Help adding second tank...

[GREEF stricken]

Fellow "Control" freaks:


Finally got around to picking up necessary components to add a second tank to my controller...can anyone walk me through the process?

Thx

GS

 

[afamousjohnson]

What controller? About to do this as well.

 

[GREEF stricken]

What controller? About to do this as well.

Neptune Apex

GS

 

[afamousjohnson]

Nice. That is what I am using also. See what we can't find out - #reefsquad

 

[Shep]

I think 143MPCo is our controller expert

 

[143MPCo]

Fellow "Control" freaks:


Finally got around to picking up necessary components to add a second tank to my controller...can anyone walk me through the process?

Thx

GS

Hello everyone... sorry I'm late (been testing, and testing, and you get the idea... lol) anyways, kindly list all additional components you purchased, so we can get a better idea of what you want to add and what you want to control?

 

[afamousjohnson]

Sweet - ya I just plan on daisy'n another eb8 thru aquabus to the other tank controlled thru 1 unit. Is there specifics you are looking for in hooking up GS?

 

[143MPCo]

Sweet - ya I just plan on daisy'n another eb8 thru aquabus to the other tank controlled thru 1 unit. Is there specifics you are looking for in hooking up GS?

That's exactly what I do:thumb:... 4 tanks and 3 EB8... and some really long USB cable (none repeater type)... works great that way... nothing beats central administration :ranger:with stuff like this!

 

[143MPCo]

I get the cables from here.

 

[afamousjohnson]

If I buy another Eb8 - does it come with the regular usb aquabus to attach right up or is that an extra purchase needed to be made? Have the tanks pretty close together so no need for the "all the way thru the house aquabus"lol just attached from say 4-5' away.

 

[143MPCo]

If I buy another Eb8 - does it come with the regular usb aquabus to attach right up or is that an extra purchase needed to be made? Have the tanks pretty close together so no need for the "all the way thru the house aquabus"lol just attached from say 4-5' away.

They come with an additional, matter of fact I just had to replace an old EB8 (don't allow feed nets to drip-dry next to any of the outlets) and was happily surprised the cable was in the box.

 

[Apisto]

If I buy another Eb8 - does it come with the regular usb aquabus to attach right up or is that an extra purchase needed to be made? Have the tanks pretty close together so no need for the "all the way thru the house aquabus"lol just attached from say 4-5' away.

Hey Drew,

Coincidentally I am in the process of the same thing. I have connected an eb8 from my main tank Apex and have it in the next room. Since this seems on topic and the OP has not responded to 143MPCo's question about what to add and what to control, I will temporarily step in.

Because heating and cooling is related to many other controllable devices, I think this is a good place to start. This requires a secondary temp probe distinct from the main tank. It can be run off of any probe module, as well as another base unit. I am using a PM2 because I might like to run a salinity probe at some point down the line.

All new eb8 outlets and temp probe set-up are functioning correctly. The problem I am currently facing is programming the new tanks outlets to recognize the new temp probe instead of the main tanks temp probe. Programming a heater for simple on and off range, for example in Advanced is:

If Temp < 77.0 Then ON
If Temp > 78.0 Then OFF
If Temp < 50.0 Then OFF

But Tmpx6, which is the second probes designation, does not work when plugged into this same program.

If Tmpx6 < 77.7 Then ON
If Tmpx6 > 78.0 Then OFF
If Tmpx6 < 50.0 Then OFF

Knowing this simply answer should make numerous things easier for this "remote" tank control, like switches, etc.

Sorry if I am kidnapping this thread.

 

[afamousjohnson]

Hey Drew,

Coincidentally I am in the process of the same thing. I have connected an eb8 from my main tank Apex and have it in the next room. Since this seems on topic and the OP has not responded to 143MPCo's question about what to add and what to control, I will temporarily step in.

Because heating and cooling is related to many other controllable devices, I think this is a good place to start. This requires a secondary temp probe distinct from the main tank. It can be run off of any probe module, as well as another base unit. I am using a PM2 because I might like to run a salinity probe at some point down the line.

All new eb8 outlets and temp probe set-up are functioning correctly. The problem I am currently facing is programming the new tanks outlets to recognize the new temp probe instead of the main tanks temp probe. Programming a heater for simple on and off range, for example in Advanced is:

If Temp < 77.0 Then ON
If Temp > 78.0 Then OFF
If Temp < 50.0 Then OFF

But Tmpx6, which is the second probes designation, does not work when plugged into this same program.

If Tmpx6 < 77.7 Then ON
If Tmpx6 > 78.0 Then OFF
If Tmpx6 < 50.0 Then OFF

Knowing this simply answer should make numerous things easier for this "remote" tank control, like switches, etc.

Sorry if I am kidnapping this thread.

Neil - how's it going - love running into friends over here. Gotta send you a message with an update.

I would say it goes right along with OP's question GREEF stricken . Finding all answers to using 1 apex multiple tanks. 143MPCo

 

[143MPCo]

Hey Drew,

Coincidentally I am in the process of the same thing. I have connected an eb8 from my main tank Apex and have it in the next room. Since this seems on topic and the OP has not responded to 143MPCo's question about what to add and what to control, I will temporarily step in.

Because heating and cooling is related to many other controllable devices, I think this is a good place to start. This requires a secondary temp probe distinct from the main tank. It can be run off of any probe module, as well as another base unit. I am using a PM2 because I might like to run a salinity probe at some point down the line.

All new eb8 outlets and temp probe set-up are functioning correctly. The problem I am currently facing is programming the new tanks outlets to recognize the new temp probe instead of the main tanks temp probe. Programming a heater for simple on and off range, for example in Advanced is:

If Temp < 77.0 Then ON
If Temp > 78.0 Then OFF
If Temp < 50.0 Then OFF

But Tmpx6, which is the second probes designation, does not work when plugged into this same program.

