Owners Thread: Innovative Marine Fusion 40

[Reduck]

Just wanted to make sure that everyone got a heads-up that it looks as though there is some action on the MindStream monitor to be expected tomorrow. http://www.mindstreamh2o.com

I think I'll sit on the sidelines, cautiously optimistic, to see what happens before declaring it a must-have. I love the thought of no more titration tests... and my wife loves the notion of not having cuvettes drying in the kitchen window perpetually. The years of "vaporware", though, have me a bit leery.

In other news, I'm not entirely satisfied with the flexible tubing coming out of the DOS and into the overflow area. I think I'm going to try to find some rigid tubing that can be made into a U-shape over the top of the sump in order to keep the flex tubing out of the DOS from having to make that bend and possibly get kinked.

yea..waiting to see what the announcement is today...I want Neptune to do the same thing now!

For the DOS, I've seen that others are using the more rigid ice maker lines..could probably heat and bend? Are you using a tube holder? I've got one that works great. Never had any issues. Holding 2 part and ATO tubes.

 

[Reduck]

So, less than a week and my IM Hydrofill ATO has either: (a) quit; (b) decided to stage a work stoppage action; (c) sneaked off to Zihuatanejo with Red to join Andy (leaving a mock-up of itself in its own place; and/or (d) is caught in a time-loop of inoperability.

It worked fine up until today. The controller unit recognizes that the level is low. However, in a fine effort to haze me, the pump does not turn on to refill the main tank. I have unplugged the unit in an effort to reset it, to no avail. I plunged the detectors into the water and then removed, only to be mocked by the silence.

So, anyone have any sage advice?

(If you listen quietly, you can hear my ATO laughing and laughing and laughing - at me)

Which pump are you using? Is it a standard Tunze ATO pump or another aqualifter? Sometimes they will get air bound. Usually turning it over and shaking it out will open it back up again.
If its a Tunze pump, you might contact them on the subform as they have insanely good customer service!

 

[OsiViper]

If its a Tunze pump, you might contact them on the subform as they have insanely good customer service!

I'll second that..

 

[Reduck]

here is mindstreams announcement from Facebook..

Today is the day we have all been waiting for! After years of hard work, we are proud to announce that this morning we launched a Kickstarter campaign to finally get the MindStream monitor to market. Now we need your help. In backing our project, you not only have the opportunity to be among the first to receive a MindStream monitor later this year, but you will also help us over the finish line to bring this revolutionary system to aquarists everywhere. We appreciate your interest and excitement thus far and thank you in advance for your support in making this campaign a success!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/859739753/mindstream-aquarium-monitor

 

[joshuasanders]

Which pump are you using? Is it a standard Tunze ATO pump or another aqualifter? Sometimes they will get air bound. Usually turning it over and shaking it out will open it back up again.

If its a Tunze pump, you might contact them on the subform as they have insanely good customer service!

Nope, not a Tunze. Using the standard-issue ATO pump. The problem with it "not working" is a fundamental failure to even turn on and try to pump anything in response to the, hopeful, signal from the controller. But, I will give shaking it a go, because, why not?

 

[Reduck]

And if you must know, I joined the Mindstream Kickstarter for the December delivery....I was #3! Now let's hope they make funding...


Oooooooo...next post 1000! I'll have to say something clever..

 

[joshuasanders]

Oooooooo...next post 1000! I'll have to say something clever..

How about the answer to life, the universe, and everything for number one thousand?

 

[joshuasanders]

So, I have researched the Apex and come up with this shopping list (I like to bite the bullet and do things once, kind of a whole hog approach).

Have I missed anything that I should be getting and/or have I purchased anything that I will generally never need/use?

Here's the list (starting with the Gold Apex Package):

• Apex Base Unit
• Apex Display Module
• Energy Bar 8
• Long-life Temperature Probe
• Lab Grade pH Probe
• Lab Grade ORP Probe
• PM2 Module (Conductivity/Salinity)
• Lab Grade Conductivity (Salinity) Probe
• Neptune Systems Apex Automatic Feeding System (AFS)
• Neptune Systems Advanced Leak Detection Module (ALD)
• Neptune Systems Leak Detection Probe - Solid Surface (X2)
• Neptune Systems Magnetic Probe Rack (MPR)
• Probe racks (x2)

 

[Reduck]

So, I have researched the Apex and come up with this shopping list (I like to bite the bullet and do things once, kind of a whole hog approach).

Have I missed anything that I should be getting and/or have I purchased anything that I will generally never need/use?

Here's the list (starting with the Gold Apex Package):

• Apex Base Unit
• Apex Display Module
• Energy Bar 8
• Long-life Temperature Probe
• Lab Grade pH Probe
• Lab Grade ORP Probe
• PM2 Module (Conductivity/Salinity)
• Lab Grade Conductivity (Salinity) Probe
• Neptune Systems Apex Automatic Feeding System (AFS)
• Neptune Systems Advanced Leak Detection Module (ALD)
• Neptune Systems Leak Detection Probe - Solid Surface (X2)
• Neptune Systems Magnetic Probe Rack (MPR)
• Probe racks (x2)

Yes. You need a second temp probe for the conductivity/PM2 as it uses temperature compensation to be more accurate.

