What's the coolest thing you do with your controller?

TD13 · Dec 10, 2015

So I've had an Apex for almost 2 weeks, what ideas do you all have for neat/innovative things that you use it for?

NCCowboy15 · Dec 10, 2015

I have a b.o.b that I run pressure switches for top off and high water level warning. In addition to that I have a magnetic switch that turns my sump lights on and off when I open the cabinets. The stand also has a maintance switch and and feeding switch wired to the b.o.b.

dbl · Dec 10, 2015

Following along as I'm new the world of Apex myself.

Ghidellas · Dec 10, 2015

Same here. Looking for cool ideas. I hooked up a magnetic switch as well for under Cabinet lighting. I want to hook up a float switch inside my skimmer to alarm me when it needs to be emptied but I'm unsure on how to install it in the skimmer cup. But over all I absolutely love my apex so far

revhtree · Dec 10, 2015

Interesting thread!

TD13 · Dec 10, 2015

revhtree said:
Interesting thread!

I'm really hoping this one gets some traction, I'm sure there are some seriously creative folks around here that have found way to help Apex make our lives easier.

StikHedRon · Dec 10, 2015

About the coolest thing I do with my Apex is turn on and off a solenoid valve for my RODI unit to fill my ATO reservoir under my tank. It kicks on when the bottom float switch is triggered and shuts off when one of the 2 float switches I have at the top are triggered. I guess I also run my 4 MP40's with the WXM module and thats pretty sweet also!

Ghidellas · Dec 10, 2015

StikHedRon said:
About the coolest thing I do with my Apex is turn on and off a solenoid valve for my RODI unit to fill my ATO reservoir under my tank. It kicks on when the bottom float switch is triggered and shuts off when one of the 2 float switches I have at the top are triggered. I guess I also run my 4 MP40's with the WXM module and thats pretty sweet also!

Thats Def a good idea with auto fill on the top off. Where is your Rodi set up compared to your tank? Can you show us how it is set up?

805reef · Dec 10, 2015

Ghidellas said:
Same here. Looking for cool ideas. I hooked up a magnetic switch as well for under Cabinet lighting. I want to hook up a float switch inside my skimmer to alarm me when it needs to be emptied but I'm unsure on how to install it in the skimmer cup. But over all I absolutely love my apex so far

Use a float switch like this, drill a hole in your skimmer lid and that's it. Just how atb/bk does it.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/standard-generic-float-switch.html

Also, instead of hooking the wires directly to the BoB I used a quick disconnect so that I could easily remove the lid from the stand for cleaning.

I used these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Kits-2-P...ash=item54068ecab3:g:2igAAOxy039TK7b9&vxp=mtr

StikHedRon · Dec 10, 2015

Ghidellas said:
Thats Def a good idea with auto fill on the top off. Where is your Rodi set up compared to your tank? Can you show us how it is set up?

The RODI unit is in the basement about 30' away from the tank. Here is an image of the ATO reservoir portion of my sump. My sump was custom built to have the reservoir and dosing containers built into it. The image only shows 1 float switch at the top but there is 2 there.

Here is a top down image the circled portion are the john guest fittings, 1 is in and 1 is out.

Then I added this fitting inline between the source water and the ro membrane. I bought some wire and spliced in a bunch of length so that the plug could reach the tank and plug into one of the EB8's.

Thats about it. Pretty easy to do and now I don't have to carry buckets all the time for ATO. only during waterchanges.

bigdiscus513 · Dec 10, 2015

Christmas lights

dbl · Dec 10, 2015

bigdiscus513 said:
Christmas lights

As in you programmed your Christmas tree lights with your Apex? Very, very clever!

Ghidellas · Dec 10, 2015

805reef said:
Use a float switch like this, drill a hole in your skimmer lid and that's it. Just how atb/bk does it.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/standard-generic-float-switch.html

Also, instead of hooking the wires directly to the BoB I used a quick disconnect so that I could easily remove the lid from the stand for cleaning.

I used these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Kits-2-P...ash=item54068ecab3:g:2igAAOxy039TK7b9&vxp=mtr

Great info thank you. Good idea with quick disconnects for sure. I'm nervous obout drilling my collection cup tho. Anything I should know before hand? I have a reef octopus 110

AsphaltPays · Dec 10, 2015

Awesome thread Following Along

erfig · Dec 10, 2015

I do a 3 gal water change everynite with the apex. It turns off the main pump Turns on the drain pump the refills with fresh saltwater that was
In a heated holding tank. Runs great.

lefkonj · Dec 11, 2015

Aside from the normal on/off and lighting I think the IO Breakout has the best potential for cool stuff. Magnet switch for under cabinet lighting, push button for fresh salt water, Refill ATO with float valves.

knukles55 · Dec 11, 2015

My apex can flush the toilet

trahelyk · Dec 11, 2015

Following. The craziest thing I've done so far is the under-cabinet light, and that isn't too crazy. The Apex has so much potential.

I just adore the idea of controlling Christmas lights with an Apex. Neptune really could branch out into home automation.

TD13 · Dec 11, 2015

erfig said:
I do a 3 gal water change everynite with the apex. It turns off the main pump Turns on the drain pump the refills with fresh saltwater that was
In a heated holding tank. Runs great.

Is it salt or fresh? How do you keep it mixed and maintain then SG?

Eckolancer · Dec 11, 2015

Send emails and text alerts when water level is low high or top off water is out, same with shutting off skimmer when water level is too high in sump or skimmate has filled the container. Shut off return if my over flow box is clogged even thou I am running a failsafe bean animal. Stop power heads when auto feeder turns on. Run calcium reactor, heater, lights, ect... I can go on for ever.