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

[Jlobes]

@ksfulk Thanks again for the view access to your apex, it definitely helped out a bunch to see the unit up and running and the programming behind it. Im finally starting to get it and understand what the apex can do, its quite amazing and cant believe I went so long without one!!

 

[Jlobes]

I would reset everything and then start fresh.

done and done.

did a reset and started fresh. I went about it very slowly and didnt put anything onto the EB8 until after a bunch of research and reading. Started with the probes and calibrations and then just monitoring for a few days while researching. finally got the return pump, skimmer, heaters and ato transferred over to the apex and running with programs. now its time to start tweaking it and programming failsafes and alarms. been super fun learning how to work the apex, and anybody who is even on the fence about it, should get one!

 

[ksfulk]

@ksfulk Thanks again for the view access to your apex, it definitely helped out a bunch to see the unit up and running and the programming behind it. Im finally starting to get it and understand what the apex can do, its quite amazing and cant believe I went so long without one!!

No problem! Always happy to help people learn from my mistakes!

 

[Jlobes]

No problem! Always happy to help people learn from my mistakes!

haha, i understand that. I try to help my friends avoid the mishaps if I can.

one thing i didnt see on your dashboard was a return pump, do you not run that on you apex?

 

[fab]

Jlobes,

Answering your original question on what to do to get started:

First, go to Neptune Systems' website, find the 'comprehensive reference manual', download it and start reading it. https://www.neptunesystems.com/support/docs/

Second, go the the Neptune Systems Community forum, join it and search for discussions about others who have picked up used Apex systems or are reinstalling Apex systems on a new tank. https://forum.neptunesystems.com/

Third, Don't be afraid to 'fool around' with your newly acquired Apex components to get used to it. You can do this without anything having to be put into your aquarium.

Tips:
1. Never plug a USB device into an Apex module or device even though the Aquabus cable is a type of USB cable. The Aquabus runs at a different voltage than USB interfaces. If you plug any USB device into the Apex components you will fry something, probably not your fish.
2. If your aquarium equipment is spread out over long distances you can get longer Aquabus cables, but the total of all of your Aquabus cables must not exceed 200 feet.
3. Neptune Systems tech support is excellent. I presume you will qualify for their service, but I don't know for sure.
4. There are very knowledgeable users on the Neptune Systems' forum, very helpful and very polite. It is the best forum I have ever participated in.
5. Set everything up separately from your aquarium and get started getting the hang of how things work.
6. Don't expose PH or ORP probes yet, leave them alone, unattached to the system until you are ready to use them in a tank.
7. Perform the module updates for all of your Apex modules.
8. Learn to use the local dashboard interface and the Fusion web based interface.
The local dashboard is accessed on your LAN at the URL: "//ip address of your apex" - probably something like: "//192.168.1.101" but use the IP address that was actually assigned by your system.
The Fusion interface is at the internet URL: https://apexfusion.com/apex
9. Figure out where and how you will mount everything. It does not all have to be co-located. The Aquabus will
'daisy chain' modules and devices together. There are forum posts on this subject with good photos to give you ideas.
10. Don't be afraid to erase everything and start all over after you have learned how to program the Apex. You will do better to start fresh after you know what you are doing.
11. Go to the Reeftronics web site and join up. Make a contribution if you can. Reeftronics will help you with documenting and understanding your programming and will make it easier for others to help you when you need it.

Good luck, fab

 

[ksfulk]

haha, i understand that. I try to help my friends avoid the mishaps if I can.

one thing i didnt see on your dashboard was a return pump, do you not run that on you apex?

Nope. Two reasons: 1.) I run a big external pump (Reeflo Snapper/Dart Hybrid) so there's nothing much to monitor, as it only has an On/Off. 2.) Because my basement isnt finished from an electrical standpoint (circuits are run, but I havent gotten them added to the breaker box yet) I didnt want to tax the electrical going to my Apex, since I run my refugium lights (150W MH), 800W heater and all kinds of other goodies that eat up the amps. If I ever need to deal with the pump, I either close the valve on the returns, or unplug the pump. Ideally, I'll get another EB-4/8 and put it on the new circuits once they are set up. Or, I may end up going to a Vectra L1 pump in the future, which will have its own controllable interface.