Otherwise your list is good. You might consider other probe holders as the apex probe holder does 4. You'll end up with 5 with the second temp probe. And the Apex probe holder is BIG. Takes up a lot of space. It will be hard to fit in your current tank...I gave mine away....

Damn..that was my one thousandth post. It was not very enlightening..or funny...sorry to let you all down..

 

[joshuasanders]

You might consider other probe holders as the apex probe holder does 4. You'll end up with 5 with the second temp probe. And the Apex probe holder is BIG. Takes up a lot of space. It will be hard to fit in your current tank...I gave mine away....

Suggestions for a better, read "less busty", "rack?"

 

[Reduck]

Suggestions for a better, read "less busty", "rack?"

avast makes a less 'busty' version. There is also a seller on eBay that has a nice unit that hangs way down in the sump for 4 probes. He also makes a single probe holder that might be bonded to the 4x holder just fine...

Mind you, if you are ever going to go upgrade to a full sump system, the apex holder is build like a battleship. It really is well engineered. Just too big for the IM sump..

 

[joshuasanders]

There is also a seller on eBay that has a nice unit that hangs way down in the sump for 4 probes. He also makes a single probe holder that might be bonded to the 4x holder just fine...

Which one of the many "probe holders" (I shudder to think of the Google response to this) is the one of which you speak? Would you post a link?

 

[Reduck]

Which one of the many "probe holders" (I shudder to think of the Google response to this) is the one of which you speak? Would you post a link?

seller is AquaCrylics. do a quick ebay search.

 

[joshuasanders]

Thanks!

 

[T3D]

How do you all believe the Kessil 360NE would operate over the Nuvo 40 vs the Kessil 360WE? Thanks!

 

[joshuasanders]

So, I am planning on "pulling the trigger" on the Apex system tomorrow . . . Quick question, anyone figure out a way to control the Maxspect Gyre through the Apex?

 

[jguinn]

What kind of powerhead(s) are you using? If you have Vortechs, you'll need a WXM module. If you have a Radion light, the WXM will also control the light. If you have a Kessil, you'll just need the two-channel cable that has an RJ45 connector on the Apex side and a 3.5mm phone jack on the Kessil side.

Not sure how close your tank is to your router, but you might also need to consider picking up a wireless bridge if you're not close enough to connect a Cat6 cable from your router to the Apex. I have the Netgear WNCE2001 wireless bridge and all I can say for it is that it certainly is compact and hasn't irritated me enough (yet) to end up in the trash. I guess it's okay but it has shown some REALLY funky DHCP issues at times. In any case, any wireless bridge will work fine for the Apex as long as it's stable on your WLAN.

Aside from those considerations, everything looks very sound. I think you will be very pleased.

So, I have researched the Apex and come up with this shopping list (I like to bite the bullet and do things once, kind of a whole hog approach).

Have I missed anything that I should be getting and/or have I purchased anything that I will generally never need/use?

Here's the list (starting with the Gold Apex Package):

"¢ Apex Base Unit
"¢ Apex Display Module
"¢ Energy Bar 8
"¢ Long-life Temperature Probe
"¢ Lab Grade pH Probe
"¢ Lab Grade ORP Probe
"¢ PM2 Module (Conductivity/Salinity)
"¢ Lab Grade Conductivity (Salinity) Probe
"¢ Neptune Systems Apex Automatic Feeding System (AFS)
"¢ Neptune Systems Advanced Leak Detection Module (ALD)
"¢ Neptune Systems Leak Detection Probe - Solid Surface (X2)
"¢ Neptune Systems Magnetic Probe Rack (MPR)
"¢ Probe racks (x2)

 

[jguinn]

For the DOS, I've seen that others are using the more rigid ice maker lines..could probably heat and bend? Are you using a tube holder? I've got one that works great. Never had any issues. Holding 2 part and ATO tubes.

I'm trying to come up with a creative way to convince my wife that SHE needs to back Mindstream on Kickstarter for her birthday coming up in a few weeks. The eldest of the two small people is at camp this week, starting back to school the following week, then she has a birthday and then my wife has a birthday. So my tank upgrades are likely going to be put on hold until September.

I'm using a fairly generic acrylic tube holder. I do think the Neptune "official" DOS tubing is stronger than standard LFS airline tubing. I think part of the issue is that I didn't leave much slack in the lines coming up out of the tank stand. I think I've found a series of Mur-Lok RO fittings over at BRS that I can use to get a little more rigid setup for the calcium and alkalinity. A tube-to-post connector, a check valve, a couple of 90 degree elbows, and some black RO tubing should do the trick. Will probably order that and some more Rox carbon tomorrow. Will post pictures if everything works out as planned.

 

[Reduck]

So, I am planning on "pulling the trigger" on the Apex system tomorrow . . . Quick question, anyone figure out a way to control the Maxspect Gyre through the Apex?

They just announced an icecap controller for the gyre. Don't know if it's shipping yet!

 

[StrategicReef]

Guys I just officially joined this club.. I wanted a oceanic 30 cube back in the days, this is is now realized with a fusion 40!

Question .. did you guys peel off the back vinyl, I wont have a chance once I install the tank
Not sure if I want to grow chaeto in such a small compartment.. how many of you are growing chaeto?
I think I am going to grow it inside an external carbon reactor instead if needed