Where's the Apex alarm?

[Titleist]

So after playing with the Apex 2016 a bit, added a fuge light etc... I wanted to start creating some alarms based off power usage. I watched Neptune's posted video on how to do it through tasks, but where does that get stored so I can see it?

I've created an alarm from base_email for temp swings and I can put that up on the dashboard to control. I'd like to have a widget to the return pumps power control alarm and the skimmer and heater alarms I created but they don't show up anywhere.

Anyone know where these Tasks are stored so I can edit or see them?

 

[rkpetersen]

Alarms are handled in two different ways on the Apex.
Most any alarm condition can be established by either method.
I personally recommend using one method or the other, but most people probably mix them.
It's best not to have both set up for any one alarm condition, imo.

First, in your base_email alarm output, you can directly add any power alarm condition, as you might with any sensor alarm.
Here's a snippet from my alarm outlet; power alarms are denoted by 'Watts' or 'Amps' in the string.

Set OFF
If ORP > 430 Then ON
If ORP2 > 430 Then ON
If Temp < 77.5 Then ON
If Temp > 80.0 Then ON
...
If Output FlowPumps Amps > 1.0 Then ON
If Output FlowPumps Watts < 16 Then ON
If Output Heater1 Amps > 1.9 Then ON
If Output Heater1 Watts < 75 Then ON
If Output Reactor Amps > 0.5 Then ON
If Output ReefLightLED Amps > 3.0 Then ON
If Output ReefLightLED Watts < 5 Then ON
If Output ReturnPump Amps > 1.2 Then ON
If Output ReturnPump Watts < 10 Then ON
If Output Skimmer Amps > 0.5 Then ON
...

The other place this information is manipulated is from the Inputs (not Input Logs) page on the Fusion dash.
Click on each power input, denoted by an 'A' or 'W' appended to each monitored Output's name.
Then use the Basic or Advanced Configuration options to set (or turn off) alarms.

There are no front page graphic displays specifically for power inputs, if that's what you'd like (on rereading your post).
Agreed, they would be cool.

 

[Titleist]

That's the first I've seen of "Amps" & "Watts" syntax.... thanks for that! So I haven't tried this, but if I throw them all into one base_email statement will the output parse which part of the statement is triggered in the text or email? My preference would be to write them all myself and put them on the dashboard.

 

[rkpetersen]

That's the first I've seen of "Amps" & "Watts" syntax.... thanks for that! So I haven't tried this, but if I throw them all into one base_email statement will the output parse which part of the statement is triggered in the text or email? My preference would be to write them all myself and put them on the dashboard.

That's right, when you get the text, email, or app notification (app notification is the best imo), it will reference which condition set off the alarm.
With the new AOS just released, the alarm messages are more clear than ever.
But there are nuances.
For example, if one condition triggers an alarm, and stays on alarm, but then another condition also goes into alarm, the Apex may or may not notify you of the new alarm.
It depends on priority, and with the Apex, the highest priority items are at the bottom of the list. So the most important and immediately dangerous alarm conditions should be listed last.

 

[Titleist]

Hmmmm...... seems as though discreet alarms and statements within those alarms would preclude prioritization and the possibility of a triggered alarm ignoring additional conditions in the statement once triggered. I'm thinking separate alarms, and all able to appear on the dashboard would be best then.

So is it known that once a condition is met the loop stops?

Does a compendium exist of all available syntax or the entire language base exist somewhere? Neptune's site is kind of terrible with respect to just posting up the entire list of language objects that can be used in the device. At least that I've found, it seems to be flowcharted to reach a desired conclusion. It'd be nice to just have the variables and objects I can use to write my own queries.

 

[Billldg]

That's right, when you get the text, email, or app notification (app notification is the best imo), it will reference which condition set off the alarm.
With the new AOS just released, the alarm messages are more clear than ever.
But there are nuances.
For example, if one condition triggers an alarm, and stays on alarm, but then another condition also goes into alarm, the Apex may or may not notify you of the new alarm.
It depends on priority, and with the Apex, the highest priority items are at the bottom of the list. So the most important and immediately dangerous alarm conditions should be listed last.

How would you set up a skimmer on/off based on ph level. I have a CO2 scrubber on my skimmer, but I would like for it to turn off at 8.25 and on at 8.2?

 

[Titleist]

How would you set up a skimmer on/off based on ph level. I have a CO2 scrubber on my skimmer, but I would like for it to turn off at 8.25 and on at 8.2?

That's the kind of granular control I'd like to have in my system as well. Would controlling the skimmer by ph have any indirect effect on the dissolved organics though? Would ORP be a better factor for skimmer control?

