Apex for Newbies

[Stolireef]

I've been using an Apex for some time now and I still consider myself a 'newbie'. It seems like every day I figure out something cool that it can do. I thought this thread might be useful for newbies who have invested in an Apex.

I'll start, and as a homage to Sk8tr, urge all of you to use the journals and note capabilities in Fusion. Sk8tr always preaches the importance of journals. You can enter basic notes, set reminders (really useful for regular maintenance activity), log test results among many other things.

My second suggestion is to learn how to use the feed modes. I have 8 pumps on my system and turning all of them off one at a time (even in Fusion) is a hassle. One push on feed mode and everything turns off for things like maintenace and feeding.

Finally, download the comprehensive reference guide from Neptune. It's a searchable PDF and it's bookmarked right to the table of contents. I use it all of the time and it helps (sometimes) me to avoid asking basic questions.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

My advice is to learn all about virtual outlets. I've never used one until a few weeks ago, but they are a very powerful tool.

For example, you can use a virtual outlet as a timer for your ATO pump. If the pump stays on too long, the virtual outlet trips, shutting down the pump until you can inspect the tank.

 

[ryeguyy84]

My advice is to learn all about virtual outlets. I've never used one until a few weeks ago, but they are a very powerful tool.

For example, you can use a virtual outlet as a timer for your ATO pump. If the pump stays on too long, the virtual outlet trips, shutting down the pump until you can inspect the tank.

I made one for if my heater is on to long. I'd like to know my heater has been running for an hour before my tank emails me that the temp has fallen too low.

also if you have a display use the sound alarms for emergencies. sometimes your phone is on silent and you don't get the alerts that something is going wrong. I missed the phone alert that my tank had fallen below temp (heater failure in the off position, how rare is that?) but if my tank made noise i would have had less losses.

 

[surfingdude]

I love my fusion jr...if you have a jr and its filled, you can make use of wifi or insteon modules for other things...like lights and a filters. Just gonna have to jump to another app. Was sick and tired of using those round timers for the lights and like the ease of turning filters, wavemakers off during feeding with the wifi modules...still have 2 open slots on the jr. One is going to be for my future skimmer. With 2 wifi modules and 4 slots, I have found that I have more then enough outlets for my 60 gallon. Debating on whether to go for the apex leak detection. I have insteon and thinking it could be cheaper to go that route.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

also if you have a display use the sound alarms for emergencies. sometimes your phone is on silent and you don't get the alerts that something is going wrong. I missed the phone alert that my tank had fallen below temp (heater failure in the off position, how rare is that?) but if my tank made noise i would have had less losses.

My display isn't very loud and I don't hear it unless I'm in the room with the tank.

I've been considering trying to set up a IFTTT rule that tell my ZWave controller to flash the lights in my house if the Apex sends a warning.

I'm also trying to find a way that it can wake me up if there is a problem in the middle of the night. I could have it set off the alarm system, but I think that's a little extreme and would scare the hell out of my wife.

 

[Stolireef]

My display isn't very loud and I don't hear it unless I'm in the room with the tank.

I've been considering trying to set up a IFTTT rule that tell my ZWave controller to flash the lights in my house if the Apex sends a warning.

I'm also trying to find a way that it can wake me up if there is a problem in the middle of the night. I could have it set off the alarm system, but I think that's a little extreme and would scare the hell out of my wife.

Not to mention your local fire department showing up because your ATO reservoir is a little low.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

Not to mention your local fire department showing up because your ATO reservoir is a little low.

:lolspin:

That's funny!

 

[Elricsfate]

My advice is to learn all about virtual outlets. I've never used one until a few weeks ago, but they are a very powerful tool.

For example, you can use a virtual outlet as a timer for your ATO pump. If the pump stays on too long, the virtual outlet trips, shutting down the pump until you can inspect the tank.

Any chance you can post that code? I'd like to implement that myself.

 

[Elricsfate]

My advice is to learn all about virtual outlets. I've never used one until a few weeks ago, but they are a very powerful tool.

For example, you can use a virtual outlet as a timer for your ATO pump. If the pump stays on too long, the virtual outlet trips, shutting down the pump until you can inspect the tank.

Actually, as I think about it, how would this work with a Tunze Osmolator. The ATO is always on, but the pump only kicks on when the sensor detects a low water level. So I cannot use a statement like "IF outlet ATO_2_8 On then ON" to detect if the pump has been running for too long. Because the ATO is never off...even though the pump is.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

Any chance you can post that code? I'd like to implement that myself.

Absolutely. Give me a day or so. The code was working perfectly for weeks and then suddenly the virtual outlet that controls the timer keeps tripping for no reason.

I'm working with a few people over on the Neptune forums, but they haven't figured out the problem yet.

Once I get it nailed down, I'll post up the code.

Actually, as I think about it, how would this work with a Tunze Osmolator. The ATO is always on, but the pump only kicks on when the sensor detects a low water level. So I cannot use a statement like "IF outlet ATO_2_8 On then ON" to detect if the pump has been running for too long. Because the ATO is never off...even though the pump is.

It wouldn't. Unless the virtual timer can sense a state change from something, it can't start the timer.