The problem with having your controller control everything

[kien]

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

I'm comfortable with my controller handling all of the conveniences. ATO, lights on and off, cooling fan, C02 solenoid or dosing pumps etc. But if possible I like the idea of having at least one circulation pump or powerhead plugged directly into the wall. That way if the controller goes down I don't lose critical flow. Without flow, oxygen can quickly deplete causing the inhabitants to suffocate. I feel confident that my tank will be fine without its ATO, lights, supplements etc for a day or two while I convert everything back to hardware store timers and top off the evaporation myself. But I don't think it could last for more than a few hours without flow.

I would totally agree with this approach. I've had my GHL Profilux controller for the past 5 years and luckily have never had it fail (knock on wood). However, if it did fail I would be in the same boat as you, completely dead in the water ( pun intended ). For this reason it is always a good idea to have backups (or backup plan) (equipment and sources of power) for the essentials as whatcaneyedo suggested.

[sphelps]

Can you not set initial state for the Apex power bars? I don't know much about the Apex just that it can be done with Profilux so something to check into. Seems like it would solve the problem. I also run one slave powerhead on completely separate circuit as a last resort back up.

2.3.2.2 Set inital states
If the Powerbar-PAB doesn’t receive commands anymore over a minute (e.g. since the bus has been interrupted, ProfiLux is switched off or is defective, …), the sockets of the Powerbar-PAB can be switched due to safety reasons into a predefined state (on or off). The initial state can be programmed separately for each socket. For example it can make sense to keep the filter switched on. On the other side it is better to switch off the heating in case of an error so that the aquarium is not overheated.

[whatcaneyedo]

Yes the Apex has Fallback statements that can be set for every outlet incase the power bar loses contact with the base unit. So that is all fine and dandy unless a problem happens with the power bar and not the base unit... or if anyone is using a DC8 (from the old AquaControllers) on their Apex.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

Yes the Apex has Fallback statements that can be set for every outlet incase the power bar loses contact with the base unit. So that is all fine and dandy unless a problem happens with the power bar and not the base unit... or if anyone is using a DC8 (from the old AquaControllers) on their Apex.

If the problem occurs at the power bar that should trigger an error at the base unit and therefore trigger an alarm or notification. Obviously there is no full proof solution but having a controller with these safety features seems much more reliable than the alternative.

[kien]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Can you not set initial state for the Apex power bars? I don't know much about the Apex just that it can be done with Profilux so something to check into. Seems like it would solve the problem. I also run one slave powerhead on completely separate circuit as a last resort back up.

2.3.2.2 Set inital states
If the Powerbar-PAB doesn’t receive commands anymore over a minute (e.g. since the bus has been interrupted, ProfiLux is switched off or is defective, …), the sockets of the Powerbar-PAB can be switched due to safety reasons into a predefined state (on or off). The initial state can be programmed separately for each socket. For example it can make sense to keep the filter switched on. On the other side it is better to switch off the heating in case of an error so that the aquarium is not overheated.

I've never had my Profilux fail but it's good to know that the power bars will behave this way. Unfortunately, the original poster doesn't doesn't use Profilux, he uses the Apex system by the sounds of it. Are they compatible ? I didn't think that they were.

[Aquattro]

Apex does provide for outlet condition in the event of failure. My pumps are set to fail on.

[Aquattro]

As already posted above I would think it's as likely a manual timer fails as much as the actual power bar, so always a chance something goes. It's the life we live -lol

[kien]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

As already posted above I would think it's as likely a manual timer fails as much as the actual power bar, so always a chance something goes. It's the life we live -lol

Or better yet, the power in your house goes (for over 24 hours). I love those ones.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by kien

Or better yet, the power in your house goes (for over 24 hours). I love those ones.

Or your city fills with water.