CaRx advanced Apex programming

Reefahholic · Jan 13, 2020

Can you guys post a screen shot of your Apex coding? It’s been a minute since I played with the Apex. I think it’s been 3 years since I had my last one.

I’m gonna check out Neptune’s PDF on programming, but I just wanted to see what some of you are running. I’m assuming you plug your Carbon Doser into the Energy Bar and program for pH control.

SeaDweller · Jan 13, 2020

Bruhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

run it without apex.

minus9 · Jan 13, 2020

Right, it should run 24/7 without shutting off. That's the last thing you want, a solenoid turning on and off constantly.

danoo · Jan 14, 2020

Here is the actual programming for my Carbon Doser:

Set ON
Fallback ON

If you've got a carbon doser, you don't need to worry about turning it on or off to hit a certain pH. Just have the carbon doser at a particular setting, and then measure you alkalinity. If the alkalinity is dropping day-over-day, increase the bubble rate. If the alkalinity is increasing, decrease the bubble rate.

I have a pH probe in my calcium reactor which I only use for alerting (for example if the CO2 ran out and the pH in the calcium reactor went way up), and never alerts because the carbon doser is very reliable.

dank reefer · Jan 14, 2020

Do not succumb to the dark side of the force!

Reefahholic · Jan 14, 2020

minus9 said:
Right, it should run 24/7 without shutting off. That's the last thing you want, a solenoid turning on and off constantly.

If I tweak my bubble count this should mitigate that.

Reefahholic · Jan 14, 2020

Thx danoo!

danoo said:
Here is the actual programming for my Carbon Doser:

If you've got a carbon doser, you don't need to worry about turning it on or off to hit a certain pH. Just have the carbon doser at a particular setting, and then measure you alkalinity. If the alkalinity is dropping day-over-day, increase the bubble rate. If the alkalinity is increasing, decrease the bubble rate.

I have a pH probe in my calcium reactor which I only use for alerting (for example if the CO2 ran out and the pH in the calcium reactor went way up), and never alerts because the carbon doser is very reliable.

Reefahholic · Jan 14, 2020

danoo said:
If you've got a carbon doser, you don't need to worry about turning it on or off to hit a certain pH. Just have the carbon doser at a particular setting, and then measure you alkalinity. If the alkalinity is dropping day-over-day, increase the bubble rate. If the alkalinity is increasing, decrease the bubble rate.

I do have a Carbon Doser. So why even plug into your Apex? Fallback ON Set ON. That’s a wasted outlet.

GlassMunky · Jan 14, 2020

Reefahholic said:
I do have a Carbon Doser. So why even plug into your Apex? Fallback ON Set ON. That’s a wasted outlet.

To be able to use failsafes and have it shut off if something goes wrong

dank reefer · Jan 14, 2020

Reefahholic said:
I do have a Carbon Doser. So why even plug into your Apex? Fallback ON Set ON. That’s a wasted outlet.

Feed Mode, Water change virtual outlet, Apex loses power. Don't want it dumping effluent or PH building up if any of these equal true.

Reefahholic · Jan 14, 2020

GlassMunky said:
To be able to use failsafes and have it shut off if something goes wrong

Well, you didn’t list the failsafes!

So my thoughts are to have the controller react to CaRx pH, and System pH. Of course several failsafes as well.

Reefahholic · Jan 14, 2020

Jose Esteves said:
Feed Mode, Water change virtual outlet, Apex loses power. Don't want it dumping effluent or PH building up if any of these equal true.

100% agree! That’s why I bought another controller.

My Apex will likely never lose power because I plan to buy the 12V power supply and plug it into battery backup along with my Router and Energy Bar.

Reefahholic · Jan 14, 2020

Here’s an example of another Reefer:

Fallback OFF
If CRX_pH > 6.70 Then ON
If CRX_pH < 6.60 Then OFF
Defer 001:00 Then OFF
Defer 001:00 Then ON
If Output CRx_Pump_7 = OFF Then OFF

dank reefer · Jan 14, 2020

Heres mine

Fallback ON
Set ON
If FeedA 000 Then OFF
If FeedD 000 Then OFF
If Output Water_Change = ON Then OFF
If Output Apex_Pwr = ON Then OFF
If Output CARX_OFF = ON Then OFF
Defer 003:00 Then ON

Reefahholic · Jan 14, 2020

Jose Esteves said:
Heres mine

Fallback ON
Set ON
If FeedA 000 Then OFF
If FeedD 000 Then OFF
If Output Water_Change = ON Then OFF
If Output Apex_Pwr = ON Then OFF
If Output CARX_OFF = ON Then OFF
Defer 003:00 Then ON

I really need to get in the apex PDF and look at the code. I was unable to transfer all my old coding because it’s been 3 years or so. I tried but it didn’t work. Not sure if I can get it or not. My old apex still shows up in Fusion and when I try to link it, none of my coding transfers over.

dank reefer · Jan 14, 2020

Reefahholic said:
I really need to get in the apex PDF and look at the code. I was unable to transfer all my old coding because it’s been 3 years or so. I tried but it didn’t work. Not sure if I can get it or not. My old apex still shows up in Fusion and when I try to link it, none of my coding transfers over.

You probably need to go to apex.local on your old device, and export the config.

If you go into the Neptune Apex forums, Zombie can help you out.

Reefahholic · Jan 14, 2020

Jose Esteves said:
You probably need to go to apex.local on your old device, and export the config.

If you go into the Neptune Apex forums, Zombie can help you out.

Yeah I went to Apex local. I’ll try it again. l must of did something wrong.

infinite0180 · Jan 14, 2020

You cant tranfer code from apex classic to the newer apex. You can however copy code to a word document then paste it into fusion for the new apex...

danoo · Jan 14, 2020

Reefahholic said:
Well, you didn’t list the failsafes!

So my thoughts are to have the controller react to CaRx pH, and System pH. Of course several failsafes as well.

This is my only failsafe, from email alarm:

If pH_CR > 7.40 Then ON

I respect the reasoning for other people having complicated rules, but remember that every rule is an additional thing that can go wrong, and an additional thing you have to think about when debugging problems. The Carbon Doser is a very reliable piece of equipment that you are always verifying is working on an end-to-end basis by checking on your alkalinity. For me, the simpler the rules, the better.

Reefahholic · Jan 14, 2020

infinite0180 said:
You cant tranfer code from apex classic to the newer apex. You can however copy code to a word document then paste it into fusion for the new apex...

Ahh that’s why. I had the classic. I can’t even see the code though.