Tank Automation, Apex Controller

[aquafrogstuff]

Hello Forum.

I recently came across the Apex Neptune controller (https://www.neptunesystems.com) and installed it 9weeks ago on my 6ft planted discus tank. Key functional requirements were:-
1. Automated water changes;
2. LED lighting control with sunrise and sunset;
3. Accurate pH monitoring and CO2 dosing control;
4. Accurate water temp monitoring and control;
5. Automatic fish feeding with pump stop to prevent food dispersion;
6. Audible alarms for abnormal conditions (for pH, temp, water level etc);
7. Email notification of alarms and events;
8. Planned maintenance regime and event tracker;
9. Internet access to the tank controller for monitoring

I don’t represent Apex but I have to say I’m pretty impressed with their gear and how this controller handles these functions. Their systems are designed more for marine applications, but suitable for freshwater. One thing I’m particularly impressed with is the tight pH and temperature control which keeps the tank environment consistent. There’s other add-ons such as video streaming, leak detection and expansion modules etc you can see all this on their website. A downside of course with having probes in the tank is that it makes look more 'industrial'. A problem somewhat solved with sumps etc, that's a future endeavour for me. I’ve also been quite impressed with the support and documentation. For a product that occupies a fair niche, the info is comprehensive as well as an active forum where you get can assistance and ideas.

Automatic water changes are handled with solenoid valves that drain to storm water and fill from a rainwater tank. Water changes are programmed for twice a week starting at 7pm when I’m around (just in case). Water level control comes from float switches that indicate LowLow, Low, High and HighHigh states. Redundancy is built in by having a timing function to ensure the solenoids close even if there’s an issue getting float switch state change. During the water change, the primary pump is turned off to prevent water splash.

Lighting control is via an analog 0-10V signal from the Apex controller to a LED driver (Meanwell LPF-60D) which is powered from the Apex Energy Board. Sunrise is initiated late morning for an hour to 100% light intensity which remains for the day and initiates sunset at 7pm before turning off at 8pm. The Apex controller can handle up to 4 analog outputs with module add-ons if required.
pH monitoring is via a lab grade probe which is calibrated before use. pH dosing is via a CO2 solenoid valve connected to a BOC lease tank. Control parameters can be whatever you like and warnings as well as alarms are customised within bands so that radical dips in pH, say, will generate immediate audible alarms and email notification.

Temp monitoring is pretty straight forward. The control element of temperature is the turning on and off of the 300W heater. The heater thermostat is set 2deg higher than the upper threshold being monitored and controlled by the Apex unit. This just ensures the tank doesn’t overheat. The reason for having the heater hanging off the controller is more about the accuracy of the probe monitoring. I have found you can maintain the average tank temperature within 1.5deg continuously.

Fish feeding is by an Apex auto feeder that connects to the controller. The feeder’s function is not far from what you get with an Eheim equivalent and the Apex is far nosier when it operates. It does have a food holder that extends out before it rotates. The holder has a foam seal that is intended to keep the food fresh. What I liked about the Apex feeder is the ability to add other smarts such as turning off the main pump with a delay whenever it operates to allow the food to drop in a localised area of tank. This was important to me because the tank is planted and granules scatter everywhere.

The planned maintenance piece is just a log and database for useful info concerning the tank so when I make changes I log that info and have access to it wherever I am.

I almost forgot to mention there’s an APEX app for android and apple devices. It gives to a cut down version of the functionality you get from the main dashboard if you really need to play with the tank from the comfort of your lounge. I haven’t had a need to use the app but I use the APEX Fusion dashboard interface all the time.

Anyway, this write-up is just a show and tell. I have been very inspired by some of the control DIYs on various forums, particularly with Arduino controllers, but when you look at the user interface, the development that’s gone into the Apex gear as well as the speed-to-use (i.e. having the functionality I described above within a day), I was willing to shell out for it.

[Chad Hughes]

Very nice!

I love automation and try to use it whenever possible.

I'd love to see a video of an automatic water change. I've never attempted such a thing primarily due to plumbing (drain and supply).

[FischAutoTechGarten]

AquaFrogStuff,

Thanks for posting your experience. Their stuff has come a long way since their original AquaController1!

Saw your posts and thought with winter coming I've really got to get my own aquarium controller finished (DIY project using an Arduino DUE).

[rickztahone]

Very nice OP. Nice planted tank too.

[Discus-n00b]

I use the Apex on my saltwater tank. One of if not the most important pieces I've bought for the tank. Apart from the initial setup its super easy to use and really stable. Perfect to get alarms and such when away or make any adjustments needed away from the house. The old way for a water change was crawl under the tank and unplug heaters and pumps or whatever, flip switches and powerstrips. Now I open a browser, log in and just click "off" on my devices hooked to the power bar then go about my water change and flip them back to "on" when done and they run back on their program. It's perfect. It's also perfect for vacations.

This is not something I would probably get for a fishroom, but for nice single high tech display tank I would almost say it's a must.

[muran90]

I use Apex in my planted discus tank and I am using PH and temp. probes. Who knows if OPR probe will give an addition information about the water quality?

[Discus-n00b]

Not sure you will get your money's worth running it on a FW planted tank unless you are running ozone or similar. Heck I don't think you'd get much of your money's worth using it on a reef system personally again unless running ozone. It won't give much other then a numerical reference that something is affecting the water quality. It won't tell you what or anything but once it stabilizes you will be able to tell if and when your water quality drops, on the reef side at least. Keep in mind anything you do to the tank can effect this, feeding the fish, messing with the water, etc. I wouldn't value it as more than just a quick indicator (other than inhabitants) that something may be off. At least, that is how I understand it. I chose to skip the probe on my apex for now and rather invest in modules to control powerheads and stuff like that.

IMO I would skip the ORP probe for now and only get it if you really wanted to down the road.

[Jbell]

Great write up! I'm planning something similar but keep buying fish and changing tank up to save for the apex. Hope you get time to post a video of your water changes.

[FischAutoTechGarten]

I stumbled upon a DIY alterntive on the PlantedTank.net forums.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/20...r-arduino.html

It's a very impressive project. However, I'm sure time and materials greatly exceed the cost of purchasing a similarly optioned Apex Controller.

(I'm still building mine, but it's more of a case of wanting to undertake a really cool Electronics / C++ project. It will be monitoring 3 20L tanks on a central filter...hence common chemistry between tanks)