FMM Accessories

Liquid Level Sensors

Liquid Level Sensor (LLS) NEW

Never before offered in the aquarium industry the LLS Sensors allow for the measurement of water depth in inches or centimeters. Available in four different sizes- 4″, 15″ 23″ and 35″ each sensor has a special place in helping understand the water level in the sump, aquarium, reservoirs, and other liquid-holding containers. No longer does one need to physically look to observe how much water level is above or below a specific point, but now simply open the Apex Fusion app and observe.

LLS may be used with any A2 Apex equipped with a FMM, or with any A3 Apex using either the embedded FMM ports or with a separate FMM. LLS are not backward compatible with A1 Apexes (Apex Classic models).

The LLS sensor can connect to any available FMM port in the Apex System.  Liquid will enter the plastic envelope around the thin material of the sensor.   Once the liquid is in contact with the sensor material the LLS uses a patented resistive sensing technology to accurately and reliably measure the liquid level in a container.

Included with each LLS sensor is a clip that allows for the mounting of the sensor to the side of the sump, aquarium or container.  Have a Euro braced sump?  Don’t worry you can simply mount the LLS sensor to a baffle inside the sump.

The LLS’ wire is 3 meters in length.

Generally the sensors respond to liquid level changes at a rate of about fifteen seconds per inch of water level change.  So if the water level was suddenly decreased three inches, then it could take up to forty-five seconds to reflect this change.  While quick depth level changes are uncommon in an aquarium, and, typically, changes  are reflected more quickly than this, for this reason, it is best practice not to use the LLS for immediate control needs— like auto top-off control.

Once calibrated the LLS is accurate to about two-tenths of an inch.

Liquid Level Sensor- 4″ (LLS-4)

The 4″ LLS is the smallest of the four sensor offerings.  It is the perfect fit for small reservoirs for small sumps, ATO reservoirs and additive containers.  This can be a great solution to double check that liquid additions of your additives match your dosing solution over a period of time.  For example, if you dosed 250 mL additives over two weeks and you know each inch is 100 mL, then the additive reservoir liquid level would have decreased exactly by 2.5″.

Liquid Level Sensor- 15″ (LLS-15)

Probably the most popular sized level sensor this is the ideal sensor for your average containers used in and around aquarium.  This will be the ideal sensor for measuring the return pump section of your sump.   You will be able to make sure that the water level stays consistent and any drops or gains in water level can be carefully examined to make sure there are no changes to your salinity.  Further, if, for example, the ATO reservoir is empty and the water level in the return pump area starts to fall, then if a COR pump or Vectra pump (coming soon ), you can turn the speed of the return pump down to prevent cavitation.

Another great application of the 15″ sensor is to place in your ATO reservoir.    Especially if you have a reservoir you need to fill manually, often times you simply look at the reservoir while going out the door and know if it is enough water to cover the evaporation rate while you’ll be gone.  If not, you usually stop what you are doing and take care of it.  Now, simply pull out your Apex Fusion App and know without even looking!

Liquid Level Sensor- 23″ (LLS-23)

The 23″ sensor is a bit larger version of the 15″ sensor and can be utilized in similar applications to the 15″ but for larger sized-aquariums.   A great application to consider is utilizing these advancing a roller mat.

Liquid Level Sensor- 35″- (LLS-35)

The largest of the LLS sensors is the 35″ sensor.  This sensor is to be used for large reservoirs that are often utilized for saltwater reservoirs for manual and automatic water changes.

Yes and no.  The sensor aspect (the white ruler section) is obvious suppose to be in your water to measure depth!

But also no– The components in the head of the LLS are fully encapsulated in epoxy, but the LLS is not intended to be fully submerged. Care should be taken when selecting the proper length of LLS and installing it to ensure that the water level never exceeds the uppermost graduation mark.

 Saltwater

 RO/DI water

 Commonly used alkalinity supplements

 Commonly used calcium supplements

 Commonly used magnesium supplements

 Citric acid and acetic acid (vinegar) – for cleaning only

 Kalwasser in ATO water

 Saturated kalkwasser (calcium hydroxide)

 Redsea NO3:PO4-X (aka NoPox)

 Vodka

 Other additives and treatments containing alcohols

Optical Multi-Surface Leak Sensor- (LD-3) NEW

New to the leak detector offerings is the Optical Multi Surface Leak Sensor (LD-3). This is a weighted sensor that is an improved sensor and design over our Solid-Surface Leak Sensor (LD-2). Those improvements include:

  • An epoxied design that prevents water incursion into the sensor circuitry. This allows the sensor to be utilized over and over despite how often it becomes activated and wet.
  • Utilizing an optical sensor allows the sensor to be placed on any surface including metal and epoxied cement floors without a false activation.

The LD-3 has a wire length of 5 meters.

Note: The LD3 is a leak sensor; the FMM port it is plugged into should be configured accordingly. Use the Water On Floor setting. Do not use the Optical setting, which is for optical level sensors.

Magnetic Optical Sensor- (MOS) NEW

The Magnetic Optical Sensor replaces our optical sensor with magnet and offers an improved look, feel, and magnetic design that also lends itself to help prevent water incursion into the sensor.

