Upgrading Equipment, Need Help

bif24701 · 12/27/2011, 08:41 PM

I am looking to add an controller to my system and the following:

Dosing pumps for 2 part, ATO, and vinegar. 4 total
Larger Sump
Possibly a separate Refugium
Another MP40
SRO INT3000
probes for monitoring water perimeters

I need help building a parts list, I want to control my dosing, temp, ph, lighting, ATO, MP40s, skimmer, and more. What dosing pumps and probes work best for controllers, and what controller?

cmw · 12/27/2011, 08:46 PM

Do you have a budget you're working with?

bif24701 · 12/27/2011, 08:54 PM

I don't have a budget set, however no more that 2500 for my entire upgrade is about right. I need a totally automated system other than refilling supps and ATO when needed. I will be gone for months at a time and my wife has to maintain my tank. I need set and forget operation.

bif24701 · 12/27/2011, 09:28 PM

I think I could get a simple dosing pump for each need and use the controller for timing to control the amount and when each is added, right? It seems that only the APEX will communicate to my MP40s so I'll be going that route. What probes are the best, or what probes could go a couple weeks to a month without being cailed?

moondoggy4 · 12/28/2011, 12:54 AM

Bubble Magnus makes a good doser. Proflux can do all you want but can be costly.

moondoggy4 · 12/28/2011, 12:56 AM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2092677 something to look at

moondoggy4 · 12/28/2011, 01:04 AM

http://www.saltycritter.com/dosing-p...sing-pumps.htm no controller needed for this unit

wolfador · 12/28/2011, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bif24701

I think I could get a simple dosing pump for each need and use the controller for timing to control the amount and when each is added, right? It seems that only the APEX will communicate to my MP40s so I'll be going that route. What probes are the best, or what probes could go a couple weeks to a month without being cailed?

Check out the Reef Angel they recently added support for the MP pumps. Should also be able to control everything else you want.

http://reefangel.com/

jsbzmcdaniel · 12/28/2011, 10:25 AM

I would use a Neptune Apex controller with the WMX module to control your MP40's. I would also run a Bubble Magnus BM-T01 three channel dosing pump. I am dosing cal / alk and have an open dosing pump if I ever decide to dose additional chems. I am currently running everything listed in addition to the SRO 3000 and couldnt be happier.

bif24701 · 12/28/2011, 07:44 PM

So controlling dosing pumps with a controller isn't the norm then? Rather buy a pump with a built in controller/timer?

moondoggy4 · 12/28/2011, 08:06 PM

No and yes so look into the Bubble Magnus dosing pumps.

bif24701 · 12/28/2011, 09:05 PM

Wow that proflux set looks way awsome. I haven't read much on that brand, what is their reputation? Doesn't look like it'll connect to my Vortechs though I maybe able to do with out that given they take care of them selves.

reefereef · 12/28/2011, 10:47 PM

i say go APEX, neptune has been around a good length of time and offers great cust support. You can controll the dosing pumps with the apex but the dosing pumps' controller is much more sensitive, apex does run time in seconds whereas the dosing pumps controllers will does in ml so they are more sensitive.

bif24701 · 12/29/2011, 12:10 PM

If I buy a dosing pump with a built in controller then I see little reason to purchase a Apex then. Am I missing something? My lights are on digital timers and are not dimmable, no heater needed and I just run a fan over the sump to cool it in the summer.

What advantages would a controller provide that I am missing.

tkeracer619 · 12/29/2011, 12:46 PM

email alerts, lights off in case of overheat.

profilux is a very reliable controller.

The apex and profilux both can control vortechs. I use a reef angel and it also can control vortechs. The Reef Angel also controls all channels of the Radion.

http://www.neptunesys.com/index.php?...d=56&Itemid=40

http://www.ghl-direct.com/proddetail...rod=ghlvortech

http://www.reefangel.com/Products.RF...on-Module.ashx

bif24701 · 12/29/2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

email alerts, lights off in case of overheat.

profilux is a very reliable controller.

The apex and profilux both can control vortechs. I use a reef angel and it also can control vortechs. The Reef Angel also controls all channels of the Radion.

http://www.neptunesys.com/index.php?...d=56&Itemid=40

http://www.ghl-direct.com/proddetail...rod=ghlvortech

http://www.reefangel.com/Products.RF...on-Module.ashx

Sure, guess I could monitor the perimeters afar and hopefully walk my wife through fixing them.

How often would I need to cal good probes?

