Apex Head Unit Only?

VR28man · Mar 18, 2018

Hey all,

When you buy an apex new (say the classic package), you get the "Base Unit Controller, Apex Display Module, Long-life Temperature Probe, Energy Bar 8 and Lab Grade pH Probe".

My impression is that everything besides the base unit is optional, and that other accessories (e.g. lighting, pumps, other modules) could be controlled from the base unit on its own?

(though the display is probably useful. And, my impression is, that apex won't sell you the base unit by itself, you'd have to buy it used, which voids any warranty they have)

Thanks!

TinyChocobo · Mar 18, 2018

Without the energy bar, you can't turn things on or off on the basic level with the Apex.

I suppose you could go without the probes.

That said - if you wanted none of that stuff - there's no reason not to just get some WEMO switches and then set up some rules to turn things on/off.

I mean I guess you could say that with a car - the wheels, tires, axles, back seat, trunk, spare tire were all 'optional' - you could buy a car without them, sure, and the engine would start and run and the transmission will change gears - but I would venture to question what's the point?

I guess - what are you trying to do / get at here? Why would you want to buy a car without wheels and tires? Why would you want to buy an Apex without the bar and probes?

TinyChocobo · Mar 18, 2018

The base unit only would give limited control - with a RJ45->3.5MM Cable you could control the speed of DC pumps that support 0-10V and color/brightness on LED lights that support 0-10V. Beyond that - you'd basically be looking at a monitor.

I could see it if you wanted to start simple and add basic monitoring and then add modules over time to keep the initial investment down - but it's likely going to be cheaper to buy the bigger kit up front than to buy pieces over time. I'd make another analogy to a car - it's cheaper to buy a fully assembled car - that it is to buy all of the individual pieces and assemble it yourself.

jaws789832 · Mar 18, 2018

I am pretty sure you can buy just the base unit.
https://www.neptunesystems.com/product/apex-base-unit/
I had to replace mine once and I bought a spare just in case.

Ksreefer · Mar 18, 2018

That is the older generation unit.

TinyChocobo · Mar 18, 2018

I could see it to keep a spare on hand - or if you had old modules you wanted to use [say upgrading from Classic to 2016] - beyond that - I don't really see the point :shrug:.

jaws789832 · Mar 18, 2018

he stated classic in opening statement so that's what I thought he was looking for.

VR28man · Mar 18, 2018

TinyChocobo said:
I could see it if you wanted to start simple and add basic monitoring and then add modules over time to keep the initial investment down - but it's likely going to be cheaper to buy the bigger kit up front than to buy pieces over time. I'd make another analogy to a car - it's cheaper to buy a fully assembled car - that it is to buy all of the individual pieces and assemble it yourself.

Yeah this is what I'm asking. Mainly to coordinate control of several models of (compatible, at least with the proper modules) pumps (jebao, gyre - I have the jebao and icecap modules. I think, but am unclear, that the head unit can control the gyre, but I have the icecap just in case) and lights (Kessil, which apparently only needs the "ethernet" to 3.5mm cord).

I may get a temp probe (+EB4/8 for the heater, otherwise the temp probe is IMO useless compared to a basic thermometer), maybe the display, and maybe a pH probe (and this raises a good point: am I saving anything compared to buying someone's package?). I probably will go with the apex ATO.

Thanks to all!

Ksreefer · Mar 18, 2018

VR28man said:
Yeah this is what I'm asking. Mainly to coordinate control of several models of (compatible, at least with the proper modules) pumps (jebao, gyre - I have the jebao and icecap modules. Assuming the head unit can control the gyre, which I think may be the case, but I have the icecap just in case) and lights (Kessil, which apparently only needs the "ethernet" to 3.5mm cord).

I may get a temp probe (+EB4/5, otherwise it's useless), maybe the display, and maybe a pH probe (and this raises a good point: am I saving anything compared to buying someone's package?). I probably will go apex for apex ATO.

assuming you buy the 2016 (which I would, just because of the money you'll save on probes) you'll get temp, orp, ph, and conductivity right out of the package as well as the ability to control everything described.

