DarkReefer's CADE Reef S2 1800

[DarkReefer]

Well today has been a looong day.

Spent a good couple hours or so to try and clean up this cable mess.

Even after all that, still not that much of an improvement, just moved most of it and bundled the cables. At least the bottom section isn't as bad and mounted the battery backup with some cable ties lol.

Then spent the rest of the afternoon trying to mount the apex nicely and then configure stuff but failed miserably.
Will say that whilst the app tries to walk you through stuff the lack of instructions is a bit of a pain, even the card in the box took me to a dead website.
Still trying to work out whether to remove these cap things or if they're part of it etc. There's some liquid in there and stuff. Nothing on google but yet to trawl through neptune forums.

Cant get my temp sensor to work properly. Its telling me its -6 degrees even after changing to celcius and trying to calibrate numerous times. Salinity sensor doesnt even appear to be showing up as connected to try and configure and im too wrecked after today.

Will do more reading tonight or tomorrow and attempt again.

 

[shadyraro]

It can be quite an overwhelming experience setting up an apex for the first time, but when u figure it out it will all make sense and be a breeze to navigate.
The probe covers come off they’re just on to stop them drying out, and with your temp probe let the calibration fluid sit in your sump for 20 mins or so before calibration. If your inkbird temp is accurate use that reading to help with your setup that’s what I did.

 

[DarkReefer]

It can be quite an overwhelming experience setting up an apex for the first time, but when u figure it out it will all make sense and be a breeze to navigate.
The probe covers come off they’re just on to stop them drying out, and with your temp probe let the calibration fluid sit in your sump for 20 mins or so before calibration. If your inkbird temp is accurate use that reading to help with your setup that’s what I did.

Oh definitely, a lot going on but as you say I'm sure it'll get easier the more I use the app. Seems okay to navigate for the most part, just need to learn what is where and so on.

Okay, thanks. So I don't need to calibrate the ORP just untwist and plop it into the holder and away she goes?
I think I read the pH needs to be calibrated using the ph7 and ph10 satchels that came with it.

With the temp probe, you mention a calibration fluid but I didn't get any? Do you mean just pulling out some tank water into a separate container and using that?

I've just checked my apex again and noticed I'd plugged the temp into one of the 4-channel variable speed/dimming pots (didn't see the actual temp port as the ph and orp connections were in the way - Guess that's what happens when you're tired as hell and trying to do something, so stupid haha). Got there in the end and it seems to be calibrating. Also noticed it seems to take a bit to update when doing the calibration and yeah just matched it to the inkbird, got nothing else to match it to and that'll be 'close enough is good enough' for now.

Salinity probe just doesn't want to show up though in the conductivity probe calibration or dissolved oxygen probe... checked that it was seated properly, so not sure what's going on there.. maybe it's a dud...

 

[shadyraro]

Sorry I meant the salinity probe fluid not temp probe.
Yeah ORP probe goes straight in, pH probe needs to be calibrated and make sure you enable the TC in the advanced tab as you have a temp probe connected and this just compensates for the change in temp.
All the probes plug into the apex brain and with your salinity probe you'll probably have to unlock the tile for it and drag it into your dashboard, just click on the padlock and it opens up all new or unused tiles.

I know it sounds confusing but YouTube and the Neptune forums saved my sanity lol, but I did find that using a computer was a lot easier than the app initially when setting it up as it was easier to navigate hence why my work computer has the fusion tab there lol. But now it's all setup the app is fine, I'm still learning myself as there's so nuch you can do on the platform.
Where did you end up buying it from?

 

[JonoH]

Found these over the weekend when i was deep diving on getting an Apex for myself!

https://sentrytechnology.com.au/product/sentry-power-strip/

 

[DarkReefer]

Sorry I meant the salinity probe fluid not temp probe.
Yeah ORP probe goes straight in, pH probe needs to be calibrated and make sure you enable the TC in the advanced tab as you have a temp probe connected and this just compensates for the change in temp.
All the probes plug into the apex brain and with your salinity probe you'll probably have to unlock the tile for it and drag it into your dashboard, just click on the padlock and it opens up all new or unused tiles.

