Real time in tank PAR Monitor

[Stussi613]

Apex has added something else really useful and totally awesome to it's line of Controller related products.

https://www.neptunesystems.com/pmk/





Looks like it's priced at $300 USD, which is pretty cheap in the grand scheme of things as it just adds on to their system.

http://www.saltwateraquarium.com/neptune-systems-apex-pmk-par-monitoring-kit.html

[exv152]

The Neptune Apex controller is by far the best controller out there. Not sure if anyone on the SW or FW side of the hobby would really need continuous PAR monitoring. I'm personally considering this controller for my main display tank. Thanks for posting.

[Dxpert]

I was just checking that out also - awesome unit. If you are running t5's it could tell you when your lights need replacing.

What's even more interesting is the new ASM - apex is going to support different types of probes. I'm thinking dissolved co2 would be high on the list. Or ammonia? Or nitrate? Or calcium?

https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?11457-New-product-announcement-pmk

http://americanmarineusa.com/collections/pinpoint-monitors

[exv152]

The real selling point for me is more the email alerts (which can save some folks big $$$) and the fact that the system can automatically shut certain things off if there's an emergency, that plus the web based control make it worth every penny. There's no doubt this is the way of the future. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before we see probes for Ca, Mg, alkalinity for SW, and co2, potassium, iron etc,  for the FW side.

[Stussi613]

The fact that you can control outlets based on conditions of other outlets, or probes is the thing that makes Apex stand out.  When I hit feed mode A it shuts off my return pump and my skimmer and then after 10 minutes turns them both back on.  When I hit feed mode B it does the same thing, but because I feed much smaller food that would normally get skimmed out of the water column on feed mode B it keeps the pump off for 20 minutes, then makes the skimmer wait 40 minutes after the return pump comes back on before it starts to give the finer stuff more time in the water column. 

My only regret on the Apex was starting out on the Lite version of it and not getting the full blown one from the start.