New to Apex Jr.

[jasonrusso]

So I am picking up my Apex Jr from my LFS on Thursday. Here is what I want to do.

I have a 210 with 2 300w Aqua via heaters (analog version). Only one of the heaters runs (due to my equipment in the sump which makes it's own heat), and the other is a backup. I have one set at 78 and the other around 76. This way if I see the other heater on, I know my primary has failed. However, this setup does not protect against the heaters getting stuck on.

What I want to do (and hope I can with programming), put the primary heater on plug 1, backup on plug 2. Run the heaters on their own thermostats as they are now, but program in a power cut-off if the temperature gets to 80 degrees.

Further, I'll add a monitor to plug 2 to let me know if it is drawing any current. This way I know that the backup heater is on and there is a problem with the primary heater.

Also, I want to plug the pump for my carbon reactor into plug 3 so I can turn it on and off as desired if I am dosing medication or the like.

Is this kind of customization possible with this system? I run an ISY for my home automation and an ELK M1 for my security so I am pretty good with writing programs and rules.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Yes, I believe you can do all of these things pretty easily with the Apex Jr. Do you know if the Apex Jr can utilize Fusion (sorry, I the standard Apex)?

 

[jasonrusso]

Yes, I believe you can do all of these things pretty easily with the Apex Jr. Do you know if the Apex Jr can utilize Fusion (sorry, I the standard Apex)?

I called Neptune and they said it could.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I called Neptune and they said it could.

They said it could do the controls you want or access Fusion?

 

[jasonrusso]

I can use fusion. The app description lists the Apex Jr.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Good. Then for the heaters, you will just set up a basic heater control with a temperature setpoint above where each heater is set:
Fallback OFF
If Temp < 79.0 Then ON
If Temp > 80 Then OFF

For the pump, a standard pump control logic should suffice. You just login to Fusion to turn the pump off or on with the slider.

 

[jasonrusso]

So I can use the app (or pc) to manually control an outlet. That's what I want.

And then I'll set up temperature and current alerts.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Absolutely. It just has sliders that you can move to On/Off/Auto :) I'd show you a screen shot, but my internet is out at the house :/

 

[leepink23]

Everything you listed is very easy with the apex jr, it does work with fusion. Just need to be able to connect the apex to the Internet either by direct plug into the router or with a wireless adapter.

 

[azbigjohn]

The Neptune Message Boards are AWESOME for sample programs and settings. Not that I want you to not stick around here for answers, but there are tons of examples there!

 

[jasonrusso]

The Neptune Message Boards are AWESOME for sample programs and settings. Not that I want you to not stick around here for answers, but there are tons of examples there!

Are those the forums on Neptune's site?

 

[jasonrusso]

Everything you listed is very easy with the apex jr, it does work with fusion. Just need to be able to connect the apex to the Internet either by direct plug into the router or with a wireless adapter.

Already bought and set up the wifi expander. I already have 30 devices on my network, what's one more? Fyi, ASUS routers are by far the best in the industry. If you are looking to upgrade, don't think twice.

 

[azbigjohn]

Are those the forums on Neptune's site?

Yes. https://forum.neptunesystems.com/

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Here's what the Fusion dashboard looks like. I use it to turn off my heaters, skimmer, and return pump during water changes. Otherwise, they are always in the ON or AUTO position, depending on the control scheme. I think this will easily do what you want:

The email or text alarms can be configured if your heaters come on for too long or if the backup comes on at all.

 

[jasonrusso]

Here's what the Fusion dashboard looks like. I use it to turn off my heaters, skimmer, and return pump during water changes. Otherwise, they are always in the ON or AUTO position, depending on the control scheme. I think this will easily do what you want:

The email or text alarms can be configured if your heaters come on for too long or if the backup comes on at all.

That looks like it will work well for me. That's a much more advanced setup than I am planning. I'm only running a FOWLR. With the JR you can buy expansion modules to do what you want (pH, salinity, I/o), so if I feel the need for expansion I can do that.

I have a Current IC light so that has it's own controller. I have a separate ATO on a timer so I don't really need that yet. I can always buy the 8 outlet expansion if I want to add more and connect it via the aquabus. They all use the same interface.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

That looks like it will work well for me. That's a much more advanced setup than I am planning. I'm only running a FOWLR. With the JR you can buy expansion modules to do what you want (pH, salinity, I/o), so if I feel the need for expansion I can do that.

I have a Current IC light so that has it's own controller. I have a separate ATO on a timer so I don't really need that yet. I can always buy the 8 outlet expansion if I want to add more and connect it via the aquabus. They all use the same interface.

Good. And you can also install a backup float switch that kills the ATO if activated on a high high water level, if you wanted. You would just need an I/O breakout box, a switch, and a spare outlet on your EB4.

 

[leepink23]

That looks like it will work well for me. That's a much more advanced setup than I am planning. I'm only running a FOWLR. With the JR you can buy expansion modules to do what you want (pH, salinity, I/o), so if I feel the need for expansion I can do that.

I have a Current IC light so that has it's own controller. I have a separate ATO on a timer so I don't really need that yet. I can always buy the 8 outlet expansion if I want to add more and connect it via the aquabus. They all use the same interface.

Just keep in mind you can only expand up to 8 modules, I had to expand from the junior to the new apex because I didn't realize when adding the wav pumps it counted as 3 modules, 2 for the 2 pumps and 1 for the module to connect them. The 8 Outlet expansion is 1 module. I didn't realize this when I started out.

 

[jasonrusso]

Just keep in mind you can only expand up to 8 modules, I had to expand from the junior to the new apex because I didn't realize when adding the wav pumps it counted as 3 modules, 2 for the 2 pumps and 1 for the module to connect them. The 8 Outlet expansion is 1 module. I didn't realize this when I started out.

So if I add an energy bar 8, and 2 wave pumps, that is considered 3 modules?

I don't really plan on expanding that much, but it's nice to know.

My current light allows me to add wave pumps, so I would use that first

 

[leepink23]

So if I add an energy bar 8, and 2 wave pumps, that is considered 3 modules?

I don't really plan on expanding that much, but it's nice to know.

My current light allows me to add wave pumps, so I would use that first

If you bought 2 apex wav pumps that would be 3 modules, 2 for the pumps and 1 for the module to connect to them. If you bought an energy bar that would count as a 1 module. So in that scenario you would have 4 total modules. If you have a display plugged in that would be a 5th module in this scenario.

 

[jasonrusso]

If you bought 2 apex wav pumps that would be 3 modules, 2 for the pumps and 1 for the module to connect to them. If you bought an energy bar that would count as a 1 module. So in that scenario you would have 4 total modules. If you have a display plugged in that would be a 5th module in this scenario.

Ok, so the energy bar counts as 1 module, but I can have 8 devices plugged in. So basically, I can hook up an I/o switch to a ph module, add an energy bar and write programs off the I/o inputs. That would be 3 modules plus the display