Is the Apex lite even out yet?

baldwinaquaman · 12/17/2009, 07:03 PM

I was wondering if the apex lite was even out yet? On there aite it says add to cart, but i didn't see anything that said preorder, just add to cart, can someone clear this up?

baldwinaquaman · 12/17/2009, 07:32 PM

anyone?

Johnny C · 12/18/2009, 12:30 AM

Yes, it's out.

baldwinaquaman · 12/18/2009, 12:34 AM

ok can you answer some questions for me I want to be able to monitor PH,temp, and conductivity, while also bein able to control my ATO using the apex lite, what all will I ahve to buy other than the APEX LITE ofr 370$?

Johnny C · 12/18/2009, 01:01 AM

I don't know, for I am not an Apex expert. The site should give you all the info you need.

baldwinaquaman · 12/18/2009, 01:04 AM

yeah I tried that already, it's jsut pretty vague, so i emailed the company unfortunately i am supposed to order it in the morning, and who knows how long it will be until i get a reply....

rbnice1 · 12/18/2009, 01:07 AM

You will want to get a apex light combo. It comes with the EB8(gives you 8 outlets to control), a temp probe. You will have to check to make sure it has a pH probe included or you will have to get one of those as well.

That will get you everything but conductivity. Conductivity will be a new modual that I am not sure is out yet. It is supposed to be out soon if its not already out. I think its labeled PM1

baldwinaquaman · 12/18/2009, 01:09 AM

ok I cant wait on the conductivity, now im just confused about the ATO? in the description it says that it can be used with float valves? But i'm not sure if I wud need anything else such as the IO breaker box, or is this for older models?

rbnice1 · 12/18/2009, 01:23 AM

Since its backwared compatible you can use a I/O break out box, or you can make one yourself. If you look in the neptune forums someone did a write up making your own for a apex in there. Think he made it for about 12-15 bucks in materials.

You can also just buy the correct cable and strip one end and test all the wires in it and connect them directly. Personally the I/O break out box is cheap enough for me I would just get it, but you have other options.

baldwinaquaman · 12/18/2009, 01:26 AM

so just for clarification, I wud need the box, even thoguht on the apex lite combo it sais this?

6 Digital Inputs
The Apex comes equipped with 6TTL level external inputs which can be used to activate/deactivate equipment in response to an external stimulus. Applications for these inputs include connection to water level float switches, water pressure and flow sensors, and water on the floor sensors. The Apex can be configured to signal alarms or turn on/off appliances in the event of external switch open or closure.

rbnice1 · 12/18/2009, 01:30 AM

no......

You need a cable that you can then strip the wires and connect directly. The box just makes it easier to connect your devices.

baldwinaquaman · 12/18/2009, 01:32 AM

Hmmm, sorry that i'm pretty much a newb at this, but can you elaborate for me?

rbnice1 · 12/18/2009, 01:47 AM

Ok....

Think of it like a outlet. You plug a light into it and it turns on. If you didnt have the outlet you could simply cut the wires and match the right wires and the light would turn on.

Really not a great analogy but hopefully you get the idea.

The apex come with 6 inputs available but they are not like 6 seperate little things you can plug in. They are all incorporated into one 9 pin plug. 6 of the pins or wires in that cable will have signal(those would be your inputs), 1 pin or wire is going to carry 10volts+, and 1 pin or wire is gnd.

This may not be exact I would have to look it all up, I am just trying to just you a general idea. You can look up what the cable is and what pins do what in the neptune forums.

baldwinaquaman · 12/18/2009, 01:49 AM

but you said you would buy the box anyhow right?

rbnice1 · 12/18/2009, 02:01 AM

Well im lazy. Just not worth my time buying a cable then ringing out what pin is what then hooking it up.

I may make my own box using the write up that was done in the neptune forums.

Just depends how I feel when I finally get some water bugs. I only use my neptune to turn my ATO on and off based on a timer my float switches directly connect my feed.