This sensor plugs into your FMM and, using reflected infrared light, will signal your Apex when it changes state from being wet to dry or dry to wet. This sensor can be used for constructing your own ATO (auto-top-off), as a high-level warning sensor in your sump, water storage level sensor, and much more. The sensors can be mounted into custom brackets or through a hole in a vessel. Included are a fastening nut and silicone washer. The MOS’ wire is 5 meters in length

Flow Sensor – 2″ (FS-200)

Usually used with a return pump, this flow sensor can be placed in line with the flow on any pipe, connected to the FMM, and communicate to your Apex the flow rate of water through that pipe. The flow sensor itself uses British Standard Parallel Pipe (BSPP) threads so for North American customers we have included two specially designed PVC unions with slip fittings to adapt it to standard 2″ PVC plumbing. The FS-200 will work with flow rates from 300-3000 gph.  The sensor has a wire length of 5 meters.

Flow Sensor – 1″  (FS-100)

Usually used with a return pump, this flow sensor can be placed in line with the flow on any pipe, connected to the FMM, and communicate to your Apex the flow rate of water through that pipe. The flow sensor itself uses BSPP threads so for North American customers we have included two specially designed PVC unions with slip fittings to adapt it to standard 1″ PVC plumbing.  The FS-100 will work with flow rates from 150-1500 gph.  The sensor has a wire length of 5 meters.

Flow Sensor – 1/2″  (FS-50)

Usually used with aquarium accessories like reactors, carbon/GFO filters, etc., this flow sensor can be placed in line with the flow on any pipe, connected to the FMM, and communicate to your Apex the flow rate of water through that pipe. The flow sensor itself uses BSPP threads so for North American customers we have included two specially designed PVC adapters with slip fittings to adapt it to standard 1/2″ PVC plumbing.  The FS-50 will work with flow rates from 30-250 gph.  The sensor has a wire length of 5 meters.

Flow Sensor – 1/4″ with push-fit connectors  (FS-25)

Usually used with aquarium accessories like RODI inputs, calcium reactor feed lines etc., this flow sensor can be placed in line with the flow on 1/4″ tubing, connected to the FMM, and communicate to your Apex the flow rate of water through that pipe. The flow sensor itself uses push-fit connectors to make connecting to your system as simple as possible.  The FS-25 will work with flow rates from 3-12 gph.  The sensor has a wire length of 3 meters.

Optical Level Sensor  (OS-1)

This sensor plugs into your FMM and, using reflected infrared light, will signal your Apex when it changes state from being wet to dry or dry to wet. This sensor can be used for constructing your own ATO (auto-top-off), as a high-level warning sensor in your sump, water storage level sensor, and much more. The sensors can be mounted into custom brackets or through a hole in a vessel. Included are a fastening nut and silicone washer. The sensor has a wire length of 3 meters. These sensors are sold individually.

Leak Detection Probe for use under carpet  (LD-1)

Plug this probe into your FMM and then place it underneath your carpet near your aquarium. Upon contact with water this probe will communicate to your Apex and alerts or other actions can then take place. Don’t have carpet, see the next probe listed here. The sensor has a wire length of 5 meters. Note: The LD-1 will only work with the FMM and cannot be used with the ALD module.

Leak Detection Probe for solid surfaces  (LD-2)

Plug this probe into your FMM and then place it on any surface where you want to detect stray water. Upon contact with water this probe will communicate to your Apex and alerts or other actions can then take place.  Time is so critical when it comes to water on the floor so it is very common to place two of these inside the stand and two outside the stand to have the ultimate protection against a leaky aquarium. The sensor has a wire length of 5 meters. Note: The LD-2 will only work with the FMM and cannot be used with the ALD module.

PMUP (Practical Multi-purpose Utility Pump)

The PMUP is a 24VDC submersible pump that was designed to directly connect to the DC24 accessory ports on either the FMM Module, 1Link module, OR the same ports on the new Energy Bar 832.  If you own our WAV powerheads or our new Apex, then you have a place to plug it in!  These ports are switchable and can power the pump on and off just like any other outlet on an Energy Bar.  The PMUP has a cable length of 2 meters.  One DC24 10′ (3m) extension cable may be used to extend this length if needed.

The PMUP is a multi-purpose pump that can be used for many different tasks on your aquarium like: ATO, Make-Water Stations, Media Reactors, etc.  For more information on the PMUP, click here to go to the full product page.

Solenoid Valve (SV-1)

This 24VDC powered, normally-closed (NC), indirect type solenoid valve has push-fit tubing input and outputs designed for standard 1/4″ tubing. The electrical connection on this solenoid valve fits the DC24 accessory ports found on the FMM, 1Link, and Energy Bar 832 products. Common uses include safety stops for RODI systems, CO2 systems on calcium reactors, and many other places where you want to control the on/off flow of water, air, or other gasses. This solenoid valve can also be used with our standalone 24VDC power supply (not included) if you do not own one of the above products and want to use this solenoid valve with your Energy Bar 8 or Energy Bar 4.

Power Supply – 24VDC 36W (PS-36-US)

This 24VDC, 36W power supply is used with the FMM so that you can attach the powered accessories above like the PMUP or the Solenoid Valve. This power supply is for 110V USA-style  outlets.

Power Supply – 24VDC 36W (PS-36-SCHUKO)

This 24VDC, 36W power supply is used with the FMM so that you can attach the powered accessories above like the PMUP or the Solenoid Valve. This power supply is for 220V European-style Schuko outlets.