Basic Controller question: What exactly happens when Apex (or GHL) loses wifi connection?

[Dr. Jim]

I have been reading a lot about the Apex and have just a basic understanding of how it's components work. I'm concerned about what actually happens when the wifi loses connection. My plan would be to have Radions, pumps, heaters, etc connected to the controller. Will everything just shut off (e.g. lights and pumps), or will certain components stay on and not shut off when they should (like heaters and lights)? I'm guessing there are ways of connecting everything so there will be no catastrophes? Dose loss of wifi connection just result in the inability to connect to Fusion to remotely operate equipment?
Thank you for helping.

 

[SuncrestReef]

The Apex runs all of its programming locally without the need for a network or Internet connection. To program it or monitor it, you need at least a local network connection. To access it remotely, you need the Internet connection. If your WiFi is down, nothing will shut down or break, other than your ability to monitor it, make any programming changes, or receive alerts.

 

[Dr. Jim]

Thank you SuncrestReef. Your answer is what I was hoping. When comparing the Apex with the GHL, I've read a lot of complaints about the Apex losing wifi connection so now I don't need to worry so much about that. It sounds like most are saying the GHL might be better made and more reliable but more difficult to understand and program for a non-technically inclined reefer like myself. But, regarding things that can break down or "go wrong", perhaps there is more to be concerned about than just the wifi losing connection. Apparently, this is much of what all the debate is about between the Apex and GHL. (I guess I will need to keep reading the debate threads about the two).
Thanks for helping!

 

[Bob Escher]

Nothing happens other than you being able to access the APEX remotely. Everything keeps running just perfectly fine Just as if nothing happened. If you are at home you can still access it through your local network with no issues.
programming is still the same.

 

[OlderManSea]

Thank you SuncrestReef. Your answer is what I was hoping. When comparing the Apex with the GHL, I've read a lot of complaints about the Apex losing wifi connection so now I don't need to worry so much about that. It sounds like most are saying the GHL might be better made and more reliable but more difficult to understand and program for a non-technically inclined reefer like myself. But, regarding things that can break down or "go wrong", perhaps there is more to be concerned about than just the wifi losing connection. Apparently, this is much of what all the debate is about between the Apex and GHL. (I guess I will need to keep reading the debate threads about the two).
Thanks for helping!

SuncrestReef really said it all. I have an internet service provider that "wavers" once in a while. My Apex has lost connection a couple of times with that. When I looked at the activity log, I saw that in each case the internet connection was lost and reestablished many times over a few hours, once it was 32 times in 4 hours. I suspect that the connection gets lost "permanently" when the Apex is in the middle of doing something when that happens. It is my suspicion since I was doing a water change a few weeks ago and the connection was wavering. When I told the Apex to enter the feed mode, it did and everything stopped, but then the connection was lost and while the pumps etc started as they should at the end of the feed mode, the feed mode icon kept flashing and the feed mode would no longer respond - although everything else on the Apex would. I just pressed the reset button as I do when the connection is irretrievably lost and the feed mode worked like new. So, if you do lose connection, it is easy to reestablish once your internet behaves again. There is a reset button on the main unit that you access using a paper clip or similar and the internet reconnects beautifully.

The Apex is not any more sensitive to wonky internet connections than anything else - when it loses connection my computers and TV lose connection at the same time, and sometimes I have to turn them off and back on to get them working again.