Apex systems

[allof fish]

Hey all I’m looking into getting an apex system for reef tank. Need one that is budget friendly but can do most of the necessary things like ph, temp monitoring and looking to add a 2 part doser as well. Can the apex jr do all these functions? I believe I may have to buy a separate module system that connects to the apex if I wanted a dosing pump, I could be wrong. Can I connect any of my other equipment to the apex even if brands vary? Is it live monitoring ph and temp? Can I use it to control a doser even if it’s not same brand or dose it have ti be? I’m new to all this controller stuff but trying to wrap my head around it. Thanks!

 

[Matt L]

Hey all I’m looking into getting an apex system for reef tank. Need one that is budget friendly but can do most of the necessary things like ph, temp monitoring and looking to add a 2 part doser as well. Can the apex jr do all these functions? I believe I may have to buy a separate module system that connects to the apex if I wanted a dosing pump, I could be wrong. Can I connect any of my other equipment to the apex even if brands vary? Is it live monitoring ph and temp? Can I use it to control a doser even if it’s not same brand or dose it have ti be? I’m new to all this controller stuff but trying to wrap my head around it. Thanks!

The Apex Jr is for live monitoring of ph, temp, and water level only. It doesn’t come with any power blocks (EB832) and can’t control anything without separate purchases. I recommend the midgrade A3 Apex if you want to control a doser and other equipment. The Apex can turn things on and off according to what you program it for, and alert you when parameters are outside of a specified range. It takes a few months to learn how to understand the programming, but there are basic commands for newbies too. Others also like the Hydros. I don’t have any experience with that though.

 

[rtparty]

I’m 99% sure you can control the DOS QD with the Apex Jr if you wanted. The Jr is a great choice for monitoring a few things.

If you want outlet control to power things on and off then the standard A3 is a better proposition as Matt pointed out

 

[allof fish]

The Apex Jr is for live monitoring of ph, temp, and water level only. It doesn’t come with any power blocks (EB832) and can’t control anything without separate purchases. I recommend the midgrade A3 Apex if you want to control a doser and other equipment. The Apex can turn things on and off according to what you program it for, and alert you when parameters are outside of a specified range. It takes a few months to learn how to understand the programming, but there are basic commands for newbies too. Others also like the Hydros. I don’t have any experience with that though.

If I only cared about ph temp and a 2 part doser could the apex jr work. It would be a little more comfortable in my price range as I would have to also buy a module I belive if I can use the doser with it too. When you say turn other equipment on and off do you mean as such wave makers pump skimmer ect. Bc I already have those all as dc controllers so wouldn’t necessarily need it.

 

[allof fish]

I’m 99% sure you can control the DOS QD with the Apex Jr if you wanted. The Jr is a great choice for monitoring a few things.

If you want outlet control to power things on and off then the standard A3 is a better proposition as Matt pointed out

Sounds good this is my first reef tank and I am gone a decent amount coming up so any monitoring I can have would be great if I can just have temp ph and add a doser too it. With an upgrade I would just upgrade everything in the setup so this is more beginner stage

 

[allof fish]

According to Google the dos qd doser is compatable with all apex systems including the jr. I would just need the power bar to hook it up. Would I need anything else to make it work or is it any more customizable?

 

[Ziggy17]

For the incremental cost increase (ish) from the JR to the A3, your future proofing. The system lasts a long time, so plan on having and using it and growing with it for a decade. How much will your involvement and requirements increase over that time? Usually it’s cheaper upfront than patchwork later on.

Food for thought.

 

[rtparty]

I’ll just lay out what I’m doing on my new build after years of having to have all the latest and greatest controllers, testers, dosers, you name it.

I’m running a Hydros XS to monitor temperature, flood sensor, and then a couple level sensors for sump and ATO reservoir. I have no control from the HYDROS.

Instead, I got Kasa power strips to run everything and I can remotely control them if the HYDROS throws a warning. An Apex Jr can do more than the Hydros XS I got but I wanted to play with something new.

Anyway, then I have a Drew’s Doser from BRS that doses All For Reef and the doser is controlled by the Kasa

 

[allof fish]

I understand it can be more expensive in the long run but I’m not worried about that currently I’m more focused on this tank and this setup. As I am newer to reef tanks and plan on just upgrading everything in next 5 years or so. So at that point it doesn’t really mean much to me. I just want to make it the best and cheapest option that I can currently. If I can have the apex jr and have a dos doser with it that would work for me. Would I still need the separate modules for it? It doesn’t do a whole lot of explaining for what you need for everything

 

[areefer01]

According to Google the dos qd doser is compatable with all apex systems including the jr. I would just need the power bar to hook it up. Would I need anything else to make it work or is it any more customizable?

You can also contact Neptune via their web page and send them a pre-sale quesiton to answer.

 

[rtparty]

I understand it can be more expensive in the long run but I’m not worried about that currently I’m more focused on this tank and this setup. As I am newer to reef tanks and plan on just upgrading everything in next 5 years or so. So at that point it doesn’t really mean much to me. I just want to make it the best and cheapest option that I can currently. If I can have the apex jr and have a dos doser with it that would work for me. Would I still need the separate modules for it? It doesn’t do a whole lot of explaining for what you need for everything

You will need the Apex Jr (there was one in Open Box on BRS), the DOS QD, an aquabus cable, and a power supply for the DOS

 

[bubbgee]

Lots of Apex and components on sale at marketplace from tank breakdowns. I usually get my components there.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey all I’m looking into getting an apex system for reef tank. Need one that is budget friendly but can do most of the necessary things like ph, temp monitoring and looking to add a 2 part doser as well. Can the apex jr do all these functions? I believe I may have to buy a separate module system that connects to the apex if I wanted a dosing pump, I could be wrong. Can I connect any of my other equipment to the apex even if brands vary? Is it live monitoring ph and temp? Can I use it to control a doser even if it’s not same brand or dose it have ti be? I’m new to all this controller stuff but trying to wrap my head around it. Thanks!

You want the Apex A2 or A3 units and the salinity probe is not the most reliable. This will control heater, lights, doser, pumps, etc

 

[allof fish]

Sounds good thanks for the info. I read that you can use any doser like a brs one with the apex system. So if I managed to get the apex 3 and then a brs doser would I need any other power or modules or would that system come with everything I need to have ph temp and hook up the dosing pumps?