Just got a used APEX...what to do first

[Jlobes]

hey there. I just picked up a used APEX from my LFS. I have been thinking about getting apex for some time and the LFS happened to be getting rid of one. seemed too good to be true, as I always thought the new price was a bit much for me to get into.

Ill admit, im not extremely tech savvy. I can get by, but im not a wiz by any means. I am however a fairly fast learner and willing to figure this thing out. Im really looking forward to the redundancy, constant monitoring, extra safety and ability to monitor/check on the tank when im not home.

So, my question is... im wondering what do I do first?
do i need to do some reset or uninstall option?

After that, what/where to begin? I know there is a ton of info out there about programming and what not, but hoping somebody can help point me in the right direction.

thanks for reading. Im gonna get everything organized and cleaned up tonight. then lots of reading and videos to see what it all does and how to make it happen.

 

[dbl]

I would recommend doing a reset of the system so you're basically starting from scratch, so to speak. As you said, the best thing to do is research and watch videos - it's how I've learned the little bit I know...lol.

Something that was suggested to me was to get things set up and then do some test programming using a simple desk lamp or two. It helped me tremendously in understanding the basic programming. In this manner, you're not going live with the controller and putting your tank at risk.

Lastly, check out Neptune's Community Forum if you haven't. A resource unmatched in my opinion. https://forum.neptunesystems.com/

Just food for thought.

 

[Jlobes]

thanks for the reply. I figured doing a reset would be the best way to go, as you said, then Im starting "fresh" so to speak.

I like the lamp test idea for early programming. Would definitely help to understand the process and how it all works. thank for the tip.

I have checked out neptunes forum, just a bit, but got overwhelmed in the details and possibilities!! lol This thing is like learning a whole new language and system, but im sure it will be worth it!

 

[jgvergo]

You are in luck. All the Apex manuals and getting started guides are on line.

 

[Jlobes]

You are in luck. All the Apex manuals and getting started guides are on line.

for sure!! its quite a bit to wade through! hah

i can see this is gonna take me a bit to get going and up and running, so to speak. I mightve gotten in over my head here. LOL

 

[dbl]

I mightve gotten in over my head here. LOL

Yes, it's a little overwhelming at first. Heck, I have to have one of my kids program my cell phone...lol. But just read a lot and watch the videos. Let Google be your friend. The getting started guide and manuals @jgvergo mentioned above are very useful as well. The basics will begin to make sense pretty quickly. Once you master those, you can move on to the more advanced stuff.

 

[Jlobes]

awesome! thanks guys for your help and responses. I was hoping to just get it hooked up! lol looks like ill be watching vids and reading for a few days before I even plug it in. ha

 

[hybridazn]

Mr saltwater tank has nice start up videos for the apex. He shows you the basic programming to get you off the ground.

 

[jgvergo]

Lots of people here have experience too. I am about a month ahead of you in setting it up, so I should be able to help when you get stuck (and you will!). I have received great service from Neptune, both through their forum and once via a phone call, so they are your last and best line of defense.

 

[jgvergo]

What Apex modules did you buy?

 

[smh254]

Make sure you add the latest firmware and have fun with it. This is an amazing piece of equipment you're going to love it.

 

[trahelyk]

BRS TV also has a series of videos that walk you through all the basics. There's a separate video for each module, so it covers 90% of anything you would ever want to do. I found those a lot more accessible and concise than the Neptune documentation.

 

[TD13]

Step 1: Open the box.

That was easy...

 

[Jlobes]

Step 1: Open the box.

That was easy...

haha, box was already open, as I purchased the unit used.

 

[ksfulk]

Here's my suggestions from an older post:

I dont think its that bad, really. Its frustrating because we get an expensive box of goodies and want it to work RIGHT NOW! Which is expected, but I think there are a few things that you can do to lessen the anxiety.

1.) DONT unplug everything from your tank right away. Move things over to the Apex once you understand what its doing for you, whether thats replacing timers, activating outlets or monitoring paramters.

2.) Update your firmware FIRST (dont even attempt to route cords or open all the other shinies!)

