Apex Neptune: What do I need to know

[Mathieu.lafleur1992]

Hello guys,

I was convinced by many experienced reefers that neptune was the way to go to avoid the obvious mistakes.

I've been in the hobby for 4-5 years now and I've already crashed, partially or completly, my tanks 3-4 times. Not that I'm not conciencious about what I do when I do my maintenance but it is so easy to forget to plug back a return pump or not notice when your heater is dead and your tank ice cold. Now this leads to my main question, how will Apex help me avoid these typical mistakes? I've heard of fail safes, notifications and other contengency methodes the apex can grant to help the day to day unexperience and experienced reefer in its duties.

My second question would be, how do I make my tank fully controllable with apex without buying some unecessary modules. ( don't get me wrong, all modules are useful but might not be necessairy to me.) So here's a puzzle for those of you who have mastered the ways of the Neptune Apex and its modules:

My tank is a 180gallon sps dominated connected to a 60gallon sump where most if not all of my equipment sits.

In my tank, I'd like to connect to the apex system:
Two Jabeo PP20;
My ATI 8 bulb fixture (which requires 2 outlets);
A reefbrite led XHO bar (which I'd like dimmable if that's something faisable);
A maxspect gyre (not sure which one, I think it is xf130...it's old);

And in the sump:
A 800w heater; (thinking of adding a 2nd one for contengency)
My skimmer;
A Jabeo return pump (which doesn't have to be controllable);
A dosing pump (idem as the return pump)

And finally, I would like to get your comments on the Ph and temp probes that come with the apex.

Sorry for the long post, the 1000s of questions and on top of everything sorry for the level of writing, english is obviously not my first language.

Thanks and happy reefing,

 

[User1]

I was convinced by many experienced reefers that neptune was the way to go to avoid the obvious mistakes.

Then you were mislead. I'm biased, I own a Neptune Apex and have been a customer since 1999. Having said that no controller is the way to go to avoid the obvious mistakes. That falls to the hobbyist, the mistakes we make, and what we learn in the process. Of course sharing of information and learning from others. Neptune, GHL, Reef Angel, and even the Pi based solutions are all great at helping the hobbyist in various tasks. What your tasks are that are key I do not know but hopefully you get what I'm saying.

The single biggest thing you will get from a controller, in this case the Apex, is the reach back. By that I mean a heartbeat on the Fusion app that will ping your head unit. If it doesn't respond another ping is sent. By ping I mean health check or whatever they do - I don't know their API. IF that fails you get a text message from Fusion. This may not mean anything but it could also mean your power is out. If power is out then your tank is in danger. You want to see what this can cause search on BRStv apex - they talk about it and their tank loss and how it could have been saved.

Please note I do not own a GHL so do not know if they have it but I would wager they do. In any case this alone is worth the entry price. The rest, well, just depends on what you want to do. Base unit to start of any controller and work on critical redundancy pieces of equipment to take care of the rest. Spare power heads (and you will need them based on the choice I read), return pumps, outlets, etc. Sometimes preventative in spares goes further especially if you travel or are away and friend or family can replace for you.

Thanks and happy reefing,

You are welcome. Happy reefing to you and be safe. Best to you and yours.

 

[ShepherdReefer]

I will say, adding a Neptune Apex is a great addition and will help in many different matters. Depending on what you want the controller to control, that will depend on other modules...not to mention what type of equipment you have. Not all return pumps will connect to the Apex but if some do, you will need additional items. For example, I have Octo Vario S pump running on my system. I have an Apex, but to connect the two I needed a 1-10v module cable. Again, not all devices will connect.

 

[SoAg Reefer]

Following along, I just bought an ApexEL with the wxm module and auto feeder today from my lfs. Hoping to read some good advice on ur thread. Biggest issue so far is that everything is out of stock. The dimmable light module For example to set up my lights to the apex.

 

[BighohoReef]

Hello guys,

I was convinced by many experienced reefers that neptune was the way to go to avoid the obvious mistakes.

I've been in the hobby for 4-5 years now and I've already crashed, partially or completly, my tanks 3-4 times. Not that I'm not conciencious about what I do when I do my maintenance but it is so easy to forget to plug back a return pump or not notice when your heater is dead and your tank ice cold. Now this leads to my main question, how will Apex help me avoid these typical mistakes? I've heard of fail safes, notifications and other contengency methodes the apex can grant to help the day to day unexperience and experienced reefer in its duties.

My second question would be, how do I make my tank fully controllable with apex without buying some unecessary modules. ( don't get me wrong, all modules are useful but might not be necessairy to me.) So here's a puzzle for those of you who have mastered the ways of the Neptune Apex and its modules:

My tank is a 180gallon sps dominated connected to a 60gallon sump where most if not all of my equipment sits.