I know it sounds confusing but YouTube and the Neptune forums saved my sanity lol, but I did find that using a computer was a lot easier than the app initially when setting it up as it was easier to navigate hence why my work computer has the fusion tab there lol. But now it's all setup the app is fine, I'm still learning myself as there's so nuch you can do on the platform.
Where did you end up buying it from?

Ahh okay, I didn't realise I needed salinity probe fluid to calibrate. So I'm gonna have to order that.
The ORP & pH probes went in this morning, good to finally see readings for that.
I know ORP isn't something people really look into a lot, but from the ranges I'm seeing online they say 300-450 but mine is currently sitting at around 180 and that's after it's spent about 40 mins in the tank and has gradually
moved down.

pH seems to be sitting around 7.75, which is low, but will see if it changes once the lights come on and ramp up later on. I did suspect this would be on the lower side though. My manual tests usually indicate around 7.8-8.0. Looks like that TC thing is on by default for me.

Everything is plugged into the brain, but for some reason salinity probe still not visible. Will play with it some more tonight and try wriggle some wires a bit or give the probe some light taps and see if it suddenly comes alive. Might have to check out the PC app tonight too, haven't checked that out yet.
Got it from Eastwood, really wish it was much closer though. Especially when it looks like I'll probably have to make a trip back again sooner than I would've liked to sort out this probe if I can't do it tonight! I know I can't calibrate it yet (due to needing fluid) but it should at least show that it recognises it's there.

Found these over the weekend when i was deep diving on getting an Apex for myself!

https://sentrytechnology.com.au/product/sentry-power-strip/

Oh nice, I think I've seen these recently. Maybe @shadyraro mentioned it before.
I don't think I need those currently though. Don't have any other modules at the moment so just using the normal Cade power strips, they are all full now that I've added the apex though so any new gear in future I'll probably need to think about it.

 

[JonoH]

Ahh okay, I didn't realise I needed salinity probe fluid to calibrate. So I'm gonna have to order that.
The ORP & pH probes went in this morning, good to finally see readings for that.
I know ORP isn't something people really look into a lot, but from the ranges I'm seeing online they say 300-450 but mine is currently sitting at around 180 and that's after it's spent about 40 mins in the tank and has gradually
moved down.

pH seems to be sitting around 7.75, which is low, but will see if it changes once the lights come on and ramp up later on. I did suspect this would be on the lower side though. My manual tests usually indicate around 7.8-8.0. Looks like that TC thing is on by default for me.

Everything is plugged into the brain, but for some reason salinity probe still not visible. Will play with it some more tonight and try wriggle some wires a bit or give the probe some light taps and see if it suddenly comes alive. Might have to check out the PC app tonight too, haven't checked that out yet.
Got it from Eastwood, really wish it was much closer though. Especially when it looks like I'll probably have to make a trip back again sooner than I would've liked to sort out this probe if I can't do it tonight! I know I can't calibrate it yet (due to needing fluid) but it should at least show that it recognises it's there.



Oh nice, I think I've seen these recently. Maybe @shadyraro mentioned it before.
I don't think I need those currently though. Don't have any other modules at the moment so just using the normal Cade power strips, they are all full now that I've added the apex though so any new gear in future I'll probably need to think about it.

From what i understand - you would only need the energy bar for things you cannot turn off within the Neptune ecosystem - which wouldnt be much, maybe heaters etc.

But you could get around that with a wifi plug anyway - just wouldnt be 'within' the app to turn it off.

If you have the Hanna salinity solutions you could use these to calibrate the neptune?

 

[DarkReefer]

From what i understand - you would only need the energy bar for things you cannot turn off within the Neptune ecosystem - which wouldnt be much, maybe heaters etc.

