Advanced Control Freak

This guide will let you know some of the advanced changes with the Apex

Let’s start off by answering the question most people will ask:

 “Can I copy over my old programming?”

Unfortunately NO; AOS software is completely different then the firmware that is installed on the Apex Classic/Gold, Apex Lite, and Apex Jr

Keep your existing Apex system plugged in and running while you setup and program your new Apex

Apex Clock Setup

To have your Apex control your equipment according to your time zone you will need to set up the Clock Settings

1) Click the Configure icon Configure_Closed_Icon-90x70 to expand to reveal more settings

2) Click the Clock icon Clock_Icon-90x70

3) Select time zone for the Apex

  1. North American/ Eastern        EST     -5
  2. North American/ Central        CST     -6
  3. North American/ Mountain   MST     -7
  4. North American/ Pacific          PST     -8
  5. United Kingdom                      UTC      0

4) Click the orange highlighted cloud Update Apex icon Update_Apex_Icon-90x70 to save your changes

5) Click the Dashboard icon Dashboard_Icon-90x70

More information can be found here at this link

Probes

Connecting Your Probes

Connect probes to their appropriate inputs, but do not mount them in your aquarium or sump yet

  • Temperature (Dark Grey) connects to ‘Temp’ Port
  • pH Probe  (Blue) connects to ‘pH’ Port (Blue Center BNC Connector)
  • ORP (Red) or pH probe connects to ‘ORP/pH2’ Port
  • Salinity Probe (Black) connects to ‘Salinity’ Port

* Be careful handling the probes as they are FRAGILE

 

Calibrating Probes

Mount the Temp probe and ORP probe in the tank

 The temperature probe typically doesn’t need to be calibrated, leave what looks like a cap on it, plug it into the base module and it will begin reporting your temperature
The pH probe always has to be calibrated before you can use it (remove the clear cap before using)

1)  Click the Configure icon Configure_Closed_Icon-90x70 to expand to reveal more settings

2) Click the Inputs Icon 

3) Select pH probe

It will redirected to the pH configuration page

4) Select  Automatic Probe Calibration

Follow the instruction on the screen

5) Click the Dashboard icon Dashboard_Icon-90x70

The Salinity probe always has to be calibrated before you can use it

1) Click on the Configure icon Configure_Closed_Icon-90x70 to expand to reveal more settings

2) Click the Inputs Icon 

2) Select Cond probe

It will redirected to the COND configuration page

3) Select Automatic Probe Calibration

Follow the instruction on the screen

4) Click the Dashboard icon Dashboard_Icon-90x70

The ORP probe comes calibrated from the factory and should not require calibration in normal use (remove the clear cap before using)

Note: New ORP probes need time to soak in your tank before they will report accurate data. This ‘break-in’ process on a new probe can take a number of days, and possibly up to two weeks

  • Give a gentle quick Shake of the pH or Salinity probe while being calibrated in a solution
  • Rinse probe with RO water between calibration solutions

Migration of Modules and Programming

Modules

Move your modules from your old Apex system to the new Apex one at a time.  If the module is an Energy Bar, then unplug that Energy Bar from 120V power so as not to have any devices turn on/off while configuring that Energy Bar on your new system.

Programming

Two New features have been added to APEX Fusion. Summary Tool and Adopt Data

 This feature generates a report of all your programming and profiles from your old Apex Unit using the Summary tool

  • Click the drop down Apex Menu in the upper left corner
  • Configuration select Summary
  • Click the Print icon Print_Icon-90x70 (optional)

 This feature allows Calendar, Measurement Log, and/or Notes data from any Apex for which you are the owner to be moved from that Apex to another Apex you own. This function is intended for use when an Apex has been replaced or retired, and you’d like to keep data associated with it

  • Click the Apex List icon Apex_list_Icon_DK-90x70
  • Select the Context Menu icon Apex_Context_Icon
  • Select the Source (Only displays Apex that you are the owner)
  •  The data types eligible for adoption are:
    • Calendar Events
    • Measurements
    • Notes
  • Enter Fusion Password
  • Click the OK icon OK_Icon_DK-90x70 
You will not be able to paste your programming over to the NEW Apex until you have created virtual outlets and configured your profiles before starting the programming of the outputs

