What should I run on my apex and why

[Aslmx]

Got an apex jr and want to know what's best to use it for other then a gorified heater control. I use halides and jebaos so really no control upgrade there. Any input would be helpful?

[origreefer]

That glorified heater control will save your tank some day. I control Orp with my APEX, also monitor Ph, and have all skimmers and pumps and reactors plugged into the system, u/v controlled as well. I don't control my Vortechs or Radions but find the APEX real nice for feeding control, and when adding enzmines to be able to shut off skimmer, and for cutting off maim pump for water changes. Just the fact I don't have to crawl around to unplug something is golden. Others use it for ATO, fan control, so many uses.

[usingthejohn]

If you get a breakout box, you can use it to run an ato.

If you get brs pumps, it can be used as a doser.

With the apex feeder, you can run feed cycles.

For example, on my apex I run the following
2 heaters (i take them down and run dual fans in summer)
1 outlet for my riptide and 1 for my mp60 (one is on for 12hrs, then vice versa)
Ato
Return
Skimmer
T5s

My skimmer and return shut off for 5 minutes whenever I feed. I just tap feed cycle off of apex fusion.


There are a myriad of possibilities to utilize your apex for. It's a matter of what best suits your tank. The nice part is its also expandable as you see fit.

[davidfrances]

Are you sure you have an Apex? A quick look at the Apex website reveals the vast capabilities of this controller.

[usingthejohn]

Originally Posted by davidfrances

Are you sure you have an Apex? A quick look at the Apex website reveals the vast capabilities of this controller.

That was much easier to type than what I put, hahaha

[Aslmx]

I'm getting the hint. Does it take 2 probes to run the heater and fans? And why would I want to run my skimmer on it plus I have a jbj for the ato so that's really not needed either. What does orp do and I've never had to do anything to ph so can't see what that would help.

[lafayettereefer]

I run my skimmer on an outlet so when my return pump turns off it also turns the skimmer off to prevent the collection cup from overflowing.

The possibilities really are endless with an apex. I've seen some very fancy programs but all of mine are basic.

[usingthejohn]

Originally Posted by Aslmx

I'm getting the hint. Does it take 2 probes to run the heater and fans? And why would I want to run my skimmer on it plus I have a jbj for the ato so that's really not needed either. What does orp do and I've never had to do anything to ph so can't see what that would help.

it doesn't need 2 probes to run the heater and fans. You just program the set points on each outlet differently based on function (i.e. fans on at 82 degrees, heater on at 75).

I too had a jbj, but went with apex to consolidate everything. Should you elect to do the same, keeping the jbj would be a good idea for a backup.

I don't do anything with ph, however it's good to monitor stability. I dosed the incorrect amount of alk a while back (used the wrong calculator) and the few sps pieces I had that did well, ended up RTN'ing on me. Went back to apex and saw the corresponding ph spike

[Aslmx]

Originally Posted by lafayettereefer

I run my skimmer on an outlet so when my return pump turns off it also turns the skimmer off to prevent the collection cup from overflowing.

The possibilities really are endless with an apex. I've seen some very fancy programs but all of mine are basic.

So I could plug a power strip in to 1 outlet to do both and save an outlet for something else? I have 2 of the eb4 blocks.

[Aslmx]

Originally Posted by usingthejohn

it doesn't need 2 probes to run the heater and fans. You just program the set points on each outlet differently based on function (i.e. fans on at 82 degrees, heater on at 75).

I too had a jbj, but went with apex to consolidate everything. Should you elect to do the same, keeping the jbj would be a good idea for a backup.

I don't do anything with ph, however it's good to monitor stability. I dosed the incorrect amount of alk a while back (used the wrong calculator) and the few sps pieces I had that did well, ended up RTN'ing on me. Went back to apex and saw the corresponding ph spike

So 1 probe can operate 2 different outlets at the same time? That's purdy cool

[Jonatan9573]

Once you have it for awhile you will start seeing all the possibilities for it. They will just start popping up one after the other. The best thing about it, is there is really no limit to its use. Just make sure and understand the what you are doing and have redundancies for whatever you set up. I have to say that it has saved me a few times when i had metal halides and my temp started climbing and i wasn't home and it shut down my lights to keep my tank cool. Also as started before its nice for a skimmer collection cup to shut off the skimmer when its full because it is a larger mess when those start overflowing.

[mc-cro]

nothing lethal goes on my apex, an Apex outlet will flake out and stick from time to time, it may only happen once a year or so, but I dont want anything that can potentially wipe out my tank being controlled by the Apex.

heaters are on a ranco
CO2 RX is on a Miluakee
top off is a tunze

everything else is on the Apex.