But you could get around that with a wifi plug anyway - just wouldnt be 'within' the app to turn it off.

If you have the Hanna salinity solutions you could use these to calibrate the neptune?

You could connect all your powerheads/return pump/skimmer etc. to it as well then use the app as a universal 'feed mode/water change' type thing to turn everything off so you can complete certain tasks.
I've always just used the switchboard on the side of the cabinet for that though, but yeah lots you can do with it ultimately. Depends how heavy you go with tech/set ups and commands and so on.

One day I'd like to be able to get to the point it does auto water changes on top of the testing etc. Will probably be a long time off though, but both and the missus dread water change day at the moment because it's just such a hassle lol. We have a 'system' to do it and it's not particularly painful, but we both hate having to move the hose around and the like. Would just be nice to press a button or set up automation to do it over a week or two.

Don't have any hanna salinity solution either unfortunately as I don't use their tester for that. Have just used the usual refractometer (which is also another reason I was excited for a probe to see how it would compare).

 

[shadyraro]

Ahh okay, I didn't realise I needed salinity probe fluid to calibrate. So I'm gonna have to order that.
The ORP & pH probes went in this morning, good to finally see readings for that.
I know ORP isn't something people really look into a lot, but from the ranges I'm seeing online they say 300-450 but mine is currently sitting at around 180 and that's after it's spent about 40 mins in the tank and has gradually
moved down.

pH seems to be sitting around 7.75, which is low, but will see if it changes once the lights come on and ramp up later on. I did suspect this would be on the lower side though. My manual tests usually indicate around 7.8-8.0. Looks like that TC thing is on by default for me.

Everything is plugged into the brain, but for some reason salinity probe still not visible. Will play with it some more tonight and try wriggle some wires a bit or give the probe some light taps and see if it suddenly comes alive. Might have to check out the PC app tonight too, haven't checked that out yet.
Got it from Eastwood, really wish it was much closer though. Especially when it looks like I'll probably have to make a trip back again sooner than I would've liked to sort out this probe if I can't do it tonight! I know I can't calibrate it yet (due to needing fluid) but it should at least show that it recognises it's there.

Yeah I was the same re the salinity calibration fluid as I didn't have any either lol, the probe will be in your app you just got to unlock the tiles to get to it.
Also it works out cheaper buying the 3 pack of calibration fluids rather than individually.
My probes were the same with the initial low readings but I was told the probes take a few days to bed in and they did, I was also told to re-calibrate them after a week and they all work great now.

Eastwood is where I got my trident from as Bespoke were sold out, and like you said on the weekend I had to wait 10 mins for a park as I think the tyre shop next door had a sale on lol.

 

[DarkReefer]

Yeah I was the same re the salinity calibration fluid as I didn't have any either lol, the probe will be in your app you just got to unlock the tiles to get to it.
Also it works out cheaper buying the 3 pack of calibration fluids rather than individually.
My probes were the same with the initial low readings but I was told the probes take a few days to bed in and they did, I was also told to re-calibrate them after a week and they all work great now.

Eastwood is where I got my trident from as Bespoke were sold out, and like you said on the weekend I had to wait 10 mins for a park as I think the tyre shop next door had a sale on lol.

You'd think they'd package the fluid with the probe at least... everyone buying a new probe is going to have to calibrate it so why be cheap ***** about it lol
I think I saw it's like $20 for the pack of 3 anyway.
I feel like the probe isn't there for me. If it was, it should show up in the task menu when I go to calibrate the conductivity (because you have to select the probe), but it's not showing anything there, so there's nothing to select when I press the padlock to unlock the dashboard (just a bunch of switches and some other bits).

Good to know, I'll just continue to monitor them over the next few days then and see how it gets on.
I don't know if you thought the same, but I had a brief browse last night of the neptune forums and found them to be quite... lacking. Lots of info, but seems a lot of it's from posts made years ago and the like. Perhaps it hasn't changed how things are done and that's why, just seemed ...odd.