 

[Billldg]

That's the kind of granular control I'd like to have in my system as well. Would controlling the skimmer by ph have any indirect effect on the dissolved organics though? Would ORP be a better factor for skimmer control?

I want it because of the initial impact changing the CO2 media has during the first couple of days. After that it would stay on. I personally don't pay attention to ORP.

 

[rkpetersen]

Does a compendium exist of all available syntax or the entire language base exist somewhere? Neptune's site is kind of terrible with respect to just posting up the entire list of language objects that can be used in the device. At least that I've found, it seems to be flowcharted to reach a desired conclusion. It'd be nice to just have the variables and objects I can use to write my own queries.

Documentation is not great. It's in desperate need of an update.
Best place to start is the outdated but still useful Comprehensive Reference Manual.
Especially the second half, with regard to coding, which is still mostly accurate.
Then go to the Neptune community forum and review all the sticky threads in the programming sections.
That's what I did.
And then I also started hanging around the Neptune forum on a regular basis. But that part's optional.

 

[Titleist]

Not to turn this into a skimmer thread, but would there be any value to controlling the skimmer based on ORP? Assuming it's of any value in relation to organics? If it were I think I'd like to run mine to keep a stable control on them if it had a secondary impact on nitrates etc. Unless there's too much lag between DO and nitrates to make that kind of control of any use.

 

[rkpetersen]

How would you set up a skimmer on/off based on ph level. I have a CO2 scrubber on my skimmer, but I would like for it to turn off at 8.25 and on at 8.2?

Do you want your skimmer to turn on and off at a certain pH? Or have the CO2 scrubber either inline or not inline based on certain parameters?
That's what I do with my scrubber. I set up a T between the soda lime cannister and the skimmer intake, and then put a motorized valve on the 3rd limb of the T.
When the valve is off or open, air enters the skimmer through it and bypasses the scrubber. When the valve is on or closed, air has to be pulled in through the scrubber.
Then here's how I code that motorized valve:

[CO2Scrubber]
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
Defer 002:00 Then OFF
If Time 20:00 to 09:00 Then ON
If pH < 8.15 Then ON
If pH > 8.30 Then OFF

 

[Billldg]

Do you want your skimmer to turn on and off at a certain pH? Or have the CO2 scrubber either inline or not inline based on certain parameters?
That's what I do with my scrubber. I set up a T between the soda lime cannister and the skimmer intake, and then put a motorized valve on the 3rd limb of the T.
When the valve is off or open, air enters the skimmer through it and bypasses the scrubber. When the valve is on or closed, air has to be pulled in through the scrubber.
Then here's how I code that motorized valve:

[CO2Scrubber]
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
Defer 002:00 Then OFF
If Time 20:00 to 09:00 Then ON
If pH < 8.15 Then ON
If pH > 8.30 Then OFF

Interesting, I heard of reefers doing this, I may have to implement this. Thanks

 

[rkpetersen]

Not to turn this into a skimmer thread, but would there be any value to controlling the skimmer based on ORP? Assuming it's of any value in relation to organics? If it were I think I'd like to run mine to keep a stable control on them if it had a secondary impact on nitrates etc. Unless there's too much lag between DO and nitrates to make that kind of control of any use.

I don't think there would be enough impact overall. Or, that you'll ever see an ORP better than with skimmer running 24/7.
It can be useful in gauging your effect on the water if you're running ozone, but it's doubtful you'd directly observe much of an effect otherwise.
Also ORP is so susceptible to so many other factors that can cause it to rise or fall.
Do even a small water change with some salts, or add some iron for your cheato, and watch your ORP plummet by 50 points or more.

 

[rkpetersen]

How would you set up a skimmer on/off based on ph level. I have a CO2 scrubber on my skimmer, but I would like for it to turn off at 8.25 and on at 8.2?

You know I should have also answered your question directly.
You can just put the code lines for pH control in your skimmer code, if you want to.

If pH < 8.21 Then ON
If Ph > 8.24 Then OFF

However if you already have a Set ON line in your skimmer code, as you might, you would have to remove it for this to work as you wish.
I'd also put some Defer lines in there if you don't have them already, to keep your skimmer from going on and off quickly as the pH hovers about a set point.

 

[Billldg]

You know I should have also answered your question directly.
You can just put the code lines for pH control in your skimmer code, if you want to.

If pH < 8.21 Then ON
If Ph > 8.24 Then OFF

However if you already have a Set ON line in your skimmer code, as you might, you would have to remove it for this to work as you wish.
I'd also put some Defer lines in there if you don't have them already, to keep your skimmer from going on and off quickly as the pH hovers about a set point.

Their both great answers and give me something to think about. Thank you.