Awesome, it’s been a awesome difference. I had it set up with sch 80 solenoids valves but was a lot of water fast so never felt safe doing it without watching it, now it’s set up and basically forget
There is something I left out of my previous comment. i would like to thank Randy and BRS for providing a wealth of information, they are giving options and ideas...it is much appreciated! As to actually doing this I'm in the camp that with solenoids and optical sensors, which are notoriously unreliable etc. I would not trust this path. Sometimes we automate for the sake of automation and cool stuff. Many times simple is better, it's definitely has less opportunity to fail. As the old saying goes; "Keep it simple stupid". (Bobby Fraser hit the nail on the head).
I just set up my dos for manual water change and couldn’t figure out why it was t drawing water from the tank - you answered it here - when you prime the line both heads spin to the right but when you do water change right head spins opposite so you have to switch your lines around ! I caught that here in your video and for that I am grateful!
I have been tempted to do this, but it is expensive. However, my primary concern is confidence in Neptune equipment, their controller is well thought of but pretty much all their accessories are at best 50/50 in reviews on the BRS site and R2R. Their EB832 is less than 2.5 stars and most other equipment barely pushing 3 stars. Looking at the construction of the EB832 I would say it commands a huge premium ($280) for the relatively modest quality.
I’m monitoring my mixing tank salinity with apex salt&temp PM2 and programed the DOS wc not to work when salinity is below 34, moreover I’m in the process of building an auto salt dispenser connected to apex via ACC V24 to dispense salt when salinity is below 34 and also ATK is automatically filling the mixing tank to keep it always full... by this approach you can easily reduce the size of you mixing tank and end “adding salt” dilemma that every reefer is facing .... wish me luck
I kinda did the same thing just with smart spear and bunch of smart switches. But a Neptune going to be my next investment. I forget to tell Alex to turn things back on like heaters.
Nice run down Randy! Thanks. One question I have is regarding daily water changes. I've always wondered whether or not an ATO is still needed when doing daily water changes. Any insights you can share?
Yes, you still need an ATO to replace any evaporated water. Salt doesn't evaporate with the water, so if you only replaced lost water with salt water, your salinity will rise pretty quick.
Yes, topping the tank off is still necessary. With an auto water change, you're removing saltwater and replacing it with the same amount of saltwater. Any evaporation needs to be taken care of via adding in freshwater.
Is there a way to automate the salt mixing? I have a freshwater tank I'd like to add buffer/lake salt to but I can't find anything that seems to be able to add dry doses to a mixing bin.
Is there a way to automatically turn off the auto water change when the LOWRES is triggered? It would be better to make you turn it on then to hope you turn it off.
So while it's performing the water change it change in manual water change mode.. Does it turn off your pump and protein skimmer? So they don't have issues with lower water volumes
If you're using the DOS to do auto water changes, it removes water at the same time as it fills. There should be no fluctuation in your sump's water level.
@bulk reef supply and Raaaaandy. I just ordered a bunch of Neptune stuff including a couple DOS units. Can I mount my DOS in the basement where my water mixing station is below my reef tank? Will a siphon occur and empty my sump?
Not an issue. The DOS works by pinching the line as the roller spins around the dosing head, so there should never be a back-siphon unless something in the dosing head were to be severely damaged somehow (which I've never seen happen).
@@BRStv thanks!! You guys are so awesome BTW and I love watching your videos. So informative. Maybe a video about coding the Neptune? I’m an idiot and unlike my 6 year old we didn’t learn it at that age lol. Unless I didn’t see that video I’d be a great one !
You can either carefully push them onto the DOS' nipple fittings, or you can use 1/8" female NPT x 1/4" push connect fittings (link below). www.bulkreefsupply.com/1-8-female-npt-x-1-4-push-connect-adapter-john-guest.html
You'll see gallons when you're in the task function, but on the dashboard, it'll read as ML. There are 3785 ml per gallon, so just divide the ML number on the dashboard by 3785 to get gallons.
We'd love to be able to supply them, but they're very expensive to ship! We usually use Norwesco or Ace Roto Mold brands. I would try a local farm supply store as they can usually order the size you want or may even have it in stock already.
We stock all of the PVC and fittings, but the actual water storage tanks are best purchased at a local farm supply store or Norwesco/Ace Roto Mold distributor.
On large tanks why doesn’t someone invent a way of cleaning and replacing trace elements to the old water then reusing that.? seems like we waste a lot of water in aquatics
Lots of inventions do that :-). Protien skimmers, filter socks/floss/rollers, fuges, ozone, GAC, GFO, carbon dosing, sulfur, etc are all designed to clean water. Calcium reactors, X-parts, kalkwasser, different lines of dosing products, etc are all designed to add trace elements to water.
