APEX: Setup recommendations help picking out Xmas list!

Justin S. · Nov 22, 2014

I'm looking at putting an apex controller & components on my Xmas list but I want to get the right stuff for the right reasons.
*** Please tell me what components I should get! ***
I want it to do the following:
Monitor power to these so I can "individually" turn them on or off remotely and optionally on a schedule:
Skimmer
4 heaters
5 lights
1 ATO
Have the following:
4 temp sensors
2 water level sensors (1 for sump flood warning, 1 for ATO reservoir low)
Levels (by importance):
Check pH
Check salinity
Check nitrate
Check ammonia
Check phosphate
Check calcium

Future expansion ability:
Wave makers
Adjustable heating
Light fixture control

jeremy · Nov 22, 2014

The apex is the best money I ever spent. You want the full apex with a salinity module and probe. The leak detection module. Depending on what lights you have they have modules for those or if you just want on of controlled just run them with the eb8. Looks like you will probably need 2 extra eb8. I think you also need the break out box module for ato. Depending on wave makers. Like vortecs has a module for those to. Just go to apex website and look for apex ready equipment and it shows which modules control equipment. The ph and temp probe come with it. But salinity and orp are seperate. If you run multiple ph and temp extra modules are needed. Hope that helps a little.

Kpotter2 · Nov 22, 2014

You can control the wp10,40 and 60. You have to buy a cable to make it work but it works I have mine running on my apex. I agree Jeremy on getting full package. Visit Neptune systems forum is a must also.

blackx-runner · Nov 23, 2014

Posted By Justin S. on 11/22/2014 7:50 AM

I'm looking at putting an apex controller & components on my Xmas list but I want to get the right stuff for the right reasons.

*** Please tell me what components I should get! ***

I want it to do the following:

Monitor power to these so I can "individually" turn them on or off remotely and optionally on a schedule:

Skimmer

4 heaters

5 lights

1 ATO

Any of the Apex units will do this. If each item needs to be on its own controllable outlet you will need 2 EBs. I think the best bet with the expandability you want, and what you are looking at doing from the get go is the full apex or even the apex gold package.

Have the following:

4 temp sensors

2 water level sensors (1 for sump flood warning, 1 for ATO reservoir low)
Click to expand...

The apex base only has input for 1 temp sensor. I believe the only way to add another temp port is to add the PM modules. In your case of wanting 4 temp sensors that would require 3 PM modules. They have different 3 PM modules for monitoring different probes, but they all include a temp port and an I/O port.

Water level sensors are easy. A breakout box will add capability of 6? inputs I think. They are a very easy DIY project too. Customize them for your needs, there are a ton of things you can do with them. If you get the additional PM modules you also get another I/O port on each one and you can add even more breakout boxes.

Levels (by importance):

Check pH - base unit any package

Check salinity - PM2 module

Check nitrate - nope

Check ammonia - nada

Check phosphate - don't we wish

Check calcium - no again

Future expansion ability:

Wave makers - depending on what pumps you are controlling it can be done either with the full apex package, or an expansion module

Adjustable heating - Not sure what you mean by adjustable, but should be easily done with programming

Light fixture control - Depending on the light fixture should be an easy control
Click to expand...

Log in / Register

Forums

Do you have an old account but can't access it?

APEX: Setup recommendations help picking out Xmas list!

Justin S. Well-Known ReefKeeper

jeremy Acro Addict

Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

Share This Page

Log in / Register

Useful Searches

Do you have an old account but can't access it?

APEX: Setup recommendations help picking out Xmas list!

Justin S. Well-Known ReefKeeper

jeremy Acro Addict

Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

Share This Page