Buying a controller

[Bryan47]

Hey guys! So I'm thinking of getting a controller to help monitor things in the tank. The Apex is the best on the market correct? I see the Jr. Which is really affordable, can this be upgraded to be just as good as the gold? Would it be best to just save up for the gold? $800 is quite a lot but do those of you who have it find it to be worth it? Would love to hear your experiences with them and your recommendations ! Thanks

 

[glb]

Following. I'm thinking about getting one.

 

[Triggreef]

I'm not really sure what the difference is between the apex lite and the gold but IMO nothing can make it worth that much more. The Jr. can do everything the lite version can do. The only drawback to the Jr. model is that it can only have 5 modules total, then it is maxed out. The light version you can have like 200 or something so unless your running several store fronts or something you'll never max out.

The definition of module is each power strip(EB8), each pm1 which is what you plug in a temp sensor or ph sensor into, etc. The jr box itself with the 4 outlets is considered 1 out of the 5 possible modules that you can use. That all might be confusing to someone who doesn't have one but basically if you plan to control more than 1 tank, I would suggest getting the light version. I could probably control everything on my main tank with a jr only but I have expanded to control my FOWLR as well as my quarantine tank etc.

 

[Triggreef]

Also, best equipment investment I ever made and would certainly not be as wrapped up in this hobby if I had to manually do everything my apex does.

 

[tigerdragon]

Just go with the apex full sys the diff is basically the probes standard vs lab grade and a pm2 and salinity probe. Lite and jr dont offer led control.

 

[franciscosalazar]

Get a Jr w/out the display and save $100. Fusion and IP interface is all you'll need.

 

[Bryan47]

I did robotics in college so I was looking at the open source reef angel which looks awesome but the apex is tried, tested, and true. So the Jr. Has 5 outputs and 5 inputs ? So a module is one output and one input? I should go to their site and read up before asking. I guess I just want the possibility to upgrade to anything I may need. I want the controller to have all the inputs and outputs and features I will need until it becomes obsolete and I have to buy a new one anyway.

So the difference between the Jr and the lite is only the amount of outputs and inputs? What about abilities ? Sorry for all the questions. I was just thinking of how testing can be such a pain and I would love a system that I can plug in constant monitors too. I know the Hannah checkers are great but if your gonna buy a Hanna ph tester mine as well go all the way and have the ability to continuously monitor it. I know not all parameters can be monitored by the controller and some don't even have a Hanna checker but I think with time all parameters will be able to be tested at home and monitored. Like an at home triton...I can dream right?

 

[chris82079]

i bought the jr....ran out of space for modules in a month...sold it and got the full apex...you will upgrade things and run out of space on the jr...trust me!!

 

[pecan2phat]

Lite has been discontinued for over a year now so unless you buy used, it would not be available for purchase.
Jr. only comes with a 4 outlet power bar which also doubles as the brain. It also does not have a PH nor Orp port let alone the VDM ports for applicable LED dimming. You would need to most likely eventually purchase an PM1, EB8 and PH probe and that is well over $250 by itself so don't make the mistake of thinking that the Jr is cheap and well in budget unless you just need a temperature controller and timer.

 

[Damon]

This time, I went with the Jr. It depends on what you want and need to do with your tank. I spent a decent amount on my last apex, and I only used a few modules. I run breeders lights and vortechs. I use a lot more of the energy bars (dosing pumps, etc) than modules. This and the last system, I'm ultimately going to run pH, vortechs, maybe orp, and of course bob(water sensors, stand lights, float switches, etc). And even with that, according to my math, at worst, I will still have a module I can add(maybe a calcium reactor) . Right now, running 12 outlets available.. All from my Jr.. For me, I'd still need additional outlets

But personally, from using the systems, I think it depends on running a very complex system, a big system, or dimming lights or controlling tunze or other pumps. Short of that, Jr..

 

[glb]

This time, I went with the Jr. It depends on what you want and need to do with your tank. I spent a decent amount on my last apex, and I only used a few modules. I run breeders lights and vortechs. I use a lot more of the energy bars (dosing pumps, etc) than modules. This and the last system, I'm ultimately going to run pH, vortechs, maybe orp, and of course bob(water sensors, stand lights, float switches, etc). And even with that, according to my math, at worst, I will still have a module I can add(maybe a calcium reactor) . Right now, running 12 outlets available.. All from my Jr.. For me, I'd still need additional outlets

But personally, from using the systems, I think it depends on running a very complex system, a big system, or dimming lights or controlling tunze or other pumps. Short of that, Jr..

So what can be monitored on an Apex? I have a driver for lights so I don't need that. pH, temp and salinity? What else? Can it run an ATO? I'm trying to decide if one is worth it for my nano.

