Apex programming for an outlet to run at variable times based off Trident NP readings?

[jmaneyapanda]

Im considering running my ozone for a shorter duration as practice, but also considering automating the duration based off Trident NP readings. IE- nitrate and/or phosphate read elevated, ozone will run for 2 hours a day, instead of one. I have my ozone programmed as such:

Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Time 00:00 to 22:59 Then OFF
If Output Skimmer = OFF Then OFF
If ORP > 375 Then OFF

How would I program it to change the time domain based off on nitrate and phosphate readings?

 

[cdemoss01]

This is a very complex question.

Programmers on reef2reef are pretty hard to find. I have found that AI usually codes flawlessly however I am not sure how it works on reef aquariums and equipment.. You could try it.
Otherwise wait for an Apex expert!

 

[eroyceus]

Here's what ChatGPT gave me. I've used it extensively to program apex. Double check it through by running it through your own AI (and prompt it to "audit" the response once or twice. With apex programming, ChatGPT is rarely correct the first time on complex code.

And my experience of the Trident NP is that it struggles to maintain accuracy and consistency. I believe that is the reason they want us to only run it once per day. I prefer to separate my apex logic from my dosing or other interventions that could cause major harm. For instance, when my Trident ACM runs out of reagent, the values go sky-high.


THE FOLLOWING IS FROM FROM CHATGPT....DO YOUR HOMEWORK PLEASE...DON'T RELY ON ME. Basically they are recommending creating virtual outlets to ascertain the state of certain conditions, then create a trigger to use with your Ozone outlet.

Final recommended implementation​

O3_BOOST_NO3​

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If NO3 > 15.0 Then ON
If NO3 < 12.0 Then OFF

O3_BOOST_PO4​

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If PO4 > 0.12 Then ON
If PO4 < 0.08 Then OFF

O3_BOOST​

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Output O3_BOOST_NO3 = ON Then ON
If Output O3_BOOST_PO4 = ON Then ON

O3_SCHED​

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 23:00 to 23:59 Then ON
If Output O3_BOOST = ON Then OFF
If Time 22:00 to 23:59 Then ON

OZONE​

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Output O3_SCHED = ON Then ON
If Output Skimmer = OFF Then OFF
If ORP > 375 Then OFF

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Engineering assessment​

Reliability​

Good, assuming the probe names are correct.

Safety​

Adequate but not complete. I would consider adding at least one of these:

• disable ozone during feed modes if your skimmer behavior becomes erratic
• disable ozone during PWR_FAIL
• disable ozone during major alarm/emergency state
• possibly require ORP to drop below a lower re-enable point if you want anti-chatter behavior

Your current If ORP > 375 Then OFF is acceptable, but it has no hysteresis. That may be fine because ozone is already time-limited.

Control quality​

Moderate, not high. This is a coarse adaptive schedule, not a true nutrient controller.

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My blunt recommendation​

I would not make ozone a primary response to elevated nitrate/phosphate. I would use this only as a limited polishing adjustment. If NO3/PO4 are high, the main corrective levers are still:

• feeding/import
• skimming/wetness
• refugium performance
• GFO/media
• carbon dosing or other export strategy
• mechanical removal of organics/detritus

Ozone is ancillary here.