Elite 200INT Super Cone Protein Skimmer

[A;exr54]

I splurged and got myself a Reef Octopus Elite 200-INT Super Cone Protein Skimmer.
Looked perfect for my size tank and its marketed to be Apex ready.

Now that i have it, how the heck is it Apex ready?
It comes with no instructions (just a blow out of the parts), and no variable speed plugs for the Varios-4 it comes with.

Does anyone know what they mean by Apex ready?
How would you connect it to your Apex?

I was hoping the float switch would integrate as well as the pump.
I see no way of doing that?

I already got it, it looks really nice. Im not going to return it, even if its false advertising about being Apex ready. So please no comments about me wasting money or better options i could have gotten, etc..
I would really just like to make this one work with Apex if its possible.

 

[dschuffert]

They are great skimmers. I have the 200 and the 220 on two different systems. The pump controller has a 0-10V port that can be controlled by Apex, Hydros, and GHL. You need the proper cable to connect them.

 

[SpyC]

Your Apex also needs a 0-10v port for said cable. It is apex ready, but your apex may not be

 

[wazzupmac]

Get the IceCap Y-Cable (https://www.coralvue.com/icecap-y-cable) and connect - your apex will recognize it right away then you can program from there

 

[A;exr54]

Your Apex also needs a 0-10v port for said cable. It is apex ready, but your apex may not be

Sorry kind of lost me. How can my Apex not be Apex ready. lol
The apex has the ports. There are 2 variable speed ports (like RJ11/RJ45 plugs) on the Apex. They are not used.

My question is, what is the proper way to use this skimmer with the Apex for both pump and float switch control?

 

[A;exr54]

Get the IceCap Y-Cable (https://www.coralvue.com/icecap-y-cable) and connect - your apex will recognize it right away then you can program from there

I have the single plug like this and it didnt do a thing. Why would i need the Y plug?

Ive never used the variable plugs before on the Apex successfully. I have the cable from a coralife fixture that has the dimming T5HO's. The dimming using the variable outlets never worked for me either.

Sorry if its a dumb question -
With the variable plug i also need to use the power brick for the pump?

 

[A;exr54]

Thanks all! I think i finally got it to use the variable power.
Has anyone replaced the float switch that it comes with, for one that works with Apex so you can get alerted?

 

[SpyC]

Sorry kind of lost me. How can my Apex not be Apex ready. lol
The apex has the ports. There are 2 variable speed ports (like RJ11/RJ45 plugs) on the Apex. They are not used.

My question is, what is the proper way to use this skimmer with the Apex for both pump and float switch control?

Not all apex units have the correct port and require an add on. If you had one of the units that had them in the brain you apex would not need anything else. If you didn't, you'd need the module. Hence why your apex wouldn't actually be ready for an 'apex ready' device.

 

[A;exr54]

Not all apex units have the correct port and require an add on. If you had one of the units that had them in the brain you apex would not need anything else. If you didn't, you'd need the module. Hence why your apex wouldn't actually be ready for an 'apex ready' device.

Ah ok. I have the ApexNG Pro Base Unit, it comes with the ports.
And seems to be working now.
Thanks!

 

[wazzupmac]

I have the single plug like this and it didnt do a thing. Why would i need the Y plug?

Sorry if its a dumb question -
With the variable plug i also need to use the power brick for the pump?

Y plug allows you to control up to 2 accessories. My skimmer pump and UV pump are both Varios - instead of having to go to the tank and fiddle with the controllers, I can just use the Neptune app to make adjustments.

Part 2 - I think you mean controller but that answer is sort of. The Apex can be used to control the pump but you can always override it if you want with the controller. The idea behind using the Y plug is that you can control the device vs simply turning off the outlet via the Apex if a need arises.

 

[A;exr54]

Y plug allows you to control up to 2 accessories. My skimmer pump and UV pump are both Varios - instead of having to go to the tank and fiddle with the controllers, I can just use the Neptune app to make adjustments.

Part 2 - I think you mean controller but that answer is sort of. The Apex can be used to control the pump but you can always override it if you want with the controller. The idea behind using the Y plug is that you can control the device vs simply turning off the outlet via the Apex if a need arises.

Thanks.
I am learning this as i go. I've had the apex for years but never used the variable connections before. Now that i have the Varios pump successfully connected to it, its starting to make sense.