What To Control With Apex Jr.?

[Salty Waffles]

Hello!

I'm setting up with an Apex Jr and was looking for some input as to what to control with this unit.

The tank is a 6' 125g RR with the sump underneath.

Here's what I'm considering putting on the APEX:
Return pump x1 (Currently Mag12, Jaebo DCT8000 is on the way.)
Circulation Pumps x4 (Koralia 1500s. I might not need all 4, but I have them.)
Skimmer x1 (Simplicity 240dc)
Heaters x2 (Finnex 300w)
ATO x1 (Tunze Osmolator)

Obviously, that's too many pieces for a 4 channel controller.

So far I've considered 3 combinations.

Combo #1
Return Pump
Circ pumps x2
Circ pumps x2
Heaters x2

Combo #2
Return Pump
Skimmer
Circ Pumps x4
Heaters x2

Combo #3
Return Pump
ATO
Circ Pumps x4
Heaters x2

Which way would you go and why?

Is there any benefit from having the circulation pumps split in pairs on two separate channels?

Would it be safer to run the circulation pumps independent of the Apex? (IE Apex dies, I would still have flow.) That would allow the return, heaters, ato, and skimmer to all run off the Apex.

Opinions welcome! I'm sure there's something I haven't thought of here.

 

[davehead86]

So ...

Things I have learned about my tank and a ReefKeeper running some things.

1. I have never really seen the need for my skimmer to be on a controller for any reason. It runs constantly unless I have medications being used.

2. The ATO is this weird middle ground. I need the ATO to turn off when I am doing a water change. I just unplug it instead of hitting a bunch of buttons on my ReefKeeper. However, with an APEX you can do things over the web so i suppose you could have a feature on APEX that when you do a water change you press the button or option and it turns off the skimmer and circ pumps and ATO.

3. Return pump could also be tied in with the circ pumps so that they all go into feed mode together. Unless you have DC pumps that can be turned down there really isnt any reason why those three things couldnt be on the same outlet.

 

[Salty Waffles]

2. The ATO is this weird middle ground. I need the ATO to turn off when I am doing a water change. I just unplug it instead of hitting a bunch of buttons on my ReefKeeper. However, with an APEX you can do things over the web so i suppose you could have a feature on APEX that when you do a water change you press the button or option and it turns off the skimmer and circ pumps and ATO.

I was thinking along the lines of using the Apex as a redundant safety for the ATO. But now that you mention it, it would make it pretty easy come water change time.

3. Return pump could also be tied in with the circ pumps so that they all go into feed mode together. Unless you have DC pumps that can be turned down there really isnt any reason why those three things couldnt be on the same outlet.

I hadn't considered tying all the pumps together. I'll have to give that some thought.

Thanks for your input.

 

[davehead86]

I was thinking along the lines of using the Apex as a redundant safety for the ATO. But now that you mention it, it would make it pretty easy come water change time.





I hadn't considered tying all the pumps together. I'll have to give that some thought.



Thanks for your input.

No problem!

Just a statement on the ATO. You bought a tunze. It's the best. It's got a double redundancy built into it already. The only other thing you'll need to make sure nothing bad happens is to limit the size of the ATO container. I use a 5 gallon bucket that needs filled once a week and can't over flow my system.


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[MrDemonicAngel]

This is how I have my apex:

Outlet 1= lights (always on since it's AI Prime HD
Outlet 2= return pump/skimmer and circulation pump. My tank is Red Sea aio so return and skimmer is on single power line
Outlet 3= heater
Outlet 4= ATO set to turn on once a day for 4 minutes then turn off


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