Interesting issue with my new Apex system! Please help!

[danil]

Greening Apex community!
Im having annoying issue with my Apex controller. Apex support was pretty responsive and we had bunch of emails going back and forward but no fix. Finally I got RMA to send my Apex for service... its easy say then do I got EB8 and two EB4 with two switch boxes. Now back to the issue.. its my pH readings. I get an interesting effect from my controller when outlet switches to ON position my pH reading jump 0.04 points. Looks like a small shift? Its per outlet.. When my lights goes on plus fans, plus pumps, plus chiller etc difference (error) may reach 0.4 points and even more. Which is simple false readings!
Apex answer was ‘Interference”. Making long story short.. I disconnect all equipment left behind only Apex modules - nothing else but pH probe and network connection. Then I put pH probe in glass of tanks water - same thing! I switch my outlet (any of them) to ON I got this 0.04 jump in pH reading.... nothing is connected to Apex and I even turn off all electrical in the room (you can imagine how much fun my family had laughing on me! Look at dad hes crawling in the dark!). Do any of fellow Apex users experience this effect on their system? I would like to know that before I’ll brake down mine and send it to Apex.
If you have any ideas what else I can do I would gladly try them out!

Thanks,
Danil

PS. Sure thing I order new probes and all of them show this effect.
PPS. The second pH port shows the same effect as well.

 

[aquamanic]

That's a weird one. If everything you say is accurate, I can't think of anything it might be but a faulty controller. You've swapped probes, ports and even took it out of the tank. I think you ruled out interference the moment you removed the probe from your tank.

 

[swearint]

It sounds like there is a fault in one of the EBx units. Have you tried connecting only one at a time to see if you can isolate the problem to a specific unit? In other words, hook up just the EB8 and check, then hook up just an EB4 and check, etc.

Todd

 

[danil]

Actually I didn't try left only on EB... Great idea! I'll try it out.

 

[danil]

I tried new approach this weekend... same thing. The issue exists when I connect one, two or all three energy bar. I'm thinking getting a single controller light version as a temp replacement... can someone give me a link where can I get it?
Thanks.
Danil.

 

[slief]

Do you have any power lines running alongside the probes cable? If you do, you might try separating them. It could also be a problem your probe. Perhaps a little more sensitive to RF or electrial noise when the additional power is added.

If it were me, first thing I would do is make sure the PH probe cable is isolated away from any power lines, EB'anytings, USB interconnect cables or outlets.

If that doesnt work, I'd try an new PH probe. It will always come in handy down the line if you dont need it now. If you still have the same issue, then I would consider a return to Neptune.

 

[danil]

Thanks Slief,
I've tried everything you said.. just check my posts again. I had absolutely no load on EB (all outlets are empty) and only PH probe and network cable were connected to controller. I've got RMI from Neptune.. but cant just unplug everything at this moment.. .so I place an order on lite version of the base unit as a temp replacement. I'm going to check my PH reading with it and if it will work... I'll send my original unit for service.
Danil

 

[danil]

update: Yesterday I've got my new controller module (light version) and with new controller -- everything is fine!! No PH fluctuations and temp reading is not jumping.. at least so far so good! I send original box to Neptune... hope they will fix it.
Few notes. I was really upset I couldn't use my saved settings on the new light version of the controller. At leas I was trying and it wasn't working. So I have to go step by step to set up my new controller.
Also I cant see both controllers on my network. My guess its just a network settings which has to be changed... but by default - you cant see both.

So... check your new controller for this issue and try to replace it if you find one. The Neptune's interference answer is not always correct . My system layout stays the same so only main control box has been changed.

Danil

 

[RussM]

If you have 2 or more controllers on the same network, there are two conditions that must be met:

They must have unique IP addresses, i.e. 192.168.1.50 and 192.168.1.51
They must have unique hostnames, i.e. ApexReef and ApexFrag

 

[RussM]

Reeftronics' Program & Profile tool is a great way to get a human-readable record of all of your outlet and profile programming. Use it to see all programming in one listing, and also to save a copy of the programming in a text or word processor file. It's good to have an additional backup in case the Apex's Save/Load function doesn't work right.

http://www.reeftronics.net, under Tools on the right sidebar.

 

[lagunan]

Hi guys,

Great support and information on this site. I just recently upgraded from the Aquacontroller 3 to the APEX system. Unfortunately, I to am having a problem with my PH and ORP parameters jumping sky high when different outlets get activated on the EB8. I have tried everything mentioned on here and I still get the same problem. I should also point out that I have a PX 1000 attached to the system with 2 PH probes and those do not jump up and down. My power cables have not had any changes compared to when I had the Aquacontroller 3 hooked up. I basically swappped out the DC8 with the EB8. The probes are also in the exact same place as before with no new pumps or hardware added. I believe it has to do with the APEX controller getting it's power from the EB8 as the PX 1000 has it's own power source. Somehow there must be some interference or noise traveling thru the USB cable. I will be sending a note out to Neptune Systems tonite and hope to get it replaced. I just purchased it at the MAX show to. Its frustrating to constantly be getting text messages from my controller when the alarm trips. Eitherway, I just wanted to confirm that this issue does exist. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Firmware installed:
4.04_2B11

Modules installed:
Apex Module List
HW Type HW Rev SW Rev Addr Name
Display module 001 009(OK) 001 Disp_1
EB8 module 001 009(OK) 003 EB8_3
WXM module 001 004(OK) 004 WXM_4

 

[danil]

Hi lagunan,
One thing you can do is disconnect your equipment from EB8 and try to switch ON/OFF its outlets. If you will see any fluctuation in you PH reading during that process - its the same issue I had. I also used to get bunch of emails with sky high readings but those were chaotic and you cant 'test' it.
I still dont know what type of problem it is.. software, hardware... but for sure its in main controller box. From reading this forum I have a feeling that many last purchases of Apex system have this issue. I have not seen someone report this with its old Apex box. And my new Light version controller box works just fine. I've been running it for three days now and my PH is rock solid and I got 0 (zero, none) of those stupid emails with temp reading in 180++.

Danil

 

[dunk373]

I have had my apex for like a month or less and just notice the same thing although i notice it with outlets 4 and 8 my ph jumps from 8.02 to 8.37 this is crazy i haven't checked the other outlets but i will try and figure this out i have only had it for less then a month but now can't do without it now. it also made me buy two tunze pumps great more money into the hobby

 

[dunk373]

I checked the other outlets and when any outlet is on i have a jump in ph 4 and 8 effect it more i have tried moving the aquabus connections all around. This is annoying but not super serious as long as it doesn't get worse i have been emailing tech support and they suggest returning it. From what all you are saying this won't fix it. So i will hope that they come up with a fix for this. I was looking forward to monitoring ph. If anyone has figured out what fixes this please respond. I will post if i can get it fixed as well

 

[Jaycen B.]

Is this problem showing on the data log? I am new. I have not had any issue like this my probe cable and aquabus are bundled together as well as display and temp.

 

[dunk373]

it all depends on when it logs but yes my log is like a heart monitor not extremely high or low but up and down. I notice it on hotter days due to the cooling fans cycling. I have a korallia on 20s and off 10s but it logs every 10 or 20 min so depends if it happens to log when the pumps on then next log its off yes up and down. I tested it by the i phone app stood by the monitor turned the fan on manually and watched the ph climb turned it off watch the ph fall. They r sending a new control out so i will see if this fixes it, i hope it does because this thing is perfect except for this issue!