Help! Apex Temp Probe Way Off

[Ippyroy]

My Apex probe said my tank was 70, but actual temp is 78. What do I set the on and off at for apex controller? BRS controllor is first controller, Apex is backup.

 

[Ippyroy]

Well thanks. Just got home and over 30 minutes temp is 82.1. Fish are struggling. I'm out. I quit.

 

[Flux Capacitor]

How are you verifying the temp? How do you have the apex programmed, and how do you have the BRS controller set?

 

[TheHarold]

The BRS controller should prevent a failure even if the apex was set incorrectly. 82 degrees should not kill corals/fish.

 

[proxy001]

Im assuming it's heater malfunction? you can create a fail safe with apex, meaning redundancy

 

[Ippyroy]

How are you verifying the temp? How do you have the apex programmed, and how do you have the BRS controller set?

I used a Hanna temp probe. BRS controller 78.8 with .3 swing. Apex on at 77.9. Off at 79

 

[Ippyroy]

Im assuming it's heater malfunction? you can create a fail safe with apex, meaning redundancy

The apex probe is the failure. It read incorrect and turned on. Temp was 84 when I left. I have to work. I unplugged it from the Apex and not the wall.

 

[proxy001]

The apex probe is the failure. It read incorrect and turned on. Temp was 84 when I left. I have to work. I unplugged it from the Apex and not the wall.

That's odd. We spend so much money on Apex and something as simple as temp probe fails? :/

 

[Ippyroy]

That's odd. We spend so much money on Apex and something as simple as temp probe fails? :/

It somehow drifted. A lot. The backup being the failure point is crazy. I’m stressed beyond belief right now. I don’t what’s going on and I can’t do anything. That is why I got the apex. So this wouldn’t happen. Oh well.

 

[proxy001]

84 won't kill you your fish.

 

[Flux Capacitor]

It does seem like the apex probe has failed, however the BRS controller should have turned off the heater at 78.8 +.3. Did the temp probe for the BRS controller get unplugged, or come out of the water?

 

[Ippyroy]

It does seem like the apex probe has failed, however the BRS controller should have turned off the heater at 78.8 +.3. Did the temp probe for the BRS controller get unplugged, or come out of the water?

The apex over ruled it saying it was 72. Apex turned on heater and starting heating trying to get to 77. I can’t go home till 3 and turn on a fan. It is going to be 90 today and I don’t have ac. Oh well. It is what it is. I’m going to stop thinking about it and hope everything works out.

 

[Flux Capacitor]

I guess I’m confused how you have it hooked up. The BRS controller turns the heater on and off by the temp you set right? Then you have a fail safe on the apex that turns the outlet off when reaching the 79 degrees. So how did the apex override the controller setting if the controller is setting the temp?

 

[TheHarold]

The apex over ruled it saying it was 72. Apex turned on heater and starting heating trying to get to 77. I can’t go home till 3 and turn on a fan. It is going to be 90 today and I don’t have ac. Oh well. It is what it is. I’m going to stop thinking about it and hope everything works out.

The apex cannot “overrule” the other controller. They are independent systems- even if the apex has the outlet set to ON, that is just providing power to the inkbird controller.

The inkbird controller has final say in whether it gives power to the heater or not.

To me it sounds like improper setup, like a probe is not fully submerged or the wrong settings were put into the controller.

 

[Ippyroy]

The only other things I have are a skimmer return pump and 2 Vortechs and a kessil light. Everything is still new. The temp is still rising on apex. I will try to leave again but work is crazy busy.

 

[Ippyroy]

The apex cannot “overrule” the other controller. They are independent systems- even if the apex has the outlet set to ON, that is just providing power to the inkbird controller.

The inkbird controller has final say in whether it gives power to the heater or not,

Then what is heating my tank. I wonder if the return pump or skimmer is messed up? Could one of those do it? Should I turn them off? The vortechs should hopefully keep the water agitated until tonight when I have time to figure it all out.

 

[proxy001]

The apex cannot “overrule” the other controller. They are independent systems- even if the apex has the outlet set to ON, that is just providing power to the inkbird controller.

The inkbird controller has final say in whether it gives power to the heater or not.

To me it sounds like improper setup, like a probe is not fully submerged or the wrong settings were put into the controller.

ya he would need a double failure at the same time.

 

[proxy001]

Then what is heating my tank. I wonder if the return pump or skimmer is messed up? Could one of those do it? Should I turn them off? The vortechs should hopefully keep the water agitated until tonight when I have time to figure it all out.

what is your tank water volume and room temp?

 

[TheHarold]

Then what is heating my tank. I wonder if the return pump or skimmer is messed up? Could one of those do it? Should I turn them off? The vortechs should hopefully keep the water agitated until tonight when I have time to figure it all out.

I updated my post with my best guesses- the probes are not fully submerged in water, or improper controller setup.

I suppose a 3rd potential option would just be ambient temperature in the room. Aquariums run a few degrees warmer their environment due to the pumps etc. If your room is 78 degrees, it would not be surprising to see 80+ temperatures.

 

[John Genmel]

If you have no ac in your house and live in the south that’s is the problem