Looking to clarify a few things about Neptune Apex aquacontroller

[nbgen12]

I've been slowly accumulating all the things I need to get my terrible 55g system transferred into a fresh 75g setup which will be much cleaner. My last and final purchase towards having what I want is the Neptune systems Apex. I do have a question or two to make sure I purchase everything I need to this week, since I'd like to have the transfer complete over this coming weekend.

 

I already know I want to have the full range of feature for when I switch to dimmable lights down the road, and also want to have the PH probe, salinity probe, and temperature probes. I don't really understand the ORP so will probably pass on that for now. Based on looking on the marine depot website, I'm having a little trouble figuring out what exactly comes with the Apex controller.

 

So far I can tell it comes with the following probes:

-PH probe

-Temp probe

 

I need to monitor salinity in addition to these two probes.

 

Is the salinity probe the conductivity probe, and if not what is the probe I need for salinity? Do I need an add on to the apex unit in order to connect the salinity probe?

 

Does the apex package come with calibration fluid for the PH and temperature probes? Will the salinity probe some with calibration fluid or do I need to get all these calibration fluids separately?

 

I'm hoping some of the apex users can point me in the right direction....thanks in advance!! I will have to do my best to actually take pictures of the progression of the transfer since I haven't made a tank log on here yet...

[nbgen12]

I think I may have finally clarified my own questions:

 

I will need a PM2 module along with a conductivity probe, and to purchase all calibration fluid separately from what I can tell.

 

hopefully someone will chime in if I'm incorrect!

 

Also, is there a link anyone can provide which would explain the whole ORP subject?

[nbgen12]

and I mean in a way that someone without a Ph.D would understand lol

[DaveS]

You are correct. Also may want to read this: http://www.wamas.org/forums/topic/48571-anyone-use-an-apex-pm2-wconductivity-probe

 

BTW, you won't find a temp calibration fluid but all the others are available.

[wogga]

and I mean in a way that someone without a Ph.D would understand lol

 

good luck. this is entirely a tangent related to ORP btw - nothing to offer on the neptune.

 

oxygen reduction potential is governed by umteen million factors (the vast majority of which can not be monitored). Long story short, if you plan to monitor/attempt to regulate ORP, be ready to do a few thousand hours of reading for starters.

 

my rule of thumb, only mess with what you can see. try hard not to mess with ANYTHING

[nbgen12]

That is definitely helpful...I will probably just stick with the refractometer after seeing the comments compared to the price of the upgrade and all. Which of the PH calibration fluids do I need to get? I see they have 4.0 7.0 and 10.0.....

[DaveS]

You need 2, one for max and one for min for the probe to calibrate. You should get 7 and 10.

[Rosco's Reefs]

In my opinion, I think you should take a look at the Reef Angel line of aquarium controllers. For a long time I wanted the Neptune but kept getting pushed away by price. I have been able to do everything I wanted with Reef Angel and then some. Let me know if I can help. Thanks

[Chad]

I think ORP should only be controlled if and only if you are dosing ozone. And only then if and only if you understand what "normal" is for your tank. Otherwise monitoring ORP should only be done for interest purposes and NO actions should be taken based solely on ORP.

 

A RHF article that does a pretty good job of breaking it down (as much as can be anyway).

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-12/rhf/feature/index.php