Neptune A3 Apex Aquarium Controller System

Neptune A3 Apex Aquarium Controller System

The Neptune A3 Apex Aquarium Controller System is an aquarium controller that monitors and controls temperature, pH, water level and leaks, with remote access and management through the Apex Fusion interface. It suits hobbyists who want proper control and monitoring of a reef or freshwater tank, with room to expand later. Built-in WiFi and Ethernet, lab-grade probes and a power bar with per-outlet monitoring are all part of the system.

Key Benefits

• Monitors temperature, pH, surface leaks and water level, and controls additional aquarium equipment through the included power bar.
• Sends alerts to your smartphone when something goes wrong, so you can take corrective action early.
• Apex Fusion lets you set reminders, log testing and dosing information, and check your tank from anywhere in the world.
• Fusion is a free, web-based cloud interface that works on computers, tablets and smartphones running Windows, OSX, iOS or Android. You always run the current software version, with no app updates, clumsy touch screens or drivers to install.
• The drag-and-drop dashboard lets you add control switches, graphs, video tiles and more, so the layout focuses on what you want to monitor. Probe calibration and outlet customisation take just a few taps.
• Setup and configuration follow an easy guided user interface.
• The new built-in audible alarm and three FMM ports for fluid monitoring sensors are an upgrade over the A2 Series, which required a separate module purchase.
• Continuous power consumption data from the Energy Bar 632 lets the Apex notify you when a device is not using power. An example is a return pump showing no consumption, or a skimmer with a clogged airline drawing a different amount of power than normal. High and low limits can be customised for each outlet.
• Backwards compatible and expandable, so older Apex modules, head units, energy bars and accessories keep working with the new controller.

Lab-Grade Probes

The system includes lab-grade, double-junction probes for temperature and pH. The double-junction pH probe helps readings stay more stable, so it does not need calibrating as often. Calibration runs through the Fusion dashboard, which automatically recognises when your readings have stabilised and tells you when to move to the next step, so there is no guesswork and no reading of raw data. The pH/ORP probe port also accepts an ORP probe, but the ORP probe is sold separately.

MOS Magnetic Optical Sensor

The new MOS replaces the previous OS-1-M. Its updated design fits into tighter spaces and helps prevent water getting into the sensor. It plugs into an Apex FMM port and uses reflected infrared light to signal your Apex when it changes from wet to dry or dry to wet. Use it to build your own ATO (auto-top-off), as a high-level warning sensor in your sump, as a water storage level sensor, and more. It can be mounted on any type of reservoir with walls up to 6 mm (1/4") thick.

LD-2 Leak Detection Floor Sensor

The LD-2 is a full-sized leak detection probe for inside your stand, on hard floors, on top of skimmer cups, or on any other flat surface where an overflow could cause problems. If water touches the sensor, your Apex Controller is notified instantly so you can act before it becomes a disaster.

Energy Bar 632 (240V AC)

• Designed from scratch for the new Apex, with six 240V AC outputs and an internal 100W 24VDC power supply.
• That power supply feeds three built-in 1LINK ports and two 24VDC accessory ports.
• Each outlet has independent power monitoring and its own LED indicator. The LED shows when the outlet is powered and flashes when there is an overload.
• Meets CE safety standards.
• Lets you know when a pump, skimmer, UV device or other equipment is not operating properly, and can send an alert so problems are caught as they arise.

How to Use

• Connect the Apex base unit to your network over WiFi or Ethernet, then open the free Apex Fusion interface on your computer, tablet or smartphone.
• Follow the guided setup to configure the system, then plug the temperature probe, pH probe and sensors into their respective ports.
• Calibrate the probes from the Fusion dashboard using the supplied calibration solutions (7 and 10).
• Plug your aquarium equipment into the Energy Bar outlets and customise each outlet in Fusion.
• Set high and low power consumption limits for each outlet if you want alerts when a device is not behaving normally.
• Build your dashboard with control switches, graphs and video tiles, and set reminders or log testing and dosing information.
• Mount the unit using the supplied mounting screws, and use the Getting Started card for first-time setup.