In my tank, I'd like to connect to the apex system:
Two Jabeo PP20;
My ATI 8 bulb fixture (which requires 2 outlets);
A reefbrite led XHO bar (which I'd like dimmable if that's something faisable);
A maxspect gyre (not sure which one, I think it is xf130...it's old);

And in the sump:
A 800w heater; (thinking of adding a 2nd one for contengency)
My skimmer;
A Jabeo return pump (which doesn't have to be controllable);
A dosing pump (idem as the return pump)

And finally, I would like to get your comments on the Ph and temp probes that come with the apex.

Sorry for the long post, the 1000s of questions and on top of everything sorry for the level of writing, english is obviously not my first language.

Thanks and happy reefing,

The real benefit I've found with my Apex is being able to monitor/adjust things remotely. To truly get the full benefit from the apex you're going to want to get equipment that can be supported/is compatible with the apex fusion program. Check out the apex forum it has a lot of good info on things folks have done HERE

From your list above I don't think any of your equipment can be used to do "custom" controls like dimming your lights, unfortunately the product needs to be apex enabled and development would need to be done.

At this point you'll only be able to control:

• Turning things on/off
• Custom on/off w/alerts if something goes wrong
• Set custom timers for your sump/return and skimmer
• Temp controls to maintain temp
• Alerts and notifications
• Monitoring Ph and Temp

Additional modules/things to purchase
If you are going wireless add an WiFi extender dedicated to the apex
FMM/LMK Leak detector kit
Optic sensors for water level monitoring (you can also add one on your skimmer to prevent overflow)
The I/O breakout box is also a fantastic module for custom configurations

Outside of that the other modules in my opinion don't provide me enough info/benefit to justify the cost. Someone might be able to talk me into the Dosing and Auto feeder.

Let me know if you have specific questions. There is a lot here but once you get into an apex the benefits will show themselves in the long run.

 

[blstravler]

Following along, I just bought an ApexEL with the wxm module and auto feeder today from my lfs. Hoping to read some good advice on ur thread. Biggest issue so far is that everything is out of stock. The dimmable light module For example to set up my lights to the apex.

I believe they are out of stock as California is shut down and that is where they are located.

I have the ApexEL and I love it. I was out of the hobby for about 12 years and it was a must have for me getting back in. With kids and travel I don’t always have my eyes on the tank and it is a great piece of insurance.

 

[SoAg Reefer]

With kids and travel I don’t always have my eyes on the tank and it is a great piece of insurance.

That’s what sold me. My tank is in my office and I’m only there Mon thru Thurs if I’m not traveling which is often. I use Versa for dosing but am blind outside that when I’m not there.

 

[AcanthurusRex]

The "EL" will work fine.
Fusion is the biggest selling point.
Focus on monitoring is the best strategy, for example use the Apex to monitor temperate controlled by an Inkbird.
The breakout box is used for custom interrupts, like an emergency switch.
Coding is primitive but works for the most part. If it had global variables I'd be happier with the coding. They have lots of tasks that help out.

 

[Mathieu.lafleur1992]

I have the ApexEL and I love it.

Can you please advise on what the ApexEL can or can't do compared to the standard unit. Also, what is Fusion? It's my first time hearing about it. From what I can tell it's the OS that comes with the Apex but please correct me if I'm wrong... Don't want to sound like a noob.

 

[Bob The Reefer]

EL is Entry Level and comes without some interface ports (conductivity and switches IIRC but check Neptune website for the definitive answer )

Fusion is a cloud based app which lets you see/control your Apex remotely ... it is very good

 

[Mathieu.lafleur1992]

EL is Entry Level and comes without some interface ports (conductivity and switches IIRC but check Neptune website for the definitive answer )

Fusion is a cloud based app which lets you see/control your Apex remotely ... it is very good

And Fusion comes with both the EL and the standard version of the Apex?
Deffinitly going to check their website to choose between the two.

 

[Bob The Reefer]

I have a "Standard" Apex but I'm sure both are compatible with Fusion

If you haven't found this yet ...... here is a great place to start

Pre-Sales Questions

Need advice about selecting an Apex system, or about features and capabilities? Post your pre-sales questions about Neptune products here

forum.neptunesystems.com

 

[BighohoReef]

And Fusion comes with both the EL and the standard version of the Apex?
Deffinitly going to check their website to choose between the two.

Fusion is an app they you can download for you phone/tablet or access through a web portal. I included the links for an iPhone and web. It’s compatible with the Classic and EL versions.
iPhone App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apex-fusion/id1114191823

Web version: https://www.neptunesystems.com/apex-fusion/