A week in with a Neptune DOS pump

[2una]

LOL hitting on networking you got the wrong bloke here - think i disabled dhcp + set a fixed IP for it & then bookmarked it so whenever i want to get to it i just find the bookmark then scratch my head for a while to remember the user/password to get in.
I agree with you , doing it on fusion would be a bunch easier

 

[vetteguy53081]

Good feedback on the use(s) of the Apex system DOS.

 

[vic5hands]

I believe it is the pump heads ($29 each) that are the wear items, especially when used for AWC, not the stepper motors themselves. While I haven’t tried these options yet, in doing research about my newly acquired DOS and DDR, I believe I’ve found more economically friendly replacement alternatives. The internal tubing seems to be 1/4” tubing with a 1/8” ID and 1/16” wall thickness. So based on the Masterflex pump threads, if Tygon PharMed BPT tubing is the most durable for continuous duty peristaltic pumps, it’s got to be good for the intermittent running DOS. It also seems that replacement rollers can be purchased through Avast Marine... $8.99 for a 4 pack, each DOS pump head uses 2. Again, I haven’t tried these alternatives as yet, but plan to give it a go when the time comes.

https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=25399&catid=864

https://www.avastmarine.com/products/replacement-pump-roller

Just thought I would give a quick input . I packed my pump rollers with silicone grease to insure constant lubrication on all moving parts and I have had no problems with any noise Good luck

 

[sharktopus_prime]

Apex Local...

There's another sore spot to poke at

Why isn't there a link on the Apex Fusion app to get you to Apex Local?

The Apex knows it's IP address... Ok, yeah, it would only work from a machine on the same local subnet, but it _would_ give us some sort of method to get there.

Right now, if I want to go to Apex Local, I've got to get up, walk over the the Apex display unit, navigate to the net settings page, WRITE DOWN the IP address on a piece of paper, and walk it back to my computer.

Honestly, Apex Local is such a PAIN to access, I just don't use it. Couldn't tell you if DOS Calibration is available there, or not... since I can't get to it easily.

For the Apex development team, adding a link to the current IP of the Apex would be trivial. I've suggested it before... no response.

You can get around this issue if you setup a lease reservation or a static IP so that the Apex always has the same address. With a fixed IP, you can also assign it a name via DNS on your FW, router or DNS server.

It sucks the first time you have to set it up, but after that, it just works. I hope the suggestion helps.

Happy reefing.

 

[muffe]

Networking into a device you physically own and are within proximity of is just stupid. Manual controls > apps.

 

[LowLi]

agree with noise!! really high pitched

 

[MaddyP]

Have you tried replacing the leaky screw on soft tubing compression connectors with John Guest fittings? It should solve the problems of air leaks when using a DOS with a DDR. Here’s a great RC thread for that mod...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2544673

For reference, here is a link to purchase the JG fittings. I have these on my two DOS units with zero issues in over a year.

https://www.freshwatersystems.com/p-2513-john-guest-female-adapter-cone-end-bspp-12-x-12-bspp.aspx

 

[Water Dog]

Yup, that’s where I got mine too!

 

[bblumberg]

Apex Local...

There's another sore spot to poke at

Why isn't there a link on the Apex Fusion app to get you to Apex Local?

The Apex knows it's IP address... Ok, yeah, it would only work from a machine on the same local subnet, but it _would_ give us some sort of method to get there.

Right now, if I want to go to Apex Local, I've got to get up, walk over the the Apex display unit, navigate to the net settings page, WRITE DOWN the IP address on a piece of paper, and walk it back to my computer.

Honestly, Apex Local is such a PAIN to access, I just don't use it. Couldn't tell you if DOS Calibration is available there, or not... since I can't get to it easily.

For the Apex development team, adding a link to the current IP of the Apex would be trivial. I've suggested it before... no response.

Can't you log into your router's management interface from wherever you are and look up the client table? That will give you the Apex's IP address...

 

[Greybeard]

Can't you log into your router's management interface from wherever you are and look up the client table? That will give you the Apex's IP address...

Nope.

My main wifi router, sure, but the Apex is on a range extender... since it doesn't have it's own wifi adapter in it. Not an uncommon setup...

Even if I could... where's the downside if Apex were to put a link to the local address somewhere on their Fusion screen?

 

[Atti2de]

I am using the DOS to change 1.5g a day also. Makes sense since we have the same tank lol.

Anyways, I stretched my allotted time to change the 1.5g out to 4/5 hours and the DOS is so much quieter.

 

[JDowns]

I believe it is the pump heads ($29 each) that are the wear items, especially when used for AWC, not the stepper motors themselves. While I haven’t tried these options yet, in doing research about my newly acquired DOS and DDR, I believe I’ve found more economically friendly replacement alternatives. The internal tubing seems to be 1/4” tubing with a 1/8” ID and 1/16” wall thickness. So based on the Masterflex pump threads, if Tygon PharMed BPT tubing is the most durable for continuous duty peristaltic pumps, it’s got to be good for the intermittent running DOS. It also seems that replacement rollers can be purchased through Avast Marine... $8.99 for a 4 pack, each DOS pump head uses 2. Again, I haven’t tried these alternatives as yet, but plan to give it a go when the time comes.

https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=25399&catid=864

https://www.avastmarine.com/products/replacement-pump-roller

The DOS does indeed use PharMed Tubing. The part number of the pump assembly from Honlite is
HSP-24-250-NPT-2-T-P.

Thats a great deal on the rollers from Avast. Which reminds me I'm about due for my 6 month service so I'll be ordering from him soon. You can find replacement assemblies online if a whole motor dies for around $60, it's not often they pop up in orange, most often you find them in black. But you can just use your existing orange cover.

 

[Greybeard]

Aaaand, an update.

2 more months under my belt. Auto Water Changes are now IMHO the greatest invention since four wheel drive.

Seriously.

The old saw about STABILITY being king of a successful reef system? You can't get more stable than this. Like a rock.

My tank is primarily soft corals, with a few LPS. Fairly low demand on Calc and Alk. I was dosing small amounts of ESV... but I no longer need it.

That's right, I was able to shut off my dosing system entirely. With 1.5 gpd AWC and RPM salt mix, I no longer need the Calc and Alk from my dosing system to maintain target levels. Stays solid at Calc 415 and Alk 10.2 DKH. I do still need to dose some Magnesium, but I do that manually anyway.

I have a GAC reactor that I used to run periodically, just to keep the water polished. Bright, crystal clear water, and I haven't turned the GAC pump on since I started the AWC system.

Makes maintenance dead simple. Mix up a barrel full of NSW once a month, done deal. Haven't had to carry a bucket full of water in months now.

Anybody on the fence about setting up an AWC system... My advise is to get 'er done already!

 

[2mk]

The DOS does indeed use PharMed Tubing. The part number of the pump assembly from Honlite is
HSP-24-250-NPT-2-T-P.

Thats a great deal on the rollers from Avast. Which reminds me I'm about due for my 6 month service so I'll be ordering from him soon. You can find replacement assemblies online if a whole motor dies for around $60, it's not often they pop up in orange, most often you find them in black. But you can just use your existing orange cover.

Where can you find this "HSP-24-250-NPT-2-T-P" stepper motor? A I am in need of one. Would you mind sharing a link to it? Also, would you happen to know if HSP-24-250-NPT-4-T-PO offered at AliExpress is a replacemnt for the stepper motor?