Suitable For

• Hobbyists who want to start controlling and monitoring their tank, with room to grow into more advanced monitoring.
• Reef tank keepers who want a controller they can expand with extra modules.
• Aquarists who want leak, water level, temperature and pH monitoring on one platform.
• Owners with existing Apex modules, head units, energy bars or accessories who want to bring them into a new controller setup.

Compatibility

• Add salinity monitoring by connecting a PM2 module.
• Add dissolved O2 monitoring by adding a PM3.
• The 1LINK ports are for Neptune accessories such as the DOS and WAV pump, which connect straight to the Energy Bar to save space and avoid messy cords around the tank.
• The 24VDC switchable outlets suit accessories such as small pumps, solenoids and fans.
• The Energy Bar 632 is compatible with the ApexEL Entry Level Kit and the Apex Lab Grade Kit.
• Older Apex modules, head units, energy bars and accessories work with the new Apex Controller.

Power Bar Models and Mains Supply

The Energy Bar 832 is for use in North America (USA, Canada and parts of Mexico) and other locales where the electrical service grid provides 120VAC 60Hz power. It has eight outlets, each with independent power consumption monitoring and its own LED status indicator, plus three built-in 1LINK ports and two 24VDC accessory ports. The manufacturer describes it as the only UL-certified power bar approved for use in aquarium applications. Regions that use 230VAC 50Hz power (UK, EU, AU or Schuko) are bundled with an EnergyBar 6 with six region-specific outlets. The manufacturer's international note says EnergyBar 6 models do not include the EB832's per-outlet power monitoring, 1LINK or DC24 ports, or per-outlet indicator LEDs. This bundle lists the Energy Bar 632, described above.

Specifications

• A3 Apex base unit with 3 FMM ports
• 6 switch digital inputs
• 2 Aquabus ports
• 1 pH/ORP probe port (ORP probe sold separately)
• 1 temperature probe port
• WiFi and Ethernet compatible
• Built-in audible alarm
• Head unit dimensions: 12.1 cm L x 13.3 cm H x 8.3 cm W (4.75" x 5.25" x 3.25")
• Energy Bar 832 dimensions: 25.4 cm L x 16.5 cm H x 5.7 cm W (10" x 6.5" x 2.25")
• Energy Bar 632: 11 total power connections for aquarium devices
• 6 x 240V AC outlets, all switched with relays rated for millions of cycles
• 3 x 1Link 24VDC smart outlets for devices such as WAV and DOS
• 2 x switchable 24VDC outlets for accessories such as small pumps, solenoids and fans
• Built-in 100W 24VDC power supply
• Individual outlet current monitoring, with specialised software to help optimise control and use less power

What's Included

• 1 x A3 Apex base unit
• 1 x Energy Bar 632
• 1 x temperature probe
• 1 x pH probe
• 1 x MOS Magnetic Optical Sensor
• 1 x LD-2 Leak Detection Sensor
• 1 x 1.8 m (6') Aquabus cable
• Calibration solutions (7 and 10)
• Mounting screws
• Getting Started card

Not included: Apex Display Module, smartphone and tablet. The ORP probe is sold separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the A3 Apex come with an ORP probe?
No. The pH/ORP probe port accepts an ORP probe, but it is sold separately. The system includes a pH probe and a temperature probe.

Do I need to install an app to use it?
No. Apex Fusion is a free, web-based interface, so there are no drivers or app updates to install. It works on computers, tablets and smartphones running Windows, OSX, iOS or Android.

Can I connect it by cable instead of WiFi?
Yes. The A3 Apex is compatible with both WiFi and Ethernet.

Can I add salinity or dissolved oxygen monitoring later?
Yes. Connect a PM2 module for salinity monitoring or add a PM3 for dissolved O2 monitoring. Older Apex modules, head units, energy bars and accessories also work with the new controller.

How does the system warn me about leaks or water level changes?
The LD-2 sensor notifies your Apex instantly if water touches it. The MOS signals your Apex when it changes from wet to dry or dry to wet, and it can serve as a sump high-level warning or part of a DIY ATO. Fusion also sends alerts to your smartphone when something goes wrong.

Is a display module included?
No. The Apex Display Module, smartphone and tablet are not included.