tbunnelldo Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 i have a 20 gal Im fusion and was wondering if an apex controller was worth it. i have a smart ATO, vortech MP10, heater, 2 return pumps in back, fuge light and nanobox duo light. i am ok with things as they are but wondered if the apex would make things easier. Link to comment
NYfishies Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 The Apex is more of a luxury then a requirement. I just like playing with it and the functions. I do use it pretty extensively though when I travel which I do quite a bit of. Not sure how I would find any comfort leaving the house for more than a day if I did not have the Apex to constantly watch my parameters. I also use it for peace of mind when it comes to leaks. Both my tanks which run Apex utilize the leak detection module both inside the stand and outside. Now that I have had the DOS for several months I am also really enjoying tweaking the levels basis my charting to stabilize Ca and Alk to the best of my ability. We bought a AI Hydra for the tank for Xmas this year so we have been enjoying the Apex capabilities there as well. If you have the $$$ spend it. Link to comment
lkoechle Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 It definitely makes automating easier and being able to turn stuff off all in one location instead of pulling plugs/turning off timers etc. I like that I can set different modes. I have a mode for new fish that dims all of the lights and lowers the pump speed, I have two feed modes, one with everything off (mainly for corals) and one with vortechs slow and constant, I have automated evening feeding with the AFS, It's also nice not to worry about forgetting turning everything back on, everything is pretty easy. I don't have the DOS yet (getting that this summer). It's great to be able to look at everything on the Fusion and have peace of mind with e-mail and text alerts incase power goes out, heaters get stuck, or leaks. If you have the money, get it. It makes life way easier. Link to comment
seanoli Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 It definitely makes automating easier and being able to turn stuff off all in one location instead of pulling plugs/turning off timers etc. I like that I can set different modes. I have a mode for new fish that dims all of the lights and lowers the pump speed, I have two feed modes, one with everything off (mainly for corals) and one with vortechs slow and constant, I have automated evening feeding with the AFS, It's also nice not to worry about forgetting turning everything back on, everything is pretty easy. I don't have the DOS yet (getting that this summer). It's great to be able to look at everything on the Fusion and have peace of mind with e-mail and text alerts incase power goes out, heaters get stuck, or leaks. If you have the money, get it. It makes life way easier. This. ^^ I think dealing with/worrying about this stuff would take away from my enjoyment of my tank. You probably don't need the WXM module with one Vortech but it would free up an outlet by allowing you to control the pump wirelessly. Link to comment
NYfishies Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 It definitely makes automating easier and being able to turn stuff off all in one location instead of pulling plugs/turning off timers etc. I like that I can set different modes. I have a mode for new fish that dims all of the lights and lowers the pump speed, I have two feed modes, one with everything off (mainly for corals) and one with vortechs slow and constant, I have automated evening feeding with the AFS, It's also nice not to worry about forgetting turning everything back on, everything is pretty easy. I don't have the DOS yet (getting that this summer). It's great to be able to look at everything on the Fusion and have peace of mind with e-mail and text alerts incase power goes out, heaters get stuck, or leaks. If you have the money, get it. It makes life way easier. I didn't even think of how convenient it makes turning off and on outlets - very good point. With that being said I cannot imagine NOT having the Apex! Link to comment
SnackySmores Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 yes it is a great addition to your aquarium, try to save for some time if you don't have the money right now. get the wxm to control the vortech, also you can add modules and probes as your set up grows. Link to comment
lkoechle Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 I didn't even think of how convenient it makes turning off and on outlets - very good point. With that being said I cannot imagine NOT having the Apex! Thinking of doing things manually after having the apex is probably THE reason my house isn't covered in tanks right now. lol Link to comment
seanoli Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 Sew... My initial post was going to be about turning things on and off. I didn't post it because it just sounded absurd, but in truth, that is one of its best features. I'm glad Ikoechle and NYfishies had the courage where I did not. Link to comment
CJJon Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 Sew... My initial post was going to be about turning things on and off. I didn't post it because it just sounded absurd, but in truth, that is one of its best features. I'm glad Ikoechle and NYfishies had the courage where I did not. http://www.amazon.com/TLP76MSG-Switched-Outlet-Conserve-Protector/dp/B0068LACFI/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1428442760&sr=1-6&keywords=power+strip+with+on+off+switches Link to comment
