Help - Special Feed Mode Programming

[JCOLE]

I have a feeding routine that I want to try and work into my programming. I think I know what to do that would involve virtual outlets, OSC and Defers but wanted to see if it was easier with Feed modes.

Currently, my FeedB is set for 30 minutes which shuts off my return pump, 4 powerheads, and gyre. My routine is shutting the Return Pump off manually by fusion switch while leaving the powerheads on. This way I can dose a coral stimulator before feeding the fish/coral and it will move around the tank to mix. This usually lasts for 5 minutes. At this time I will mix up my frozen food with Benepets Reef and Reef Roids during the 5 minutes. Then I will dump the food in and let the powerheads mix everything up well for about a minute. Then I will hit FeedB to shut everything off for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes then everything will kick on except for the return pump that I originally manually set to off. Then I manually turn the return pump on.......Geez. Lol

What I would like to accomplish is this when I hit FeedB

Return Pump turns off instantly
Powerheads and Gyres continue for 6 minutes then everything off for 30 minutes
After 30 minutes then everything turns back on except for the return pump for a minute
Then the Return pump kicks back on

Can this be done easily?

Thanks for the help!

 

[SuncrestReef]

Set your FeedB timer to 1800 seconds (30 minutes) under the Misc Setup screen. Then make the following program changes:

[Return Pump] -- add this line to your existing programming:
If FeedB 001 Then OFF

[Delay_FeedB] -- virtual output
Set OFF
If FeedB 000 Then ON
Defer 006:00 Then ON

[Powerheads and Gyres] -- add this line to your existing programming:
If Output Delay_FeedB = ON Then OFF

 

[JCOLE]

Set your FeedB timer to 1800 seconds (30 minutes) under the Misc Setup screen. Then make the following program changes:

[Return Pump] -- add this line to your existing programming:
If FeedB 001 Then OFF

[Delay_FeedB] -- virtual output
Set OFF
If FeedB 000 Then ON
Defer 006:00 Then ON

[Powerheads and Gyres] -- add this line to your existing programming:
If Output Delay_FeedB = ON Then OFF

Awesome! That would work. FeedB 001 is so that it adds one more minute to the set time, correct?

Also, should I set the FeedB time from 30 minutes to 36 minutes if I want 30 minutes after the powerheads initially turn off after 6 minutes?

Also, if I wanted the return pumps to OSC every 5 minutes for 30 seconds during the feed mode would that be possible?

 

[SuncrestReef]

Awesome! That would work. FeedB 001 is so that it adds one more minute to the set time, correct?

Also, should I set the FeedB time from 30 minutes to 36 minutes if I want 30 minutes after the powerheads initially turn off after 6 minutes?

Also, if I wanted the return pumps to OSC every 5 minutes for 30 seconds during the feed mode would that be possible?

Yes, FeedB 001 causes it to delay one additional minute.

Yes, change the timer to 36 minutes.

Yes, you can create a Profile for the oscillation, then change the powerhead code to use:

If Output Delay_FeedB = ON Then ProfileName.

See my tutorial on Apex Feed Cycles for more details and ideas: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/neptune-apex-programming-tutorials-part-7-feed-cycles.715/

 

[JCOLE]

Thank you! You are a wizard!

 

[JCOLE]

Yes, FeedB 001 causes it to delay one additional minute.

Yes, change the timer to 36 minutes.

Yes, you can create a Profile for the oscillation, then change the powerhead code to use:

If Output Delay_FeedB = ON Then ProfileName.

See my tutorial on Apex Feed Cycles for more details and ideas: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/neptune-apex-programming-tutorials-part-7-feed-cycles.715/

I read the guide and had a question. I set up a profile via pump setting and cannot get it to function. I set up a test VO to my stand light to try it out before applying to the powerheads.

I created a VO named OSC_Test with the following programming
Fallback OFF
If FeedD 000 Then ON

I then created a profile named OSC1 with the following below.

I applied it to my stand light outlet with the following programming
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If LIGHT OPEN Then ON
If Output OSC_TEST = ON Then OSC1
When On > 020:00 Then OFF

When I manually turn on VO OSC_Test I see where the stand light says OSC1 in the corner instead of Auto. However, my stand light does not turn on and off. I changed to = ON Then ON and it turns on every time I turn OSC_Test on. I changed minimum intensity from 0-100, the Initial Off Time, On Time, and Off Time with no luck.