If Tmpx6 < 77.7 Then ON
If Tmpx6 > 78.0 Then OFF
If Tmpx6 < 50.0 Then OFF

Knowing this simply answer should make numerous things easier for this "remote" tank control, like switches, etc.

Sorry if I am kidnapping this thread.

After adding the new probs did you power cycle the unit, I've had to reinitialize the ROS to make the unit understand it had additional (new) modules attached even after it recognized them in its programing so it would start using them.

I'm using the season tables, it varies from around 75 to 81 degrees or so.... IMO, I would suggest using only a single temp probe for your programming, the other other one as a backup...


If ( probe temp ) < RT+0.0 Then ON
If ( probe temp ) > RT+0.3 Then OFF
You might also at the end of the outlet programming add:
If ( probe temp ) < 70.0 Then OFF

This will protect you in case of a probe failure, fall out, water level drops, etc...

Also the heater/s should be set as little higher and let the Apex run the show...

HEATER:

Fallback OFF
If Temp < RT+-0.4 Then ON
If Temp > RT+-0.1 Then OFF
If Temp < 60.0 Then OFF
If Outlet RTNPUMP_4_4 = OFF Then OFF

Fans:

Fallback OFF
If Temp > RT+0.5 Then ON
If Temp < RT+0.2 Then OFF
Defer 005:00 Then ON
Defer 005:00 Then OFF

 

[Apisto]

"Neil - how's it going - love running into friends over here. Gotta send you a message with an update.

I would say it goes right along with OP's question GREEF stricken . Finding all answers to using 1 apex multiple tanks. 143MPCo"

Love to hear how things are going!


"After adding the new probs did you power cycle the unit, I've had to reinitialize the ROS to make the unit understand it had additional (new) modules attached even after it recognized them in its programing so it would start using them."

Thank you for responding! I don't know. How do you power cycle the unit? I assume ROS is Remote Operating System, correct?

"I'm using the season tables, it varies from around 75 to 81 degrees or so.... IMO, I would suggest using only a single temp probe for your programming, the other other one as a backup... "

I would like to maintain a narrower temp. range with heater/fans initiated by the controller. I don't know how only one probe can be used if heater and fan are to be used with completely different values on tank 2 from the main tank?

 

[143MPCo]

Ok, I understand a little better now, two temp probes and two EB8 correct?

 

[143MPCo]

But Tmpx6, which is the second probes designation, does not work when plugged into this same program.

If Tmpx6 < 77.7 Then ON
If Tmpx6 > 78.0 Then OFF
If Tmpx6 < 50.0 Then OFF

Knowing this simply answer should make numerous things easier for this "remote" tank control, like switches, etc.

Sorry if I am kidnapping this thread.

If I understand correctly, sounds like you want to add two temp probes to control one outlet program, that will confuse the apex as it's getting governing info from two sources, you would be better off adding the code to a separate outlet. The temp probe on tank one will read differently from tank two, things like internal pumps/power-heads, etc. will add different sources of heat +/- and will make controlling from one outlet program difficult at best.

Also as you might already know this but, the first "if" statement in advance code normally takes priority over the last and the second temp might be reporting back a different temp but the first is the one governing the outlet thus the apex ignores the other.

Simple test, change the code to a different outlet and see whats happens.

 

[Apisto]

Ok, I understand a little better now, two temp probes and two EB8 correct?

I have a main tank that has an Apex with 2 EB8s and 1 temp probe. I recently added a 50' USB Aquabus cable to the next room that is connected to another single EB8 where I have a frag tank. That EB8 has a PM2 module connected to it with a second temp probe for this frag tank. Temps in the main tank and frag tank are different and must be controlled separately by the Apex controller.

Hope tis helps. Sorry I was unclear.

 

[Apisto]

If I understand correctly, sounds like you want to add two temp probes to control one outlet program, that will confuse the apex as it's getting governing info from two sources, you would be better off adding the code to a separate outlet. The temp probe on tank one will read differently from tank two, things like internal pumps/power-heads, etc. will add different sources of heat +/- and will make controlling from one outlet program difficult at best.

Also as you might already know this but, the first "if" statement in advance code normally takes priority over the last and the second temp might be reporting back a different temp but the first is the one governing the outlet thus the apex ignores the other.

Simple test, change the code to a different outlet and see whats happens.

On my Dashboard, 1-16 outlets are set-up with Temp(which is the temp probe #1). For example, the Send Alarm (non)-Outlet is:

Set OFF
If Temp > 82.5 Then ON
If Temp < 76.5 Then ON
Defer 001:00 Then OFF

Are you saying that I should rewrite this as:

Set OFF
If Tmpx6 > 82.5 Then ON
If Tmpx6 < 76.5 Then ON
Defer 001:00 Then OFF

And then drop the temp in my frag tank(temp probe #2) to below 76.5 to see if I get an alarm on the display?

 

[143MPCo]

On my Dashboard, 1-16 outlets are set-up with Temp(which is the temp probe #1). For example, the Send Alarm (non)-Outlet is:

Set OFF
If Temp > 82.5 Then ON
If Temp < 76.5 Then ON
Defer 001:00 Then OFF

Are you saying that I should rewrite this as:

Set OFF
If Tmpx6 > 82.5 Then ON
If Tmpx6 < 76.5 Then ON
Defer 001:00 Then OFF

And then drop the temp in my frag tank(temp probe #2) to below 76.5 to see if I get an alarm on the display?

I PMd you.