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Usually used with a return pump, this flow sensor can be placed in line with the flow on any pipe, connected to the FMM, and communicate to your Apex the flow rate of water through that pipe. The flow sensor itself uses British Standard Parallel Pipe (BSPP) threads so for North American customers we have included two specially designed PVC unions with slip fittings to adapt it to standard 2″ PVC plumbing. The FS-200 will work with flow rates from 300-3000 gph. The sensor has a wire length of 5 meters.
The Neptune Systems 2" Flow Sensor (FS-200) is the largest of the standard flow sensors offered by Neptune Systems, designed for monitoring extremely high flow rates. As with the 1" (FS-100) sensor, its inclusion of unions is a significant advantage for practical installation and maintenance in large aquarium setups.
Purpose and Common Applications:
The FS-200 is built for substantial water movement, with a typical operating range of 300-3000 gallons per hour (GPH), or approximately 1135-11356 liters per hour (LPH). Its primary applications are in large or complex aquarium systems:
Very Large Main Return Lines: For large display tanks (e.g., 500 gallons or more) that require very high turnover rates, the FS-200 is ideal for monitoring the output of powerful return pumps. This ensures the health and stability of your primary circulation.
Early Warning of Pump Issues: Crucial for detecting issues like clogs, pump failure, or air locks in your main return, which could lead to an overflow or a loss of life support.
Performance Tracking: Allows you to precisely monitor the actual flow rate delivered by your pump and plumbing system, helping you identify inefficiencies or degradation over time.
Massive Closed Loop Systems: In large reef tanks with dedicated high-flow closed-loop systems for water movement, the FS-200 can provide critical monitoring of these powerful pumps.
Large Water Change Systems: If you have an automated water change system designed for very large volumes, the FS-200 can monitor the precise flow of incoming or outgoing water.
Industrial-Scale Aquarium Applications: Sometimes used in public aquariums or aquaculture facilities where precise flow monitoring of large systems is essential.
Key Features:
2" Sensor Body: The largest flow sensor in the Neptune Systems lineup, built for 2" plumbing.
Integrated Unions (Crucial for Large Plumbing): This is a critical feature for ease of installation and maintenance. The FS-200 comes with union fittings on both ends.
Simple Installation: The union ends are designed to be solvent-welded (glued) into your 2" PVC plumbing. Once the glue is set, the main sensor body screws into these union ends.
Effortless Removal/Maintenance: The unions allow you to easily unscrew the sensor body from the plumbing without needing to cut pipes. This is invaluable for cleaning the sensor (though they typically require little maintenance), calibrating, or replacing it.
Thread Type: The sensor itself uses BSPP (British Standard Parallel Pipe) threads, but Neptune Systems typically includes specially designed PVC unions with slip (socket) fittings to adapt it to standard 2" PVC plumbing, which is common in North America and Australia.
Connects to FMM: The FS-200 must be connected to one of the four sensor ports on a Neptune Systems FMM (Fluid Monitoring Module). The FMM then sends the real-time flow data to your Apex controller.
Real-time Data and Datalogging: Provides immediate flow rate readings on your Apex Fusion dashboard. All data is continuously logged and graphed, allowing you to track long-term trends and identify performance changes.
Advanced Automation and Alerts: The Apex system can be programmed to:
Send email, SMS, or push notifications if the flow drops below or exceeds a set threshold (e.g., "Main Return Pump Failure!").
Trigger complex automated routines, such as initiating emergency backup pumps, shutting down other equipment (heaters, skimmers) to prevent issues related to no flow, or activating specific lighting modes.
Robust Construction: Manufactured with durable, aquarium-safe materials to withstand continuous operation in harsh saltwater environments. It utilizes an internal turbine or paddle-wheel mechanism for flow measurement.
Long Cable: Typically comes with a generous 5-meter (16-foot) cable, providing flexibility for sensor placement.
Installation and Setup:
Placement: Select a straight section of your 2" plumbing line. Avoid placing it immediately after pumps, elbows, or reducers, as turbulence can affect accuracy. Ensure the flow direction matches the arrow on the sensor body.
Disassemble Unions: Unscrew the union nuts from the FS-200 sensor body, separating the sensor from the two union ends.
Glue Union Ends: Apply proper PVC cement to the 2" slip fittings of the union ends and securely glue them onto the cut ends of your 2" PVC plumbing. Allow the cement to cure completely according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Install Sensor Body: Once the PVC cement is fully cured, place the FS-200 sensor body between the two installed union ends and tighten the union nuts firmly by hand. Avoid overtightening.
Connect to FMM: Plug the cable from the FS-200 into any available sensor port on your FMM.
Configure in Apex Fusion: Access your Apex Fusion dashboard. The Apex should auto-detect the flow sensor. Navigate to the FMM's configuration page to name the sensor, specify the unit (GPH or LPH), and set up any desired alerts or control rules.
The Neptune Systems 2" Flow Sensor (FS-200) with unions is an indispensable tool for advanced aquarists managing large and high-value systems. It provides critical monitoring and robust automation capabilities for the most vital flow components, offering unparalleled peace of mind and protection.
