Help with AtO and Apex program

azreeftank · Mar 9, 2017

So I need some help this advanced programming is not my strength. Here is what I have a 15 gallon container and I put a small pump at the bottom. Rather than using float switch I just program the pump to run for 1 minute from 9:00 to 9:01pm. I have found that's about the amount of water I lose each day. Well my pump comes on the set time but it runs for 2 minutes exactly, can't figure out why when I have it set for one minute. Here is a sample of what I set. Is there another way to program that will allow it to shut off after one minute that's all I need. Thanks in advance.

jsker · Mar 10, 2017

I know you do not want to here this, I would suggest a ATO like autoaqua smart ato to keep you salinity consistent. Yes the timed top off works now but how about in the summer or dry season when the system water evaporates more?? you are still making micro adjustment

azreeftank · Mar 11, 2017

Yeah I am starting to think your right. I live in Phoenix so that 115 temps are coming and so is 3-4 gallons a day with the cooling fan blowing. I may look at the Tunze ATO and get away from timed pump. I really like the security of timer not worrying about failed sensors dumping 15 gallons of ato.

Jenyphur · Mar 30, 2017

I just bought and am installing the AutoAqua Smart ATO (micro) for my tank...the install seems pretty simple from what I can tell. Speaking of our hot temps....do you know if a chiller is going to be required? Ugh.

leepink23 · Apr 2, 2017

I use a break out box with float switches and a Tom's aqualifter for my ATO.

azreeftank · Apr 3, 2017

Jenyphur said:
I just bought and am installing the AutoAqua Smart ATO (micro) for my tank...the install seems pretty simple from what I can tell. Speaking of our hot temps....do you know if a chiller is going to be required? Ugh.

I keep my house pretty cool and have a fan over my sump and controlled by my Apex. My tank stays pretty much 78-79 all year with the occasional 80. I don't have it with direct sunlight or close to a window and keep a ceiling fan on. Depending what your tank is like you may. The small fan is made for tanks and does a great job of keeping the tank under 80 you should try that first. It was less than $30

Jenyphur · Apr 3, 2017

Great, so something like this? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...d=PLA_G_6194&gclid=CNeKp_T8iNMCFQmGaQodlv0OUQ

My tank is a 32 biocube. I will definitely give something like this a try first. Thanks

slipknotgrrl83 · Apr 3, 2017

leepink23 said:
I use a break out box with float switches and a Tom's aqualifter for my ATO.

I am setting up the same thing this week

Jenyphur · Apr 3, 2017

Ok, well that's probably not going to work...duh...I have the lid so I need to keep searching lol.

slipknotgrrl83 · Apr 3, 2017

Jenyphur said:
Ok, well that's probably not going to work...duh...I have the lid so I need to keep searching lol.

I use a fan built into sump cabinet

slipknotgrrl83 · Apr 3, 2017

Jenyphur said:
Ok, well that's probably not going to work...duh...I have the lid so I need to keep searching lol.

This is what I have

azreeftank · Apr 3, 2017

Jenyphur said:
Ok, well that's probably not going to work...duh...I have the lid so I need to keep searching lol.

I don't keep the lid on my tank but this is the fan I keep over my sump. It keeps my 200 under 80 during the summer so something like this should be fine. If you keep the lid on you can clamp this on the frame and don't need a sump. I bought it local in Phx

p7willm · Apr 3, 2017

The 1 minute 2 minute thing is down to how the Apex does the time thing. If Time one To two Then On works is that it is true if the time is greater than one until it is greater than two.

In your case it comes on at 21:00:01 as soon as the time is greater than 21:00. It goes off at 21:02:00 since it is the first time after 21:01, Apex considers 21:01:59 to not be greater than 21:01. So, when you do times remember there is an extra minute hiding in there.

I think 21:00 To 21:00 will be just 1 minute.

azreeftank · Apr 3, 2017

p7willm said:
The 1 minute 2 minute thing is down to how the Apex does the time thing. If Time one To two Then On works is that it is true if the time is greater than one until it is greater than two.

In your case it comes on at 21:00:01 as soon as the time is greater than 21:00. It goes off at 21:02:00 since it is the first time after 21:01, Apex considers 21:01:59 to not be greater than 21:01. So, when you do times remember there is an extra minute hiding in there.

I think 21:00 To 21:00 will be just 1 minute.

Thank you!!! I will try that tonight that totally makes sense and never thought about that.

azreeftank · Apr 4, 2017

azreeftank said:
Thank you!!! I will try that tonight that totally makes sense and never thought about that.

Ok never mind that was a train wreck! Lol By setting 21:00 to 21:00 it will run 24 hours. So I almost dumped 15 gallons of Fresh ro water from my ATO. I'm glad tomorrow was my day to refill it was not full so I only dumped about 2 gallons by the time I noticed it running. So I guess I will live with 2 minutes daily of pumping water it's fail safe.

solor · Apr 4, 2017

Change control type to advanced and add a defer statement.

If Time 21:00 to 21:01 Then ON
Defer :59 Then ON

Then it would run for 60 seconds instead of 119 seconds.