DIY Poor Man's Neptune System for under $300

[reefproject]

DIY Poor Man’s Apex Controller: Reef Tank (Semi) Automation and controller for under $300.00 - Canadian dollars, so cheaper in the U.S.

The cheapest Apex system – Apex Jr. includes power bar, display, and temperature probe. This alone costs $325 (in Canada as of Fall 2016). Other add-ons include pH probes, LED timers/dimmers, and wave-makers that can cost anywhere from $40 to $640. We’re talking about a thousand dollars and it doesn’t even come with wifi.

What if there's an easy DIY build that can have many convenient features found in the Apex system for under $300… and includes wifi control! Would you believe me?

If you’re like me and rather spend $1000 on a tank, necessary equipment, or livestock than on a tank controller, I have some good news!

With a few wifi enabled power strips, probes, and wifi cameras you can monitor your reef system effortlessly. Although, you may not get the timeline and analytics... at least you know what's going on with your tank and the ability to adjust/react.

Assuming you already have a cell phone or tablet, you will need:

(2-3x) Broadlink MP1 Wifi power strips with individual socket control ($30 ea)

(1-2x) Wifi camera ($25 ea)

(1x) Jebao DP-4 dosing pump ($80)

(1x) Digital temperature probe ($5)

A few (6x) power plug adapters (for US/CANADA) ($1.50 ea)

(1-2x) Tom Aquatics Aqualifiter (for manual/timed dosing) ($20 ea)

(1x) LED cabinet light w/ plug ($20 from Ikea)

With the upper amounts, it totals to about $291 before tax

The possibilities:

• Manual dosing remotely,
  
• Improved cable management,
  
• Control cooling fans remotely,
  
• Auto dose or turn off dosing (if pump fails),
  
• Enjoy your tank whenever you’re away from your tank,
  
• Turn off individual pieces of equipment without unplugging them,
  
• Time light schedules for lighting that does not come with controllers,
  
• Semi-automate, or fully automate water changes at home or remotely,
  
• Monitor temperature (pH and salinity if probes are purchased separately),
  
• Monitor equipment failures and turn on/off individual pieces of equipment remotely.
  

Even with expansion probes and modules, it can still cost less than $500

Equipment was purchased from Aliexpress, Banggood, and Amazon. (look for sales!)

Hope you find this useful!

wifi power bar, plug, power strip, automation, nano reef tank, aquarium, light timers, wifi aquarium controller

[dandelion]

I didn't know they have wifi strips for so cheap. I was going to build my own controller with an arduino until I bought a used reef keeper lite. I can use a dosing pump though.