Newbie Apex Tunze Questions

[Clownfishy]

Although I have ordered my Apex 2016 controller kit, I will not receive it until next week. I have never owned a controller before so bare with me!

1). I have brought the cable to connect my 2 Tunze 6095 pumps to the Apex. Is there some ready made code I can use that has a constant speed through the night (say 40%) and the complete random flow all during the day? If not, is this easy to do?

2). I have one of the pumps connected to a battery in the event of a power outage using the Tunze 12v battery connection. If I manage to program the feed timer, will it stop the Tunze pumps in a controlled manner or will it cut the power to the pump causing the battery to kick in?

3). If there is a power cut and the Apex cuts out, I assume the Tunze battery connection will still work powering one of the pumps as it does using the Tunze 7095 controller?

Many thanks

 

[DLHDesign]

Just to be sure; this is the cable you mean, correct? (Assuming so...)

1) When it comes to the programming, the specific model (and even brand) of pump isn't really relevant in terms of structure. So what you're looking for is a sample profile that you can either duplicate right out, or else use as a base and tweak. There are more than a few out there; here's one that you could start with (or just use). A note on "random flow"; Apex does not really do random - it executes exactly what you tell it to do. What you are likely going to end up with is each pump having an on/off cycle with the start time of one pump offset from the other. This creates a pattern where one pump is one, then both pumps are on, then the alternate pump is on - and then repeat that. Beyond just on/off, you can also adjust the speed at which each pump runs during this cycle - ramping them up and down. The net result of this isn't "random", but it is rather chaotic...

2) The cable in question will not plug into a power outlet on the Apex - it will plug into a "variable speed" port (these ports are really generic 0-10V ports). Via these cables, you should be able to tell the pumps to run anywhere from 0% to 100% speed. 0% speed is the same practical effect as "Off", so you can use this during a feed mode (if you just turned off the power outlet, the battery would kick in - yes; but see below).

3) Unfortunately, I don't think that the pumps will function is the Apex is off. If the Apex power cuts out, there is nothing to tell the pumps to run (their default state is "off"). In order for you to get the result desired, you would also need to power the Apex unit during an outage. This is possible - and the Apex can even be programmed to operate on a "low power" mode (shutting off all non-essential gear to keep the power draw as low as possible). This isn't something I've done, however (I have a whole-house battery, so everything stays on), so I don't know the particulars, sorry.

 

[Clownfishy]

Many thanks for the reply and yes, that is my cable. It sounds like the Apex is not so great with the pumps so I may just connect one pump and let the Tunze controller wired to the battery control the other. Thanks for the link I will reference this when I get my Apex

 

[Water Dog]

Here is another very detailed thread about Tunze programming on an Apex by @slief. It’s a long read but very insightful on how to program different modes throughout the day.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1994312