What are you using your Apex for? (1 Viewer)

[cobraden]

Hi all,

I have had an apex for a while now and its a neat little system. This is by no means a negative post about apex.

My question is, what are you using yours for? I know it can do a lot more than I have it doing and thus don't really feel that I'm currently getting much value from it.

All it does for me right now, is act as a timer for my lights, tell me the temp and Ph and turn on fans/turn off lights to if the tank starts to get too warm.

I don't really want to go and pay a ton of $ for equipment that will work with apex that I already have filling the function. Example, my $20 eheim fish feeder does a great job when I need it, I don't think I need a $100 Apex fish feeder. I also have my corals growing using basic black box LEDs so I don't feel the need to spend $500+ on new lights that my Apex can control.

I am setting up a new system and trying to see how I can get more value out of the apex.

How are you maximizing value with yours?

 

[d2mini]

I use GHL but regardless, one of the best uses of a controller is setting it up for tank safety. Use the email/text alerts to alert you of problems like loss of power, temp out of range, water on the floor, low ATO, ph out of range, etc.
In practice, let's say you are at work and you get a notification that your temp is 86 degrees. Your heater is stuck on. Now you can turn off the socket its plugged into and investigate when you get home, adverting what could have been a disaster.
You can also check in on the tank when out of town just for peace of mind. Again, if a problem arrises, you can have a friend, family member, or maybe even your LFS run by and take care of things.

 

[Diesel]

Temperature, control.

Leak detection.

Overflow sensors for sump, tank, skimmer, ATO.

Email, text Alerts for everything that is connected to the tank through APEX.

Pump flow.

ALK, CAL and MAG control

IMO the main thing is that it can alert you when you're not at your tank and you can take action by shutting things down if necessary till you get home.
For doing so you need to have most pieces of equipment setup on the APEX if not all.

It's not when something happens but If it happens............... only than you have total control.

 

[GotFrogs]

Radion Light control
Moon lights
Vortech powerhead control
Return DC pump control (reduce flow at night and during feeding)
Leak detection
Feed mode
Protein skimmer control (shuts off if sump level is too high and during feeding)
2-part dosing
Temperature control (heaters and fan)
Auto top-off
Alerts (leaks, temperature, salinity, pH, ORP, low dosing containers, sump level high or low)
Room light switch

I absolutely love my Apex controllers and attempt to connect all of my equipment to it.

 

[Reefahholic]

Dude, that is some clean wiring! Can you come do mine?!? Seriously, can you post more pics of how you have the wires ran. I think my only problem is the wire length. I wish every piece of equipment had 10-12 of wire.

Radion Light control
Moon lights
Vortech powerhead control
Return DC pump control (reduce flow at night and during feeding)
Leak detection
Feed mode
Protein skimmer control (shuts off if sump level is too high and during feeding)
2-part dosing
Temperature control (heaters and fan)
Auto top-off
Alerts (leaks, temperature, salinity, pH, ORP, low dosing containers, sump level high or low)
Room light switch

I absolutely love my Apex controllers and attempt to connect all of my equipment to it.

 

[Reefahholic]

I control Temp, PH, Pumps, Skimmer, TopOff, ATO, Lights, High and Low water levels, High and Low PH alerts, Power Outage alerts, etc.