Apex question

[Maho.B]

Hello all. I am starring the process of setting up a new system. It is a 150 gallon and will be a mixed reef but sps dominant. My last 110 system was controlled manually, meaning I did all testing/dosing manually. I am considering going with a Neptune Apex on my new system, but I don't want my routine reef monitoring to become an IT event everyday. I personally think the apps in general in our hobby are not very intuitive and can cause frustration. In short, do any of you using it find it to "techy" for you? I love fiddling with things reef related, I do not enjoy fiddling with tech on a constant basis. Thanks.

 

[painter1982]

I don’t think the apex is too much tech. It has caused me to have more time for other things. I don’t haven’t manually monitor or test. It changes water automatically too. It catches issues faster if any arise.

 

[RobynR]

I found the initial set up programming a bit annoying and in the beginning I was having some issues with programming dropping after a couple days, but looking back, I think that was more of an issue of conflict with Ecotech and Möbius vs the Apex itself. Several months in, I have had very little issue past the frustrations of the initial set up. I find going in and tweaking programming simple and fast.

So yes, the beginning was a bit frustrating, but once you have it dialled in, it’s fairly set and forget.

I have not set up any of the automated testing, so cannot speak for that.

I am disappointed with the Ecotech integration and if I would have known how nuanced it was, I would have made different decisions with that equipment.

 

[MegabiteOG]

I really like my APEX and wouldn’t hesitate to buy again. Like painter above, I have most things automated and monitored. It’s been rock solid for me. Like anything, there’s a bit of a learning curve, but simple once you get the hang of it.

Haven’t tried a Hydros so can’t give you a comparison on that.

 

[Blitheran]

I love my apex, I am setting up a second tank with an apex too

 

[jabberkaycee]

I agree with @RobynR , setting up the whole system is a pain. Especially when you’re using a DOS for an AWC, and another DOS for dosing, and a Trident for testing. You would also then want to decide if you’re going to have the DOS connected with the Trident for automatic dosing based on test results. So it can be tech depending on how many components you’re adding, and how much automation you’re wanting from it.

Getting all the settings correct takes a lot of time and a lot of tweaks. Once you finally have it all set up it does save you time, but you still have to stay on top of it to watch for irregular numbers due to falling out of calibration. You can’t just leave it and forget it.

Having said all of that, I love using my Apex. The notifications, auto testing, no messy water changes, auto dosing make it worthwhile to me. I also love the fact that I can control other manufacturer components such as my heater, MP40s, and return pumps, so I’m not using multiple apps.

 

[Maho.B]

This is all great info, thanks! I can understand some initial setup and adjustment time, I was hoping it wasn't to involved and needing constant tweaking later down the road, which based on everyone's feedback is pretty accurate. Also given how many people on this forum use it, I'm guessing any set up challenges could be solved by the helpful people here if needed. Thanks

 

[Blitheran]

This is all great info, thanks! I can understand some initial setup and adjustment time, I was hoping it wasn't to involved and needing constant tweaking later down the road, which based on everyone's feedback is pretty accurate. Also given how many people on this forum use it, I'm guessing any set up challenges could be solved by the helpful people here if needed. Thanks

For you just start simple.

Get the head unit and the 8 bar electrical outlet.

Plug stuff in and let it go.

Once you feel comfortable then expand. Problems happen when people buy everything and try to figure it out at once.

 

[Maho.B]

Good to know! I don't plan on doing AWC with it but would eventually like to to have it control/monitor alkalinity, calcium, ph, etc along with basic things like the heater, lighting and power heads. Hope that is somewhat achievable for a newb!

 

[cilyjr]

I have been using the Neptune systems ecosystem since the aquacontroller III. Over the past 20 years the systems have become much more intuitive and easier to program.
They have also moved more towards proprietary modules. With a Neptune systems Apex, you can still use any pumps, but if you are not using one of their pumps, the control can be more challenging to complete. And with Neptune no longer carrying their own pumps, they want you to move to a sister company. The ecotech pumps, then for integrated control you will need to purchase an additional module or be limited to the 0-10v controlling.

I've been using it so long I couldn't tell you how I'd do it without one at this point. I will say this, there are things that must be done for a hyper controlled environment.

Regular checking of pumps. my system does a daily 4 g water exchange, so I must insure both pumps are functioning properly. I do this via visual inspection occasionally. Along with the other additive pumps.

Double checking test results. I usually do this when testing solutions are refilled.

General equipment inspection. I'm doing this from time to time on any equipment however. Just adds a few things to check.

