Let me see your Controller Setup

[cedzaquaddiction]

Good Afternoon Team...

I just received my Apex in the mail yesterday, and am anxious to hook it up this weekend.
My sump is in a closet behind my tank. While I contemplated whether I put it under the tank in my stand, or in the sump closet, I was hoping some of you would share your controller setups with me so I can get some ideas before I go routing and re-routing wires...

Also: Anybody plug a 6-way plug into your Energy Bar 8 Expansion Unit, or did you use each plug in the EB8 to control only one light? I'm wanting to use one plug in the EB8 to control all of my blues, one for the whites, etc... I believe the plugs top out at 15Amps???

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[chris s]

Six outlets are rated for 5 amps each (1-3 and 5-7) and two are 10 amps each (4 & 8). The EB8 is rated for 15 amps total.

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

Was it 5 amps? I was trying to remember what I saw when I looked at the power bar, and couldn't make it out from my own picture posted above.

Thanks for the info...

 

[nassar0505]

I have a similar setup,, sump and filtration is all located in the closet. I set the apex under the stand mainly because its controlling my tunze p/heads and lights. the wiring seemed to lean more towards that side of my system. Plus I mounted the display unit next to the tank so I can look at when i walk by and two i look fancy with gadgets on my walls

I have added two 3way plugs in to 2 of the outlets because of my lighting. i didn't want to use all the plugs just for lighting. I have a total of 6 cords for my lighting. 2 for my halides go into one 3way plug along with a fan in the 3rd outlet. so i didnt have to program for a fan when the halides come on. 2 more for my blue leds on the other 3way plug and the last 2 for my white leds on 2 seperate outlets directly in the eb8. The seventh outlet has my heater on it and i still have three more open spot. The tricky part with adding outlet adapters is finding ones that dont block other outlets on the eb8.

My tunze run off the var. speed ports and are plugged directly in the wall.

so 500w of halides 240 watts of leds and a 250w heater, I only get up to about 8-9 amps on the apex.

 

[darth reefer]

Here is my install. I used each outlet individually. Programming is super easy as long as you understand how the language works. If ya have any questions let me know.

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[nassar0505]

Darth Reefer;857641 wrote: Here is my install. I used each outlet individually. Programming is super easy as long as you understand how the language works. If ya have any questions let me know.

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Agree at first programing was a bit confusing, but its really simple once you figure out there lingo.

Edit: I used these because the 90 degree bend didnt block other outlets

http://www.lowes.com/pd_125153-66906-UTAD25001B_4294722476__?productId=3190325&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

nassar0505;857640 wrote: I have a similar setup,, sump and filtration is all located in the closet. I set the apex under the stand mainly because its controlling my tunze p/heads and lights. the wiring seemed to lean more towards that side of my system. Plus I mounted the display unit next to the tank so I can look at when i walk by and two i look fancy with gadgets on my walls

I have added two 3way plugs in to 2 of the outlets because of my lighting. i didn't want to use all the plugs just for lighting. I have a total of 6 cords for my lighting. 2 for my halides go into one 3way plug along with a fan in the 3rd outlet. so i didnt have to program for a fan when the halides come on. 2 more for my blue leds on the other 3way plug and the last 2 for my white leds on 2 seperate outlets directly in the eb8. The seventh outlet has my heater on it and i still have three more open spot. The tricky part with adding outlet adapters is finding ones that dont block other outlets on the eb8.

My tunze run off the var. speed ports and are plugged directly in the wall.

so 500w of halides 240 watts of leds and a 250w heater, I only get up to about 8-9 amps on the apex.

This is good news... I was worried about overloading the EB8, but it seems that will not be an issue as I am only running LEDs, and two 32W flourescent bulbs for lighting... I doubt very seriously that I'll even come close to the load you are running. I assume your probes are in your sump???

Edit:

Darth Reefer;857641 wrote: Here is my install. I used each outlet individually. Programming is super easy as long as you understand how the language works. If ya have any questions let me know.

