Apex Jr?

cwb_reeftank · Jul 31, 2015

I have been thinking about getting a controller for my tank and I was looking at the Apex systems. I want to be able to just have control of my lights, heater, skimmer, and the ph probe, and maybe my pumps. I was wondering if it would be cheaper if I got the Apex Jr and a 8 bar or just go with the apex with standard ph probe.

Jlentz · Jul 31, 2015

Id get the big one for expandability. It would probably be cheaper to just get the jr and an eb8 though.

trahelyk · Jul 31, 2015

I've been agonizing over this, too. It looks like the standard Apex is about double the cost of the Jr, but by the time I add an 8-plug bar to the Jr I'm approaching the cost of the standard. So for now I'm leaning toward the standard controller just so I know I can grow into it. Another point is the standard PH probe versus the lab-quality probe--looks like this is a difference of about $20, but I have no idea whether lab-quality is a real thing or just a gimmick.

Jlentz · Jul 31, 2015

You've also got to figure in that the standard basically has the Vdm and PM1 built into it. This was the key for me.

cwb_reeftank · Jul 31, 2015

what if I cant upgrade from what I got now and what is Vdm and PM1?

trahelyk · Jul 31, 2015

Sorry, Vdm and PM1? I get the sense that Vdm is the 0-10V control, but what is PM1?

Jlentz · Jul 31, 2015

Ph&temp. Also has an I/o jack.

cwb_reeftank · Aug 1, 2015

ok this might be a dumb question. but the Apex Jr said it can only support five modules. but if I hooked up the eb8 couldn't I hook up more modules to it ? seeing that it has 6 usb ports?

ngvu1 · Aug 1, 2015

The apex Jr can be very hot as the whole thing is built in 1 piece. I don't like the Jr at all. It was hot like hell which to me means short life

Twisty · Aug 1, 2015

Hi. I have a Jr running on my sistem. You must to know, you only can add 5 modules (display count like a module)

- display
- vdm
- pm1
- eb8
-

You will enable to add only one module. I think apex lite is better for that you need.

Regards.

cwb_reeftank · Aug 1, 2015

but do I really need the vdm if I don't have LEDs?

Twisty · Aug 1, 2015

cwb_reeftank said:
but do I really need the vdm if I don't have LEDs?

Vdm is a rj45 port for diy leds a some pumps.

Apex lite and gold include this port

ngvu1 · Aug 1, 2015

Really? Cannot add more than 5 modules? I did not even know about this limitation. I thought you could add the eb8 which has 6 USB ports and from there you can add 6 more modules....

Twisty said:
Hi. I have a Jr running on my sistem. You must to know, you only can add 5 modules (display count like a module)

- display
- vdm
- pm1
- eb8
-

You will enable to add only one module. I think apex lite is better for that you need.

Regards.

Jlentz · Aug 1, 2015

Twisty said:
You will enable to add only one module. I think apex lite is better for that you need.

They killed the lite version.

Vdm= led dimming. Dc pump control. Gyre advanced controller.

Jlentz · Aug 1, 2015

You don't need the display if you've got fusion going right. I've not looked at mine in a month or two.

Virtualbasil · Aug 1, 2015

I have a Apex Jr. and I love it! I'm curious as to why you want to control your protein skimmer? On mine I have the 3 lights and heater controlled by the apex.

Jlentz · Aug 1, 2015

I have my skimmer go off for feeding phytoplankton and whatnot.

cwb_reeftank · Aug 1, 2015

I travel a lot so I just like to know how everything is doing.

glb · Aug 1, 2015

I want one to monitor salinity, Ph, temp and ato. I have a good controller for lights and don't need to monitor the skimmer. It would be nice to have the powerhead and return pump hooked up too so they'd be easy to turn off when I feed or change the water. Would the gold model make sense?

cwb_reeftank · Aug 1, 2015

from what I have seen you could probably use the Jr with that because you could plug the pumps into the bar and control them through that? if that's my understanding