Do You Keep a Backup Aquarium Controller?

[nickkohrn]

I’m going to be purchasing a second Neptune Systems Apex controller in January to serve as a backup for my primary unit. I plan to load my current profile onto the spare unit so that I can easily swap them should the primary unit fail. This made me wonder whether you keep a spare controller.

I understand that controllers are not cheap, so that, likely, lowers that chances that many others keep spares. However, it seems that hobbyists rely on them and use them for much more than monitoring purposes; after all, they are called controllers for a reason.

With that said, I do understand why many hobbyists do not rely on them to control their systems; they are a point of failure. I also realize that many hobbyists don’t use them because they can absolutely be successful without them. I’m not arguing any of those aspects. Instead, I’m simply curious whether you have a spare controller. If so, did a certain circumstance spur you to acquire a spare, or did you acquire a spare simply in preparation for possible failures?

 

[SuncrestReef]

Yes, I purchased a spare Apex 2016 head unit, and also a spare EB832. After 30 years in the IT industry I’m a firm believer in redundancy, so I keep spares of all critical components including heaters, return pumps, utility pumps, and a light.

I have already tested the Apex backup and restore procedure and it worked great.

 

[bdesign]

I’m going to be purchasing a second Neptune Systems Apex controller in January to serve as a backup for my primary unit. I plan to load my current profile onto the spare unit so that I can easily swap them should the primary unit fail. This made me wonder whether you keep a spare controller.

I understand that controllers are not cheap, so that, likely, lowers that chances that many others keep spares. However, it seems that hobbyists rely on them and use them for much more than monitoring purposes; after all, they are called controllers for a reason.

With that said, I do understand why many hobbyists do not rely on them to control their systems; they are a point of failure. I also realize that many hobbyists don’t use them because they can absolutely be successful without them. I’m not arguing any of those aspects. Instead, I’m simply curious whether you have a spare controller. If so, did a certain circumstance spur you to acquire a spare, or did you acquire a spare simply in preparation for possible failures?

Ding Dang you... now I have another thing to worry about and feel like I "need" to plan for! haha

Because, you know... if it weren't for your post I would have NOTHING else to worry about.

 

[nickkohrn]

Yes, I purchased a spare Apex 2016 head unit, and also a spare EB832. After 30 years in the IT industry I’m a firm believer in redundancy, so I keep spares of all critical components including heaters, return pumps, utility pumps, and a light.

I have already tested the Apex backup and restore procedure and it worked great.

I build software for a career, so I completely understand the need for redundancy when it comes to software-driven equipment. I’m glad to know that your restore procedure test went well!

 

[nickkohrn]

Ding Dang you... now I have another thing to worry about and feel like I "need" to plan for! haha

Because, you know... if it weren't for your post I would have NOTHING else to worry about.

I build software for a career, so I’ve seen my fair share of bugs and failures. I rely on my controller, so I figured it would be a good idea to have a backup. Also, I’m an equipment junkie, and I keep spares of almost everything - skimmer, lights, ATO, return pump, heaters, etc. However, I’m fortunate enough to be able to do so; it’s not easy for everyone to do, but I think that it’s important to keep spares of everything that you can.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

I should be in a middle group but went with "Yes". Reef-pi build so components are all separate and have an additional HAT that is common among both my reef-pi's. Spares of each component as well so if something goes bad I just swap and debug.

 

[nickkohrn]

I should be in a middle group but went with "Yes". Reef-pi build so components are all separate and have an additional HAT that is common among both my reef-pi's. Spares of each component as well so if something goes bad I just swap and debug.

I updated the poll for an in-between option.

I didn’t think of the *-pi builds that are out there. I image that would be quite modular and relatively easy to replace, debug, and correct.

 

[User1]

No. I do not keep a spare head unit. I do, however, keep both a backup and screen shots, of certain configurations of my Apex. I've focused redundancy on other critical items such as return pumps and power heads. I run 2 x Cor 15's and 1 Cor 20 for return and skimmer pumps. Each can be swapped out in under a minute or two. I also have a spare Gyre that I rotate in and out for cleaning that is a spare should something happen.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

I updated the poll for an in-between option.

I didn’t think of the *-pi builds that are out there. I image that would be quite modular and relatively easy to replace, debug, and correct.

The modularity is exactly what I wanted out of it. All my controlled sockets, pumps, probes, mosfets and transistors are replaceable. Few things are missing in the current build compared to Apex but overall its 100% all I need right now.

 

[nickkohrn]

No. I do not keep a spare head unit. I do, however, keep both a backup and screen shots, of certain configurations of my Apex. I've focused redundancy on other critical items such as return pumps and power heads. I run 2 x Cor 15's and 1 Cor 20 for return and skimmer pumps. Each can be swapped out in under a minute or two. I also have a spare Gyre that I rotate in and out for cleaning that is a spare should something happen.

