Apex program help

[Cheesus]

Hey all,

How can I tell my Apex to run my skimmer for only 12 hours? I lost all my fish and want to not have it run 24/7.

Thanks in advance!

 

[reefrubble]

Hi Cheesus,

Using the custom programming option, you can program on and off commands at designated intervals and times to do this. In the output configuration tab, which is accessed by clicking the settings icon in the top right corner of the Skimmer row, select advanced for the control type. In the configuration section program the following:

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 00:00 to 12:00 Then ON
If Time 12:00 to 0:00 Then OFF

You can change the times and the on and off order according yo your preferences. Additionally, you can add more "If Time" command rows if you would prefer to have it switch on and off more than just once every 12 hours

What leads you to believe that the protein skimmer is the culprit here? Non-continuos use of a protein skimmer can result in some unintended negative outcomes such as decreased protein skimmer efficiency, increased nutrient levels, decreased water oxygenation, and unstable parameters including pH.

I hope this helps!

 

[Cheesus]

Hey thank you! I don't think the skimmer is the culprit. I just don't want to over skim.

 

[reefrubble]

Hey thank you! I don't think the skimmer is the culprit. I just don't want to over skim.

Of course! In that case, if you are able to adjust skimmer output levels, I would recommend first trying to decrease the skimmer output and have it skim more dry as opposed to wet.

 

[Cheesus]

For sure! I will give that a go first.

 

[SuncrestReef]

Hi Cheesus,

Using the custom programming option, you can program on and off commands at designated intervals and times to do this. In the output configuration tab, which is accessed by clicking the settings icon in the top right corner of the Skimmer row, select advanced for the control type. In the configuration section program the following:

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 00:00 to 12:00 Then ON
If Time 12:00 to 0:00 Then OFF

You can change the times and the on and off order according yo your preferences. Additionally, you can add more "If Time" command rows if you would prefer to have it switch on and off more than just once every 12 hours

What leads you to believe that the protein skimmer is the culprit here? Non-continuos use of a protein skimmer can result in some unintended negative outcomes such as decreased protein skimmer efficiency, increased nutrient levels, decreased water oxygenation, and unstable parameters including pH.

I hope this helps!

FYI: Your code can be simplified. Since the Apex evaluates each line of code from top to bottom, and the last one that's True sets the output state, you can remove the 2nd If Time command because the initial Set OFF handles the condition outside of the 1st If Time range:

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 00:00 to 12:00 Then ON

Basically, the Apex sees that when outside the 00:00 - 12:00 time range the only valid condition in the list is Set OFF, so it turns it off during the remaining hours.

See my series of Apex tutorials for more tips and programming examples:

Articles by SuncrestReef

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Cheesus]

FYI: Your code can be simplified. Since the Apex evaluates each line of code from top to bottom, and the last one that's True sets the output state, you can remove the 2nd If Time command because the initial Set OFF handles the condition outside of the 1st If Time range:

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 00:00 to 12:00 Then ON

Basically, the Apex sees that when outside the 00:00 - 12:00 time range the only valid condition in the list is Set OFF, so it turns it off during the remaining hours.

See my series of Apex tutorials for more tips and programming examples:

Articles by SuncrestReef

www.reef2reef.com

Thank you!