Ah nice, they had some there on the weekend and would've loved to grab one, but I really didn't feel like adding another $1500 to my bill... maybe in another month or so lol.
I did like 2 loops trying to find parking and then just gave up (I have limited patience lol). I feel like Eastwood has better coral selection than I've ever seen in Bespoke too. Eastwood I've only been to twice I think so perhaps it's luck of the draw but Bespoke I've been to a bunch and whilst it's such a massive store with a heap of stuff I feel like their coral and sometimes even their marine fish selection has been quite lacking.

 

[shadyraro]

Yeah I know right! I couldn’t believe you pay that much for a probe and they didn’t put in calibration fluid lol.
Click on the thermometer symbol which takes you to inputs page and you should be able to see all the probes and switches in there, I find it easier doing it this way and you have to enable it.
Eastwood definitely has better coral and fish, they just need a bigger store lol.

 

[DarkReefer]

Yeah I know right! I couldn’t believe you pay that much for a probe and they didn’t put in calibration fluid lol.
Click on the thermometer symbol which takes you to inputs page and you should be able to see all the probes and switches in there, I find it easier doing it this way and you have to enable it.
Eastwood definitely has better coral and fish, they just need a bigger store lol.

Oh you legend, that was it. I can't believe it's a different process for that one. All the other probes it's the same, but then that one... hey how about you do it this completely weird way instead!
Thank goodness it's not a dud probe at least. I just need to calibrate it and then should be good to go. Cheers for that.
Haha, I'm not too fussed about the store itself being bigger (maybe a little so they can have more dry goods but they didn't seem too badly stocked considering the space), just wish it were like 15-20 mins from me!!!

 

[JonoH]

I've been to Bespoke believe it or not!
I'm actually Sydney born and bred, used to live in Seven Hills, then moved out to Annangrove.
Still visit once a year at Christmas to see my family!
A few years ago i picked up a 6 foot HMS rail from Bespoke because it was easier than trying to get one on-line!

Will have to visit Eastwood next time i'm in town! Its just hard visiting and not buying coral...

You guys are making me really consider an Apex now though! I actually already run COR pumps on my tank!

 

[shadyraro]

Oh you legend, that was it. I can't believe it's a different process for that one. All the other probes it's the same, but then that one... hey how about you do it this completely weird way instead!
Thank goodness it's not a dud probe at least. I just need to calibrate it and then should be good to go. Cheers for that.
Haha, I'm not too fussed about the store itself being bigger (maybe a little so they can have more dry goods but they didn't seem too badly stocked considering the space), just wish it were like 15-20 mins from me!!!

Hey no problem I'm happy to help!
Once it's calibrated you'll be good to go, pity you don't live closer as I have some spare salinity calibrations sitting in a box lol.
Yeah Eastwood is a good store and sunni is great and she looks after you, Bespoke is 10 mins from my place so it's good if I need anything urgently.

 

[shadyraro]

I've been to Bespoke believe it or not!
I'm actually Sydney born and bred, used to live in Seven Hills, then moved out to Annangrove.
Still visit once a year at Christmas to see my family!
A few years ago i picked up a 6 foot HMS rail from Bespoke because it was easier than trying to get one on-line!

Will have to visit Eastwood next time i'm in town! Its just hard visiting and not buying coral...

You guys are making me really consider an Apex now though! I actually already run COR pumps on my tank!

My next purchase will be a Cor-15 as my S2 is on it's way out unfortunately, I might pop in after work as they have them in stock.
How are you liking the Cor?

 

[JonoH]

My next purchase will be a Cor-15 as my S2 is on it's way out unfortunately, I might pop in after work as they have them in stock.
How are you liking the Cor?

Its been running for 2 years non-stop with no issues...actually it did the transformer in, but I managed to get a replacement from Jaycar!

Have only taken it apart about a year ago for a clean and it was still pretty good.