Programming double checks. I have a few reservoirs that have an optical sensor. Purpose is to stop any dosing pumps in the occurrence of an empty reservoir. From time to time I will simply pull out the optical sensor which will open the switch to make sure the pumps go to stand by waiting for the reservoir to be refilled. I do this every 6 months or so.

Again, I am so dependent on the system that I literally have a entire Apex system in a drawer in case a piece fails. This isn't something that is necessary and I did not have this for a long time. But for me if a piece fails and I need to send it to them for repair I can simply pull a piece out of a drawer, replace it. And keep going as normal. I even have a second Trident as I have become pretty dependent on that as well.

The major advantage for me is I can go away for 10 days with piece of mind. This also reduces my daily maintenance to more of a weekly maintenance. Sure, I do a few things in the evenings after dinner, but I'm usually only tinkering around for about a half an hour or so. I have a very large system.

I hope that helps.

 

[cilyjr]

I've been thinking about this a little bit today, and my advice would be this.
The control systems available are pretty modular. I would not start out in a way where I'm trying to buy everything that I think I might need. Instead, I would buy the brain, the 8 plug module the Apex calls it eb 32 I believe, and maybe one dosing pump, in the case of the Apex that has two heads on it.
It's going to come with probes. I would say all you really need is at least one pH probe one temperature probe.

Then as you progress you will be able to more easily decide what you need and it's easy enough to add a module later.

In this scenario, I believe somebody who is used to doing everything manually can start to use the system to get some real-time readouts on pH, temperature, and automate a few functions . Then start adding what they feel is best for them later!

One caveat I would always stay away from say a junior model I would get a brain ( base unit) that was fully functional. Sometimes in the junior models, the amount of additional modules that can be added are limited.

Good luck

 

[Chocka]

They are nice to have but do yourself a favor if you run an ethernet cable to it make sure you surge protect it as the network card in these seem to be the weak link to me. Mine would never even allow me access to wi-fi from day one it would turn blue but as soon as you release the reset button it would go right to green then orange no matter what we tried this could not be resolved and I should have sent it back right at that point but I decided to keep it so I ran a network cable in and unfortunately left that unprotected and a lightning strike took it out. Didn't affect anything else in my home except the Neptune Apex A3. This just happened a few days ago and by not having access to the wi-fi I am going to lose all my 2 years of configuration so that would be another piece of advice is whenever you do get it where you like it download a copy of that configuration file for safe keeping and keep that updated as I have a new head unit on order and will have to start from scratch apparently. Just be aware

 

[areefer01]

This is all great info, thanks! I can understand some initial setup and adjustment time, I was hoping it wasn't to involved and needing constant tweaking later down the road, which based on everyone's feedback is pretty accurate. Also given how many people on this forum use it, I'm guessing any set up challenges could be solved by the helpful people here if needed. Thanks

It is not involved if we are being honest. The hobbyist makes it involved based on decisions and complexity.

I would work backwards and ask what is it you want to do initially and go from there. There are tasks for a majority of the basic stuff you want to do.

Fusion is pretty easy to work with once you get an understanding of where things are or how to get them on the dashboard. My gut tells me you will spend a bit more time organizing it post install.

Good luck.

 

[Maho.B]

They are nice to have but do yourself a favor if you run an ethernet cable to it make sure you surge protect it as the network card in these seem to be the weak link to me. Mine would never even allow me access to wi-fi from day one it would turn blue but as soon as you release the reset button it would go right to green then orange no matter what we tried this could not be resolved and I should have sent it back right at that point but I decided to keep it so I ran a network cable in and unfortunately left that unprotected and a lightning strike took it out. Didn't affect anything else in my home except the Neptune Apex A3. This just happened a few days ago and by not having access to the wi-fi I am going to lose all my 2 years of configuration so that would be another piece of advice is whenever you do get it where you like it download a copy of that configuration file for safe keeping and keep that updated as I have a new head unit on order and will have to start from scratch apparently. Just be aware

Sorry to hear about losing your config data to the lightening! Thanks for the advice, I'll make sure to surge protect it!

 

[Chocka]

Yeah put the new pro head in today and got everything physically hooked up but fried for today. I will pick it up after a good nights sleep one of our fellow reefers wrote a pretty good guide on here to help with programming I just have to start over then save the configuration this time. I am happy to say that this new head worked flawlessly during setup for wireless, linking, switch back over to ethernet. Kicking myself for not returning the first one when it wouldn't connect.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/neptune-apex-programming-tutorials.700483/

Author Profile: @SuncrestReef