There's people who want to automate everything. My fear is that even if it were given to me completely free, I just don't know if all those level sensors and solenoids are any safer than a mechanical float switch, especially in the event of a power outage. You're just trading one point of failure for another, and solenoids are notoriously prone to failure. There's also all those parts (eg ~ 4:45 in the video) where it's "turn these things off for 5 minutes and remember to turn them back on". Not only is that likely more effort than turning a valve (eg you need to bring up the webpage or unlock your phone), there's a decent chance you're going to forget since you're not physically interacting with the object.
There is nothing in the reefing hobby that is made reliable by the use of the Neptune optical sensors. Those things are garbage! After replacing 5 sensors in 7 months on my ATK I went back to float switches. On the other hand the idea of using the DOS for the water change is great.
tempting until you have to get a program degree from Yale. I wish they would make it so much easier. the software just looks ridiculous.for that kind of money it should be alot easier. its just software,make it simple
The increase in the number of "task" functions has definitely made the Apex easier to use in recent years. Don't get us wrong, you can still get into the weeds and do some complicated custom programming if you want to, but you don't have to in almost all cases.
Youre not lazy because you find a better solution. You sound silly and upset that people have money and would rather enjoy the tank more than worry about other things. You should probably cut your grass with scissors because buying a lawnmower is for lazy and rich folks
Keep in mind that we're talking about using the Apex for pretty advanced automation in this episode. You can certainly get a lot out of the Apex without it being complicated 😃
I'm learning loads from these videos. Just a shame I don't have an Apex system or a tank to put it on! 😂
Awesome, it’s been a awesome difference. I had it set up with sch 80 solenoids valves but was a lot of water fast so never felt safe doing it without watching it, now it’s set up and basically forget
There is something I left out of my previous comment. i would like to thank Randy and BRS for providing a wealth of information, they are giving options and ideas...it is much appreciated! As to actually doing this I'm in the camp that with solenoids and optical sensors, which are notoriously unreliable etc. I would not trust this path. Sometimes we automate for the sake of automation and cool stuff. Many times simple is better, it's definitely has less opportunity to fail. As the old saying goes; "Keep it simple stupid". (Bobby Fraser hit the nail on the head).
That tip on running the remove pump in reverse is awesome! Thanks BRS! Sure miss Randy.
I just set up my dos for manual water change and couldn’t figure out why it was t drawing water from the tank - you answered it here - when you prime the line both heads spin to the right but when you do water change right head spins opposite so you have to switch your lines around ! I caught that here in your video and for that I am grateful!
I need this, can’t wait.
I have been tempted to do this, but it is expensive. However, my primary concern is confidence in Neptune equipment, their controller is well thought of but pretty much all their accessories are at best 50/50 in reviews on the BRS site and R2R. Their EB832 is less than 2.5 stars and most other equipment barely pushing 3 stars. Looking at the construction of the EB832 I would say it commands a huge premium ($280) for the relatively modest quality.
I have watched this a million times. Will NEVER get tired of it.
Thanks for tip 9
I’m monitoring my mixing tank salinity with apex salt&temp PM2 and programed the DOS wc not to work when salinity is below 34, moreover I’m in the process of building an auto salt dispenser connected to apex via ACC V24 to dispense salt when salinity is below 34 and also ATK is automatically filling the mixing tank to keep it always full... by this approach you can easily reduce the size of you mixing tank and end “adding salt” dilemma that every reefer is facing .... wish me luck
Did you ever do this?
It would be nice if you included links to the items used in your video, or at least a list of all of the items.
I kinda did the same thing just with smart spear and bunch of smart switches. But a Neptune going to be my next investment. I forget to tell Alex to turn things back on like heaters.
Nice run down Randy! Thanks. One question I have is regarding daily water changes. I've always wondered whether or not an ATO is still needed when doing daily water changes. Any insights you can share?
Yes, you still need an ATO to replace any evaporated water. Salt doesn't evaporate with the water, so if you only replaced lost water with salt water, your salinity will rise pretty quick.
Yes, topping the tank off is still necessary. With an auto water change, you're removing saltwater and replacing it with the same amount of saltwater. Any evaporation needs to be taken care of via adding in freshwater.
Is there a way to automate the salt mixing? I have a freshwater tank I'd like to add buffer/lake salt to but I can't find anything that seems to be able to add dry doses to a mixing bin.
How do you avoid TDS creep with the auto fill water system?
i noticed the dos head spin faster than the units i have , is there a setting to increase the speed of the dos head?
Is there a way to automatically turn off the auto water change when the LOWRES is triggered? It would be better to make you turn it on then to hope you turn it off.
Seems complicated at first but in the long run might be the easiest way to reef.
So while it's performing the water change it change in manual water change mode.. Does it turn off your pump and protein skimmer? So they don't have issues with lower water volumes
If you're using the DOS to do auto water changes, it removes water at the same time as it fills. There should be no fluctuation in your sump's water level.
