Some food for thought....controllers

[IvanW]

On Sunday I decided to take the plunge and upgrade my Apex controller to the 2016 model.I had the classic running without any problems for over a year. Since I had the new one,which was won in a club raffle a while back I decided to upgrade and also because I had the opportunity to sell the classic. My system is 650 gallons with four energy bars multiple other bits and pieces which control lights,pumps top off and all kinds of other things. After setting up the new controller and moving programming across which takes a while I thought everything was good. At about 11pm I realized not all was good,the new energy bar had tripped the gfi. Reset the gfi but I had no power at the outlets. I opened a ticket with Neptune and I am trying to get the issue sorted out....that is just the back story (I find Neptune support pretty good).
I started thinking that those of us who use and rely on these controllers to run our tanks and especially those who have multiple gizmos connected,that while they are working like they should all is good. As I have a lot of stuff connected,should I have a problem similar to what I am now having,which I can sort of work around or if the actual "brain" goes bad I would be in the proverbial crapper.
What do all you other reefers who have these types of systems do,or have you even thought about it. To be honest I have not up until now. Just something to think about.

 

[Greasemonkey13]

Following I've been wanting some type of monitor system but to afraid to pull the trigger still [emoji379]

 

[zachxlutz]

On Sunday I decided to take the plunge and upgrade my Apex controller to the 2016 model.I had the classic running without any problems for over a year. Since I had the new one,which was won in a club raffle a while back I decided to upgrade and also because I had the opportunity to sell the classic. My system is 650 gallons with four energy bars multiple other bits and pieces which control lights,pumps top off and all kinds of other things. After setting up the new controller and moving programming across which takes a while I thought everything was good. At about 11pm I realized not all was good,the new energy bar had tripped the gfi. Reset the gfi but I had no power at the outlets. I opened a ticket with Neptune and I am trying to get the issue sorted out....that is just the back story (I find Neptune support pretty good).
I started thinking that those of us who use and rely on these controllers to run our tanks and especially those who have multiple gizmos connected,that while they are working like they should all is good. As I have a lot of stuff connected,should I have a problem similar to what I am now having,which I can sort of work around or if the actual "brain" goes bad I would be in the proverbial crapper.
What do all you other reefers who have these types of systems do,or have you even thought about it. To be honest I have not up until now. Just something to think about.

I've got a handful of timers I can use in the event my Apex were to poo the bed. Ultimately, it wouldn't be that big of a deal though. I'd have to manually dose Alk/Cal but my lights, heaters, etc would all operate on their own. It would be an inconvenience but it wouldn't be the end of my reef.

 

[Whipples]

Each of them is a compromise and I don't think I'm the only one who tries to factor in some redundancy with my Apex. Not because I think it will fail, but because it can fail. I try to limit mine to being a heater controller and monitoring device with other outlets serving as just that, outlets, and their default position being on (reactor pumps, return pump, vortechs, etc.). My lights, doser, vortechs, ATO, and return pump essentially use the Apex for power and run their own programs via their own hardware/software. Yes it is a few extra steps to program/deal with, but it provides me comfort knowing I'm not 100% reliant upon the "brain".

 

[BoomCorals]

I actually have an alert set up for an energy bar losing power. I will get a text and email if it happens.

Set OFF
If Power EB832_FR Off 000 Then ON

 

[Whipples]

I actually have an alert set up for an energy bar losing power. I will get a text and email if it happens.

Set OFF
If Power EB832_FR Off 000 Then ON

Is power loss more common on the EB832s? I use the older EB8s and they've been flawless for me so far.

 

[IvanW]

I actually have an alert set up for an energy bar losing power. I will get a text and email if it happens.

Set OFF
If Power EB832_FR Off 000 Then ON

I am talking about if the EB or the brain goes totally south and needs to go in for repair or replacement

 

[IvanW]

Is power loss more common on the EB832s? I use the older EB8s and they've been flawless for me so far.

Mine was working flawlessly as well until I decided to replace it. My decision was based on two things I eventually want to add that alk/calc tester and I had the opportunity to sell it. I also had a $700 plus controller collecting dust.

 

[BoomCorals]

Is power loss more common on the EB832s? I use the older EB8s and they've been flawless for me so far.

No, it's just piece of mind.