Apex Programming Help

nyc reefer · Apr 4, 2019

Let me begin by saying “hello” to everyone on Reef2Reef, I’m new here and looking to learn more from this group.

First I’ll list my current equipment:
-RR 120ga it’s an Elos rimless with a screen top
-Teco chiller 1/4hp with built in UV and 400w
heater fed by the Cor 20 pump
-Kessil Ap700 light w/hanging kit
-Elite Aquatics 35” x 15” x 15” sump with adjustable skimmer water height and built in probe holders
-Elite Aquatics 10ga ATO container
-Klir 4” felt filter and carbon bag in a 4” cup in second sock holder
-Reef Octopus 150sss skimmer
-Tunze Universal TopOff
-Cor 20 return pump
-Apex WiFi controller with
—-Eb832 power strip
—-Automatic Fish Feeder
—-(2) WAV pumps plugged to the power strip
—-(2)Leak sensors, (1) float switch in the sump that shuts of the reactor, chiller, and skimmer if the water level drops too much in sump
—-DOS and DDR dosing 2part (BRS)

I’m in need of help with programming my Apex to shut off my (2) WAV pumps, and skimmer when the automatic feeder makes a rotation to feed my fishes. I am not very literate/savvy in programming code into the Apex. Currently when my tank gets fed my WAV pumps continue even though I created a “point” on their schedule to zero flow 5mins before and 5mins after the feeder makes a rotation. However, the pumps don’t spin down. Anyone can help me? I would need the code script to enter into the Apex but don’t know where to enter it either. Please help!!!

Lol, thanks

Crabs McJones · Apr 4, 2019

Welcome to R2R!

#WelcometoR2R
@rkpetersen and @DarthSimon may know #apexusers

nyc reefer · Apr 4, 2019

Thank you Crabs McJones, I appreciate it.

Breadman03 · Apr 4, 2019

IF your FEEDER is ON THEN you want this OFF. That's the English version of the code. Your Apex will want to see something like this inserted into your WAV and skimmer code:

IF Outlet (feeder name) = ON Then OFF

Here is Neptune's documentation page. The Comp. Ref. Manual can help out quite a bit, especially once you are somewhat familiar with the system.

pelphrey · Apr 4, 2019

You can do this a few ways.

You can give your feeder a feed cycle name, or you can just tell your WAV and skimmer to shut off.

My feeder feed cycle is A If FeedA 005 Then OFF
My feeder name is Feeder_4_1 if it is ON then I want my pump off If Output Feeder_4_1 = ON Then OFF
Defer statement will keep pump off for 1 minute Defer 001:00 Then ON

This code will go into your skimmer outlet and wav pumps.

Geebs19 · Apr 4, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!

nyc reefer · Apr 4, 2019

Thank you everyone I’m so excited to get home and work on this project

rkpetersen · Apr 4, 2019

Here's what I would do. It's similar to what's described above. Apologies if too much detail is presented.

First, create a virtual outlet that will only activate when your feeder goes on, and then stays on for 5 minutes afterwards.
Using a VO keeps the long defer you'll be using from effecting other skimmer and wav programming.
To create a VO, go to the Outputs page, click on the gear at upper right, and then Add a Virtual Output.
Name it something meaningful to you, like Feed5MinOff. Program it

Set OFF
If Output [FeederName] = ON Then ON
Defer 005:00 Then OFF

Upload the VO to Apex. It'll then be in the hidden tiles area; you can drag it out and make sure it's set to AUTO.

Now, anything you want to turn off when the feeder activates, you just add the following line to its code:

If Output Feed5MinOff = ON Then OFF

This goes in the Advanced code area for each of your WAVs, and your skimmer.

For the skimmer, go the configuration page, and pull down the menu under Control Type. Select Advanced.
This will now show you all the code for that device. Add the above line at the end and upload to Apex.

I don't own WAVs myself, but since you mention graphing points, it may be set up similar to Vortechs.
If so, go to the WAV configuration page. At the upper left, there should be a grey icon titled Basic View.
Click on it and you should see all the actual code for the WAV (it may be in the form of tdata.)
Again, just add the above line at the end of the code stack, and upload to Apex.

That should do it. Whenever your feeder activates, either automatically or manually, the skimmer and wavs should stop for 5 minutes.
(Technically I believe it will be 5 minutes 30 seconds for the automatic feedings.)
Test it out thoroughly to make sure it works as intended though.

DarthSimon · Apr 4, 2019

Randy's way is perfect!!! Great way to code it. Virtual Outlet. VO's can come in handy for lot's of tasks fyi.

I turn off my Vortech's with this code:

If FeedA 000 Then OFF

My feed mode is set for 3 minutes, and the Vortech being off for 3 minutes is more than enough. You can obviously use that code in any devices you need turned off.

This way, if you activate feed mode, turns off the devices, and the AFS will rotate if you set it to that feed mode.

Either way is good....

nyc reefer · Apr 4, 2019

Success I used the code pelphrey suggested and it worked. Thanks everyone

DarthSimon · Apr 4, 2019

Sweet!!!! Good stuff...

MnFish1 · Apr 4, 2019

Isn't this already built into the Apex (ie - set the pump as type 'return' or any pump, skimmer, etc - and set the feed cycle - on your apex (for the items you want to turn off - a, b, c, d can be different times - go into the settings for each item - the types that are allowed to be turned off/on with feeding will show a menu showing 'feed cycle' or something like that. After setting - you only need to You just click the 'feed cycle' button (a, b, c, d) which turn whatever is set to those letters off - for the given time on the main apex page. There is no programming required at all.

nyc reefer · Apr 6, 2019

Just an update, it’s been working as I wanted. Every time the feeder activated my WAV pumps and the skimmer shut down to allow my fish to benefit of the feeding.

One more thing I though would be good to have activate also is set my COR20 to power down to the minimum flow. What coding would I need to type in to achieve this. I run my COR20 at 80% power as my max and my tanks’/COR minimum is 3%, any ideas how to program this into my Apex.?

Thank you

rkpetersen · Apr 6, 2019

If you're using the FeedA trigger to turn off your wavs and skimmer, you can do something similar with your return pump.
Add this line to your COR code:

If FeedA 005 Then 3

It will turn your pump down to 3% during Feed A and for 5 minutes thereafter.
You can bump that percentage up for a bit more than minimal flow, perhaps something like 5 or 10.

MnFish1 said:
Isn't this already built into the Apex (ie - set the pump as type 'return' or any pump, skimmer, etc - and set the feed cycle - on your apex (for the items you want to turn off - a, b, c, d can be different times - go into the settings for each item - the types that are allowed to be turned off/on with feeding will show a menu showing 'feed cycle' or something like that. After setting - you only need to You just click the 'feed cycle' button (a, b, c, d) which turn whatever is set to those letters off - for the given time on the main apex page. There is no programming required at all.

lol, I tend to ignore the Feed buttons for the most part, and just code my own stuff. But of course, yes it is programmed in already.

MnFish1 · Apr 6, 2019

rkpetersen said:
If you're using the FeedA trigger to turn off your wavs and skimmer, you can do something similar with your return pump.
Add this line to your COR code:

If FeedA 005 Then 3

It will turn your pump down to 3% during Feed A and for 5 minutes thereafter.
You can bump that percentage up for a bit more than minimal flow, perhaps something like 5 or 10.

lol, I tend to ignore the Feed buttons for the most part, and just code my own stuff. But of course, yes it is programmed in already.