@bulk reef supply and Raaaaandy. I just ordered a bunch of Neptune stuff including a couple DOS units. Can I mount my DOS in the basement where my water mixing station is below my reef tank? Will a siphon occur and empty my sump?
Not an issue. The DOS works by pinching the line as the roller spins around the dosing head, so there should never be a back-siphon unless something in the dosing head were to be severely damaged somehow (which I've never seen happen).
@@BRStv thanks!! You guys are so awesome BTW and I love watching your videos. So informative. Maybe a video about coding the Neptune? I’m an idiot and unlike my 6 year old we didn’t learn it at that age lol. Unless I didn’t see that video I’d be a great one !
How do you hook those RO lines to the DOS? I didn't think it was possible.
You can either carefully push them onto the DOS' nipple fittings, or you can use 1/8" female NPT x 1/4" push connect fittings (link below).
www.bulkreefsupply.com/1-8-female-npt-x-1-4-push-connect-adapter-john-guest.html
Can you program it to auto water change once a week? I don't want it to change water every day but I also don't want to remember to push a button.
Absolutely! Just set up your DOS using the DOS manual water change task and set up the associated feed mode to be triggered at your desired day/time.
Ok maybe dumb questions but how do you get your apex DOS to show units in Gallons not ML? I don’t see that option???
You'll see gallons when you're in the task function, but on the dashboard, it'll read as ML. There are 3785 ml per gallon, so just divide the ML number on the dashboard by 3785 to get gallons.
Are you able to give an estimated cost of everything besides the apex and reservoir. I.e. modules, DOS, sensors and solenoids?
About $700
You can keep that 700 people are getting too goddamn lazy in the hobby I do it the old way
Anyone know where to get mixing bins like that? Didnt see them on BRS
We'd love to be able to supply them, but they're very expensive to ship! We usually use Norwesco or Ace Roto Mold brands. I would try a local farm supply store as they can usually order the size you want or may even have it in stock already.
First i need to get an apex 😂
Same. kinda confusing when you don't have an apex. Looks like a very good investment tho.
Where can I buy all of this at? Like the water reservoirs down to the piping
We stock all of the PVC and fittings, but the actual water storage tanks are best purchased at a local farm supply store or Norwesco/Ace Roto Mold distributor.
@@BRStv thank you
What size water tanks would you recommend for 248 gallon (total) tank? Was thinking at 2 55gallon. Is that too low?
On large tanks why doesn’t someone invent a way of cleaning and replacing trace elements to the old water then reusing that.? seems like we waste a lot of water in aquatics
There was a thing a while back called “dialyseas” where it would filter the water like dialysis
Lots of inventions do that :-). Protien skimmers, filter socks/floss/rollers, fuges, ozone, GAC, GFO, carbon dosing, sulfur, etc are all designed to clean water. Calcium reactors, X-parts, kalkwasser, different lines of dosing products, etc are all designed to add trace elements to water.
And you can use biopellets to eat the nitrates, with the right equipment you rarely need a water change...
That's what the trident method is.
@@tmclaughlin1989 not exactly.
Seems a lot harder than "turning valves".
There's people who want to automate everything. My fear is that even if it were given to me completely free, I just don't know if all those level sensors and solenoids are any safer than a mechanical float switch, especially in the event of a power outage. You're just trading one point of failure for another, and solenoids are notoriously prone to failure.
There's also all those parts (eg ~ 4:45 in the video) where it's "turn these things off for 5 minutes and remember to turn them back on". Not only is that likely more effort than turning a valve (eg you need to bring up the webpage or unlock your phone), there's a decent chance you're going to forget since you're not physically interacting with the object.
There is nothing in the reefing hobby that is made reliable by the use of the Neptune optical sensors. Those things are garbage! After replacing 5 sensors in 7 months on my ATK I went back to float switches. On the other hand the idea of using the DOS for the water change is great.
Looks like more work than a bucket lol
It might be more work to get it set up initially, but once it's done, water changes become so much easier.
tempting until you have to get a program degree from Yale. I wish they would make it so much easier. the software just looks ridiculous.for that kind of money it should be alot easier. its just software,make it simple
The increase in the number of "task" functions has definitely made the Apex easier to use in recent years. Don't get us wrong, you can still get into the weeds and do some complicated custom programming if you want to, but you don't have to in almost all cases.
I know nothing about programming and I have been running Neptune DOS FOR AWC for over a month now and no problems
When you ATO station cost more than whole my tank with equipment. This is for lasiest richest hobbyst.
Youre not lazy because you find a better solution. You sound silly and upset that people have money and would rather enjoy the tank more than worry about other things. You should probably cut your grass with scissors because buying a lawnmower is for lazy and rich folks
Oh boy..... This look so complicated I think I won't buy a Apex Neptune!!!
Keep in mind that we're talking about using the Apex for pretty advanced automation in this episode. You can certainly get a lot out of the Apex without it being complicated 😃
Dude turn the excitement down