Share your apex tips/tricks/settings

[Dburr1014]

Wondering if I could wire my fuge light to the BOB instead of stealing an outlet from the EB832. I would have to cut the plug off.

But it still needs the power to light it.

Edit: for instance if I go in my cabinet during the day when my fuge light is off, I have a switch tied to the door so when it opens the fuge light comes on anyway so I can see.

 

[OutColdCRNA]

But it still needs the power to light it.

Right. I thought that after I sent the reply.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Wondering if I could wire my fuge light to the BOB instead of stealing an outlet from the EB832. I would have to cut the plug off.

NOT!

Motorized Solenoid Valve on a Breakout Box??

Hey, question, is it possible that I can add a motorized breakout box to a Breakout box? This is the one I am looking at getting from Amazon.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

This is why I think the new JR is such a mistep. They could be marketing this to Nano tanks, but it has NO outlets, NO ethernet (only wireless), and NO BOB connector. It can't control anything, all it can do is monitor water level using 2 optical sensors I guess, Monitor PH, and Monitor Temp, but it has no way to control any of it. If it had a BOB I would have bought one for my 3G at work.

Whiskey

I still use the OLD jr, that was done properly. At least with 4 outlets, and aquabus, you can expand. When I saw the new jr, I realized it's about worthless. At least include a EB4 with it....

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Flood protection, door switches, float switches, ect...
All programs to see the on/off states of the switches. Apex uses these to do other things.

I use it for all the above!

 

[MichaelReefer]

I use one too. I test alk twice a day, ca/mg once. Uses half the reagent. No problems in over a year and a half.

How do you do that? I want mine to do that lol

 

[BZOFIQ]

There are frequently classics and JRs for sale in the used section. Can do 99% of what the new one does for fraction of cost. Oh, and if you can snatch clean EB8s and EB4s, they will outlast any EB832s by decades.

 

[Adamantium]

Hmm lets see.......

I have my cabinet lights turn on when I open the doors, skimmate collector shuts off the skimmer and send me alert when full, ATO container sends me an alert when it's empty and shuts off the ATO. I dose kalk so when my PH gets too high it shuts down the kalk.

My maintenance mode(feedb) shuts off my return pump, skimmer, reactor, doser, and my higher up PH's. It also turns on the pump in my sump to pump out 10G of water for a WC.

I'm sure there are many more I can't think of right now.

Can I ask how you got feed mode to shut off your dosing? I couldn't find a way to do that.

 

[homer1475]

Can I ask how you got feed mode to shut off your dosing? I couldn't find a way to do that.

In my DOS physical outlet I put:

If feed(ABCD) 000 then off

Simple as that.

 

[nothing_fancy]

I personally wouldn't own an apex without a BOB, or a couple of them .

What are you using for a BOB. Been considering getting one

 

[homer1475]

The regular neptune BOB.

I did just put together an avast BOB for a friend. It's a much nicer design as it has a separate plug for each ground. Where the neptune one is little screws, and all 6 have one common ground screw. It was simple to put together with basic soldering skills, and super cheap compared to what neptune gets for it.

Break out Box for Neptune Kit

A very easy beginner soldering project. This kit comes with all the parts you need to assemble the break out box and takes about 15 minutes to assemble. This robust terminal box allows up to six digital devices to be easily connected to the I/O port of the Neptune Apex aquarium controller...

www.avastmarine.com

$30 bucks compared to:

I/O Breakout Box

Advanced Monitoring & Control with the Breakout Box Seamless Integration with Apex Controllers: Designed for the Apex Controller, enabling up to six external switches for enhanced monitoring and control. Expand Your Monitoring Capabilities: Connect float switches, push buttons, leak detectors...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

$45

There is quite a few on etsy as well, with many that will custom make one for you.

 

[Dburr1014]

What are you using for a BOB. Been considering getting one

I use float switches for the auto refill on my top off. Also flood protection and lights under the cabinet.

 

[Dburr1014]

The regular neptune BOB.

I did just put together an avast BOB for a friend. It's a much nicer design as it has a separate plug for each ground. Where the neptune one is little screws, and all 6 have one common ground screw. It was simple to put together with basic soldering skills, and super cheap compared to what neptune gets for it.

Break out Box for Neptune Kit

A very easy beginner soldering project. This kit comes with all the parts you need to assemble the break out box and takes about 15 minutes to assemble. This robust terminal box allows up to six digital devices to be easily connected to the I/O port of the Neptune Apex aquarium controller...

www.avastmarine.com

$30 bucks compared to:

I/O Breakout Box

Advanced Monitoring & Control with the Breakout Box Seamless Integration with Apex Controllers: Designed for the Apex Controller, enabling up to six external switches for enhanced monitoring and control. Expand Your Monitoring Capabilities: Connect float switches, push buttons, leak detectors...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

$45

There is quite a few on etsy as well, with many that will custom make one for you.

My esty one looks just like avast one. Without the Avast logo.

 

[homer1475]

LOL after looking at the avast kit, I just ordered one to replace my neptune BOB. So much nicer, and easier to use compared to the neptune BOB.

 

[BZOFIQ]

I personally wouldn't own an apex without a BOB, or a couple of them .

There should be a stand alone Input module that allows say 16-24 Input ports. Beats having 4 x PM1s to achieve same. and ton of useless pH, temp ports, space wires, etc.

Or better yet - a module with 12-24 Input ports and say 6-12 output ports all addressable of course. I'd pay premium for this.



But ....that would mean lost revenue on sales of PM modules and related accessories in the first case and lost additional revenue on power bars in case 2....but one would have everything to build their own control cabinets around APEX; for those so inclined that is.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

My esty one looks just like avast one. Without the Avast logo.

Likewise. Buy I buy from eBay, slightly cheaper than Etsy.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

LOL after looking at the avast kit, I just ordered one to replace my neptune BOB. So much nicer, and easier to use compared to the neptune BOB.

That shared ground with the Neptune setup is garbage.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

There are frequently classics and JRs for sale in the used section. Can do 99% of what the new one does for fraction of cost. Oh, and if you can snatch clean EB8s and EB4s, they will outlast any EB832s by decades.

I hoard EB8's as they are now discontinued. I have one eb832 and frankly it's blah...

 

[BZOFIQ]

I hoard EB8's as they are now discontinued. I have one eb832 and frankly it's blah...

Smart man but I wasnt looking for competition.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Smart man but I wasnt looking for competition.

Eh, I have 3 EB8 spares along with the 3 that are in service. Also have a couple of eb4's.

Problem is that the EB8's are going up in price on the used market, never have paid over 100$ for them and now they are going for a few bucks less than when they were for sale new.