Outputs (outlets)

Outputs come with pre-configured programming

Customize the outputs

1) Click on Expand icon Configure_Icon_DK-90x70

2) Select Output icon Output_Icon_DK-90x70

3) Select the Output you want to program

Output Configuration

Device Field

This identifies the modules [Address_Output] location

Name Field

Type in the new output name, no spaces are allowed and it can only have either a dash (-) or underscore (_)

Icon Field

Select a Icon to represent this output (optional)

Log Field

Select this if you want to log the ON and OFF state of the output

Control Type

Output Wizards list

  • This will keep the output ON or OFF 24/7, depending on what you program the state of the output to be
  • Select Update Apex icon Update_Apex_Icon-90x70
  • Select Fallback ON or OFF
  • Select the correct temperature probe if you have multiple probes enabled (Tmp)
  • Set ON temperature
  • Set OFF temperature
  • Select Update Apex icon Update_Apex_Icon-90x70
  • Enter time for First Feeding
  • Set Repeat Interval if feeding multiple times in a day (This is the time in-between the feed schedules)
  • Enter how many Drum Rotations per feed
  • Select how many Feedings Per Day
  • Pick FeedA, B, C, or D to manually turn on the feeder
  • Select Fallback ON or OFF
  • Select the correct temperature probe if you have multiple probes enabled (Tmp)
  • Set ON temperature
  • Set OFF temperature
  • Select Update Apex icon Update_Apex_Icon-90x70
  • Select Fallback ON or OFF
  • Select ON Time
  • Set OFF Time
  • Select the correct Shutdown Probe (Tmp) if you have multiple probes enabled
  • Choose the Shutdown Value that turns OFF the lights
  • Change Hysteresis (The time entered will delay the light from turning ON, 00:01 is the shortest time)
  • Select Update Apex icon Update_Apex_Icon-90x70
  • Select Fallback ON or OFF
  • Select the correct ORP probe if you have multiple probes enabled (ORP)
  • Set High ORP value
  • Set Low ORP value
  • Select ON When value (tells the output to turn ON)
  • Select Update Apex icon Update_Apex_Icon-90x70
  • Select Fallback ON or OFF
  • Select the correct pH probe if you have multiple probes enabled (pH)
  • Set High pH value
  • Set Low pH value
  • Select ON When value (tells the output to turn ON)
  • Select Update Apex icon Update_Apex_Icon-90x70
  • Select Fallback ON or OFF
  • Choose an Inital OFF time (Time entered will delay the powerhead from turning ON)
  • Set an ON Time (The length of time the powerhead will be ON with the overall repeating cycle)
  • Set an OFF time (The length of time the powerhead will be OFF within the overall repeating cycle)
  • Pick Feed Timer A, B, C, or D to manually turn OFF the return pump during a Feed Cycle
  • Change Feed Timer Delay (The time entered will hold the output OFF for an additional period after the Feed Cycle ends)
  • Select Update Apex icon Update_Apex_Icon-90x70
  • Select Fallback ON or OFF
  • Pick Feed Timer A, B, C, or D to manually turn OFF the return pump
  • Change Feed Timer Delay (The time entered will delay the light from turning ON)
  • Select Update Apex icon Update_Apex_Icon-90x70
  • Select Fallback ON or OFF
  • Pick Feed Timer A, B, C, or D to manually turn OFF the return pump
  • Change Feed Timer Delay (The time entered will delay the light from turning ON)
  • Select Update Apex icon Update_Apex_Icon-90x70

Advanced Programming

Select Advanced from the Control Type drop down menu

Enter in your own programming using the correct format

Virtual Output (VO)

Virtual outputs are a powerful tool in constructing advanced programming conditions

1) Click the Configuration icon Configure_Closed_Icon-90x70 to expand to reveal more settings