Do, or did, you have issues with running multiple pumps, such as challenges when tuning them?

Are you running check valves to minimize continuous siphoning should one fail? I ask because I have a spare COR-15 that I’ve been considering using as a second return on my current build.

 

[User1]

Do, or did, you have issues with running multiple pumps, such as challenges when tuning them?

No, no issues really. On the plumbing side whichever brand you use the connections would be the same. The Cor made it simple. Tuning them wasn't an issue either. I do not run any variable speed settings so one pump was at 100% and after adding a second I reduced them both to 50% and it seemed to work.

I also run a pair of 1" sea swirls. One on each side of the tank. For a while I was testing a tide simulation by reducing flow over the course of the day. One side would start at 100% the other at 0% then have one ramp down, other up. This worked great actually but my sump water level would change when the times converged or crossed at around 50% and the ATO would kick in too long. I later configured a virtual outlet and just swapped them on/off based on its time. That also worked. Redundant pumps and the Apex gave me a few neat things to try but now I just have the Cor 20 on the longest pipe return running at 65% and the Cor 15 on the shorter one running at 50% I believe.

Are you running check valves to minimize continuous siphoning should one fail? I ask because I have a spare COR-15 that I’ve been considering using as a second return on my current build.

No check valves. They are on isolated lines. The idea of using the same pumps (skimmer and returns) was to be able to replace should something happen. The Cor 20 is also on its own wall outlet and not on the energy bar.

 

[ca1ore]

I do not keep a physical spare controller on hand. I did recently make sure that I’ve saved my apex configuration. I’ve set my apex up in such a way that brain failure would be inconvenient but not fatal to the tank. Your prior point notwithstanding, I tend to be in the alert/monitor camp. Redundancy for me is running some heaters off apex, others off a Ranco. I also tend to view spares through the lens of two day shipping - keep spare stuff that cannot wait that long only.

 

[User1]

I also tend to view spares through the lens of two day shipping - keep spare stuff that cannot wait that long only.

This is a great little nugget you dropped.

 

[nickkohrn]

I do not keep a physical spare controller on hand. I did recently make sure that I’ve saved my apex configuration. I’ve set my apex up in such a way that brain failure would be inconvenient but not fatal to the tank. Your prior point notwithstanding, I tend to be in the alert/monitor camp. Redundancy for me is running some heaters off apex, others off a Ranco. I also tend to view spares through the lens of two day shipping - keep spare stuff that cannot wait that long only.

I have a question about running some heaters off of an Apex and others off of a Ranco or Inkbird:

Do you have a plan of action should the Ranco fail? I ask because I recently purchased a BRS heater controller that I planned to plug into my Apex for redundancy. I like your idea of one heater being controlled by the Apex and the other controlled by the BRS controller. However, I don’t know what I should plan to do if the BRS controller were to fail in the on scenario.

 

[ca1ore]

I don’t plug the ranco into my apex. Seems unlikely that the apex and ranco would fail at the same time. Since neither can cook the tank (based on wattage), failure of one would mean that the system would gradually lose temperature. But I’d be able to intervene should that happen. Seem to recall that the BRS is a rebadged inkbird (or uses the same OEM source). Hopefully yours has the sealed probe. That was the weak point of the older stinkbirds.

BTW, one thing I did find is that the apex head unit does not like losing power. I have mine connected to a UPS with that optional wall wart so that any power fluctuations or brief outages do not screw with it.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Sort of. I have my Apex classic as the backup to my Apex 2016

 

[Billldg]

I don't have a back up head unit for my Apex. I don't feel it is necessary. My Cor 20 will run on its own, my heaters have a back up stat on them, my radions don't need a Apex to work, my powerheads don't need a Apex either. The only thing that needs my Apex is my T5 lights, and I have a programmable outlet for that in case. I have power strips also for the power needs.

 

[Samina]

I don’t keep a spare either. I am able to utilize the built in control on each equipment if need be. It would be a hassle to do that because everything is nicely programmed but in an emergency where my controller dies or bricks, I do have the ability to keep the tank going that way. Also, it is expensive!

 

[Tastee]

I don’t keep a spare on hand but do have my tank configured to provide redundancy and backups as much as I can. For example my backup heater is not Apex controlled to cater for an Apex brain failure knocking out the main heater.

In the new year I’ll be setting up a 2nd tank with it’s own Apex etc and will start investing in more spares on hand. Not sure whether this will go as far as a head unit but I will have spares of other components.

If you think the Neptune kit is expensive in the US you should see the eye watering prices we pay down under!

 

[AnacapaReefs]

I just purchased a apex EL as a spare for my Apex. I also have spare return pumps, heaters, and powerheads(I literally buy every single WAV I can find, so that if one fails, I can find one in my box o pumps that will work. I have at least enough equipment to run the tank in the almost impossible event of everything failing.