Apex Not Connection to Fusion After AOS Update

[trevorhiller]

I emailed Neptune asking if there is any update on my bricked Apex head unit and this is the reply I received:

So frustrating. I just don't understand how they think this type of reply is sufficient. The reply sounds so wishy washy. I really would love to see a bullet proof controller system. I've spent a small fortune trying to make my reef tank glitch proof but when the monitor goes down and it takes weeks to get repaired, it's very frustrating. I feel like there are enough users out there that we shouldn't be dealing with these issues. Unfortunately, I don't think they put any of their profits into improving/updating the system.

 

[Ziggy17]

Yep, super frustrating.

 

[Ziggy17]

replacing the SD card did not work for me. Bummer.

 

[aSaltyKlown]

I was on vacation and did not update until the 2nd. Never had an issue in 17 months. I didn't notice for a few days and only noticed as I needed to look at a log, there are zero logs after it came back online on the 2nd. DOS and Trident aren't working, as well as other things aren't turning on from the EB8, even though I hear the plug turning on. Have been emailing back and forth and today they said that there are hardware errors and I am awaiting to hear what my options are.

If a firmware update causes issues warranty or not they should take care of the issue. Will see what they come back with.

 

[herozero]

Update?

@trevorhiller

 

[Troylee]

@Joe Carioti

 

[aSaltyKlown]

Update?

If this was for me, I'm still waiting for a reply. Last I heard from them was Tuesday morning.

 

[Gut Pile]

Just got off the phone with Carlos from neptune and his explanation was that it's just a failure of non industrial SD cards I'm guessing due to write limits or issues with that. Which of course does not make sense because the sandisk card I replaced was labled "Industrial" so they are blaming the cards themselves. So what is an industrial grade SD card that does not suck that an apex will not corrupt? I'm waiting on an answer from them on this.

 

[aSaltyKlown]

That is what they got back to me with. They want me to do the possible fix myself and get back to them. I don't have a problem putting a new card in, however this seems to happen quite a bit and from reading others experiences. If this doesn't fix it, I'm out of warranty by 6 months and will need to cover the repair/replacement myself, anyone know the approximate cost?

The update wouldn't have caused this issue with the Apex. However, the update can bring errors that were already there, but weren't apparent, to the surface. We would have seen this error if you had a power outage or even rebooted your Apex. It is on the Apex itself, not related to the software update. The errors I am seeing appear to be related to the memory of the Apex. I have two options to offer you. I could provide you with some instructions explaining how to swap out the micro SD card on this unit, which may resolve the issue. However, if this does not work or you and your family don't feel comfortable attempting the repair, then you can also send in your Apex to our repair team as well.

 

[reely989]

Bricked mine too. Good excuse to switch to hydros. I was eyeing the maven anyway. So far it's been an easy switch. Just have a DOS and Trident to sell now

 

[aSaltyKlown]

Bricked mine too. Good excuse to switch to hydros. I was eyeing the maven anyway. So far it's been an easy switch. Just have a DOS and Trident to sell now

I'm thinking about it. Still looking into it. Although, I also don't want to judge on this one experience sine things do fail at anytime for any reason. It is how they assist only months outside of warranty with a problem that happens often.

 

[reely989]

I'm thinking about it. Still looking into it. Although, I also don't want to judge on this one experience sine things do fail at anytime for any reason. It is how they assist only months outside of warranty with a problem that happens often.

I agree. I've honestly been unhappy with the Trident so it was an easy decision for me. As long as the Maven is decent I'll still feel good about the switch.

 

[herozero]

I'll spare OP having to retype what happened, so here's a link to his explanation. Seeing lots of threads about busted Apex's. Kind of speechless.

WARNING: Avoid latest AOS updates!

I didn’t have the dosing issue, but trying to do the update bricked my Apex. I’m still waiting for it to come back. It sounds like that may have been a blessing because I also dose NaOH. The second blessing was it forced me to look seriously at Hydros for my next tank. Maybe if Neptune had a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[aSaltyKlown]

I agree. I've honestly been unhappy with the Trident so it was an easy decision for me. As long as the Maven is decent I'll still feel good about the switch.

What version did you go with and what will you use for dosing?

 

[reely989]

What version did you go with and what will you use for dosing?

I got the x4 I think it's called and one of the power strips. I'm currently using the simplicity doser. Can't decide if I'm gonna stay with that or get some brs dosers I can run through the hydros bar.

 

[bubbgee]

I had a similar issue since the last update. The current update so far does not disconnect from fusion (using wifi here). The past few months, I needed to reboot my apex daily (sometimes several times) when it disconnects to fusion or the network in general.

I am still monitoring but so far so good the past 48 hours.

 

[deome]

I heard back from Neptune, the head unit needs to go back for replacement. What a bummer. It seems the update killed it. This is the second time in 2 years I’ve had this thing that I’ve had a head unit go down on me.

I’m building a new tank in my basement and was planning to use Apex, but perhaps it’s time to give GHL another go (although I hated the interface) or try out hydros.

I'm looking at Hydros now. The last update bricked my third Apex in two years (I have two heaters that outlived all three units), and I'm just not going to keep replacing my tank's brain every nine months just because of sunk costs in Neptune.

 

[Reeferbadness]

I’ll give it a go actually. Thanks for that.

My Apex also failed after the update - but in a different way. It stopped recording all data - but was still doing regular functions like timers for lights, etc - even Trident. Called Neptune and they suggested replacing the mini SD Card. Told me you can't replace with anything bigger than 16gb (8gb is also ok). Cost was $8.00. Replaced it and now all is good. You will have to reprogram all channels but overall a pretty easy fix.

 

[BZOFIQ]

I'm looking at Hydros now. The last update bricked my third Apex in two years (I have two heaters that outlived all three units), and I'm just not going to keep replacing my tank's brain every nine months just because of sunk costs in Neptune.

That's a very high rate of failure. Were they all A2s?

 

[Dburr1014]

I have the update still in que.
I'm so glad I didn't do the update. Of coarse mine is older, not sure if it makes a difference.