Neptune Apex Saves Another Tank

[Reefer Matt]

I had a tank malfunction this morning. I received a low temp alarm for one of my frag tanks on my Apex. Thinking the heater went out again, I went downstairs to investigate. To my surprise, it wasn’t the heater. The return pump had failed. I have a separate sump on this system, and the heater is in the sump, with the temp probe in the tank. I did that on purpose for when this day came. It’s not a question of if something will break, but when.

The Neptune Apex saved another one of my tanks. Luckily I had an alternative pump to make due until a new one comes in. Looking at the power graph, I can see the moment the pump failed. This could have been much worse had I not had a controller to alert me. I was getting up to head to work for the day, and wouldn’t have seen this tank in the basement.

 

[Science/G]

Technology to the rescue!

 

[SnowyFox]

My temp probe is currently down in the sump. Starting to think I should move it up to the display soon based on this. Did you put yours in the overflow box to keep it hidden? Just trying to figure out the best place to mount it at in the display

 

[LavenderTi]

I setup an alarm on my Apex if the pump wattage drops below a certain threshold. This lets me know if the pump cuts out and I lose flow. I had a friend who didn't know their return pump wasn't operating while they were on a trip.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I setup an alarm on my Apex if the pump wattage drops below a certain threshold. This lets me know if the pump cuts out and I lose flow. I had a friend who didn't know their return pump wasn't operating while they were on a trip.

That’s a good option too, and can also save a tank.

 

[Reefer Matt]

My temp probe is currently down in the sump. Starting to think I should move it up to the display soon based on this. Did you put yours in the overflow box to keep it hidden? Just trying to figure out the best place to mount it at in the display

My temp probes are zip tied to the overflow weir inside the tank.

 

[exnisstech]

My temp probes are zip tied to the overflow weir inside the tank.

You have me rethinking mine now which are in the sump. I only have inkbirds but they are WiFi so I can get notifications.

 

[Reefer Matt]

You have me rethinking mine now which are in the sump. I only have inkbirds but they are WiFi so I can get notifications.

That’s what I had previously before getting the controller, they work great. I prefer the temp probe in the tank so if the return doesn’t run, the drop in temp will trip the alarm on a sump run tank, because the heater is in the sump.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

My $40 inkbird would have done the same

 

[mjszos]

You have me rethinking mine now which are in the sump. I only have inkbirds but they are WiFi so I can get notifications.

I know you're supposed to keep the probes together, but I have 1 in the sump and 1 attached to the weir with a ziptie.

 

[exnisstech]

I know you're supposed to keep the probes together, but I have 1 in the sump and 1 attached to the weir with a ziptie.

Hmm that sounds like a good idea. It think it will set a difference in temp alert before a low temp alert maybe?

 

[rtparty]

My last few tanks all ran multiple temp probes. One in the sump and one in the display.

I also had an LLS in my return chamber. So if the return stopped, it would raise the level and I would get an alarm

 

[Reefer Matt]

My $40 inkbird would have done the same

No doubt! I have the Apex for other reasons, but this is another example why any controller can save a tank.

 

[mjszos]

Hmm that sounds like a good idea. It think it will set a difference in temp alert before a low temp alert maybe?

I have a minor differential set between the 2 probes, with an alarm being 1 degree higher than the lower temp probe. The higher temp probe is the chamber of my return pump, the lower temp probe is in zip tied to my weir.