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Apex !!! WTH are you doing !!!


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  1. #11
    slapshot - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Actually Bulk Reef Supplies has a pretty good video they are running about the 10 most common reasons for failure that really explains how you can use a controller to avoid most of them.

    http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/...t=brstv_062313
    Last edited by slapshot; 06-23-2013 at 10:58 AM.

  2. #12
    binford4000 - Reefkeeper
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    Quote Originally Posted by jimsflies View Post
    The key to automation is to build in redundancy and fail safes. For example, Binford's built in thermostats on his heaters should be set barely above the temp that he wants to maintain so that they will not heat the tank beyond that even if the controller is calling for heat. Further, code should be added to the controller to deal with potential absurd (clearly erroneous readings...probe failure). For example, if temp < 60, then heater off and alarm condition. And if he is controlling anything based on pH that should be programmed in as well....e.g., If pH <7.5, then kalk off (and if pH >8.5 kalk off).
    +1 Jim, issue is that even tho I have programmed the absurd values to send alarms as you suggested which I have done the unit still ignored it's programming other then base commands. Had the unit do the same thing just an hour ago but this time the controller would not recognize commands from the phone or I Pad. Unplugged again and rebooted it,running as it should again. The finnex controller fail safe idea worked exactly as I hoped. I would not recommend dousing with any controller unless it was designed for it. I.E. spectra pure's unit or something similar. Yikes if I used my apex for dousing everything would be dead with how this thing is acting! Lol

    If your running any controller and use it to control the heat I strongly recommend a fail safe as I did. If it was not for the chiller I would have 250 gallons of fish and coral soup. I truly got lucky with the chiller being able to handle the temp the way it did. I am now thinking like NASA ,fail safe,fail safe,fail safe......

  3. #13
    jimsflies - Reefkeeper
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    How about setting the heaters' thermostats to the just above the apex set point?

  4. #14

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    I understand why people use controllers don't get me wrong. I am just old school and hands on, on my approach towards reefing. That's what's great about the hobby you have low tech and high tech. I just don't trust alot of electronics to last these days especially around saltwater moisture lol.

  5. #15
    binford4000 - Reefkeeper
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    Quote Originally Posted by jimsflies View Post
    How about setting the heaters' thermostats to the just above the apex set point?
    Took that advice to heart Jim.Set it like that as soon as I read your post.Worked like a charm. Neptunes web site is down so we'll have to wait tell Monday to start the agravation.lol Good idea
    Last edited by binford4000; 06-24-2013 at 12:02 AM.

  6. #16
    binford4000 - Reefkeeper
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    Quote Originally Posted by BlackGrandPrix View Post
    I understand why people use controllers don't get me wrong. I am just old school and hands on, on my approach towards reefing. That's what's great about the hobby you have low tech and high tech. I just don't trust alot of electronics to last these days especially around saltwater moisture lol.
    I see what your saying honestly. The Apex is a great tool just as other control systems are. With all the kids gone the Apex has allowed me and my wife to enjoy our empty nest without being to concerned about the ten thousand dollars we have invested in our tank. It also has made finding tank sitters much easier. It's hard to get reefer friends to return sitting and feeding time !!! As is the case in much of life they find reasons why they can't..Our true friends don"t mind doing it but are always very nervous knowing how much investment is involved and they have both said they feel much better knowing I am checking in on the tablet or phone from time to time and I can look up the history to answer concerns if they arrive.Besides it is fun to turn the lights off on them from Hawaii or where ever we are.I do agree that I have become very dependant on the Apex and feel I need to give more thought to better back up control that is not dependant on a computer to do everything and use the Apex more for distant observation then total control if that makes sense.

  7. #17
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    David

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    Chuck...ordering mine Friday.
    Been nervous ever since we talked about it this weekend!!

  8. #18
    binford4000 - Reefkeeper
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    Ok got the newest firm ware installed and got the Apex running on it. I tried to explain several times to neptune that I believe there's a serious programing flaw.The controler has clipped or froze eight times in the last three days. What I find strange and why I believe there is an issue with the controlers base program is everytime the unit reads the same 16 F on the temp and 2.6 Ph. I find this to be more then a freak situation regardless of the conversation I had with the rep I spoke too. Not the most impressive trouble shooter and seamed very confused during most of the conversation other then he was sure that it had nothing to do with the programing. FYI-- I did change the temp probe and the Ph probe with new ones on Sunday.Hopefully this new firm ware will correct the issue.I will keep ya posted !

  9. #19
    binford4000 - Reefkeeper
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    Default Firm ware update failure

    Well did the update and seamed to be working fine tell just before we left for a week on the bike in the up and northern Wisconsin. Got a text alarm that the temp was 16f and the Ph was 2.6 again!! Arghh went and bought a new Apex and figured I could save my profiles and download them to a new one ! Directions say you can. LOL as usual it just doesn't work as planed. Regardless,spent several hours reprogramming the new one after the downloading failed. Got it going and left the rest up to fate. Plan on sending the old one back on Moday. Just what I need another controller to collect dust. Well at least I will ave a back up. I will update this when I get the old one fixed. Unfourtanetly this is to be continued....

  10. #20
    MizTanks - Reefkeeper
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    Default Apex !!! WTH are you doing !!!

    Quit the on going saga-Days of our Tanks


    Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk
    There's nothing like being a Reefer! www.upmmas.com

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