120 Gallons of Fun!

[F i s h y]

Newbie here...what's SPAM?

When you randomly post a pic on someone's thread. It really only appropriate to do to people you know. We have a group of about 10 on here we do it to...

 

[PanchoG]

Firework clove polyps

Nice pic my friend.

 

[Why-Me]

Checking with flashlight I found a black slug looking thing on the bottom...Nudibranch?

I know it's out of focus and difficult to make out what it is.

 

[F i s h y]

Is it fluffy on its back or does it look like it has a shell

 

[Why-Me]

Is it fluffy on its back or does it look like it has a shell

fluffy, definitely no shell.

 

[Why-Me]

I just found him cruisin across the bottom again.
After doing some research it appears to be a Stomatella Snail

 

[Why-Me]

Been having issues with my Apex Lite
Has been randomly shutting off then powering back on, in turn powering off then on all devices plugged in.
Pulled some cables off today and noticed the Aquabus cable connecting the brain unit to the EB8 is corroded on the inside contacts.
I remembered I never had an issue with this thing while hooked up to the old tank, only difference is mounting angle.
I mounted the Apex Lite brain unit sideways or vertically with the Aquabus cable coming out sideways and drooping down.
As soon as the cord is plugged in everything powers on the plug wiggles downward and everything powers off and loses contact with Apex Fusion.
I re mounted the brain unit horizontally with the Aquabus and all cables coming out of the bottom and not being able to wiggle side to side without someone or something physically wiggling the cords.
Hasn't powered down in the 2 hours since re mounting it.
So for now I'm just going to buy a new Aquabus cable and go from there.

Here's a shot of my Leptos, Birds Nest and The Diatom Bomb Tank

 

[fishguy242]

cool ,hopefully that is all w apex..good news!! kitty likes the lepto's as much as i do..

 

[Why-Me]

Well that didn't work.
The Apex doesn't turn off and on anymore but it constantly loses connection with fusion due to that cord coming loose still.
Looking at the brain unit a little more closely it appears the plug in is also corroded, not just the plug end on the Aquabus cable.
I'm still just going to replace the cable.
Worst case scenario, I will replace the base unit with the new version for $399 and continue to use my eb8 and dc8 powerbars.

 

[Why-Me]

@SuncrestReef

My EB8 and DC8 seem reliable and working fine but the Apex Lite base unit connection is corroded, both AquaBus ports as is the Aquabus cable end.
I see the x2 RJ11 ports on the new Apex Base Unit, will that also control my old DC8?

 

[SuncrestReef]

@SuncrestReef

My EB8 and DC8 seem reliable and working fine but the Apex Lite base unit connection is corroded, both AquaBus ports as is the Aquabus cable end.
I see the x2 RJ11 ports on the new Apex Base Unit, will that also control my old DC8?

The DC8 is not compatible with the current model Apex or Apex-EL. Only AquaBus and 1Link connected modules are supported.

The ports you called RJ11 are actually RJ45 ports, and they’re used to provide 0-10v variable power to control certain pumps or lights:

See my Apex Hardware Overview article for the full list of compatible modules:

Apex Hardware Overview

Here's a quick overview of the Apex hardware family: Apex controller (sometimes referred to as the "base module" or "brain") The Apex controller is the primary device that controls and monitors the entire Apex setup. There are two current...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Why-Me]

The DC8 is not compatible with the current model Apex or Apex-EL. Only AquaBus and 1Link connected modules are supported.

The ports you called RJ11 are actually RJ45 ports, and they’re used to provide 0-10v variable power to control certain pumps or lights:

See my Apex Hardware Overview article for the full list of compatible modules:

Apex Hardware Overview

Here's a quick overview of the Apex hardware family: Apex controller (sometimes referred to as the "base module" or "brain") The Apex controller is the primary device that controls and monitors the entire Apex setup. There are two current...

www.reef2reef.com

In your opinion; What is a better replacement?
Apex EL system for $500. (Mind you I don't need the pH or Temp probes, already have them in use. Just purchasing for the brain and EB832 powerbar)
Or
Apex base unit and a new EB8 to replace that now uncontrollable DC8 total $560

 

[SuncrestReef]

In your opinion; What is a better replacement?
Apex EL system for $500. (Mind you I don't need the pH or Temp probes, already have them in use. Just purchasing for the brain and EB832 powerbar)
Or
Apex base unit and a new EB8 to replace that now uncontrollable DC8 total $560

The decision boils down to which features are most important to you, or will be in the future:

Apex-EL + EB832

Pro:	Con:
* EB832 per-output power monitoring capability	* Apex-EL does not have Salinity or ORP probe ports
* EB832 has three 1Link ports & two 24v Accessory ports	* Apex-EL does not have 0-10v Variable Speed ports
* Less expensive
* You'll have a spare pH and Temperature probe

Apex + EB8

Pro:	Con:
* Apex has Salinity and ORP probe ports	* EB8 has no per-output power monitoring capability
* Apex-EL has two 0-10v Variable Speed ports	* EB8 has no 1Link or 24v Accessory ports
	* More expensive

You can't go wrong with either option.

 

[PanchoG]

In your opinion; What is a better replacement?
Apex EL system for $500. (Mind you I don't need the pH or Temp probes, already have them in use. Just purchasing for the brain and EB832 powerbar)
Or
Apex base unit and a new EB8 to replace that now uncontrollable DC8 total $560

I would recommend you a full Apex control, you could then get the other pieces.

 

[Why-Me]

I would recommend you a full Apex control, you could then get the other pieces.

I just purchased the Apex EL system
Only thing it doesn't have compared to the full base unit is the 0-10v ports but that module add on is $100
If I had gone the other way I would have spent $60 more and the needed module to make that do everything; the PM1, would be an extra $150.
I feel better off this way, when it's time to add more goodies, I can grab that needed module for $100

 

[F i s h y]

SPAM

 

[Why-Me]

Long day today.
Need to set up my new ApexEL that arrived yesterday, unplug everything from the old DC8 and plug it into the EB8 and program that as well.
Going to do large WC on the FOWLR office tank. (it's been 4 months, don't judge me! LOL)
Next, finally going to add the Gulf Live rock from the 20 tall QT into my 120 DT.
Then going to do a WC on the 120.
Alk has stayed stable between 10.0 - 10.08 all week since starting DIY All For Reef
I've noticed all 3 Leptos have grown since acquiring 11 days ago.

 

[Why-Me]

Got back home after eating at my dad's today, walked by a box of stuff from the old tank....I see my Oxydator in there.
I totally forgot to put that in the new setup.
So I quickly filled it with 6% hydrogen peroxide and set it next to the return pump in the sump.

 

[Why-Me]

Here a FTS of the DT with all the Gulf Live rock added today.

 

[F i s h y]

Here a FTS of the DT with all the Gulf Live rock added today.

Looking good!