Basement sump, upstairs tank.

[Scottsquatch]

I had 3 surgeries on my leg last summer and then a total knee replacement in November. Needless to say, my leg is not as flexible as it was and I can't squat down very well. I can not kneel on my knee anymore at ALL. So I figured I won't place my sump under my stand at all, but put the sump in the basement at waist height to make maintainence much easier for me. Here's my problem, do I put my controller in the basement with the sump, or mount it under the stand? I never had a controller before. Is it best to place the controller and display screen with the tank, or does fusion make it a moot point? Also, if I put the controller in the basement I would probably need a lot of extension cords to plug the lights and power heads into the E8 bar on the apex. What the heck should I do? I really am clueless on this as before I would have just tucked the whole works under the stand. Anyone with ideas or experience with this issue can feel free to speak up. I would MUCH appreciate it.

 

[splnissan]

Hi sounds like u want to do what it did I put the display next to my tank and everything else went down stairs I went to Walmart and got a couple of extension cords your also going to need a longer usb cord along with an Ethernet cable I'll tell I this its going to take some work and planing
I sent some pics of how I did mine excuse the wires

 

[Scottsquatch]

Is it best to use eithernet over wireless? No experience with my Apex yet. Yeah, the majority of the basement will be mine for fish related stuff. I like how you have a separate fuge, I was thinking about doing that as well. With the Apex box near the ceiling, did the display cord reach your stand ok? Excuse my Apex ignorance, but what would the longer USB cable be for? Again haven't hooked up my Apex yet.

 

[splnissan]

Your going to need an Ethernet cable u can't do wireless the unit doesn't offer that feature
as far as the USB goes your going to need one from the control box to the eb8 the box with all the plugs
the display USB is a little long u might have to extend that too
I don't use my controller I use fusion on my phone to control every thing it easier which ever works for u better
you have to measure how far your going to put that control box it also has to be near to that sump cause your probes have to go in there

 

[Scottsquatch]

Ah. Does Neptune sell longer cords? If I remember correctly, it "looks" like a USB, but is actually totally different and a regular USB will fry your apex. Also, do you even use your display since you have fusion? Does the display have to be hooked up?

 

[s2nhle]

For the apex controller, you just need to buy the netgear tv/game wifi device and hook the internet to it. You can now able to control from your laptop or cellphone using fusion. No need for extended usb and ethernet cable.

 

[HiddenUser]

Ah. Does Neptune sell longer cords? If I remember correctly, it "looks" like a USB, but is actually totally different and a regular USB will fry your apex. Also, do you even use your display since you have fusion? Does the display have to be hooked up?

Yes they do. I think you can get up to 15ft extension cables. I have my Apex in the basement, but I have Radions for lights so I just have them plugged into a power strip since there's really no need to have them plugged into the Apex Energy Bar.

I keep the Apex display in the basement as well, but if I ever want to check in on my tank I just open up the Apex webpage.

I also have my Apex connected to a wifi range extender.

 

[splnissan]

Ah. Does Neptune sell longer cords? If I remember correctly, it "looks" like a USB, but is actually totally different and a regular USB will fry your apex. Also, do you even use your display since you have fusion? Does the display have to be hooked up?

The USB is a regular cable I went to radio shack and got a joiner I have the display hooked up but I don't use it

 

[splnissan]

Yes they do. I think you can get up to 15ft extension cables. I have my Apex in the basement, but I have Radions for lights so I just have them plugged into a power strip since there's really no need to have them plugged into the Apex Energy Bar.

I keep the Apex display in the basement as well, but if I ever want to check in on my tank I just open up the Apex webpage.

I also have my Apex connected to a wifi range extender

This system look hot

 

[ultimatemj]

Moot point - Fusion works great - put the controller with the sump and all the other equipment (skimmer, reactors, etc).
A lot of lights and powerheads can be plugged in upstairs and controlled via the wireless APEX modules (I use AWM for AI Hydras and WXM for Vortechs)
That said, it is nice to have 1 long Apex cable run from the controller to the tank for things like an autofeeder and/or a second temp/salinity sensor.

Best thing I ever did for my tank was moving the sump to the basement...no chiller needed, much easier water changes, less noise, etc.

 

[Scottsquatch]

Cool, thanks.