Apex web security? Conductivity Expansion?

[midna]

How safe will it be to have the Apex controller viewable outside my LAN? Is there any kind of of multiple failed attempts lockout system in place to prevent people brute forcing my password?

Also, any further information regarding Conductivity probe connectivity to the Apex Controller? I heard that it was to be released sometime this summer. We are getting excited about automating small water changes using this unit.

Final question: How difficult will it be to integrate 2 float switches and a waterbug to the apex unit? Would a breakout box be the best bet?

 

[Deleted member 143833]

It is not https safe but it can be made safe with a few rules:

* There is a 3-strike login then you are redirected to a 401
* NEVER expose it on port 80 (it is too easy to find) but rather pick a different (uncommon) port and use that. It just makes it harder to locate. Internally you can use port 80 if your router allows port redirection.
* Strong username and password (not admin, 1234). Example of a password I used a while back "2BeOrNot2Be"; something not easily broken using a dictionary

Wrt probe modules...

Next up I have been told are remote probe modules with the common configurations; combinations of switch inputs, PH, ORP. I have hear by summer's end. Expect Cond, HD, and other variants to follow (I think I had heard fall timeframe).

I use 2 LM3s for water changes and that has worked VERY well for many months. I plan to get a COND probe but more about monitoring than control; for example monitor COND and if the water gets out of range to shut down water change as it would be an indication of an imbalance.

Last question:

Apex supports 6 inputs and IMO the Break-out box is an excellent way to go. I am building a number of boxes that have 6 jacks (e.g., for float switches) which I plan to use and maybe if I see sufficient interest I might make some available here.

 

[midna]

Wow thanks for the informative answer! I guess we'll keep being patient for the expansion equipment . Have you had any problems using the LM3s? Our luck just seems terrible, so one of them would probably just decide to stop working and either flood or drain the sump .

We have an AC3, and the last two things we need are conductivity (which is not supported) and a leak warning system. We currently use a JBJ topoff unit, but if we start doing automatic water changes, we would need to integrate the topoff system.

Upgrading to an apex makes the most sense since it would support the cond probe and we could have the display unit upstairs by the tank and the base unit downstairs with the equipment.

Thanks again!

 

[builderguy]

You could put a display both locations so that you can have one to change programming, etc, when you're near your equipment and one near your tank for monitoring and alarms. The base module will support multiple displays

 

[Deleted member 143833]

Have you had any problems using the LM3s? Our luck just seems terrible, so one of them would probably just decide to stop working and either flood or drain the sump

I have a float switch in the sump in case the water gets too high and once I get a COND that will protect me if the pump removing water stopped but so far I've not had any issues. The only time I've seen the LM3 stop was if it wasn't cleaned routinely.

 

[midna]

builderguy: Most of the programming and actual manual controlling is done via computer using the web interface. Although it might be handy to have 2. Depends on how much this upgrade will cost, but chances are good we'll only have one display unit.

ken: That makes perfect sense. Thanks again for the help!

 

[Los]

In case this helps, I have a salinity (conductivity) monitor on my ACIII Pro and there's no way it is accurate enough for top off purposes. Yes, I can use the conductivity monitor as a backup, the way Kenargo is doing, but relying on it would as a control for adding water would be a recipe for disaster. To be honest, if I upgrade to the Apex, I'm not going to get a salinity module. It's just not accurate and reliable enough to really do me any good. YMMV.

 

[Creetin]

Good point Los, I feel the same way, I had a salinity probe on my last controller and would not get another, The probes are just not that reliable and somewhat expensive. Not saying neptune is at fault, Its the nature of the beast with these probes. JMO

 

[builderguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15395273#post15395273 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Creetin
Good point Los, I feel the same way, I had a salinity probe on my last controller and would not get another, The probes are just not that reliable and somewhat expensive. Not saying neptune is at fault, Its the nature of the beast with these probes. JMO

Hmmm....that's interesting. I'd been considering adding a salinity probe.

So it isn't really accurate enough to give you a heads up if something's drifting? I check once a month with a calibrated refractometer now...if it won't give me better notice then that, then it's not worth the $$$$

 

[Creetin]

You'll find the conversions are iffy, and the probe is touchy to clean. The probe has a metal coating on the inside of the tip that is easily worn off. If the probes were cheaper like 30-50 dollars a piece then i would not care as much.
My last probe was $200 for a lab grade and it lasted 6 mos.

 

[midna]

Oh wow. I didn't realize that. Thanks for the heads up! Kinda sucks, was getting all worked up for something that would not have worked.

 

[laverda]

I have never had any problem with my conductivity probe, and it is several years old.

 

[Los]

Laverda, does your conductivity probe give you a constant reading throughout the day or does it oscillate? I'm wondering if maybe I've messed up my installation.

 

[midna]

Laverda: how accurate is it?

 

[laverda]

I have my logs from 7/2/06 I typically get a swing of 44 - 45 each day which makes sense as I only top off at night via my kalk reactor. With an occasional obvious spike down, when I forget to fill my top off container. I evaporate about 2.5 gallons a day on my 240. It clearly show this daily change so I would say it is pretty accurate from that stand point. That is the critical thing I look for is big changes.
44.6 is my current reading which I see is low compared to my refractometer, which reads 1.025. Is the conductivity probe reading low or is my refractometer high? I have no idea! I have never calibrated my conductivity probe in 5 years of service. Looking at the logs it looks like since 7/2/06 to now my probe has drifted down about 1.0. I also had to replace my refractometer during that period. So that could account for the change too. An approximate 1 point drift is not bad over 3 years. The specific reading is not accurate, but I have never calibrated it. I will see about getting some calibration fluid and calibrating it.
A 1 point change is less then I can read accurately on my refractometer so I thing it would be plenty accurate enough for a water change system. Assuming you calibrated the probe on occasion. I would also want to have some sort of redundacy on a water change system to take care of Murphy.

 

[midna]

Murphy is not my friend.... Thanks for the additional information! That might be enough to detect when it should add salty vs ro water. At least enough to keep it fairly close to stable. Heavy monitoring will be needed for a while to make sure everything works as advertised.

 

[cali_reef]

Laverda: How do you have your COND probe setup? in sump? how far away from other probes? flow to the probe? other things close to the probe?

I have gone thru 3 probes so far and I am not able to keep a probe reading correctly for longer than 2-3 months. They always ends up at < 10 after a while.

 

[laverda]

We probably should start a separate thread on this. The probe is in my sump which has pretty good flow. I will have to check my sump but I think it is right next to one of my other probes. All 4 of them are with in a foot or so of each other.