What is one new function you'd like to see available for your aquarium controller?

Swingline77 · Jan 5, 2019

I'm new to the hobby and have things set up piece by piece, so what I'm suggesting might already be a widely available function. I'm mentioning it in case it's not.

I'd like to control light intensity so that it can wax and wane simulating two types of cycles. The first is a very slight increase and decrease in light as would be experienced on a sunny day with partial cloud cover, when clouds move in front of the sun. A degree of randomness would be added into this as well. I'd like to control different lights so that the waxing and waning of lights can be mixed. This way, whenever I look at a tank, not only will it look different since different areas will be highlighted, but the changes in lighting will be so imperceptibly slow that the average person won't notice lighting changes unless they pay attention for a few minutes.

The second is a slow increase/decrease to simulate dawn and dusk.

Muttley000 · Jan 5, 2019

Automated nitrate and phosphate testing!

siggy · Jan 5, 2019

Greybeard said:
A decent HMI, A real programming interface, A decent relay input/output block,

Dilly Dilly, I couldn't agree more and to add, a single DC Power Supply with Ports 12/24 vdc to eliminate all the bricks and wall warts. On average most are 15-20% inefficient and when you add up all that loss its $$ -HEAT & Space which is the most valuable
Get The Picture

skimjim said:
An accurate ALKALINITY probe continually monitoring dKH..

This Is the single most Needed technology that would revolutionize the hobby

Rich Klein · Jan 5, 2019

Monitoring for Nitrates and Phosphates to keep Dino in check.

Rich Klein · Jan 5, 2019

Muttley000 said:
Automated nitrate and phosphate testing!

Didn't see this one when I posted the same +1

siggy · Jan 5, 2019

ca1ore said:
Lets see, in no particular order ….

1. A better/larger connected (not wifi) display
2. A humidity sensor (for those of us with basement sump rooms)
3. I'd like to see a high capacity switching relay (like they used to sell) that would allow me to redundantly control my large chiller
4. A better breakout box (though Avast makes one)
5. A dedicated temperature probe module so that I don't have to buy a PM1/2 to just get another temp probe.

30 amp with a 12/24 VDC coil is readily available

ADAM · Jan 5, 2019

Firstly, I appreciate all the gadgets and controllers, however sometimes I miss the proverbial stone age. With that said, Id like to have the Neptune Trident (or Similar) for automated Ca, Alk, Mag, I seemingly have issue constantly with test results and addition of what, when, and relation of each of the others. If these could be automated for me would be a great. Id be more comfortable going more SPS than I currently am now, and I know me....once a couple Acros lived more than a few months it'd be look out HW and WD. Not getting near those without a little more consistency.

ca1ore · Jan 6, 2019

siggy said:
30 amp with a 12/24 VDC relay is readily available

Ok, where?

ReeferMadness0347 · Jan 6, 2019

Greybeard said:
I'm an industrial software engineer... I regularly use high end industrial controllers, mostly Allen Bradley. Anyway, I _know_ what controllers are capable of.

Here's my list

1) A real programming interface. The wizards and easy setup options are great for the newbee's, but I'd really like to be able to write simple logic... if, then, else, named variables, Booleans tied to inputs and outputs, simple mathematics and logical operators, etc. Some sort of fully functional scripting language. Yes, I realize that many would not make use of such a thing, and I don't have a problem with keeping the easy stuff up front, but access to the code for those that want to use it would be great.

2) A decent relay input/output block. Apex has their breakout box, which is a horrible design, by the way, but it does give you some basic binary inputs. The only outputs are through 120VAC controlled outlets.... Why not a bank of relay based dry contact outputs? Being able to trigger a DC powered device via controller output seems a pretty basic need. The only similar function on Apex is to buy their solenoid, and wire it to the FMM or EB832. Expensive, and inflexible.

3) A decent HMI. Apex seems to be moving away from this, mostly due to the availability of inexpensive tablets. IMHO, these are _not_ satisfactory. A waterproof, AC powered, always on display, easily mounted near the aquarium, with customizable display options would be incredibly valuable. Mounting a cheap tablet is _NOT_ a sufficient replacement.

4) Here's a simple one... a link from Fusion to the Local 'classic' page. Apex is already sending info to Fusion... sending it's local IP would be trivial. I know, it'd only work if you were on the same local network... but I think we can safely assume that most controller configuration is done while local to the aquarium. If you're not local, well, it isn't going to work... but it sure would be handy for those of us who's IP's are always changing due to DHCP configuration on our routers.

Have you considered setting up a dhcp reservation in your firewall and editing your local host file to give it a friendly name? Of course if you were running a local DNS server you could do it there.

Tastee · Jan 6, 2019

For me it’s more redundancy options at a reasonable price. Multiple separate control systems.

I have setup my Apex combined with my main and backup heater’s, as well as my chiller’s internal thermostats to give me good redundancy. I also have good redundancy for my ATO using the ATK to fill an internal ATO with a gravity fed float valve with a low level sump sensor. I use a UPS for power protection. Apex fusion is also good as it will tell me if my Apex disconnects for whatever reason. 3 levels of redundancy for heating, 2 for cooling, 2 for power to key pumps and 4 for ATO filling. So far so good.

But I still have points of failure that are hard and/or expensive to protect. I run a single return as that’s all I can currently fit in my tank, and my probes are in the sump. So if the return fails the Apex only tells me what is going on in the sump. I could improve this with a flow sensor but that will need an additional FMM so is not inexpensive. Some additional low profile basic probes, preferably an all-in-one to keep it unobtrusive to go in the DT would be good. That would tell me if the DT is having issues but the sump isn’t.

I also can’t tell if my Grye wavemaker, skimmer or chiller pump stops. If I was in the USA I could but in Australia we can’t get the EB8 so I can’t monitor power output to an outlet. So an AU/GB/EU version of the EB8 would be appreciated.