This is one of the few instances where going with the new model may actually be cheaper than the old. At it's standard price of nearly $300 the old head unit is by no means a bargain

VR28man · Mar 18, 2018

Ksreefer said:
assuming you buy the 2016 (which I would, just because of the money you'll save on probes) you'll get temp, orp, ph, and conductivity right out of the package as well as the ability to control everything described.

This is one of the few instances where going with the new model may actually be cheaper than the old. At it's standard price of nearly $300 the old head unit is by no means a bargain

Thanks! 2016 is this, yes:
https://www.neptunesystems.com/apex-2016/

I was thinking about this:
https://www.neptunesystems.com/product/apex-base-unit/

It seems to me the older unit has 4 0-10v ports, temp and pH? And that the 2016 adds just ORP and conductivity?

ETA: BTW, welcome to R2R!

Ksreefer · Mar 18, 2018

VR28man said:
Thanks! 2016 is this, yes:
https://www.neptunesystems.com/apex-2016/

I was thinking about this:
https://www.neptunesystems.com/product/apex-base-unit/

It seems to me the older unit has 4 0-10v ports, temp and pH? And that the 2016 adds just ORP and conductivity?

Apologies for such a basic question; I've been not-seriously reading about apex for a while now, but am still unclear about some of the differences.

correct. the 2016 is currently only sold in the package you linked above. Plus the 2016 is easier to use for those unfamiliar with Apex.

Oberst Oswald · Mar 20, 2018

I was just looking at the Apex 2016 and was debating with myself to pull the trigger or not. Since I already have the Apex Classic with 2 EB8's think I will wait a while yet.

eb_reef · Mar 31, 2018

BRS has the 2016 head unit for sale. I am thinking about picking this up right now and adding on modules later. I currently only need to ramp my lights and wave makers. I think its a good price for starting out with even tho it will cost more in the long run if I get everything that the entire systems uses.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/apex-controller-base-unit-neptune-systems.html

VR28man · Apr 1, 2018

Ugggh..... I may get that, especially since it's an ostensible discount. I want to be able to use the trident down the line.

That being said, the trident is the kicker - $350 for the 2016 version vs. less than $150 for a used classic on fleabay, to say nothing about different buy and sell boards (and more of these will come up for sale IMO once the Trident is out, since many people will want to upgrade at the time).

To be clear about my use: the main things I want to control with this are to change lighting intensity throughout the day, and especially (with the icecap module) change the intensity/nature of flow throughout the day, and over the month using preset algorithims (or heck, maybe just pulling tide data off the web). Later, the ATO+sal monitor and maybe the Trident+dosing may be added. And then maybe the feeder (a little bit several times a day would almost certainly work best for my plankton feeding animals, and is the most natural. But that's a pretty penny for a feeder).

I'm not so sure I'll use the ORP probe, the pH probe (once I have the Trident) or even the temp probe (though at the cost of a used EB4 it's probably good insurance to hook the probe and redundant heaters together).

Oberst Oswald · Apr 1, 2018

Sure glad I waited. Bought the head unit today. Hope the Trident will work correctly when released.

FredsNJReef · Apr 3, 2018

Does the brain come with the probes? It says built in but maybe they mean the programming for them is there, not the actual probes?

Oberst Oswald · Apr 3, 2018

No probes. Head unit is to replace the Apex Classic head unit.

FredsNJReef · Apr 3, 2018

Ok so to get this set up, would need probes plus an 8 port plug unit correct?

Oberst Oswald · Apr 3, 2018

No. The head unit is for people who already have a Apex Classic which has the probes & outlets. If you do not have the Classic you would want this https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/apex-controller-system-neptune-systems.html which will be cheaper than buying everything separate.

FredsNJReef · Apr 3, 2018

Oberst Oswald said:
No. The head unit is for people who already have a Apex Classic which has the probes & outlets. If you do not have the Classic you would want this https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/apex-controller-system-neptune-systems.html which will be cheaper than buying everything separate.

ok thank you very much @Oberst Oswald