Eventually I will wire of a third float switch as a second fail safe, just havent gotten there yet.

baldwinaquaman · 12/18/2009, 02:06 AM

I don't really understand what your saying there, and Im not sure how the apex lite works for ATO. I'm guessing that you put you float switch, and when the water lowers the pump is activated, and im guessing you cans et the apex to shut the pump off after it runs for a certain amount of time so as not to overflow your display?

rbnice1 · 12/18/2009, 02:07 AM

Here is a link to making your own break out box for a apex. Read through it hopefully you will understand more once you read it and see all the pics.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1741072

rbnice1 · 12/18/2009, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baldwinaquaman

I don't really understand what your saying there, and Im not sure how the apex lite works for ATO. I'm guessing that you put you float switch, and when the water lowers the pump is activated, and im guessing you cans et the apex to shut the pump off after it runs for a certain amount of time so as not to overflow your display?

No......

I use a duel floatswitch ATO system from autotopoff.com. It is powered by a normal wall plug. I plug it into my EB8 and just turn that outlet on for 7 minutes every 2 hours. If the float switch shows it low then it will turn on my feed. Doing it this way if my float switch fails it will take about 4 days before it fills the sump enough to cause any issues.

baldwinaquaman · 12/18/2009, 02:14 AM

why do you not just set the apex so that if the pump runs more than say 3 minutes it shuts off? I was told by someone that it has the capbility to do that, is it not true?

rbnice1 · 12/18/2009, 02:20 AM

Im sure it does but I gravity feed so i am turning on and off a solenoid takes more like 7 minutes every 2 hours to keep my sump at the right lvl. And since I am not running any direct inputs my apex has no idea what lvl the sump even is. I will be adding another switch for the apex eventually to force off my normal ATO and send out email/alarming eventually.

baldwinaquaman · 12/18/2009, 02:21 AM

cool, so your happy with your neptune controller? I'm hesitant about spending so much, but it seems like great security.

rbnice1 · 12/18/2009, 02:21 AM

Think of it like my ATO is a different system that my apex only allows to run so often.

baldwinaquaman · 12/18/2009, 02:22 AM

I am really torn between it and getting another vortec. haha

rbnice1 · 12/18/2009, 02:26 AM

Personally I would never run a reef tank again with out a controller. I also have vortecs too tho....

There is supposed to be a vortect control modual out for the apex next year sometime as well. :P

Also ATO is really just a very small portion of what it can do. What about killing halides if your temp goes to high, controlling not only heating but also cooling, alarm conditions that notifies you when there is something wrong with your tank.

baldwinaquaman · 12/18/2009, 02:29 AM

what else can it do, can it turn the heater off if it gets too hot? i dont have a chiller, because i don't need one...

12/17/2009, 07:03 PM	#1
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	Is the Apex lite even out yet? I was wondering if the apex lite was even out yet? On there aite it says add to cart, but i didn't see anything that said preorder, just add to cart, can someone clear this up?

12/18/2009, 12:30 AM	#3
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	Yes, it's out. __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau

12/18/2009, 01:01 AM	#5
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	I don't know, for I am not an Apex expert. The site should give you all the info you need. __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau

12/17/2009, 07:32 PM	#2
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	anyone?

12/18/2009, 12:34 AM	#4
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	ok can you answer some questions for me I want to be able to monitor PH,temp, and conductivity, while also bein able to control my ATO using the apex lite, what all will I ahve to buy other than the APEX LITE ofr 370$?

12/18/2009, 01:04 AM	#6
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	yeah I tried that already, it's jsut pretty vague, so i emailed the company unfortunately i am supposed to order it in the morning, and who knows how long it will be until i get a reply....

12/18/2009, 01:07 AM	#7
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	You will want to get a apex light combo. It comes with the EB8(gives you 8 outlets to control), a temp probe. You will have to check to make sure it has a pH probe included or you will have to get one of those as well. That will get you everything but conductivity. Conductivity will be a new modual that I am not sure is out yet. It is supposed to be out soon if its not already out. I think its labeled PM1

12/18/2009, 01:09 AM	#8
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	ok I cant wait on the conductivity, now im just confused about the ATO? in the description it says that it can be used with float valves? But i'm not sure if I wud need anything else such as the IO breaker box, or is this for older models?

