Apex PAR Monitoring Kit (PMK) - Setup Guide
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PAR MONITORING KIT – INTRODUCTION
The PAR Monitoring Kit is the first 7x24 PAR monitoring solution to be integrated with the
Neptune Systems Apex Aquacontroller. You can continuously monitor the health of your
tank AND equipment. It’s the perfect tool to tune your lighting to your specific tank
configuration and livestock needs. And you can incorporate your PAR readings into your
aquarium control requirements.
PHYSICAL INSTALLATION
WARNING: Your Apex Base Unit must be running firmware version 4.40 or higher to
support the PAR Monitoring Kit (PMK). The current firmware version can be checked
from the Apex Display on the Self Test screen. If needed, please upgrade the Apex Base
Unit firmware before proceeding with the installation. See the Apex Setup and
Programming Guide for firmware upgrade instructions or visit the Support – Firmware
Updates page at
Some suggestions for placement in your tank:
•
Place the meter in a location where it will receive a full spectrum of light.
•
Avoid placing in locations where it will be shadowed by corals or rock.
•
Place in a location that it can be moved easily for logging measurements in other
locations and probe cleaning
•
Place in a location where it will be easy to hide the sensor wire — near the sand bed or
behind rock.
INITIAL CONNECTIONS
The PAR Monitoring Kit comes with the Advanced Sensor Module (ASM). The ASM is the
interface between the PAR probe and your controller. Simply plug the ASM into any
available Aquabus port on any module with the included Aquabus cable. Within a few
seconds your controller will recognize the ASM module and assign it a position on the
Aquabus.
Now connect the PAR probe to the ASM. It has a twist-lock BNC connector. The actual
optical sensor is then inserted into the supplied Real Reef Rock. It’s a snug press fit,
designed to be easily removed for cleaning yet secure for in-tank usage.
CONFIGURING THE PMK
