What New Equipment to Add?

tdileo · Nov 5, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Also half kidding too. The ato is essential. My jebao doser has been going strong for a year.

And corals do uptake co2 and give of o2. Inhad to stop the kalk

I do know that they do that, just didn’t think on a noticeable level. I definitely do want more corals but want to leave room for everything to grow in. I much prefer the look of maybe 25 different coral colonies at a decent size rather than 70 little 3” pieces everywhere LOL!

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 5, 2017

tdileo said:
I do know that they do that, just didn’t think on a noticeable level. I definitely do want more corals but want to leave room for everything to grow in. I much prefer the look of maybe 25 different coral colonies at a decent size rather than 70 little 3” pieces everywhere LOL!

To each their own. And choose coral wisely.

But trust me. It makes a big difference in ph.

It's why the old timers say don't chase it. Becuse it's going to change.

mtraylor · Nov 5, 2017

tdileo said:
Thanks for that idea, I think it’s great! Here goes:
Like I said earlier, a controller could help a lot as a failsafe. If a heater were to fail on the controller would automatically shut it off, and if it failed in the off position I would be alerted of it so I would quickly know. For the ATO, I could program the Apex to automatically turn it off if it runs for longer than x amount of seconds, for if some reason the pump doesn’t stop and it would drastically drop my salinity or even overflow the sump.
I usually go away for Spring break, and 2-3 times a year I usually drive down to Florida to visit the rest of my family there. I don’t have a reefer monitor my tank so being able to view some of my parameters from my phone while away may not be super important but would help me feel a little better as well as ensure all my equipment is still running properly so if something goes wrong I could ask somebody in the hobby to go over and check it out for me.
Other than that, here are some less important things. I think the Apex could allow me to ramp up my lights rather than just turning them on, but I’m not completely sure if it can do that. It also could help offer some peace of mind if I ever just want to check on my parameters while I’m out, and of course it would make life a little easier by making me just have to press a single button to turn my pumps off for feed mode.

Ok. Well I did a little research. I checked out the 2 controller mentioned in the thread.
The Reefkeeper Lite Basic $129 --- no internet
Apex jr lite $239 - Internet
Well from what you are wanting it appears that the Apex jr is what you want out of the 2 if you decided to get one. Internet is costing you here about 100 bucks. Not sure if you can buy an internet module for the reefkeeper. YOu may want to
check that out. Also try to find one of these used, would probably be the best way to go.

I have a couple questions before I chime in on recommendations. The ATO that you are going to buy. What kind of ATO are you purchasing? What is the price? Do you have an RO/DI unit? If you have an existing RODI unit, I may be able to
save you some money.

tdileo · Nov 5, 2017

mtraylor said:
Ok. Well I did a little research. I checked out the 2 controller mentioned in the thread.
The Reefkeeper Lite Basic $129 --- no internet
Apex jr lite $239 - Internet
Well from what you are wanting it appears that the Apex jr is what you want out of the 2 if you decided to get one. Internet is costing you here about 100 bucks. Not sure if you can buy an internet module for the reefkeeper. YOu may want to
check that out. Also try to find one of these used, would probably be the best way to go.

I have a couple questions before I chime in on recommendations. The ATO that you are going to buy. What kind of ATO are you purchasing? What is the price? Do you have an RO/DI unit? If you have an existing RODI unit, I may be able to
save you some money.

I was thinking either Tunze 3155 (preferable because dual sensor) or the Nano 3152. The Nano is half the price but only has 1 sensor so I like the Apex Jr as a failsafe in case the float switch makes it stay on.
I don’t have an RODI unit, I buy lots of fresh RODI and then mix saltwater as I need it.

mtraylor · Nov 5, 2017

tdileo said:
I was thinking either Tunze 3155 (preferable because dual sensor) or the Nano 3152. The Nano is half the price but only has 1 sensor so I like the Apex Jr as a failsafe in case the float switch makes it stay on.
I don’t have an RODI unit, I buy lots of fresh RODI and then mix saltwater as I need it.

Ok. Here is my 2cents. If you want to buy the controller. Then lets use it to some of its potential.
Tunze 3155 - $200 + Apex 239 . Total 439
Nano 3152 - $100 + Apex 239. Total 339

I would do the following.
Apex $239
2 float switch holders and 2 float switches $25
This is just an example. You find cheaper and the float switches are around a couple bucks. https://www.ebay.com/itm/White-Magn...et-/162357293071?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275
Neptune I/O Box $40
So now your total investment is about 300. You get your ATO and controller and you saved money. You run your float switches to the I/O box to your apex. You program it on and off. Pretty simple for your ATO to kick the pump on and off. The second one is for backup in case the first one fails. I put my second one a little higher up in the sump. When It goes on, it sends me an email. This is just an option for you to think about.

mtraylor · Nov 5, 2017

I use these brackets. because I know they wont move. A little more expensive.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reefkeeper-float-switch-bracket-kit-digital-aquatics.html

You can also get the brackets you can glue in the sump as well. Totally up to you.

tdileo · Nov 6, 2017

mtraylor said:
Ok. Here is my 2cents. If you want to buy the controller. Then lets use it to some of its potential.
Tunze 3155 - $200 + Apex 239 . Total 439
Nano 3152 - $100 + Apex 239. Total 339

I would do the following.
Apex $239
2 float switch holders and 2 float switches $25
This is just an example. You find cheaper and the float switches are around a couple bucks. https://www.ebay.com/itm/White-Magn...et-/162357293071?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275
Neptune I/O Box $40
So now your total investment is about 300. You get your ATO and controller and you saved money. You run your float switches to the I/O box to your apex. You program it on and off. Pretty simple for your ATO to kick the pump on and off. The second one is for backup in case the first one fails. I put my second one a little higher up in the sump. When It goes on, it sends me an email. This is just an option for you to think about.