93g cube SW - DIY Sump
- Thread starter Danh
- Start date
I got the new Neptune Apex controller installed last night. I had some issues with getting it all up and running. I forgot to update the firmware on the energy bar, I only did the main unit. So I could configure the EB but it wasn't actually getting power.
I have been in FW for 10-15 years... LOTS of tanks and up to 480g.... I've kept expensive fish... Why doesn't the FW hobby know anything about controllers??????
I have been in FW for 10-15 years... LOTS of tanks and up to 480g.... I've kept expensive fish... Why doesn't the FW hobby know anything about controllers??????
That is something I've wondered as well. Controllers are awesome, they do so dang much and keep track of so much for you. I suspect part of it there are far less components to a freshwater tank, or at least usually, so they are unneeded, but I will have one controlling my system once it is set up.
A constant ph monitor would have been a huge deal for me when I was trying to keep thousands of dollars of rays and peacock bass. Timers for lights, good temp control, remote views of temp and ph. I think one of the basic controllers would work for that. It doesn't need the $800 full Apex.
I was using the reefkeeper lite and it did all that stuff for me, only cost a couple hundred to get it all started. My 93 was a planted tank, it was controlling CO2 injection via pH monitoring, temp control, light control, auto top offs, limited pump control and a couple other minor things. It was great! I've since upgraded to the elite, it'll be watching about 8 tanks and keeping track of all of it for me.
Freshwater guys are no where near where the reef guys are I've learned as far as equipment goes. Most seem too focused on just buying more fish, but I agree with you. The technology is one of the coolest parts. Hell, I'll even have two separate controllers for the temps, a Ranco as well as the Reefkeeper.
Freshwater guys are no where near where the reef guys are I've learned as far as equipment goes. Most seem too focused on just buying more fish, but I agree with you. The technology is one of the coolest parts. Hell, I'll even have two separate controllers for the temps, a Ranco as well as the Reefkeeper.
I've been monitoring my temp all day from my desktop at work. I wanted to see how it fluctuated. I can see the current temp and see the day in a line graph. The same for ORP, salinity and ph. Wonderful.
I might use salinity, ph, optical and float switches for my ato. Right now just using the optical of the Smart ATO by itself.
I might use salinity, ph, optical and float switches for my ato. Right now just using the optical of the Smart ATO by itself.
