relay Box
HDDB15 Communication Cable
PH Probe
Waterproof Temperature Probe
2x Float Switch
2x Float Switch Connectors
TTL level serial converter cable



Features

Color LCD screen
Thumb joystick for easy menu navigation
8 Controllable outlets
2 Digital inputs
1 pH input
2 Digital/PWM outputs
3 Temperature probe ports
Easily configurable to all common functions:
Auto Top Off
Heater
Fan/Chiller
Light schedule
PWM dimming for sunrise and sunset effect
Feeding/Water change mode
Wavemakers
Dosing pumps

[kurt_n]

You might check out the Neptune Systems subforum here on RC...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=368

I'm thinking browsing through there might give you a good idea of what you need. Sounds like you're going to need at least (1) EB8 (8-outlet energy bar) and possibly more outlets if you can't gang any of those 11 things together.

Personally, if you want an Apex, I'd go with either an Apex or Apex Lite, which will come with an EB8. I'd then add an EB4 (4-outlet energy bar, with all mechanical relay controlled outlets) to run your low wattage items off of, like your ATO and dosing pumps. Those items work more reliably on the mechanical relays, and the EB8 only has two of them. Sounds like you need at least three.

Whether or not you get a full blown Apex, or an Apex Lite pretty much depends on if you want the ability to monitor ORP (or a 2nd pH probe) or have variable speed ports that can control Tunze powerheads. If you want the ability to do either of those, then the full-blown Apex is what you want. I've got the full-blown Apex running a EB8 and EB4 and would do it again, if I had it to do over again.

Check out the "unofficial users guide" that is stickied at the top of that subforum, and you'll find more info on the units than you probably wanted to know!

[James77]

Originally Posted by A_Z

ever look into the Reef Angel controller? half the cost ($220).

you get:

Half the cost, but the RA lacks some of the features present on the Apex. With the Apex, you get an ORP port that can be used as a 2nd pH port, 4 extra switch inputs, and 4 dimmable ports that can dim LEDs or run Tunze pumps.

[aleonn]

I also have a 180 reef tank with an Apex. Definitely worth the investment, and it's the best controller IMO for remote/network capabilities. The programming was easier than I thought it would be, and there are templates for basic functions such as heaters, power heads, CO2 reactors, etc. The hardest part, as with any controller, is getting connected to the Internet, which is a function of your knowledge of your network, what router/modem you have, and trouble shooting skills.

[rezaktp]

+++++1 on the APEX! no issues here!

[Hextall]

What type of powerheads do you have? As people mentioned, you can control tunze powerheads with the variable speed ports on the full apex (or get the lite, then add on a VDM module).

If you have a vortech, they can be controlled by getting the WXM module.... so you wouldn't need the variable speed ports (unless you eventually want to control dimmable LEDs).

Other powerheads can only be turned on or off, and don't require any other connections besides plugging them into the Apex's energy bar. the Lite and full version come with one 8-plug energy bar... so as mentioend, you'd need another energy bar... either 4 or 8-plug... if you want all 11 things you currently have to be controlled independently.

Neptune has a chart on their webpage that details the features of their three models here: http://www.neptunesys.com/index.php?...d=62&Itemid=40

I bought the apex lite... and already somewhat regret not getting the full version, as I'm going to install DIY dimmable LEDs. so now I'll have to buy the module to control the LEDs, and that's more expensive than just buying the full apex. I don't have any plans on a second pH probe or an ORP probe, so the cost difference isn't that much though.

[nuclearheli]

Have a 210 with Basement Sump and DIY LED Fixture. Apex handles everything

IN Basement:
2 EB8. Controls two external Blue Line pumps, UV Light, CA Reactor, two Fuge LED Lights, Sump circulation pump, Two 1,000 Watt heaters, skimmer, chiller

2 PM1 Modules for sump pH, Sump ORP, Calcium Reactor pH, Sump Temperature

1 Breakout Box for ATO switch, Skimmer Scum Bucket (Avast Marine) limit switch, water sensor on floor.

Upstairs DT DIY LED Canopy:
1 EB4 - Controls two drivers on/off (289Volt) for Blue and White Light Strings
1 VDM - Dimming control for blues and white
1 AquaBus Lunar Simulator with 4 LED option

Upstairs DT Cabinet/Tank
1 EB8 - Plug control for 2 MP 40's, two additional pumps in tank
1 WXM - Control for Vortech MP 40's
1 Apex Display Module - Also use to monitor DT Temp, DT pH

Yes, cost a fortune but let me tell you how it saved a fortune. I have a built in drain in my sump which I use to do water changes and occasionally pull out some water from the tank. One morning after doing a water change I closed the valve as I normally do but I was not careful enough to make sure it was seated properly and it had a very slight leak. I left for work and a few hours later I started getting text messages on my phone and emails galore warning me that my differential pH readings from the DT to the SUMP were off the wall, the temperature differential between the sump and DT were also off the charts, my ATO level indicator was complaining that my sump level was dangerously low and my water sensor on the floor was alarming.

Got in touch with my son who was actually home at the time and he found the valve leak, shut the valve, then added almost 15 gallons of salt water mix to the sump to stabilize the level until I could get home and make 20 more gallons of salt water.

Needless to say had a water problem on the basement floor but nothing more serious than that.

I am a nut when it comes to automation and everyone in my house makes fun of me for it. But this time the only thing they were making fun of was my stupid mistake of leaving the valve leaking without checking. I now have a secondary backup plug I put in the drain line just in case I get stupid again.

[Dave & Monica]

I'm about to get one (apex) but it's incredible how many outlets you use when you have equipment upstarts and down, and other areas for water making. Finally taking the dive -- just waiting for the Black Friday sales........

[05f150fx4]

Also thinking of getting the APEX lite. They are on sale at one of the websites for 10% off now, are there better sales on black Friday?

What float switches would you need to get with the breakout box to run an ATO from the apex?

[05f150fx4]

Double post