Apex worth it?

bigroost · Dec 27, 2018

I mean if something in the programming isn't working for you. I see lots of folks spending alot of time working on it. I don't really care to learn that side of it. For instance I was having some issues with the atk and tons of alarms. They logged into my apex fixed my issues and that was the end of it.

fattiremike · Jan 4, 2019

So, I have installed my Apex. Not very pretty as of yet, but I thought that I would figure it out before making it pretty. I got the Apex itself up and running pretty effortlessly. I cannot get the Saltwater probe to calibrate, I gather that is common. I have it disabled. I can live without it, but why have it if I can't see it? I struggled with getting my MP40QD's to connect with the WMX, but after I found proper instructions on a forum, that was easy. My first of many questions is: I had the MP40's set up to run opposite of each other and that is how I want to do it now. How do I do that? I figured out how to download other people's programs, but none of them that I could find run opposite of each other. I have two MP40s on opposite ends and I normally ran them in gyre mode, on 100% and 5 minute increments. They were on night mode from 2130 to the end of the program. Thanks.

spifftempo · Jan 4, 2019

fattiremike said:
So, I have installed my Apex. Not very pretty as of yet, but I thought that I would figure it out before making it pretty. I got the Apex itself up and running pretty effortlessly. I cannot get the Saltwater probe to calibrate, I gather that is common. I have it disabled. I can live without it, but why have it if I can't see it? I struggled with getting my MP40QD's to connect with the WMX, but after I found proper instructions on a forum, that was easy. My first of many questions is: I had the MP40's set up to run opposite of each other and that is how I want to do it now. How do I do that? I figured out how to download other people's programs, but none of them that I could find run opposite of each other. I have two MP40s on opposite ends and I normally ran them in gyre mode, on 100% and 5 minute increments. They were on night mode from 2130 to the end of the program. Thanks.

Sorry to hear you are having trouble with your salinity probe- be sure to reach out to support if you continue to have trouble with that.

To have one of your MP40 pumps run opposite of the other, simply program your master the way you want it to operate. Then configure the inverse pump with one dot on the graph at 100%. Select the mode as "Anti-Sync," and select the other pump as the "master." This pump will always be running at exactly the opposite of the master pump now.

fattiremike · Jan 7, 2019

So far I am pretty happy with the Apex. I think the salinity probe is bad. I have contacted Apex and they sent me some instructions to calibrate in the advanced mode. My # in step three is 695 or some ungodly number like that. I don't really stress over salinity levels so I'm not too concerned. I have a refractometer that I have been using for years. I will wait and see what they say..... I enjoy being able to track my ORP and PH. I was finally successful in setting up a feed mode with my MP40QD's integrated. Wasn't hard, but it sure could be easier. Why don't they have wizards like everything else? I am not a computer programmer. But, it's pretty basic and there is tons of stuff on the net. I cannot seem to get my MP40's to master/slave. I did all the steps and got the blue/yellow on the slave, but they can run independently on different programs. So, I just made two programs to where they run against each other how I want. Do you have to name them master/slave? I have three XR30G4pro's that I have to set up and integrate as well. I have to figure out how to mount them and rent a meter from BRS first. I also have a flow meter that I want to put in and set up and install and set up the AFS too. I need more time.

Script_Kitty · Jan 7, 2019

I didn’t get a apex for my salt water tank.

I got a salt water tank for my apex controller.

Its all about perspective.

Love mine. Now if they will only hurry up with the trident testing unit.

garbled · Jan 8, 2019

fattiremike said:
I think the salinity probe is bad. I have contacted Apex and they sent me some instructions to calibrate in the advanced mode. My # in step three is 695 or some ungodly number like that.

Go take a look at my build thread, most recent post. I had this *exact* problem this weekend. (sorry for the shameless plug, but don't want to type it out again. :) )

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tims-800-gallon-phoenix-reef.499962/

HOLYREEFER · Jan 8, 2019

Simply put YES!

fattiremike · Jan 10, 2019

Unfortunately, that didn't work. I did a reboot, not a reset. Probe is still @ 695.

fattiremike · Jan 18, 2019

So far this Apex thing has just been a source of frustration. The salinity probe won't calibrate, Apex logged in and confirmed it. They are sending me a new head unit, because they think the port is bad. Today I added a PMK and it just reads zero. I went in and configured the module to PAR, and it still reads zero. I tried different ports, whatever, it still reads zero. I don't know why I can't just plug something in and have it work.....

fattiremike · Jan 19, 2019

So I had a largely successful day with Apex. I was afraid that this thing was going to become more maintenance than the tank already is. Somehow the PMK started working by itself after not working for a full day and reading zero, and once I got my xr30g4pro's reset to factory and updated (which they didn't need), they hooked right up. I found a really nice scheme and loaded it up on all three of them. A bit overkill for a five foot 120 gallon, but I have no problem getting par down at the sandbed now!