Neptune A3 Apex Jr Aquarium Controller System

Neptune A3 Apex Jr Aquarium Controller System

The Neptune A3 Apex Jr Aquarium Controller System is an entry-level, monitoring-only aquarium controller that keeps watch over temperature, pH, water level and floor leaks. It suits hobbyists who want dependable essential monitoring now, with the option to add equipment control and extra parameters later as the system grows.

Key Benefits

• Monitors the essentials: temperature, pH, water level and leaks.
• Affordable way into the Apex ecosystem, with room to expand and add features as you see fit.
• Comes with lab-grade, double-junction probes for temperature and pH.
• New built-in audible alarm, plus alerts to your smartphone when something goes wrong, so you can act before a small problem becomes a disaster.
• Set reminders, log testing and dosing information, and check on your tank from anywhere in the world.
• Built-in WiFi connects the controller to the free Fusion Cloud interface.
• Guided set-up and configuration walks you through the process step by step.

The Apex Base Unit

The A3 Apex Jr base unit is a monitoring-only controller that tracks your tank's most essential needs while leaving the door open to further monitoring and control. It has two Aquabus ports for connecting extra modules and accessories as you build out your system.

• 2 FMM ports
• 2 Aquabus ports
• 1 pH probe port
• 1 temperature probe port
• WiFi only, with no Ethernet port
• Built-in audible alarm

Fusion Cloud Interface

Through the included WiFi, the Apex connects to the free Fusion Cloud interface. From there you can do everything from calibrating probes to customising outlets in just a few taps. Fusion lets you monitor and control your Apex from nearly any device, whether a computer, tablet or smartphone running Windows, OSX, iOS or Android.

• 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.
• Fusion is web-based, so there are no endless app updates, clumsy touch screens or drivers to install.
• Every time you open the interface you are running the most current version of the software.

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 the Apex when it changes state from wet to dry or dry to wet.

• Use it to build your own auto top-off (ATO).
• Use it as a high-level warning sensor in your sump.
• Use it as a water storage level sensor, among other jobs.
• It can be mounted on any type of reservoir with walls up to 6 mm (1/4") thick.

LD-2 Leak Detection 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 trouble. If water touches the sensor, your Apex is notified immediately so you can take corrective action.

Lab-Grade, Double-Junction Probes

The system includes high-quality probes for monitoring temperature and pH. Calibration is a quick, simple process from the 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 raw data. The double-junction pH probe keeps readings more stable, so you don't need to calibrate as often.

How to Use

• Connect the temperature and pH probes to their dedicated ports on the base unit.
• Plug the MOS sensor into an FMM port, and the LD-2 into the other FMM port if you want leak detection.
• Connect the unit to your WiFi network and follow the guided set-up in the Fusion Cloud interface.
• Calibrate the probes from the dashboard using the calibration solutions, following the on-screen prompts.
• Customise your dashboard, set reminders and log testing and dosing information.

Suitable For

• Aquarists who want essential monitoring at an entry-level point in the Apex range.
• Hobbyists planning to add salinity, dissolved oxygen or equipment control later.
• Anyone wanting alerts and remote access to their tank from a computer, tablet or smartphone.

Compatibility

• Fusion Cloud runs on Windows, OSX, iOS and Android devices.
• Add a PM2 module for salinity monitoring.
• Add a PM3 module for dissolved oxygen monitoring.
• Add an EB832 Power Bar for control and monitoring of pumps, lights and other equipment.
• Connects by WiFi only, as there is no Ethernet port.

What's Included

• 1 x A3 Apex Jr base unit
• 1 x power supply
• 1 x temperature probe
• 1 x pH probe
• 1 x MOS Magnetic Optical Sensor
• 1 x LD-2 Leak Detection Sensor
• Calibration solutions (7 and 10)
• Mounting screws
• Getting Started card

Note: the Apex Display Module, smartphone and tablet are not included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the A3 Apex Jr control my heater, pumps or lights?
The base unit is a monitoring-only solution. To control and monitor pumps, lights and other equipment, you can add an EB832 Power Bar through the Aquabus ports.

Does it have an Ethernet port?
No. It connects by WiFi only, so you will need a WiFi network within range of the controller.

Do I need to install an app?
No. Fusion Cloud is a web-based interface, so there are no app updates or drivers to install, and you always run the latest version when you open it.

Can I add salinity or dissolved oxygen monitoring later?
Yes. Connect a PM2 module for salinity or a PM3 module for dissolved oxygen using the two Aquabus ports.

What thickness of reservoir wall does the MOS sensor work with?
It mounts on any type of reservoir with walls up to 6 mm (1/4") thick.

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