2) Click the Output icon Output_Icon-90x70

3) Click the Add/Delete icon Virtual_Outlet_Icon-90x70

4) Select Add Virtual Output

5)  Name the VO

6) Click the highlighted OK icon OK_Icon_DK-90x70

7) Select the New VO 

8) Program the VO

Configure Probe and Output Alarms

Email Alarm – EmailAlm_I5

This is where you can add an alarm to notify you with a message that your tank requires your attention

An email/text will be sent if a configured Alarm condition is satisfied

Email/SMS Notification will need to be setup to be notified of an if Alarm condition has been satisfied

Temp, pH, ORP, Cond, Watts, and Amps trigger alarms are not displayed in the EmailAlm_I5 output, but the state of this output will display ON if one of these alarm conditions are satisfied

1) Click the Configure icon Configure_Closed_Icon-90x70 to expand to reveal more settings

2) Select the Output icon Output_Icon-90x70

3) Select EmailAlm_I5  output

4) Enter Alarm programming, make sure the programming is in the proper place depending on importance of the alarm

* Remember programming code is evaluated from top to bottom

Base_Alarm – SndAlm_I6

Configure the output audible alarm sound if you have an display module (Optional)

Base_Warn – SndWrn_I7

Configure the output audible warning sound if you have an display module (Optional)

Basic Alarms

Alarms for Tmp, pH, ORP,  and Cond are enabled by default in the new Apex

1)  Click the Configure icon Configure_Closed_Icon-90x70 to expand to reveal more settings

2) Click the Inputs Icon 

3) Select a Probes or Output

It will redirected to the configuration page

4) Check the “Use recommended settings (min: XXX, max: XXX)” 

5) Click the orange highlighted cloud Update Apex icon Update_Apex_Icon-90x70 to save your changes

6) Click the Dashboard icon Dashboard_Icon-90x70

Advanced Alarms

Customize the alarm min and max trigger values for Outputs and Probes

1)  Click the Configure icon Configure_Closed_Icon-90x70 to expand to reveal more settings

2) Click the Inputs Icon 

3) Select a Probe or Output

It will redirected to the configuration page

4) Select the Advanced tab

5) Check the Max and Min Set Trigger Value

6) Slide to set the Max and Min Alarm Trigger Value

7) Click the orange highlighted cloud Update Apex icon Update_Apex_Icon-90x70 to save your changes

8) Click the Dashboard icon Dashboard_Icon-90x70

Other APEX Local Pages

Modules Page Modules_Icon-90x70

On this page, you can:

  • View all modules attached
  • Check module status
    • SWRev shows OLD then update firmware
  • Rename modules
  • Update modules firmware
  • Delete modules

Misc Page Misc_Icon-90x70

On this page, you can:

  • Change the Alarm sounds and Warning sounds (if a display module is connected)
  • Change the Datalog Interval (not recommended)
  • Change the FeedA, B, C, and D time (time is entered in seconds)
    • 300 seconds is equivalent to 5 minutes
  • Power Monitor should only be enabled if the 12V adapter plugged into a power scouce whitch is NOT battery-backed. Otherwise, it can’t tell when power is lost
  • Reboot the Apex

Network Page Network_Icon-90x70

On this page, you can:

Basic Tab

  • Update the AOS Apex Operating System
  • Check the Network Information

Advanced Tab

  • Update the AOS Apex Operating System
  • Wifi – Change SSID
  • Network – Change Hostname, HTTP Port and DHCP (Enable/Disable)
  • Legacy Email – Old mail client (Keep Disabled and use Fusion Notifications)
  • Apex Login – Change User name, Admin password, and Fusion Cloud Enabled

Input Log Page Input_Log_Icon-90x70

On this page, you can:

  • View Input Graphs
  • Compare different Input data logs
  • Compare different Output data logs (ONLY if the output has logging enabled)

Output Log Page Output_Log_Icon-90x70

On this page, you can:

  • View when an output turns ON and OFF (ONLY if log is enabled in that output)

Profiles Page Profile_Icon-90x70

On this page, you can:

  • Create Profile for specific commands to vary the voltage and duration that these devices use
    • Dose
    • Pump
    • Ramp
    • Vortech
    • Weather
    • Radion
    • Vega/Hydra
    • WAV

Display Page Display_Icon-90x70

On this page, you can:

 Configure 5 lines of information available per screen

* Optional Display module is required

In this next section, we will cover some more-advanced topics….