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Very clean setup. Looks like the going trend it so mount the Apex equipment in the stand...
Also: Were those 90degree plugs in the Lowes store, or were they internet only?

Thanks for the replies!!!

 

[nassar0505]

They are... The lines on the probes are pretty long.

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[cedzaquaddiction]

Great... I'm really looking forward to installing this unit this weekend. I'll probably be up all night tonight getting the prep work done.

I've tried to do allot of the Apex stuff without an Apex, and ended up with a rat's nest for wiring, and bulky timers all over the place. Funny thing is that I have probably spent the price of buying an Apex trying to get around it, and still only ended up with only 15% of the functionality that I will get with an Apex out-of-the-box...

 

[darth reefer]

I highly suggest hardwiring it to your router and doing all your set up with your computer before installing it. Makes it way easier.

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

Yeah. I've read that there are some inconsistencies with the wireless module. My router is in my attic, and I already have a hole in the top of my sump closet, so I may just run a cat5 cable down through that hole and keep the Apex hardwired instead of using my wireless module.

Thanks for the heads up...

 

[darth reefer]

Yeah I would recommend doing that. I hardwired mine after hearing of people having problems with the wireless.

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

Anybody want to buy a wireless module? LOL...

I'll just leave it hardwired as suggested. I'm sure I can find another lower-priority duty for the wireless adapter to run separate from anything related to the tank...

 

[chris s]

CedzAquAddiction;857636 wrote: Was it 5 amps? I was trying to remember what I saw when I looked at the power bar, and couldn't make it out from my own picture posted above.

Thanks for the info...

If you look at the EB8 the two outlets on the right are spaced a little further from the other six. Those two outlets 4&8 are mechanical relays and rated 10 amps each. The remaining six outlets are silent solid state relays rated to handle 5 amps each.

 

[rdnelson]

CedzAquAddiction;857663 wrote: Anybody want to buy a wireless module? LOL...

I will trade you for a complete QT set up!!!! Hehehehehe. JK. I would have nothing to connect it to anyway. LOL




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[ripped tide]

CedzAquAddiction;857663 wrote: Anybody want to buy a wireless module? LOL...

I'll just leave it hardwired as suggested. I'm sure I can find another lower-priority duty for the wireless adapter to run separate from anything related to the tank...

Does the wireless adapter connect through the Ethernet or USB port?

I might want it.

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

Chris S;857738 wrote: If you look at the EB8 the two outlets on the right are spaced a little further from the other six. Those two outlets 4&8 are mechanical relays and rated 10 amps each. The remaining six outlets are silent solid state relays rated to handle 5 amps each.

Ashamed to admit I don't really know what this means. Can you elaborate?

Edit:

rdnelson99;857743 wrote: I will trade you for a complete QT set up!!!! Hehehehehe. JK. I would have nothing to connect it to anyway. LOL




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Lol. You'll get one. Keep your eyes on the dry goods section. That's where I found this one.

Edit:

Ripped Tide;857747 wrote: Does the wireless adapter connect through the Ethernet or USB port?

I might want it.

It connects to the USB port for communication and power.. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to use it. I'll know for sure by tomorrow night. If I don't use it, its yours. We'll work something out.

 

[rdnelson]

CedzAquAddiction;857829 wrote:
Lol. You'll get one. Keep your eyes on the dry goods section. That's where I found this one.

You going to be at the swap on the 5th so I can get yours out of the back of my car? LOL



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[cedzaquaddiction]

rdnelson99;857832 wrote: You going to be at the swap on the 5th so I can get yours out of the back of my car? LOL



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LOL. But seriously, I'm going to try to make it to this one...

 

[rdnelson]

CedzAquAddiction;857834 wrote: LOL. But seriously, I'm going to try to make it to this one...

Whoops. Had you confused with Wannabe. I still have his QT set up.


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