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Innovative Marine Aquariums

Just bought an Apex Jr.


Exodus

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Hey there!

 

So after a long time now I finally made the plunge and purchased the Neptunes Apex Jr. Controller w/Display & Temp probe for my 12G Nano tank.

 

My plan was to set it up to turn on and off my AI Sol Nano since I'm not into moonphase, control my Koralia Nano powerhead, and my heater. My ATO works perfect as it is so no need to complicate matters, My tank just has live rock filtration with weekly water changes well estabished 4 years now and doing great. I like the idea of being able to monitor things but most importantly whats coming next is the PM2 module for Salinity monitoring I have had a couple very expensive mishaps over the years with a refractometer being miscaliberated and forgetting to move the ATO pump from the salt bucket back to the RO/DI bucket... yeah I know.... and eventually I might consider an IP Cam, and Auto food feeder for when I'm out of town.

 

Anyways I got the basics but I know when people get their hands on such equipment they begin to become creative and find other not so documented ideas for making things simpler, or using the Controller to acheive other tasks not so commonly thought of, was just wondering if anyone else Is using the Apex and had any ideas to share that could expand my uses for said controller! :)

 

Thanx!

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I have mine set to run all kinds of crazy things! I am happy to give you more detailed information on any of these but to keep this post short I will just list them. Let me know if you want a detailed description of how I did it! :) My apex shuts off my skimmer when it is full, I have used the breakout box to set up 3 different leak detectors in my sump that when they are triggered shut off the return and send texts (much cheaper than the leak detection modules!!!!), I have a float switch that shuts my return pump off if my HOB overflow clogs or looses its syphon, it runs my calcium reactor, it stops my ATO from sticking on, it tells me when my ATO container is empty, it runs my ATO, it doses my tank's vodka, it feeds my corals (I run a ULNS so feeding daily is important), it tells me if my stand doors are open (keeps kids safe), it changes the modes on my vortechs. The list is endless I am sure there are things I have set mine up to do that I am forgetting, I have spent 2 years thinking of ways to add more to my APEX, so please if you have any questions I am more than happy to answer them! They are confusing at first but once they are set it is well worth it!

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BattleAthletics

I have mine set to run all kinds of crazy things! I am happy to give you more detailed information on any of these but to keep this post short I will just list them. Let me know if you want a detailed description of how I did it! :) My apex shuts off my skimmer when it is full, I have used the breakout box to set up 3 different leak detectors in my sump that when they are triggered shut off the return and send texts (much cheaper than the leak detection modules!!!!), I have a float switch that shuts my return pump off if my HOB overflow clogs or looses its syphon, it runs my calcium reactor, it stops my ATO from sticking on, it tells me when my ATO container is empty, it runs my ATO, it doses my tank's vodka, it feeds my corals (I run a ULNS so feeding daily is important), it tells me if my stand doors are open (keeps kids safe), it changes the modes on my vortechs. The list is endless I am sure there are things I have set mine up to do that I am forgetting, I have spent 2 years thinking of ways to add more to my APEX, so please if you have any questions I am more than happy to answer them! They are confusing at first but once they are set it is well worth it!

You sir are an automation king!
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So if I have an apex jr w. Pm1. Ald, 4 outlet, display , and eb8 I will be maxed out correct ? Now if I just purchase the apex base unit( known as the brain) then the possibilities are endless correct?

Or is the controller or eb4 the thing that restricts it to only 5 modules?

In other terms the base unit( brain ) is the key to unlock everything past 5 modules

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I have mine set to run all kinds of crazy things! I am happy to give you more detailed information on any of these but to keep this post short I will just list them. Let me know if you want a detailed description of how I did it! :) My apex shuts off my skimmer when it is full, I have used the breakout box to set up 3 different leak detectors in my sump that when they are triggered shut off the return and send texts (much cheaper than the leak detection modules!!!!), I have a float switch that shuts my return pump off if my HOB overflow clogs or looses its syphon, it runs my calcium reactor, it stops my ATO from sticking on, it tells me when my ATO container is empty, it runs my ATO, it doses my tank's vodka, it feeds my corals (I run a ULNS so feeding daily is important), it tells me if my stand doors are open (keeps kids safe), it changes the modes on my vortechs. The list is endless I am sure there are things I have set mine up to do that I am forgetting, I have spent 2 years thinking of ways to add more to my APEX, so please if you have any questions I am more than happy to answer them! They are confusing at first but once they are set it is well worth it!

 

Damn!!! Thats some serious automation! I will keep those things and mind and will definatley PM you if I need additional info and I appreciate you sharing that. Personally the only devices I have plugged is my Light, Return Pump, ATO, and powerhead. Its a 12g Nano so weekly water changes has proven to be more than enough and saves me from having to buy a bunch of other mechanical filtration/dosing/reactor ect devices.

 

I will probably be requesting more info on your ATO setup but I need to get the Apex set up first as sometimes the float switch sticks when refilling after water change, I usually vacume the tank and toss the ATO pump into the mixed salt bucket and let the ATO fill my tank back up and one time came back to find my tank completely overflown and water hitting the floor.

 

Thanks again!

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So if I have an apex jr w. Pm1. Ald, 4 outlet, display , and eb8 I will be maxed out correct ? Now if I just purchase the apex base unit( known as the brain) then the possibilities are endless correct?

Or is the controller or eb4 the thing that restricts it to only 5 modules?

In other terms the base unit( brain ) is the key to unlock everything past 5 modules

Yes you can have 200 some modules if you purchase the "brain unit" it also has the I/O port for the breakout box. If you have the jr. and want to run a breakout box you need a module like the PM2 that has the port on it.

 

Damn!!! Thats some serious automation! I will keep those things and mind and will definatley PM you if I need additional info and I appreciate you sharing that. Personally the only devices I have plugged is my Light, Return Pump, ATO, and powerhead. Its a 12g Nano so weekly water changes has proven to be more than enough and saves me from having to buy a bunch of other mechanical filtration/dosing/reactor ect devices.

 

I will probably be requesting more info on your ATO setup but I need to get the Apex set up first as sometimes the float switch sticks when refilling after water change, I usually vacume the tank and toss the ATO pump into the mixed salt bucket and let the ATO fill my tank back up and one time came back to find my tank completely overflown and water hitting the floor.

 

Thanks again!

There are a number of ways to add backups to ATOs. I have tried a few so just let me know when you are ready and I will gladly walk you through them!

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I'll go ahead and post my dashboard from my APEX, it will give you the general idea of how it is setup. The left column is probes and switches, the middle column is actual outlets from my EB8, the right column is virtual outlets for running alarms and warnings.

post-85115-0-90824000-1422820842_thumb.png

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Oh this is sweet.

Yes my APEX is by far the most valuable piece of equipment I currently own. It is the brain that runs all my other equipment! I will never setup a tank without one!

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Yes my APEX is by far the most valuable piece of equipment I currently own. It is the brain that runs all my other equipment! I will never setup a tank without one!

 

I was very excited to finally get one myself, Just need to set it up but as midterms are next week and I am buying a new stand for my tank and moving it to another location I figured I would just wait to set it up that way I can do a proper install and mount it all to the stand and get the wiring out of the way before I move the tank

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