3.) Work through the bits and pieces one at a time. Dont plug in all of the modules at once... you'll get sensory overload. Plug in your EB8, work with that first, then at pH, etc ,etc

4.) Use Fusion. The little screen that comes with the Apex is great for seeing what the temp is or starting a feed mode, but its crap for everything else. Use Fusion. Setting modules/timers/feeders/etc is SOOOO much easier this way. Have a light? Open the outlet and set it to "Light". Now you only have to add in what time you want the lights on and what time you want it off. Easy. Have a feeder - same deal. Make use of the presets first, then you can always go back and change them later and add in more descriptive and intricate programming.

5.) Name it all! Change the outlets to be labeled how you will identify things. Grabbing a label maker and labeling the EB8s and /or power cords can help troubleshooting immensely. If you dont have something plugged into the outlet, I leave the label alone. Once I realized that AMP_3 was the EB8 that corresponded to Outlet_3_7, then the system became easier. I now know that Outlet_3_7 is the 3rd outlet on the bottom row of the EB8 that corresponds to AMP_3 in my Fusion window.

6.) Watch your graphs and the output log! These tell you what is happening in your system. Did your light come on at 8am like you told Apex to? Check the log! Thats how you know. I see that my AMP_3 (which has my 800w heater on it) has intervals that correspond to the spikes in my temperature chart. Its these correlations that let me know what I want the Apex to do, its doing.

7.) Take advantage of the forums. Either here or where ever you are comfortable. Say, "Hey, I want my Apex to make my lights do "this". What do you do?" I'd bet you'll have the answers in no time.

 

[Jlobes]

thanks for that!! much appreciated and helpful. of course, I want to just plug it in and go, but I know thats now how it works/gonna be.

Thing is, I will mostly be using the apex for monitoring, data logging, safety and redundancy. I have ZERO timers on my tank at the moment. the lights and MP40s are currently controlled through ESL/reeflink.

Trying to figure out if I should dump the reeflink or keep it and the apex running together. I think for NOW, I will keep the lights/mps on the reeflink and slowly get everything transferred over to the apex. If I was going to use the apex for the ETM gear, I would need to get the WXM module as well, so that will be another thing to add in later.

For now, I want to use the apex for heaters, ato, return pump and monitoring the tank.

 

[ksfulk]

I recently purchased some AI lights, and because I have mostly Apex stuff, I decided to pick up the AWM module so I could control my lights through that. I dont have any experience with the Radion or Ecotech modules or equipment, but AI doesnt have a real... user friendly learning curve. Couple that with the inability for me to pair up all three of the lights I had, I'm selling the AWM and I bought a Director from AI. The interface is much more user friendly. I can still use the Apex to turn off the lights when the tank temp gets to high and some other things, but the equipment that was designed to go with the lights/pumps is generally better at controlling it (in my experience). But, yeah, the Apex is great for all the other things you have listed there. If you want to poke around my APex Fusion to see what I have controlling what, shoot me a PM, and I'll give you "view" access to my fusion set up

 

[Jlobes]

quick pic of all the goods. got the apex gold, with ALD, probe holder and netgear interface...all for a great price. started reading the setup and install info tonight. starting to make a bit more sense already, but im sure the programming part is gonna be a bit intimidating. Im sure ill get the hang of it fairly quick, and quite excited to see what this thing can do and also be "connected" to my tank even when im not home/outta town.

 

[Jlobes]

alright, got it outta the box and reset. worked through the start up and now onto the calibration of PH and ORP. Then itll be up and running, then its onto the outlets and programming. one step at a time!

 

[Jlobes]

starting to figure this thing out a bit more. havent plugged anything from the tank into it yet, but getting it all in order and learning the functions. I gotta say, dang this this is the bees knees and has so many possibilities its crazy!! I can see why people LOVE their apex so much, I had no clue. Looking forward to learning the system and the program language to be able to access some of the more evolved features.

@ksfulk Ill definitely PM, that would be super cool and thanks for the offer. I think seeing how somebody else has theirs programmed and layed out would help immensely!