scott711

You could create a virtual outlet and call it "oh crap" or something like that. Then have it go on whenever you get an alarm. so instead of getting a text with "Status: ON Statement: If Swx5_3 CLOSED Then ON" you would get a text saying "oh crap"....

haha. Of course. Just create an alert and you will get an email and a text. You can also setup an audible or visual alarm. You could even setup a wifi camera to look.

Here is a picture of my DIY Neptune Apex optical float switch. It is connected to my FMM on my Apex. Disregard how it is mounted because it is not oriented correctly. it should be upside down or sideways to prevent droplets from accumulating on the lens. I was just testing it.

Agreed. Instead of manually opening and closing valves, I watch the tank do a water change by tapping a couple of buttons. You could also swap out your manual valves for solenoids and flow monitors and still watch it or do it yourself. I always have a "honey do" list and a busy home life, so making things easier is always at the top of my mind. Work smarter, not harder. BUT I always try and build in as many fail safes as possible since it only takes one time to screw something up.

I also started playing around with the ability to incorporate the Apex with either Alexa or Google home. The Apex is basically a little Internet of Things hub. Nothing cooler than saying "hey Alexa/Google, feed my fish" There are other posts about this but the Apex app uses HTTP POST commands to send commands to your local Apex controller/Web server. Then you can use: Google Home + IFTTT + Home Assistant + Command Line Curl to start your adventure as seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBGr2lnew2Y#action=share very cool. In order to incorporate Alexa into the Apex, there is a little more involved. You need to create a "Skill". Not getting into specifics here, but here is a short video of someone using Alexa with their Apex: https://www.instagram.com/p/BX0OOv5lJzP/?taken-by=nullreef Also very cool. I can get into specifics if people are interested.

Now that I have gotten back into the hobby and reschooled myself with all things new in automation and with Neptune's new Apex controller. There are a ton of cool things that can be done! In designing my new system, I wanted to have as many things as possible to be semi automated/fully automated. My Apex has several modules that I have managed to get over time to help with that. I have the ATK(autotop off), the FMM(fluid monitor), DOS, break out box. I added the FMM to be able to monitor the flow of water through my UV sterilizer so I could dial the correct amount of flow for it to work properly. I also have the ATK for automating the topoff. That is where the fun begins. In looking at the ATK, there are two optical sensors that they use to control it. So being a reefer and into reverse engineering things. I looked at the optical sensor to see if I could make one myself because I wanted to use optical sensors vs float valves. There were several threads on people doing something similar with their DOS(can be a whole other topic that I can post info for). Neptune's connectors are not proprietary, so a few people were able to get various sensors and modify them to have the appropriate connector, but no one had been able to modify the optical sensor to work as a float switch. Most people have used the break out box to add float switches. Very easy to do. I wanted to use an optical sensor. I managed to find the appropriate sensor and connector and then figured out the pinout for the optical sensor to work on the FMM. In the end I have a working optical sensor

Great Job Tom. I helped you out a little.

Should be fixed

That is a really cool idea! do you have a link for the material you used? I have access to a cnc machine that could make some nicely shaped pieces.

Very cool!

yes, just had a packaged shipped from NJ via usps and it took 6 days to get to Maryland. It was shpped on Saturday and arrived on Friday. Was updated until wednesday, then it said delayed. Arrived on Friday.

What are your water parameters? Have you checked for pests?

Awesome! I'm ready whenever you have time. Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Lots. Tank is up and running. Some livestock has gone in and everything is doing well. Slowly adding more stuff each week. Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Not recently, but I have never had a bad experience with them. Try calling them. It is also a very slow time of year (between Christmas and New years).

I did a ton of research on cameras (for security reason). I went with the Arlo's. I am very happy with them. Excellent video quality and you don't have to pay for a service like the nest cameras.

Graham- This is what I was referring too.

Which one do you have? Can you post your experiences?

I had a turf algae problem and bought quite a few nerite,turbo, cerith snails and they took care of it.

Your environment. Shipping is highly stressful on fish. You want to make sure they are eating (without getting harassed by other tank mates) and to make sure there are no signs of disease or infection. It is a lot easier to treat fish in a smaller tank with meds than in a full blown aquarium with inverts, fish,live rock, coral. As people have mentioned, most of the time the salinity is different, so slowly adjusting the salinity in the QT tank to your salinity level is important. QT'ing your fish will ensure a better survival rate.

very nice!

Lol. You have Christmas lights up already? I didn't realize it can snow when the temperatures are that warm there

I would recommend brk, premium aquatics or marine depot Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

very nice graham! good write up too.

Not finished, but this is what it looks like right now. Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk