Hello, I do not currently have an APEX myself, but am considering adding one to my growing 300G reef. I currently have a Calcium reactor and would like to control the effluent rate remotely... such as the upcoming Alk monitoring device, if it reads low alkalinity, I would like to be able to throttle the alkalinity up.
Background - I am an electrical engineer and design circuits and prototypes for a living. I have made several DIY lighting systems, controllers and devices for feeding and throttling pumps up/down in cycle etc to keep food in tank.
5 ways I can think of to do this project:
I think if I had the effluent run to a 3 way adapter and connected a solenoid to each one... then I could turn on all 3 effluents, or 2 or 1 or none. In that way, I can turn the flow up down or off. To further control, put a pinch or needle valve on each one, so there is a pre-set trickle from each one. Maybe combine option 4 and 5, so full control of solenoids from APEX, but that does scare me a bit.
It's nice to see a parameter remotely, but unless I can correct it remotely, then I think I'd rather not know, and enjoy my trip. I did not see this idea any where else. Thoughts?
Background - I am an electrical engineer and design circuits and prototypes for a living. I have made several DIY lighting systems, controllers and devices for feeding and throttling pumps up/down in cycle etc to keep food in tank.
5 ways I can think of to do this project:
- 2 part dosing with DOS (but I like the ease of CaReactor and already have a good one)
- expensive continuous rated peristaltic pump that can interface with the APEX (don't think that is possible unless I can find the protocol to control the pump)
- stepper motor rigged up to needle valve (will be hard to waterproof and not easy build)
- Control flow of C02 into CaReactor with solenoid and monitor it's PH (I think then turn up C02 if need more alk, will be slow to react, but will work, but not if effluent valve clogs, can add a second solenoid to effluent to shutoff completely)
- Solenoid valves on a manifold.
I think if I had the effluent run to a 3 way adapter and connected a solenoid to each one... then I could turn on all 3 effluents, or 2 or 1 or none. In that way, I can turn the flow up down or off. To further control, put a pinch or needle valve on each one, so there is a pre-set trickle from each one. Maybe combine option 4 and 5, so full control of solenoids from APEX, but that does scare me a bit.
It's nice to see a parameter remotely, but unless I can correct it remotely, then I think I'd rather not know, and enjoy my trip. I did not see this idea any where else. Thoughts?