[tkeracer619]

If you pull the controller plug out of the wall and the tank dies you haven't done yourself any favors.

With halides a controller is great because it will turn your lights off should the tank get too hot.

Don't plug everything into it, just the stuff you switch on and off. I would not plug the return pump into the controller.

[usingthejohn]

Originally Posted by Aslmx

So 1 probe can operate 2 different outlets at the same time? That's purdy cool

It can essentially 'operate' all.

As the poster above me said, if the temperature reaches 84, for example, the apex will turn on fans or chiller, and shut off lights if you designate it to.

[slief]

Since you have Jebao's you could get the Apex to Jebao adapters and fully control them via the Apex instead of the Jebao controller. This gives you endless wave profile capabilities. With the Jr, you will need VDM module with the Jr.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=new

From there, he is a short list of some of the things you can monitor and control.
Temp
PH: I think this one is obvious
ORP: useful for water quality trends (Requires a PM1 with the Jr)
Salinity: Useful for salinity trends and failsafes (Requires a PM2 with the Jr)
Water On The Floor/Leak Detection
Break Out Box allows various switches such as float switches for level control and monitoring sump levels. High level switches can shut off things like skimmers should the level get too high and also send out alarm emails and texts. Same goes with a low level float. You can also add momentary switches such as a garage door opener button. I use a garage door opener button to trigger my mixing pump to run for an hour when I am mixing salt. My break out box also manages my multi zone leak detection. Something that Neptune is now offering via AquaBus expansion.

Other things you can control:
Wave Makers (Including your Jebao via the 0-10v control VDM module)
Dimmable 0-10v lights (requires a VDM module with the Jr)
Neptune Feeder
Feed cycles (shuts pumps off or changes profiles during feeding at the touch of a button)
ATO
Cabinet lights (you can automated them with a magnetic door switch connected to the break out box)
Alarm and email/text notification: If your temp, salinity, ORP, PH, Sump levels, power fails etc, you can receive text and email alerts provided you are setup to monitor those things.

[Aslmx]

Originally Posted by slief

Since you have Jebao's you could get the Apex to Jebao adapters and fully control them via the Apex instead of the Jebao controller. This gives you endless wave profile capabilities. With the Jr, you will need VDM module with the Jr.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=new

From there, he is a short list of some of the things you can monitor and control.
Temp
PH: I think this one is obvious
ORP: useful for water quality trends (Requires a PM1 with the Jr)
Salinity: Useful for salinity trends and failsafes (Requires a PM2 with the Jr)
Water On The Floor/Leak Detection
Break Out Box allows various switches such as float switches for level control and monitoring sump levels. High level switches can shut off things like skimmers should the level get too high and also send out alarm emails and texts. Same goes with a low level float. You can also add momentary switches such as a garage door opener button. I use a garage door opener button to trigger my mixing pump to run for an hour when I am mixing salt. My break out box also manages my multi zone leak detection. Something that Neptune is now offering via AquaBus expansion.

Other things you can control:
Wave Makers (Including your Jebao via the 0-10v control VDM module)
Dimmable 0-10v lights (requires a VDM module with the Jr)
Neptune Feeder
Feed cycles (shuts pumps off or changes profiles during feeding at the touch of a button)
ATO
Cabinet lights (you can automated them with a magnetic door switch connected to the break out box)
Alarm and email/text notification: If your temp, salinity, ORP, PH, Sump levels, power fails etc, you can receive text and email alerts provided you are setup to monitor those things.

yea I looked at the jebao diy cable but I ll have to wait and get a vdm. Another 100 bucks

[JSimpson]

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

If you pull the controller plug out of the wall and the tank dies you haven't done yourself any favors.

With halides a controller is great because it will turn your lights off should the tank get too hot.

Don't plug everything into it, just the stuff you switch on and off. I would not plug the return pump into the controller.

I think this bears repeating. Everyone has their own opinion, however I'm of the opinion that the controller should only control things that need to be controlled - how's that for a statement? My return pump, skimmer, and powerheads are not run through my Apex. If the Apex goes out (it happens - mine did randomly multiple times last year) my return, skimmer and circulation will continue. Running your entire tank off an Apex is introducing a single point of failure, which in my opinion is a very risky thing to do on a reef tank. I see people running the return, skimmer and all circulation pumps via an Apex all the time and to me it just isn't worth it.

[RoachF4]

The online bit is probably the biggest benefit for me. You have to download "Fusion" from their website and then you can monitor everything from your phone, tablet, another computer, ect. Their old online software was a bit of a pain and took some tweaking, but I haven't had any problems with the new one. It's peace of mind when you are out of town. Hope it works out for you.

[jason78]

I love having everything running through my controller