A3 Apex Jr make sense for a Nano?

[mje113]

Even though I'm running a nano (Evo 13.5), I've been interested in automating some aspects of the monitoring. I was considering going the Reef Pi route until I read about the new A3 Apex Jr. For just a little more $ it looks like it has almost everything I'd want out of the box, PH, Temp, wifi, alarms, and being upgradable.

It seems a bit like this is targeted at smaller tanks, but Is this overkill for a nano? Will the temp and PH probe fit in the back chambers?

Final question: Why is it sold out or "coming soon" everywhere? Is it not actually on the market yet?

 

[Acros]

Isn’t it another $300 for the energy bar module, without which you can’t really control anything?

 

[mje113]

Yes, but I'm not interested in controlling anything at the moment. Just monitoring and alarms.

Edit: I should say that everything is currently controlled, AI Prime lights via app, wavemaker is on it's own schedule, and main pump is on a wifi outlet.

 

[Poochaku]

Yes, but I'm not interested in controlling anything at the moment. Just monitoring and alarms.

Edit: I should say that everything is currently controlled, AI Prime lights via app, wavemaker is on it's own schedule, and main pump is on a wifi outlet.

The one you're missing is heater control. I think 75% of the value of a controller on a nano setup is preventing heater failure tank wipes.

I would personally go hydros control x3 but yes the A3 makes sense for your situation. Probes will fit no problem but you might want some type of mounting solution to make it clean depending on how your chambers are setup.

 

[mje113]

I would personally go hydros control x3

Hmm, you have a good point. For the same price the Hydros X3 has a 4-outlet power strip, which I presume would mean being able to protect from a bad heater.

I'd lose the leak detector and water level sensor, neither were particularly of interest to me. I suppose I could prevent my ATO going wild and flooding.

 

[mje113]

Welp, I just impulse bought a Hydros X3 w/ leak detector and power strip. I'm heading out on vacation for a week, so figured I'd prefer to get some basic monitoring setup before I leave rather than after.

 

[diabolical_clownfish]

I've been sort of contemplating the same question. When I got started, I had a "only control no monitoring" solution by setting up a bunch of wifi-controled power strips, like this (I liked the HomeKit compatibility in particular). This allowed me to control all of my devices via the iOS Home app, which is convenient (feeding? maintenance? push of a button in the app to turn on/off equipmenets). I also am in the Ring Alarm ecosystem, so I used a flood sensor for leak detection in the cabinet.

What this setup doesn't get me is to monitor temperature and pH (it seems the Apex salinity probe is not great and the ORP seems like a not useful measurement) and the ability to automatically do something if anything goes wrong. So recently, I'm looking at the A3 Apex and also wondering what to do.

My cost-benefit analysis:

The cost of my current setup is less than $100. $300 for monitoring with the Apex Jr. If I want monitoring and control, it would cost $600 with the regular Apex. Seems like a lot to pay $500 for just monitoring two parameters (not to mention the extra time and effort in setup).

A lot of the Apex accessories I don't find necessary or compatible with my 35 gallon nano tank. COR-15 return is way too big for a nano. Don't need DOS - expensive and I just need a simple doser for All-for-Reef. WAV seems too big and I like my Nero 3. Tridant is expensive and I don't need to test alk 4 times a day (if they can support "occasional" testing it would be convenient). List goes on. Seems like if you actually want to be in the Neptune ecosystem and all your devices are from them, then the Apex is useful (use the 1Link in addition to the regular outlets) and you'd save a lot of cables and different apps. There's also quality concerns - a lot of complaints online about cheap China build quality. The EB832 in particular had a bunch of failures and gets poor reviews. It's 1) harder to replace for me (if my HomeKit power strip failures I can get a same day replacement), and 2) I lose functionality (no more integration with HomeKit)

@Poochaku mentioned heater failure. I see two scenarios - if the heater goes dead (cold), this can simply be solved by having two heaters (no controller necessary since they will automatically adjust). If the heater goes crazy (hot), then you'd have to have monitoring and the ability to shut down the heater. How often does this happen? If this is a black swan kind of event, seems like it's not worth it to address. Is this worth addressing with an Inkbird? (seems their review isn't stellar either).

Is all of this worth the additional cost? I don't know.

 

[AydenLincoln]

I love my Apex and think it’s 100% worth it even on a nano!

 

[mje113]

Ok, got the Hydros X3 delivered and installed in about 30 minutes. This thing is great! Really happy with how user friendly it is.

 

[OfficeReefer]

Welp, I just impulse bought a Hydros X3 w/ leak detector and power strip. I'm heading out on vacation for a week, so figured I'd prefer to get some basic monitoring setup before I leave rather than after.

@mje113 This model can still control power outlets but to my knowledge, it's only the EB832 however and it's optional. In the case of yours, if you have an ATO, auto-water changes, dosing, testing and/or have a capable light or powerhead/pump, then this totally makes sense.

Considering none of this exists on the Fluval side, it's not a bad investment at $299 provided you plan to integrate your upgrades and later tanks with it.