BerriersReef · 12/29/2011, 05:30 PM

I would check out BRS's dosing pumps. They are $80 each and only need a timer to run.
It makes dosing stuff really easy. For example, if your alk is going down, just add a few more seconds or minutes to the time and the pumps will take care of it. i think they have a video on it.

BerriersReef · 12/29/2011, 05:31 PM

+1 on the apex. Fantastic controller.

12/27/2011, 08:41 PM	#1
bif24701 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida, FWB Posts: 3,389	Upgrading Equipment, Need Help I am looking to add an controller to my system and the following: Dosing pumps for 2 part, ATO, and vinegar. 4 total Larger Sump Possibly a separate Refugium Another MP40 SRO INT3000 probes for monitoring water perimeters I need help building a parts list, I want to control my dosing, temp, ph, lighting, ATO, MP40s, skimmer, and more. What dosing pumps and probes work best for controllers, and what controller? __________________ 180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant

12/27/2011, 08:54 PM	#3
bif24701 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida, FWB Posts: 3,389	I don't have a budget set, however no more that 2500 for my entire upgrade is about right. I need a totally automated system other than refilling supps and ATO when needed. I will be gone for months at a time and my wife has to maintain my tank. I need set and forget operation. __________________ 180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant

12/27/2011, 09:28 PM	#4
bif24701 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida, FWB Posts: 3,389	I think I could get a simple dosing pump for each need and use the controller for timing to control the amount and when each is added, right? It seems that only the APEX will communicate to my MP40s so I'll be going that route. What probes are the best, or what probes could go a couple weeks to a month without being cailed? __________________ 180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant

12/28/2011, 07:44 PM	#10
bif24701 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida, FWB Posts: 3,389	So controlling dosing pumps with a controller isn't the norm then? Rather buy a pump with a built in controller/timer? __________________ 180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant

12/28/2011, 09:05 PM	#12
bif24701 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida, FWB Posts: 3,389	Wow that proflux set looks way awsome. I haven't read much on that brand, what is their reputation? Doesn't look like it'll connect to my Vortechs though I maybe able to do with out that given they take care of them selves. __________________ 180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant

12/27/2011, 08:46 PM	#2
cmw Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 38	Do you have a budget you're working with?

12/28/2011, 12:54 AM	#5
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Bubble Magnus makes a good doser. Proflux can do all you want but can be costly.

12/28/2011, 12:56 AM	#6
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2092677 something to look at

12/28/2011, 01:04 AM	#7
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	http://www.saltycritter.com/dosing-p...sing-pumps.htm no controller needed for this unit

12/28/2011, 10:25 AM	#9
jsbzmcdaniel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Prosper, TX Posts: 2,585	I would use a Neptune Apex controller with the WMX module to control your MP40's. I would also run a Bubble Magnus BM-T01 three channel dosing pump. I am dosing cal / alk and have an open dosing pump if I ever decide to dose additional chems. I am currently running everything listed in addition to the SRO 3000 and couldnt be happier.

12/28/2011, 08:06 PM	#11
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	No and yes so look into the Bubble Magnus dosing pumps.

12/28/2011, 10:47 PM	#13
reefereef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 325	i say go APEX, neptune has been around a good length of time and offers great cust support. You can controll the dosing pumps with the apex but the dosing pumps' controller is much more sensitive, apex does run time in seconds whereas the dosing pumps controllers will does in ml so they are more sensitive.

12/29/2011, 12:10 PM	#14
bif24701 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida, FWB Posts: 3,389	If I buy a dosing pump with a built in controller then I see little reason to purchase a Apex then. Am I missing something? My lights are on digital timers and are not dimmable, no heater needed and I just run a fan over the sump to cool it in the summer. What advantages would a controller provide that I am missing. __________________ 180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant

12/29/2011, 12:46 PM	#15
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	email alerts, lights off in case of overheat. profilux is a very reliable controller. The apex and profilux both can control vortechs. I use a reef angel and it also can control vortechs. The Reef Angel also controls all channels of the Radion. http://www.neptunesys.com/index.php?...d=56&Itemid=40 http://www.ghl-direct.com/proddetail...rod=ghlvortech http://www.reefangel.com/Products.RF...on-Module.ashx __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

12/29/2011, 05:30 PM	#17
BerriersReef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 24	I would check out BRS's dosing pumps. They are $80 each and only need a timer to run. It makes dosing stuff really easy. For example, if your alk is going down, just add a few more seconds or minutes to the time and the pumps will take care of it. i think they have a video on it.

12/29/2011, 05:31 PM	#18
BerriersReef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 24	+1 on the apex. Fantastic controller.

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