Page 1 Version: 5 - Neptune Systems

1 Page 2 version : 5 This Page Intentionally Left Blank Page 3 version : 5 V5 CHANGE LOG 8 CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 9 Introduction 9 Apex vs. Apex Lite (Discontinued) 9 Apex Jr. 10 Apex and the Mac 11 Installation 11 Apex Quick Start Connection Diagram 13 Apex Lite Quick Start Connection Diagram 14 Apex Jr. Quick Start Guide 15 Modules and Outlets an overview 17 Probes 19 Probe Calibration 19 CHAPTER 2: CONFIGURING YOUR NEW CONTROLLER 23 Apex Fusion Setup 24 Network setup 26 Network Troubleshooting 28 Verify your firmware 29 Configure e-mail (if you re not using Fusion) 30 Carrier text messaging list: 30 Configure Display 32 Configuring the Classic Dashboard (if you re not using Fusion) 35 Configure Misc Setup 37 Configure Internet access (if you re not using Fusion) 38 Verizon FIOS 41 AT&T U-verse 2 Wire Router 41 Page 4 version .

2 5 Apple AirPort Extreme 45 Putting it all together 45 CHAPTER 3: WIRELESS 47 Overview 47 Wireless Connection Options 47 Wireless Configuration 48 CHAPTER 4: PROGRAMMING 49 Introduction to Outlet programming 49 Some variables you can test for in your program statements: 50 Know which EB8 is which 50 The Fallback and Set Statements 50 Outlet Naming 51 Outlet Programming (Setup) 53 CHAPTER 5: BASIC PROGRAMMING STATEMENTS 55 Time related programming variables 55 Time 55 Probe Testing (Temp, pH, ORP) 55 Testing against other outlets (Outlet State Statements) 55 Day of Week 56 Creating Conditionals (and, or) 57 Power 57 Feed (and Maintenance) Cycles 58 Alarms and Warnings 60 CHAPTER 6: ADVANCED PROGRAMMING 61 Oscillate 61 Page 5 version : 5 Hysteresis - Minimum Time and Defer 62 Features 65 Modifying the Seasonal Table 68 Variable Speed Pumps and Dimmable Lights 70 CHAPTER 7.

3 FUSION 82 Overview 82 Installation 82 Notifications 83 Menu Icons 84 Dashboard 84 Modify the Dashboard 85 Graphs 86 Profiles 86 Outlets 87 Light and Pump Wizards 87 CHAPTER 8: OTHER Neptune ACCESSORIES 91 PX1000 Probe Expansion Module (Discontinued) 92 Lunar Simulation Module (discontinued, replaced by LSM module) 93 AquaSurf Module (Discontinued, replaced by VDM module) 94 DC8 Direct Connect 8 95 DC4 and DC4HD 95 PM1 Probe Expansion Module 96 PM2 Probe Expansion Module 96 PM3 Probe Expansion Module 96 WXM Wireless Expansion Module 97 VDM Variable Speed/Dimming Module 98 Page 6 version .

4 5 Advanced Leak Detection Module 98 Automatic Feeding System (AFS) 99 AI Wireless Module (AWM) 101 I/O Breakout Box and Switches 108 Examples of Dry-Contact Switches 111 CHAPTER 9: VIRTUAL OUTLETS 113 Creating a Virtual Outlet 113 Using Virtual Outlets 114 CHAPTER 10: LOGS AND LOGGING 117 CHAPTER 11: THIRD PARTY ACCESSORIES 120 RTSP Video Streaming 120 CHAPTER 12: FIRMWARE UPGRADES 123 Overview 123 Execution 125 Module Updates 127 Connecting directly to your PC/Laptop 128 CHAPTER 13: DO-IT YOURSELF 129 Making your own Tunze cable 129 Connecting DIY dimmable lights 130 Automatic Top- Off System 131 Skimmer Waste Reservoir 133 APPENDIX - COMMON ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS 135 What is the DOS Command Prompt ?

5 135 What is Telnet ? 135 My EB8 has the wrong bus number 136 Page 7 version : 5 My Apex does not recognize my module 136 I have more modules declared than I physically have 137 I don t like my outlet or module names what can I do? 137 I have duplicate outlet numbers how do I fix? 137 How do I send a text message to my phone? 137 Controller module is unresponsive, Display module is blank 137 Time and Date are wrong after a power failure 138 EB8 or EB4 shows incorrect amperage 138 How do I save my programming and configuration? 138 My probe (pH or ORP) doesn't read the correct values any more 139 My temperature probe reads 20 (or my pH reads 2, ORP reads 1000 etc.)

6 139 My temperature probe reports strange temp but no entry in the log 140 How do I setup my Apex to notify me of a power failure? 140 How can I keep essential devices running during power failures? 142 My Power Failed time is not correct 142 My controller is reporting a power failure but no failure occurred 143 EB8 shows power failed but no power failure occured 143 EB8 has intermittent power failures 143 What happens if a problem occurs with my tank at night? 143 My data logs have corrupt data how can I clean it up? 144 How do I view other days in the XML screens? 144 I changed my password but it doesn't work.

7 145 I want to just erase everything and start over 145 I don t like how my outlets are ordered how can I change? 145 I m getting a 404 Not Found error 146 My Display is blank! 146 What are the firmware versions? 147 Page 8 version : 5 Display Module - Menu Hierarchy 151 PROGRAM EXAMPLES 154 APEX PROGRAMMING QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE 161 INDEX 162 V5 Change Log 1. Updated Firmware changes to reflect & 2. Major update to include Fusion, chapter re-numbering 3. Added AFS to module section 4. Updated energy bars with Schuko EB6 5. Added AWM to module section 6. Updated WXM section to include Radions 7.

8 Updated Dashboard with switch naming and varspd voltage indicators 8. Rename switches via new Probe/Input web page, added warning that only 24 switches and probes can be renamed regardless of how many you actually have. 9. Added icon images to Display setup in Chapter 2. 10. Updated Moon and Sun commands. 11. Rewrote oscillate instructions 12. Misc. text clarifications 13. Firmware versions decoded 14. Quick Start connection diagrams 15. Added the Introduction section outlining available support resources Page 9 version : 5 Chapter 1: Getting Started Introduction This document is designed to supplement, extend and enhance the other support tools available from Neptune Systems .

9 It goes into greater depth on how to maximize the usefulness of your controller. It s a guide written by an end-user for end-users; therefore, you will find detailed explanations and informational tidbits that you won t find anywhere else. But it s only one of many support and documentation choices you have: Getting Started - Here you ll find the basics of connecting and using various modules and functionality. The Meat and Potatoes - All of the various manuals and user guides including this document can be found on Neptune s support documentation web page Helpful and sometimes entertaining conversation, questions and answers can be found at the Neptune Systems Community forums Sometimes you just need the experts.

10 Neptune s support engineers are ready to look at a nagging problem or repair a piece of equipment. They re easy to reach just use this contact form: Apex vs. Apex Lite (Discontinued) The Apex AquaController and the Apex Lite AquaController share the exact same cases, run the exact same software and are compatible with the exact same accessories. There are two differences between the Apex and the Apex Lite: The Apex base unit supports 3 probes (Temp, pH, and pH/ORP). The Apex Lite only supports 2 (Temp, pH). The Apex has 4 variable voltage ports that can be used for controllable pumps ( Tunze) or dimmable lighting ( LED lighting or VHO ballasts).