All “Outlets” are now called “Outputs”;  120VAC EnergyBar outlets are now called “Outputs” with a type of “Outlet”.  “Outlet” is used only to describe the actual physical EB sockets.

The Outlet programming keyword (as in If Outlet ReturnPump = OFF Then OFF is being deprecated.   Instead of Outlet, use Output, as in If Output ReturnPump = OFF Then OFF.   You may continue to use If Outlet., but try to get in the habit of using If Output.

If you enter this programming:

If_Outlet

It will be automatically converted to:

If_Output

Because the majority of Apex users prefer to display conductivity readings as Salinity (in PPT/PSU units), the embedded (base) Conductivity probe port is set to display only in Salinity (PPT) with a 0-45ppt range.

The choice of 4 conductivity ranges (Low, Medium, High, and Salinity) continues to be available if using a conductivity probe connected to a PM2 module.

With previous Apex models, it was necessary to reboot the controller for modified network settings to take effect.  This is no longer necessary with the new Apex; changes to network settings now take effect within a few seconds after clicking or tapping the Update Apex button.
The first module other than a display module connected to a new APEX (usually an EnergyBar 832) will be assigned an AquaBus address of 2.  Previously with Apex Classic and Apex Lite, the first connected module which is not a display would be assigned AquaBus address 3.

Your new EB832 should appear at AquaBus Address 2.

Previously, the pH probe temperature compensation setting was global; it affected all pH probes connected to the system.   In AOS, the option to use temperature compensation is now available selectively for each pH probe.
There are three new Control Type wizards:

Always
A simple way to set up an output as being either always on or always off. For example, it’s common to set a return pump as being always on.
Return Pump
“But”, you say, “I don’t want my return pump on when I’m feeding; the food ends up in the sump.” This quick setup control type is always on except when feeding is in progress.
Skimmer
Setup for a skimmer tends to be similar to that of a return pump, with the addition of a delay to allow the sump water level to stabilize to the level at which the skimmer operates best. This quick setup type allows for easy definition of these values.

The Pump Control Type in previous Apex models which created an oscillating action has been renamed to “Powerhead”

 

The new APEX no longer has support for use of legacy (pre-Apex) modules (DC8, DC4, DC4HD, AquaSurf, LunarSim, and PX1000).  The Probe Expansion and Repeat Interval options previously in the display menu system are no longer present.

Note that the LunarSim (an old pre-Apex module) and the Lunar Simulator Module (LSM) are different modules; the LSM is an Apex module, so it is fully supported in the new Apex & AOS

Each EB832 120VAC output now has corresponding individual Amps and Watts Inputs.  There are graphs for each on the Input Log pages of APEX Local and APEX Fusion.

The names of these Inputs are not customizable by the user; instead, the names of these inputs will be based on the names of the 120VAC outputs.   For example, if you rename the output used for a heater to “Heater1”, the corresponding Amps and Watts sensors will be automatically renamed to “Heater1A” and Heater1W” respectively.

The EB832 does not have an overall Amps sensor like EnergyBars 8, 4, and some EB6 variants; one is not needed because each individual outlet has discrete Amps and Watts sensors.  The APEX Local and APEX Fusion interfaces do show an aggregated total value of all individual Amps (and Watts) for each EB832.

The EB832 has an embedded Volts sensor to indicate the voltage of the input AC power; the Volts value is displayed on the EB832 tile on the APEX Local and APEX Fusion dashboards.  The Volts value is informational only; it cannot be used in conditional programming – there is no “If Volts….” programming.  There is also a Volts graph on the Inputs Log page in APEX Local and APEX Fusion.