 

[Salt It Away]

thanks for that!! much appreciated and helpful

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

If you get the WXM module, that was the only tricky one I fought with. Have my Radion lights through it and they kept dropping out, displayed as "Missing" After deleting and / or updating the module, third time was a charm. I have a Reef Link, but I wanted to stick with the Fusion dashboard. I'm back after 35 years. Man have things changed.

 

[Jlobes]

fab...thanks for your comments and tips, very helpful!!

I have downloaded the CRM and skimmed most of it, read much of it and use it to reference all of my questions before starting anything.

I have already signed up at the apex forum. Great advice and lots of info.

I havent fooled around with it yet, but I do have some unused outlets that I can use for experimental programming.

on to your tips:

1. Great to know, that should be a sticky for all newbies.
2. I knew I could use extra long cables, and heard the 200' tossed around, but thought it was for a single run. good to know thats total feet.
5. did that, and now its in the tank, up and running.
6. oops, using those too
7. pretty sure I did that too, when i did the memory init. but I should go thought and update em all anyway
8. Ive been using fusion and its pretty intuitive and easy. Havent used the local dashboard yet, but suppose I should check it out
9. Thats my current project now that I figured out what will be connected to apex. I like the daiychain option, and of course will have to check out the forum for tips/tricks.
11. heard about reeftronics, but wasnt sure what was up with it and if I needed it. whats the advantage of using it?

thanks again, much appreciated.

Jlobes,

Answering your original question on what to do to get started:

First, go to Neptune Systems' website, find the 'comprehensive reference manual', download it and start reading it. https://www.neptunesystems.com/support/docs/

Second, go the the Neptune Systems Community forum, join it and search for discussions about others who have picked up used Apex systems or are reinstalling Apex systems on a new tank. https://forum.neptunesystems.com/

Third, Don't be afraid to 'fool around' with your newly acquired Apex components to get used to it. You can do this without anything having to be put into your aquarium.

Tips:
1. Never plug a USB device into an Apex module or device even though the Aquabus cable is a type of USB cable. The Aquabus runs at a different voltage than USB interfaces. If you plug any USB device into the Apex components you will fry something, probably not your fish.
2. If your aquarium equipment is spread out over long distances you can get longer Aquabus cables, but the total of all of your Aquabus cables must not exceed 200 feet.
3. Neptune Systems tech support is excellent. I presume you will qualify for their service, but I don't know for sure.
4. There are very knowledgeable users on the Neptune Systems' forum, very helpful and very polite. It is the best forum I have ever participated in.
5. Set everything up separately from your aquarium and get started getting the hang of how things work.
6. Don't expose PH or ORP probes yet, leave them alone, unattached to the system until you are ready to use them in a tank.
7. Perform the module updates for all of your Apex modules.
8. Learn to use the local dashboard interface and the Fusion web based interface.
The local dashboard is accessed on your LAN at the URL: "//ip address of your apex" - probably something like: "//192.168.1.101" but use the IP address that was actually assigned by your system.
The Fusion interface is at the internet URL: https://apexfusion.com/apex
9. Figure out where and how you will mount everything. It does not all have to be co-located. The Aquabus will
'daisy chain' modules and devices together. There are forum posts on this subject with good photos to give you ideas.
10. Don't be afraid to erase everything and start all over after you have learned how to program the Apex. You will do better to start fresh after you know what you are doing.
11. Go to the Reeftronics web site and join up. Make a contribution if you can. Reeftronics will help you with documenting and understanding your programming and will make it easier for others to help you when you need it.

Good luck, fab

 

[Jlobes]

If you get the WXM module, that was the only tricky one I fought with. Have my Radion lights through it and they kept dropping out, displayed as "Missing" After deleting and / or updating the module, third time was a charm. I have a Reef Link, but I wanted to stick with the Fusion dashboard. I'm back after 35 years. Man have things changed.

for now, just gonna keep the reeflink and not get the wxm. heard too many issues, and i like the esl interface.programming.

 

[fab]

One of the nice features of Reeftronics is that you can produce a listing of your entire Apex program.