Apex System Auto top off??

Wereami881 · 03/12/2013, 07:04 PM

Hey guys / gals! Quick question. I picked up an Apex Controller System and was wondering if I still need my JBJ auto top off? I know the Apex (havent really gotten into it yet) can control pumps and sensors / floats. So can I set up a float switch to turn on and off a pump? If so I have a brand new JBJ auto top off for sale / trade. lol

bnumair · 03/12/2013, 08:25 PM

i have Apex but i use Genesis system as my ato. i havent got into Apex to see what and how it can be done. Genesis does auto water changes and ato and refills ro/di water for me so i never paid attention to Apex for such control. maybe someone using one can chime on it. free bump to top.

thegrun · 03/12/2013, 08:51 PM

I still use my 7 year old JBJ auto-top off in conjunction with my Apex Neptune. I use the Apex to turn off the ATO during feeding periods. I like the built in timer in the JBJ that only allows a limited top off pump run duration (although you could program in the time duration with the Apex). I suppose it is redundant now that I think about it, but the JBJ has been very reliable.

shonc182 · 03/12/2013, 08:57 PM

I use the Apex for ATO and like it. Mine is setup with an I/O breakout box that 2 floats (for redundancy) are hooked up to. I then control an outlet with an Aqua Lifter pump. I have an alarm setup if it has run too long, will shutoff if salinity drops, etc. Works like a champ - the weak link is the float switches.

ltfw ntsw · 03/12/2013, 09:17 PM

it can be done but if you already own an ato id use it to save some cash

infamous_6969 · 03/12/2013, 09:24 PM

I do not have an apex but will some day. However, having redundancy or a backup in case something stopped working is not a bad thing considering you already own the JBJ.

Wereami881 · 03/15/2013, 08:51 AM

So I take it It can be done. Since I already have both new in box I should just sell the JBJ and use the apex alone. Actually I'll probably use the JBJ for now since I have a ton of other things to figure out with the Apex the JBJ will make it a little simpler for now.
Thanks everyone!

hkgar · 03/15/2013, 11:04 AM

Here is the one I use. You don't need a break out box as it plugs into the pin outlet on the Apex

http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/Top-off-Kit

I use it to turn the ATO pump on /off

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Switch1 CLOSED Then ON
If FeedD 000 Then OFF
Defer 005:00 Then ON

FeedD is for for when I do water changes and maintenance and shuts down return pump, heaters, skimmer and ATO

OregonReefer2 · 03/15/2013, 11:44 AM

Not only can you use it as an ATO (or a failsafe for your ATO) you could also setup automatic water changes

03/12/2013, 07:04 PM	#1
Wereami881 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 50	Apex System Auto top off?? Hey guys / gals! Quick question. I picked up an Apex Controller System and was wondering if I still need my JBJ auto top off? I know the Apex (havent really gotten into it yet) can control pumps and sensors / floats. So can I set up a float switch to turn on and off a pump? If so I have a brand new JBJ auto top off for sale / trade. lol

03/12/2013, 08:25 PM	#2
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	i have Apex but i use Genesis system as my ato. i havent got into Apex to see what and how it can be done. Genesis does auto water changes and ato and refills ro/di water for me so i never paid attention to Apex for such control. maybe someone using one can chime on it. free bump to top. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

03/12/2013, 08:57 PM	#4
shonc182 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 82	I use the Apex for ATO and like it. Mine is setup with an I/O breakout box that 2 floats (for redundancy) are hooked up to. I then control an outlet with an Aqua Lifter pump. I have an alarm setup if it has run too long, will shutoff if salinity drops, etc. Works like a champ - the weak link is the float switches. __________________ "Don't tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish." - Mark Twain

03/12/2013, 09:24 PM	#6
infamous_6969 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 111	I do not have an apex but will some day. However, having redundancy or a backup in case something stopped working is not a bad thing considering you already own the JBJ. __________________ Currently upgrading to Oceanic 180 with CL system. Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2268952 Current Tank Info: None at this time --- SELLING Vertex Illumina sr260

03/15/2013, 11:04 AM	#8
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Here is the one I use. You don't need a break out box as it plugs into the pin outlet on the Apex http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/Top-off-Kit I use it to turn the ATO pump on /off Fallback OFF Set OFF If Switch1 CLOSED Then ON If FeedD 000 Then OFF Defer 005:00 Then ON FeedD is for for when I do water changes and maintenance and shuts down return pump, heaters, skimmer and ATO __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

03/12/2013, 08:51 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I still use my 7 year old JBJ auto-top off in conjunction with my Apex Neptune. I use the Apex to turn off the ATO during feeding periods. I like the built in timer in the JBJ that only allows a limited top off pump run duration (although you could program in the time duration with the Apex). I suppose it is redundant now that I think about it, but the JBJ has been very reliable.

03/12/2013, 09:17 PM	#5
ltfw ntsw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: midwest Posts: 74	it can be done but if you already own an ato id use it to save some cash

03/15/2013, 08:51 AM	#7
Wereami881 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 50	So I take it It can be done. Since I already have both new in box I should just sell the JBJ and use the apex alone. Actually I'll probably use the JBJ for now since I have a ton of other things to figure out with the Apex the JBJ will make it a little simpler for now. Thanks everyone!

03/15/2013, 11:44 AM	#9
OregonReefer2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 324	Not only can you use it as an ATO (or a failsafe for your ATO) you could also setup automatic water changes