 

[143MPCo]

QUICK OVERVIEW (GOLD)

• The Apex Controller Gold System is an advanced Level Controller from Neptune Systems with everything you need to monitor your pH, ORP and salinity.
• Includes Apex Base Unit Controller, Apex Display Module, Long-life Temperature Probe, Energy Bar 8, Lab Grade pH, ORP and Conductivity Probes as well as the PM2 Salinity Module
• Fusion Ready
• Basic functions: Light Control, Temperature Control and pH Monitoring, pH Port, pH/ORP Port, I/O Switch Input, 4 V Ports
• Cool Features: Internet Connectivity, phone and text alerts, over temperature protection, mobile phone and tablet access

QUICK OVERVIEW (STANDARD)

• Great Advanced Level Controller from Neptune Systems
• Includes Apex Base Unit Controller, Apex Display Module, Long-life Temperature Probe, Energy Bar 8 and Standard pH Probe
• Fusion Ready
• Basic functions: Light Control, Temperature Control and pH Monitoring, pH Port, pH/ORP Port, I/O Switch Input, 4 V Ports
• Cool Features: Internet Connectivity, phone and text alerts, over temperature protection, mobile phone and tablet access

 

[143MPCo]

Can it run an ATO? I'm trying to decide if one is worth it for my nano.

Yes it can, you would need to add a "breakout box" and float sensor/s of some sort, configure a virtual outlet and have it monitoring the sensor so it turns on/off a pump connect to the EB8.

 

[143MPCo]

This is a simple 2-float ATO program. Float 1 is the main float that determines your sump water level - it should normally be UP/OPEN. Float 2 is mounted 1" higher and acts as a safety in case float 1 fails - it should be normally DOWN/CLOSED. Both floats are mounted in their default orientation as shipped by the manufacturer.


The Defer prevents water movement from falsely tripping the float. The Min Time prevents the ATO from running but once every 10 minutes.


Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Sw1 CLOSED Then ON
If Sw2 OPEN Then OFF
Defer 002:00 Then ON
Min Time 010:00 Then OFF

 

[Damon]

So what can be monitored on an Apex? I have a driver for lights so I don't need that. pH, temp and salinity? What else? Can it run an ATO? I'm trying to decide if one is worth it for my nano.

Honestly, the three you mentioned and much more. It's worth it, if nothing else, to let you know when something isn't right and to be able to view, turn on, and shut off things anywhere. Honestly, that is massive imho.

But to answer your question about the ato, yes. You would need the bob(break out box) and at least one float switch (better to have two to three).

I participated in another thread and learned something new about fusion (I'm still new to fusion as I've only had my Jr fir about a week).. But fusion does "a lot"! Graph your test results(this is what I just found out per the other thread) , voltage, amps, salinity, pH, orp, etc.. And that's just with modules. Once you get into the bob, that opens another world with things that can be programmed via switches. I ran water sensors, stand lights (activated when I opened my doors, ato, and a smoke alarm from my last. This time, I plan on simple with water sensors and probably stand lights.

Actually, let me attach pictures of my fusion.. This is just with the Jr and an eb8.. But honestly, you think of it, and if you can find a sensor, you probably can find a way to monitor it..

I have been thinking strongly about humidity also..

 

[143MPCo]

additional control can be added to say an ATO Reservoir... again virtual outlet/s.

Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Time 14:00 to 09:00 Then OFF
If DoW SM-WT-S Then OFF
If ROLow CLOSED Then OFF
If ROHigh CLOSED Then OFF
Defer 030:00 Then ON

 

[Bryan47]

Very great information everyone. I've always been under the you get what you pay for idea. I'll save up for the gold, I love programming and would love to see what I could do with it. It seems like I could easily set up auto water changes as well which would make my life a lot easier.

 

[143MPCo]

Just my opinion, but a single EB8 outlet/s should be limited to things needing to be controlled (ON/OFF) if you have a device that has it's own interface say "smart" lighting like AI or others, I would not place them on the EB8. The EB8 has a limited number of outlets so used them wisely, of course if you have multiple EB8 and want full control over everything have it at... just my opinion.

 

[Damon]

Very great information everyone. I've always been under the you get what you pay for idea. I'll save up for the gold, I love programming and would love to see what I could do with it. It seems like I could easily set up auto water changes as well which would make my life a lot easier.

It would honestly be as simple as running an aquabus cable to your remote location (say a downstairs location), two pumps(one with your pre mixed water and the other coming from say, your sump).. If it were me, and how I had it, I had a mini mixing station to full blown station.. But, basically, I used brs higher speed dosing pumps.. All I did was set it at 4 times a day, both pumps would come on. I offset the fresh pump to come on 5 minutes after the pull pump from the drain.. That way, the water going in was fresh.

But, very simple process..

 

[d2mini]

Apex is the most popular.
But the best quality off the shelf reef controller available is the GHL Profilux.
And they've been running some great deals lately.