While I was able to see many of you at MACNA, most all of our Control Freaks could not make it for one reason or another. There will be many videos to come out from various outlets over the coming months, but I wanted to give you all the straight scoop on all our MACNA announcements right here on the community forum. Now I know that the most common question we will be asked is when, when, when, and how much, how much, how much. I will not be able to get too specific on these answers yet, but all of what I am talking about here is planned to be shipping in some quantity this year and the pricing will be in line with similar products already on the market. Also, as is the case with nearly all of our new product releases, products will first be released in North America and then within about 60-90 days to the rest of the world.
So, with all that said, here is what we spent most of our time talking to people about at MACNA:
PMUP - Practical Multi-Purpose Utility Pump: This product is already available and details can be found here. One addition to this product that we discussed at MACNA is that there will be a model available soon that will be shipped with its own power supply so those that do not have a 1Link module or an Energy Bar 832 can make use of it.
EcoTech Radion G4/G4-Pro Support: We demoed a Radion G4 being controlled at MACNA. This support has already been developed but there are some finishing touches still to do on it. We expect this to go out in an AOS update for new Apex first and then after that the firmware for Apex Classic. This will of course require an update to your WXM module firmware as well.
AI Prime/52/26 HD Support: We demoed an AI Prime HD at the event running on an Apex. This was a custom software effort to integrate their API and requires the new Apex to operate. Look for this at some point after the Radion support as there are a few more things to test and tie up with this one.
MaxSpect Ethereal and Gyre Support: We demoed the Ethereal working on an Apex in our booth along side the other two lights mentioned above. These Maxspect products will be supported via our new IoTa standard that puts the power of Apex WiFi control into the hands of the peripheral manufacturers. There is still a number of things Maxspect must do to make this a reality, so if you want to move this one along faster, be sure to let them know!
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And now the stuff you have really been waiting for! We know, we know, we had these products shown last MACNA. As I told people in my presentations as well as in person, Post-MACNA last year we were not making the progress we wanted and we had too much on our plate. That is the reality of it. I know many out there think we then started the new Apex project but I can assure you that this was not the case. The new Apex was well over a year in the making at that point and we needed to push a few things out to clear our plate and get it done. By late Spring we were back to work on these projects and we made some great advances for our customers beyond the original designs shown at MACNA in DC last year.
FMM - Fluid Monitoring Module: The FMM was brought back to the drawing board and we put in some additional functionality and features. It still has four multi-purpose ports for:
- Flow sensors - we showed the four we intend to sell in 1/4", 1/2", 1", and 2". The 1" and 2" will likely ship with included unions for easy plumbing connection.
- Optical Sensors for fluid level monitoring
- Leak Detection Sensors for water-on-the-floor alerting
In addition to the four ports, we have decided to add a 24V DC Accessory port just like the one on the 1Link and Energy Bar 832. So, when a power supply is connected to the FMM, you can now switch on and off a PMUP for ATO or a 24V DC solenoid valve.
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Apex ATO: For years people have been using the Apex to DIY their own ATO. Now with the addition of the FMM module and optical sensors, we figured it was time we create a turnkey solution. So, shown at MACNA for the first time in public is our Apex ATO. The Apex ATO includes: FMM, PMUP, Magnetic Bracket, two optical sensors, mechanical float valve, power supply, and 10' of 1/4" tubing. Basically it is everything you need to have a triple redundant ATO! So, we then thought, this thing is so cool, why limit it to just those people with an Apex - and so we made it standalone! That's right, plug in the FMM and put it in your sump at the water level you desire, plug in the power cord, and it will run all by itself topping off your aquarium. No buttons to press, nothing to do but put it in the sump, put the PMUP in a jug of water, and plug it in!
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COR - Now in two versions: The COR was shown last year at MACNA and our initial prototypes were good, but not good enough for us. We had to make it quieter. We had to make it more efficient. We had to make it smaller. So we did! The new COR comes in two versions:
- COR 15 - This submersible pump (that can also be run externally) now has its own external control box but still only requires you connect it up one place - 1Link. With less than 50w of power it is pushing 1500gph and more importantly at 6' of head pressure it still pushes nearly 1000gph! This makes it the perfect pump for mid-sized aquariums. And, you get the added benefit of Apex Fusion control and monitoring along with no power bricks, no wire mess, and no outlet to use on your Energy Bar. On top of all this, the COR 15 uses the latest in pump drive technology making it so silent you will be hard-pressed to hear it running. The COR 15 will work on any Apex that has a free 1Link port either via the 1Link Module or an Energy Bar 832
- COR 20 - This pump is identical in physical size to the COR 15 but with the addition of an External power supply can push over 2000gph! All that flow for less than 100w of power and it is nearly silent. After deciding to do this larger, higher flow version, we thought to ourselves: Why not make this pump work standalone so even those without an Apex could use it and then later on get even more out of it by connecting it should they chose to purchase one? So that's what we did! This COR 20 pump can be run by itself or connected to the Apex.
Both pumps have water level memory, a feed mode, and other safety options built into them.
More details will be released over the next couple of months.
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I know there will be lots of questions and I will try my best to answer them, but most everything I can say at this point is written above or will be on a future video that will be released.
If you want to see these new products in person, try and come out to Reef-a-Palooza in Costa Mesa, CA this November. It is always a great event with lots to see and tons of corals.
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