12/18/2009, 01:23 AM	#9
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	Since its backwared compatible you can use a I/O break out box, or you can make one yourself. If you look in the neptune forums someone did a write up making your own for a apex in there. Think he made it for about 12-15 bucks in materials. You can also just buy the correct cable and strip one end and test all the wires in it and connect them directly. Personally the I/O break out box is cheap enough for me I would just get it, but you have other options.

12/18/2009, 01:26 AM	#10
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	so just for clarification, I wud need the box, even thoguht on the apex lite combo it sais this? 6 Digital Inputs The Apex comes equipped with 6TTL level external inputs which can be used to activate/deactivate equipment in response to an external stimulus. Applications for these inputs include connection to water level float switches, water pressure and flow sensors, and water on the floor sensors. The Apex can be configured to signal alarms or turn on/off appliances in the event of external switch open or closure.

12/18/2009, 01:30 AM	#11
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	no...... You need a cable that you can then strip the wires and connect directly. The box just makes it easier to connect your devices.

12/18/2009, 01:32 AM	#12
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	Hmmm, sorry that i'm pretty much a newb at this, but can you elaborate for me?

12/18/2009, 01:47 AM	#13
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	Ok.... Think of it like a outlet. You plug a light into it and it turns on. If you didnt have the outlet you could simply cut the wires and match the right wires and the light would turn on. Really not a great analogy but hopefully you get the idea. The apex come with 6 inputs available but they are not like 6 seperate little things you can plug in. They are all incorporated into one 9 pin plug. 6 of the pins or wires in that cable will have signal(those would be your inputs), 1 pin or wire is going to carry 10volts+, and 1 pin or wire is gnd. This may not be exact I would have to look it all up, I am just trying to just you a general idea. You can look up what the cable is and what pins do what in the neptune forums.

12/18/2009, 01:49 AM	#14
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	but you said you would buy the box anyhow right?

12/18/2009, 02:01 AM	#15
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	Well im lazy. Just not worth my time buying a cable then ringing out what pin is what then hooking it up. I may make my own box using the write up that was done in the neptune forums. Just depends how I feel when I finally get some water bugs. I only use my neptune to turn my ATO on and off based on a timer my float switches directly connect my feed. Eventually I will wire of a third float switch as a second fail safe, just havent gotten there yet.

12/18/2009, 02:06 AM	#16
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	I don't really understand what your saying there, and Im not sure how the apex lite works for ATO. I'm guessing that you put you float switch, and when the water lowers the pump is activated, and im guessing you cans et the apex to shut the pump off after it runs for a certain amount of time so as not to overflow your display?

12/18/2009, 02:07 AM	#17
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	Here is a link to making your own break out box for a apex. Read through it hopefully you will understand more once you read it and see all the pics. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1741072

12/18/2009, 02:14 AM	#19
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	why do you not just set the apex so that if the pump runs more than say 3 minutes it shuts off? I was told by someone that it has the capbility to do that, is it not true?

12/18/2009, 02:20 AM	#20
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	Im sure it does but I gravity feed so i am turning on and off a solenoid takes more like 7 minutes every 2 hours to keep my sump at the right lvl. And since I am not running any direct inputs my apex has no idea what lvl the sump even is. I will be adding another switch for the apex eventually to force off my normal ATO and send out email/alarming eventually.

12/18/2009, 02:21 AM	#21
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	cool, so your happy with your neptune controller? I'm hesitant about spending so much, but it seems like great security.

12/18/2009, 02:22 AM	#23
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	I am really torn between it and getting another vortec. haha

12/18/2009, 02:26 AM	#24
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	Personally I would never run a reef tank again with out a controller. I also have vortecs too tho.... There is supposed to be a vortect control modual out for the apex next year sometime as well. :P Also ATO is really just a very small portion of what it can do. What about killing halides if your temp goes to high, controlling not only heating but also cooling, alarm conditions that notifies you when there is something wrong with your tank.

12/18/2009, 02:29 AM	#25
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	what else can it do, can it turn the heater off if it gets too hot? i dont have a chiller, because i don't need one...