Any suggestions?

 

[SuncrestReef]

In your profile you set both the Min and Max to 100. That means it will not change as it goes from its On state to the Off state. Change Minimum to 0 and try it again.

 

[JCOLE]

In your profile you set both the Min and Max to 100. That means it will not change as it goes from its On state to the Off state. Change Minimum to 0 and try it again.

I did that and it still does not change state.

 

[SuncrestReef]

I created a VO named OSC_Test with the following programming
Fallback OFF
If FeedD 000 Then ON

I did that and it still does not change state.

I just now noticed in your earlier post, your VO programming does not have an initial Set OFF, so there is nothing that will ever turn it off. Change it to:

[OSC_Test]
Set OFF
If FeedD 000 Then ON

There's no need for the Fallback OFF line because Fallback only applies to physical outputs, not virtual outputs.

As for testing your pump profile with a light, the profile assumes the device is connected to a 0-10v output. Is your light (and your powerheads) controlled by a 0-10v variable output? If not then the profile idea will not work.

 

[JCOLE]

I just now noticed in your earlier post, your VO programming does not have an initial Set OFF, so there is nothing that will ever turn it off. Change it to:

[OSC_Test]
Set OFF
If FeedD 000 Then ON

There's no need for the Fallback OFF line because Fallback only applies to physical outputs, not virtual outputs.

As for testing your pump profile with a light, the profile assumes the device is connected to a 0-10v output. Is your light (and your powerheads) controlled by a 0-10v variable output? If not then the profile idea will not work.

The light is 120v and all of the powerheads are DC pumps. They are all controlled by individual outlets though. Any way to work in another VO with OSC?

 

[JCOLE]

Wondering if I could create a couple VO's with longer defers then maybe an OSC or ON for a time then off? If so, then could I make one that self resets to auto instead of off?

 

[JCOLE]

Wondering if I could create a couple VO's with longer defers then maybe an OSC or ON for a time then off? If so, then could I make one that self resets to auto instead of off?

@SuncrestReef challenge accepted??

 

[JCOLE]

Anyone have any ideas on how I can do this if possible?

 

[JCOLE]

Ok, I think I have it. It will work but I will need to change a couple of VO back to Auto after feeding which isn't an issue, I just hope I remember.

FeedB will be my feed trigger. Feed mode is for 30 minutes. This will turn off my Return Pump and keep my powerheads on for 10 minutes. The idea is to have my powerheads turn on every 4.5 minutes and run for 30 seconds to help stir the food around.

Return Pump - Turns off during FeedB and delays for a minute after FeedB resets

[RETPUMP_DT]
Fallback ON
Set ON
If PUMP_S OPEN Then OFF
If FeedA 000 Then OFF
If FeedB 001 Then OFF
If Output MAINTENANCE = ON Then OFF
If Output VO_FEEDER = ON Then OFF

VO_DelayFeedB is set to turn on 10 minutes after triggering FeedB which will keep my powerheads on for 10 minutes
[DELAY_FEEDB]
Set OFF
If FeedB 000 Then ON
Defer 010:00 Then ON

I created (3) VO's for different times to turn powerheads on - These will be the ones I have to reset

[VO_PHFEED1]
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If FeedB 000 Then ON
Defer 014:30 Then ON
When On > 000:30 Then OFF

[VO_PHFEED2]
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If FeedB 000 Then ON
Defer 019:30 Then ON
When On > 000:30 Then OFF

[VO_PHFEED3]
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If FeedB 000 Then ON
Defer 024:30 Then ON
When On > 000:30 Then OFF

All VO's are in my powerhead outputs. This should work. This is for my left powerhead but the yellow is added to the right as well.

(POWERHEAD_L]
Fallback ON
Set ON
If Time 00:00 to 12:59 Then OFF
If Time 14:59 to 15:59 Then OFF
If Time 17:59 to 18:59 Then OFF
If Time 21:59 to 22:59 Then OFF
If FeedA 000 Then OFF
If Output Delay_FeedB = ON Then OFF
If Output VO_PHFEED1 = ON Then ON
If Output VO_PHFEED2 = ON Then ON
If Output VO_PHFEED3 = ON Then ON

If there is an easier way then I would love to know. If not then I am fine with resetting the VO's back to auto when feeding is done.