Apex Skimmer outlet questions and help needed.

[southerntnreefer]

So 2 things I'd like to do with my skimmer outlet.

1 delay 10 minutes after a power loss, and or a maintenance mode. I have defer for 10 mins on for feed modes, how can I do power loss and other modes?
Second I need to program a special feeding mode for phyto to kill the skimmer for a 4 hour period. What's the best way to do that? It's just the skimmer that needs to go down so phyto can do it's good work.

 

[SuncrestReef]

The normal Defer is ignored after recovering from a power failure. Instead, you need to add this line of code to the skimmer program:

If Power Apex Off 010 Then OFF

For the phyto, just choose one of the Feed cycles (A, B, C, or D) and set its timer to 14400 seconds (4 hours) under the Misc Setup screen:

Then add this line to the skimmer:

If FeedD 000 Then OFF

 

[southerntnreefer]

The normal Defer is ignored after recovering from a power failure. Instead, you need to add this line of code to the skimmer program:

If Power Apex Off 010 Then OFF

For the phyto, just choose one of the Feed cycles (A, B, C, or D) and set its timer to 14400 seconds (4 hours) under the Misc Setup screen:

Then add this line to the skimmer:

If FeedD 000 Then OFF

So I need to swap the outlet to be an advanced right?

 

[SuncrestReef]

So I need to swap the outlet to be an advanced right?

Yes. If the Control Type is currently set to "Skimmer", switching it to Advanced will reveal the underlying code it already had, then you can add the above lines to it.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Yes. If the Control Type is currently set to "Skimmer", switching it to Advanced will reveal the underlying code it already had, then you can add the above lines to it.

This? That last bit confused me. So after the 10 mins I want it to come back on. Eve. Though it says off it will turn it on?

 

[SuncrestReef]

The Apex evaluates each line of code from top to bottom. The last line that evaluates True will set the output state. So in this example, after power is restored, "If Power Apex Off 010 Then OFF" will remain True for 10 minutes. After that 10 minutes has elapsed, the only line of code that will be True will be "Set ON" on line 2, so the skimmer will turn on.

 

[southerntnreefer]

The Apex evaluates each line of code from top to bottom. The last line that evaluates True will set the output state. So in this example, after power is restored, "If Power Apex Off 010 Then OFF" will remain True for 10 minutes. After that 10 minutes has elapsed, the only line of code that will be True will be "Set ON" on line 2, so the skimmer will turn on.

makes sense. I went for feed D as I would never use that otherwise. How does this look?

 

[SuncrestReef]

That will work.

The only thing I would change is to move the Defer to the bottom. Functionally it doesn't make any difference since Defer is applied after all the conditions have been applied, but it's a general best practice to place Defer at the end for readability and to prevent confusion. The order of "Set" and "If" commands is extremely important when the Apex is evaluating the program, but "Defer" and "Min Time" commands are only considered after all the conditions are processed first. For that reason, placing them at the bottom helps avoid confusion.

 

[southerntnreefer]

That will work.

The only thing I would change is to move the Defer to the bottom. Functionally it doesn't make any difference since Defer is applied after all the conditions have been applied, but it's a general best practice to place Defer at the end for readability and to prevent confusion. The order of "Set" and "If" commands is extremely important when the Apex is evaluating the program, but "Defer" and "Min Time" commands are only considered after all the conditions are processed first. For that reason, placing them at the bottom helps avoid confusion.

Done!!

 

[SuncrestReef]

The programming looks good.

Did you set the FeedD timer to 14400 under the Misc Setup screen?

 

[southerntnreefer]

The programming looks good.

Did you set the FeedD timer to 14400 under the Misc Setup screen?

I did. Feed D makes sense as I'll have a use for A, B and maybe C as I get this going more, but D wouldn't be used, so that worked well.

 

[southerntnreefer]

The programming looks good.

Did you set the FeedD timer to 14400 under the Misc Setup screen?

I added the same code for the power fail timer to my cheato reactor pump, and my dosing pump outlet for good measure. That should keep me going through any power failures. I've got other items I'll get to eventually like if PH is over 8.4 kill doser outlet.

 

[SuncrestReef]

I added the same code for the power fail timer to my cheato reactor pump, and my dosing pump outlet for good measure. That should keep me going through any power failures. I've got other items I'll get to eventually like if PH is over 8.4 kill doser outlet.

Also, be aware the Apex treats a reboot the same as a power failure. So if you ever reboot the Apex, the skimmer and other devices will remain off for 10 minutes after the Apex is back online. This would also be a good way for you to simulate a power failure to test your settings.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Also, be aware the Apex treats a reboot the same as a power failure. So if you ever reboot the Apex, the skimmer and other devices will remain off for 10 minutes after the Apex is back online. This would also be a good way for you to simulate a power failure to test your settings.

That's exactly what I would of expected, and works for me. The skimmer , reactor pump and doser can wait no matter what allowing my return to stabilize the tank.

 

[SuncrestReef]

For more Apex programming tips, take a look at my series of Apex tutorial articles: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/authors/suncrestreef.93940/

 

[southerntnreefer]

For more Apex programming tips, take a look at my series of Apex tutorial articles: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/authors/suncrestreef.93940/

Will do! That will be so w tommorow reading! Thanks for all you do! Really makes all of this so much easier. We go on vacation on march so I'm getting a bunch of stuff done now, so I can rest a bit easier, and can assist my daughter with any tank issues while she's in charge.