Second energy bar 8?

[jgoal55]

So Im thinking of all the equipment I will have for the new tank and was wondeirng if I should get a second energy bar 4 or 8 for the apex controller?

I also have an 8 outlet DJ strip.....

3 250w ballasts, 1 moonlight outlet, 2 Vortechs, 1 pump skimmer, 1 return, 2 heaters, 1 sump cooling fan, 1 light cooling fan, 1 media reactor pump, 1 top off pump....

eventually, ill add - 1 UV ballast, 1 UV bulb, 1 calcium reactor (not sure how many outlets these take up), and I think thats it.

So, the EB8 gets:
3 lights
1 moonlight
1 heater
1 sump cooling fan
1 light cooling fan

The DJ gets:
2 Vortechs
1 Return
1 skimmer pump
1 media reactor pump
1 top off pump
1 UV bulb
1 UV pump

What I am not sure about is the calcium reactor. I imagine its best to hook it up to the DJ where I would need a second DJ strip, but not an EB8 but not sure....can you guys give me an idea of how you have it set up?

 

[budsreef]

I have two EB8s with one in the basement for the sump, refugium and QT and one under the tank. I'm still trying to figure out how to connect everything myself so I'm not sure of the best way to do it.

In your case, I would not have both Vortechs and all the pumps on the same DJ since if it trips then you would have no flow unless you have the Vortech on a battery backup. I have my two Vortechs plugged into different outlets for that reason and my return pump is on another since it is in the basement. The only way I loose flow in the display is if the whole house goes out.

 

[jgoal55]

good point bud.....was actually going to get a battery backup since the power goes out so often here in S. Fla (though it hasnt in my condo ever).

And ares thanks for reminding me about the fuge light .....forgot that one. I also forgot about the supplemental lighting ballast.

So the eidted version is more like this.....and apparently I need another EB8.

So, the 1st EB8 gets:
2 main lights
1 moonlight
1 heater
1 sump cooling fan
1 light cooling fan

The second EB8 gets:
1 main light
1 fuge light
1 660 ballast

The DJ gets:
2 Vortechs
1 Return
1 skimmer pump
1 media reactor pump
1 top off pump
1 UV bulb
1 UV pump

I guess I could run the calcium reactor and the UV on left over EB8 outlets???? Maybe even switch the return pump over there so I could use the feed cycle setting on these things and not forget to turn it back on.

 

[mojo]

re/ calcium reactor: I have mine (the recirc pump, pH controller, CO2 valve) all plugged into a power strip, and that power strip plugged into my DJ strip, so I can turn off the entire thing at once. In fact, I have several things setup like this - my skimmer pump, ozone, air pump, and skimmer feed pump are also all on one DJ switch.

There are some things that run all the time that simply don't need to be put on a controller - you're only going to turn them off when doing maintenance anyway.

 

[tuckdaway]

I also just hooked up the Apex and only ordered one EB8.

I have just put in order for second one:

- ATO pump...planning to use my current level switches and feed into Apex and control ATO pump...benefit is you can monitor how often it runs and set a limit i.e. measure time it runs and limit such that if something fails you are in control...also can monitor/alarm/email and shut down manually if you are travelling.

RO/DI plan to hook up raw water to a electronic solenoid with level prob so I can control with Apex via switches...same deal can monitor/alarm/email if there is an issue.

automate water changes....I have powerhead set up in sump and in fresh makeup water bin (brute)...using apex press one button..pump out 10% then pump in 10%.

In a nutshell you are in this far might as well automate what you can to make your life easier and anticipate/avoid issues as much as possible.

 

[tuckdaway]

Looking to get mine directly from Neptune...$149 if anyone finds them cheaper let me know.

 

[schwaggs]

I have the following on one EB8 and draw about 10.5 amps max. Of course, the fuge light is on an opposite cycle to the main lights.

3-250W Magnetic HQI
108W fuge light
CO2 solenoid

Actinics, frag tank light, moon light, heater, chiller, fans, skimmer are on X10 modules.
<fieldset class="gc-fieldset">
<legend> Attached files </legend>

>

class="gc-images" title="eb8.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a> </fieldset>

 

[schwaggs]

mojo;400660 wrote: re/ calcium reactor: I have mine (the recirc pump, pH controller, CO2 valve) all plugged into a power strip,

WHAT??? You have a separate pH controller??? That is SOOOOO last year! You need to plug that bad boy into your Apex so you can get emails when the pH goes out of range.

 

[jgoal55]

ok...pretty clear.....gonna get a second one......i like the ATO pump idea so your apex has control of it

 

[delloman]

why dont you run the vortecs off the apex where the link uses the wave box just use the v1-v4 on the apex

 

[jgoal55]

haha....yeah...if i did that id end up with two broken Vortechs and a useless aquasurf