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Hi, and Welcome (your first post).
I would highly recommend downloading the unofficial guide here : http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1834783
Then start with the easiest items to program, and work your way up. Once you understand the basics, its not that hard, and when...
What I do is set the heater at 80-81. So in case the apex fails to shut it off the heater thermometer should. What u want is the apex to control the on and off. Heaters will have a higher rate of failure.
I agree with ItzJu. The learning curve is a bit harder then a simple heater controller, but the amount which can be done for me out weighs the single point of failure argument. I have programmed my Apex, so that way if it does fail, as is common with power outages where I live, the tank can...
Best if you can get the ip assigned to the Apex and use that. If you can go to your router (if the display isn't working) you should see it. Will probably be something like 192.168.x.xx.
Type that in. Or use the app for the iPhone/ipad if you have one. I'm not sure if they have a...
So a few weeks ago, I called LifeReef. It's basically the owner Jeff to picks up the phone. I spent about 45 mins talking to him about skimmers and probably another 20 on other things such as sumps, etc... He is very old school, his web site is old and doesn't do him justice, but as you read...
GAC - granular activated carbon
As with all things in this hobby, there what works for some, doesn't work for others. A lot of people have success with Bio-pellets, I am one who did not, the only time I had a small crash was when I put one on line. I'm sure other things contributed to it...
Heater to start, but then with some simple float switches, you can build in some nice fail safes. ATO's are simple, and controlling lights, skimmers, Calc reactors, it's pretty endless what can be done..... yes I'm a big fan of the Apex
i use a Apex, and hardly ever use the display. When ever I need to do anything, I use my ipad or phone.
I would say to decided how much you want to control using the controller, if a lot, then you'll probably out grow the jr very quickly.
For mixing, just use a brute from Home Depot/lowes. The cheapest and completely safe. It's what I have been using for years.
As for the pump, a mag pump would be good as they are nearly bullet proof and not that expensive, I'm sure you can pick one up used.
I hope you get well soon, did you ever think about automatic water changes with a liter meter? No carrying buckets!! My RO fills the RO container, and I have a pump to push the water into the salt mixer one. For ATO, I used a doser (BRS) to fill a 2.5 gallon container which sat next to...
If you want to see my apex set up, which I have started to set up for a new sub panel let me know, you can't be more then 4 mins from me.
I also have crimping tools to make cat5e cables if you need to make a really long network cable. I might even have cable left over.
I can't...
Looking good. I think there are a number of schools on how to split breakers. I think most who separate them out agrees that the main pumps should be dedicated so something like a heater going doesn't trip the main flow. I plan to have 2, 1 for the critical life support systems (i.e. pump...
I’m going to jump on this thread as I am very interested in this process. As those who have followed my 45 build, I’m very much into doing the least amount possible to maintain the tank, and this process seems to be a way to reduce if not eliminate water changes. I also am becoming more...