There is a tile for each EB832 connected to your Apex.  The tile is clickable; it expands and changes between 3 additional views when clicked or tapped.

EB832_Basic

Basic View

EB832_Tabular

Tabular View

EB832_Pictorial

Pictorial View

EB832_Overall

Summary Graph View

The EB832 tile will show an overload condition in yellow or red if the current draw on any EB832 output exceeds 7 Amps (840 watts).  Yellow indicates a warning level; Red indicates a severe overload condition.

Similarly, a yellow warning icon will be shown if the total load on an EB832 exceeds 14 Amps (1680 watts) and a red warning will be shown if the total load surpasses 15A (1800 watts).  There is also a visual indication if the line voltage is < 112VAC or > 128VAC.

EB832_Overload

Severe Overload Indications

Alarms for Amps and Watts values for each individual 120VAC EB832 output should generally be configured using the via the Inputs page in APEX Local or APEX Fusion.  However, should you want to use Amps and Watts values in other output programming, there are new programming commands to support this.

Syntax:   If Output output-name (Amps/Watts) (</>) Then (ON/OFF)

Examples:

  • If Output Heater Amps < 3.0 Then ON
  • If Output Return Watts > 80 Then ON

Important Note:  As the Apex evaluates and executes programming, these new alarm options and programming statements will be ignored if the specified output is manually OFF or the output is in AUTO and the output state is OFF due to programming.  This behavior prevents false alarms about low watts or amps when an EB832 output is OFF.

As an example, let’s say that you have your return pump output programmed to turn the pump off while FeedA is active (If FeedA 000 Then OFF).  You would not want an alarm about your return pump drawing 0 watts while your FeedA Cycle is active and the return pump is shut off.  A watts reading of 0 is normal while the return pump is OFF in this case, so the Apex takes this into account, and will not trigger an alarm because the watts measurement is expected to be zero.

This functionality is for the EnergyBar832 (and EB632) only; it is not available with EB8, EB4, or EB6

A new feature in APEX Fusion for owners of the new Apex and EB832 is the Power Log.  To use this, click the Power Log icon Power_Log_Icon_DK-90x70 and input the average cost per kilowatt-hour for your electricity.  Then, after the system accumulates enough data, you can see a summary graph of estimated electricity costs for all devices powered through your EB832(s).  By using the Compare button, you can select one or more EB832 Outputs to see more detailed information about electrical power consumption and estimated costs associated with each device.

Amps_Graph

While it is preferable to have your Apex connected to your network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi and in turn be able to communicate with APEX Fusion through your Internet connection, there are times when this is not possible.  In the rare situation where an Apex cannot be connected to a local network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, the Apex has a special network communications mode called Lock Access Point Mode.  When Lock AP Mode is enabled, the Apex will always broadcast it’s own Wi-Fi network name, just like it does in WiFI Setup mode (Apex Setup_#### where ### is the Apex’s serial number), however when in Lock AP Mode, the Apex will require your APEX Local login in order to access it.  The Apex’s WiFI name can then be selected on a Wi-Fi capable desktop, notebook, smartphone, or tablet within a reasonable distance of the Apex.  The effective range of Lock AP Mode will vary, but typically will be at least 25 feet.

The disadvantage of AP Lock Mode is that APEX Fusion cannot be used.

To enable Lock Acess Point Mode, follow the initial W-Fi setup procedure previously covered in this Get Started guide, but instead of choosing a Wi-Fi network, click or tap the drop-down menu, then select Lock AP Mode and click/tap the Lock button.

Lock_AP_Mode Lock_AP_Mode_Lock

The use of sunrise/sunset, moonrise/moonset, lunar phase, and regional temperature in If Sun, If Moon, and If RT+ statements is supported.  The Apex has the same default season table data as the Apex Classic models.  The default season table data for 2016 is:

SeasonTableDefaults

This can be found in the Misc Page in Apex Local only.

The Apex now offers the ability to assign custom names for any combination of up to 48 probes and/or digital switch inputs, which is double that of the previous generation of Apexes.