StrainedSky Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 http://www.amazon.com/TLP76MSG-Switched-Outlet-Conserve-Protector/dp/B0068LACFI/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1428442760&sr=1-6&keywords=power+strip+with+on+off+switches Your missing the /s I hope. Link to comment
seanoli Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 http://www.amazon.com/TLP76MSG-Switched-Outlet-Conserve-Protector/dp/B0068LACFI/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1428442760&sr=1-6&keywords=power+strip+with+on+off+switches Yes, yes, but what if I forget to turn the pump? What if I only want to hit one button to have all of the appropriate things turn off? If if my tank starts to overheat and the heater/light need to be shut off automatically? Link to comment
jball1125 Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 Yes it's worth it. Even though most people will never use it to its full capabilities ( including myself ) Link to comment
tbunnelldo Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 My aquarium isn't near an ethernet outlet. Does this make a difference? Link to comment
lkoechle Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 My aquarium isn't near an ethernet outlet. Does this make a difference? Not really. You will want to get an ethernet cable thats long enough to go from the router to the apex for firmware updates and aside from that you can use netgear wireless gaming adapter to make the apex wireless. You never want to do firmware updates over wireless, so make sure you have the cable for when updates are needed. Other then that, it can do everything through the wireless gaming adapter. Link to comment
skoechle Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 http://www.amazon.com/TLP76MSG-Switched-Outlet-Conserve-Protector/dp/B0068LACFI/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1428442760&sr=1-6&keywords=power+strip+with+on+off+switches lkoechle's husband here... i think this is a great power strip to supplement the apex. We actually have this exactly power strip and our apex is plugged into it along with our battery backup, lights and tank camera. I like the apex but I find the user interface frustrating for the amount of money we paid for the whole system. As a software engineer (who is terrible at user interface design) I feel that it could be much improved. That being said, I dont have a better suggestion than the apex and after using it for half a year I cant imagine not using it. The peace of mind from being able to log in at anytime and check your parameters is unparalleled. Link to comment
Gamby Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Its a cooooooool gadget! I am only using a fraction of what it can do with it and I have to say that I love having the control. I actually put a new network outlet in just form my tank. A must, no. It is nice to have if your budget allows. Link to comment
Steensj2004 Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 You'll never have a tank without at least a controller again once you get one. Apex or any other brand. I have an apex now and frankly prefer the Digital Aquatics myself Link to comment
tbunnelldo Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 Firmware update will be tough as the router is upstairs and the tank is downstairs. Link to comment
tbunnelldo Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 Can you unhook it and take it to the router for firmware updates and initial setup? Link to comment
mpsti05 Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Can you unhook it and take it to the router for firmware updates and initial setup? yes you can although a pain. I bought a 150ft Ethernet cable off ebay just to update the apex. Now for your initial ? Is it worth it... IMO yes I love it. Takes control freak to another level. I was skeptical at first before buying but now having it for over a year I love it. Especially with fusion programming is much simpler. Along with text and email alerts no more having to worry about port forwarding unless you want to. Link to comment
Bingo1213 Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Get one! They are great!!! Mine has saved me from floods, overheated tanks, ph spikes from ca reactors, ato disasters, vodka overdoses (I had an error in my code but my backup code caught the problem). Mine feeds my corals every day, doses vodka, runs my vortices, has leak detectors, kills my skimmer when its full, kills my return pump if my overflow gets clogged, runs fans, runs heaters, alerts me when stand doors are opened, and kills everything when the power goes out except the vortechs and runs them at 10 percent to conserve the UPS. Thats only a small part of what they can accomplish! You won't regret it!! It is tank insurance! Link to comment
tbunnelldo Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 Thanks for all tthe advice. Should I do the standard or the jr? Link to comment
sydbarrett Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Hey, I've been asking myself the same question. I think I'm going to save up alittle and I'll probably end up getting the standard and add a dos plumbed to do water changes Link to comment
Bingo1213 Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 I would save for the standard because many people outgrow the jr pretty quickly. It really is worth it to get it right the first time. Link to comment
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