 

[DarkReefer]

I've been to Bespoke believe it or not!
I'm actually Sydney born and bred, used to live in Seven Hills, then moved out to Annangrove.
Still visit once a year at Christmas to see my family!
A few years ago i picked up a 6 foot HMS rail from Bespoke because it was easier than trying to get one on-line!

Will have to visit Eastwood next time i'm in town! Its just hard visiting and not buying coral...

You guys are making me really consider an Apex now though! I actually already run COR pumps on my tank!

Yeah nice! It's probably one of the larger shops overall for our hobby (and related items) that I've seen, but a lot of it is just taken up with empty tanks on display also. If they could get on top of their corals, livestock & maintain stock levels they'd be hard to beat.
Definitely check out Eastwood next time, the store is tiny by comparison, but I feel like the quality is much better.
Could always visit, and then box it up to travel back with you :P

In the less than 24hrs I've had it set up. I'm enjoying that I can just jump onto my phone or browser online and look at tank info and data. Even more so looking forward to when I get the trident happening and can see testing information too.
Because they've been around for ages I feel like a lot of the information is glossed over for newbies a little in some aspects (such as what the heck I find the salinity probe to turn it on..... like why is that a thing), if it wasn't for Shady, I don't think I would've found it without contacting support or something. Everything I googled on it didn't seem to be what I was looking for. That being said, after a day of messing about it's up and running so... not the end of the world either.

Hey no problem I'm happy to help!
Once it's calibrated you'll be good to go, pity you don't live closer as I have some spare salinity calibrations sitting in a box lol.
Yeah Eastwood is a good store and sunni is great and she looks after you, Bespoke is 10 mins from my place so it's good if I need anything urgently.

Haha dang, oh well. I've just ordered one of the 3 packet calibration kits so hopefully get that within the next few days. I'll just have to be patient (not my strongest trait) lol.
Living close is nice, I remember living like 5-7 mins tops from my local when I was in Perth, visited almost every weekend when I was getting into the hobby. Spent a lot of money haha. It's probably not a bad thing I live a bit further away these days.

Its been running for 2 years non-stop with no issues...actually it did the transformer in, but I managed to get a replacement from Jaycar!

Have only taken it apart about a year ago for a clean and it was still pretty good.

You remind me I need to pull my return pump out and give it a good clean. It's been running for the better part of 2 years without being touched LOL... oops.

Tonight I'm planning to play with my skimmer and try and tune it better. Haven't been happy with how it's skimming still and the fact I've got nitrates continuing to climb means I've probably not got it set properly so will have to have another go at it.

 

[DarkReefer]

So I attempted to play with the skimmer a bit last night but I just couldn't seem to get it to do what I really wanted.
This is where I ended up with it but still not 100% happy with it. Was really hoping to dial in some thick heavy foaming action.


I also finally installed a motion light in the cabinet, so no more having to use my phone flashlight when I'm checking it out in the dark. Little concerned whether the double sided tape will eventually give out, but it seemed quite sturdy when I tried to grab at it and the tape only holds some metal pieces that the lights magnetise to quite strongly so fingers crossed I don't end up with a light in the sump lol.

 

[shadyraro]

Your skimmer water level looks too high, I have mine set at the neck so the white bit where the cup fits onto.
I find when I set it there in a couple hours it starts foaming up really good and stays that way until I clean it next, maybe give that a go.

 

[DarkReefer]

Your skimmer water level looks too high, I have mine set at the neck so the white bit where the cup fits onto.
I find when I set it there in a couple hours it starts foaming up really good and stays that way until I clean it next, maybe give that a go.

Thanks, I'll give that a go tonight and see if that helps.
Just couldn't seem to get it to foam better last night.
Ended up changing the DC controller to max in the end tried a few different things, even dropping it down to 9, but nothing seemed to work well. Maybe the head height and something to do with that as you say so will turn down the little twisty valve to try and lower it some and see how that gets on.

Even played with the little screw in the air thing but that seems to be more of a fine tune thing from what I gathered.