I also have limited backup for my dosing (happy for any suggestions if there are Apex capabilities I don’t know about!). I rely on the DOS for 3 part Aquaforest dosing and NoPoX. The only alert I would get if something went wrong is low/high pH. Any redundancy here would be good.

siggy · Jan 6, 2019

ca1ore said:
Ok, where?

https://www.amazon.com/Potter-Brumfield-Relay-12VDC-T92S11D22-12/dp/B00316W4O0
https://www.neagri.com/product/power-relay-12vdc-coil-30amp-dpdt/ this was a quick search, this is a Dayton from Granger.com start there first no need to pay the mark-up
I have 2 of the pictured that I recovered from a battery(12vdc coil) testing station, a simple google will yield results. Any voltage or current rating can be had. @ca1ore If you need assistance PM me with chiller name/plate and I'll find you the right one.

tgp4274 · Jan 6, 2019

redfishbluefish said:
I'm not going to be popular with my wishes, but I'd like a "dumb" controller (no internet/phone connectivity), without needing to understand programming, at a reasonable price. I'm running two antique ReefKeeper 2 controllers that fit this need, but know that eventually I'll need to replace them, and there is nothing out there.

YYEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

EMeyer · Jan 6, 2019

Greybeard said:
1) A real programming interface. The wizards and easy setup options are great for the newbee's, but I'd really like to be able to write simple logic... if, then, else, named variables, Booleans tied to inputs and outputs, simple mathematics and logical operators, etc. Some sort of fully functional scripting language.

This, so much this.

Programming isnt hard, and code isnt hard to understand. Except the halfass language Apex gives us. I'll never forget sitting down to read the manual and going "what do you mean there are no if statements? No loops of any kind? I thought this thing allowed coding"

ca1ore · Jan 6, 2019

siggy said:
https://www.amazon.com/Potter-Brumfield-Relay-12VDC-T92S11D22-12/dp/B00316W4O0
https://www.neagri.com/product/power-relay-12vdc-coil-30amp-dpdt/ this was a quick search, this is a Dayton from Granger.com start there first no need to pay the mark-up
I have 2 of the pictured that I recovered from a battery(12vdc coil) testing station, a simple google will yield results. Any voltage or current rating can be had. @ca1ore If you need assistance PM me with chiller name/plate and I'll find you the right one.

Yeah I may just do that, thanks. I’m a good do it yourself guy ..... except where electrical stuff is concerned .... then I’m completely out of my depth.

iReefer12 · Jan 6, 2019

siggy said:
Dilly Dilly, I couldn't agree more and to add, a single DC Power Supply with Ports 12/24 vdc to eliminate all the bricks and wall warts. On average most are 15-20% inefficient and when you add up all that loss its $$ -HEAT & Space which is the most valuable
Get The Picture

This Is the single most Needed technology that would revolutionize the hobby

100%! Finding a way to reduce the number of power bricks would be huge. I have 11 power bricks with all the different equipment I have. Finding a way to mount them, keep them cool and dry is a challenge

DesertReefT4r · Jan 6, 2019

Not a function but I would like to see Digital Aquatics come back, maybe another company could buy the rights. But I dont think that will be happening.

JoeIII · Jan 6, 2019

Greybeard said:
I'm an industrial software engineer... I regularly use high end industrial controllers, mostly Allen Bradley. Anyway, I _know_ what controllers are capable of.

Here's my list

1) A real programming interface. The wizards and easy setup options are great for the newbee's, but I'd really like to be able to write simple logic... if, then, else, named variables, Booleans tied to inputs and outputs, simple mathematics and logical operators, etc. Some sort of fully functional scripting language. Yes, I realize that many would not make use of such a thing, and I don't have a problem with keeping the easy stuff up front, but access to the code for those that want to use it would be great.

2) A decent relay input/output block. Apex has their breakout box, which is a horrible design, by the way, but it does give you some basic binary inputs. The only outputs are through 120VAC controlled outlets.... Why not a bank of relay based dry contact outputs? Being able to trigger a DC powered device via controller output seems a pretty basic need. The only similar function on Apex is to buy their solenoid, and wire it to the FMM or EB832. Expensive, and inflexible.

3) A decent HMI. Apex seems to be moving away from this, mostly due to the availability of inexpensive tablets. IMHO, these are _not_ satisfactory. A waterproof, AC powered, always on display, easily mounted near the aquarium, with customizable display options would be incredibly valuable. Mounting a cheap tablet is _NOT_ a sufficient replacement.

4) Here's a simple one... a link from Fusion to the Local 'classic' page. Apex is already sending info to Fusion... sending it's local IP would be trivial. I know, it'd only work if you were on the same local network... but I think we can safely assume that most controller configuration is done while local to the aquarium. If you're not local, well, it isn't going to work... but it sure would be handy for those of us who's IP's are always changing due to DHCP configuration on our routers.

#2 is my #1 pain point with the APEX. - Why should I have a bank of 12V power supplies plugged in to one outlet, when I can have one supply and switch relays to turn devices on or off, or flip a relay between closed and open to accomplish something?

I'll add this on - how about some simple Boolean operators? "IF this AND this THEN ON"

Greybeard · Jan 7, 2019

ReeferMadness0347 said:
Have you considered setting up a dhcp reservation in your firewall and editing your local host file to give it a friendly name? Of course if you were running a local DNS server you could do it there.

Yes...
I'm a software engineer, the first network I managed was token ring, serving a Netware 3.11 server. I've got it under control, thanks.

Doesn't change the fact that it would take nearly zero effort for the Apex Fusion development team to put a link to the current local IP address on the Fusion page, and would save EVERY apex user from having to deal with this.