Reef Tank controller :: Neptune Apex Lite

I have to admit, this is one place where my tank budget very quickly got away from me. But, logic got the best of me and I decided that it was just a good idea to have a way to control several perameters in the tank. Simple lighting timers are no longer the way to go in this technology enabled world we live in.  There were several scenarios that played out in my head that drove me to select one of these devices.

1) a way to protect the tank from a heater thermostat that fails and cooks the tank.
2) Lighting control of multiple devices from a single point
3) wave maker capability of powerheads
4) ability to monitor temperature/PH of the tank remotely
5) ability to monitor inputs and pumps to set up an automatic top off system.
6) ability to change pump cycles for feeding

I compared the Neptune Apex and the Digital Aquatics Reef Keeper Elite. I compared features, functionality, reviews and support.  After much deliberation I selected the Neptune Apex Lite.  This has been a great system that has proved to be easy to use and a very valuable asset to the tank.  I now graph PH, and temperature.  I can compare cycles on the heater with light cycles and verify that everything stays within a strict window of compliance.

Lighting requirements for 65 gallon reef with SPS, LPS and soft Coral

Now that I had some livestock in the tank, I wanted to add some coral to my "65 gallon reef tank".  In order to do this I needed to upgrade my lighting.  The 2 T5 HO fixture that the local fish store sold me was not going to cut it.  Due to the high cost of lighting I went to ebay to find a fixture.
I found one that had 2 250 watt MH bulbs with remote ballasts along with 4 T5HO bulbs and 18 LED Moon lighting for around $300.  Originally this fixture listed for around $950.  Everything arrived in good condition and shortly after, I had it hooked up and running. 

When selecting lighting it is important to consider what types of coral you will be keeping and what their specific lighting requirements are.  As a rule SPS require more light than soft coral.  So if you wanted to keep both, you would plan for the lighting needs of the SPS coral and keep the soft coral closer to the bottom of the tank, further from the light source.

Initial Tank Inhabitants

Now that the tank had fully cycled it was time to select some inhabitants for the tank.  Since I had heard that Clown fish were pretty hardy. I decided to add 2 Ocellaris Clown Fish,a Derasa clam and a brittle star.  I purchased these at a reputable local coral shop.  I decided to drip acclimate these over the period of an hour. 

 

 Ocellaris Clown Fish

 

Brittle Star

Derasa Clam