Neptune Apex Programming Tutorials Part 7, Feed Cycles

Seawitch

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We apologize that this article was not published last Friday, when it was supposed to be. As you know, there have been a number of updates and changes to the Reef2Reef site, and some of these changes have had significant effects on how articles are published. We hope to get everything back on track this week. We apologize for any inconvenience to you, and we thank you for your indulgence.

This article is Part 7 of a series. Feel free to go back and read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, or Part 6.

This article and several future ones by the same author were originally part of several presentations made to a local aquarium club on programming your Neptune Apex Controller. The article is reprinted with permission from the author.

Because this topic will be of great interest to some readers but no interest to others who have not automated their systems, R2R will run these programming articles every Friday until we come to the end of the series.

Photos, images, and diagrams included in this article below are all courtesy of the author, @SuncrestReef ©2019, All Rights Reserved.

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49C071C6-C2C4-4B87-AD3C-0164AE1BECF7 (1).jpeg

Feed Cycles

The Apex has four Feed Cycle buttons which can be used for a variety of reasons, not just feeding. When you click a Feed button, it activates a timer and a special programming element that you can reference in your program code to turn off or turn on various outputs:

image8-1.png

The Feed Cycles are named FeedA, FeedB, FeedC, and FeedD. You can configure the timers for each in the Misc Setup page:

Click the Advanced (gear icon) at the top of the Fusion dashboard to expand the list of icons

image8-2.png

Click the Misc (wrench icon) to display the Misc Setup page

image8-3.png

Enter the time each Feed Cycle should remain active, between 60 - 65535 seconds (1 minute to 18 hours 12 minutes)

image8-4.png

How you use the Feed Cycles is up to you. Here’s how I use mine:
  • FeedA — Feeding fish. Turns off powerheads, skimmer, and sets return pump to 1% for 5 minutes.
  • FeedB — Feeding corals. Turns off powerheads, skimmer, and sets return pump to 1% for 10 minutes.
  • FeedC — Photography. Turns off powerheads, skimmer, sets return pump to 1%, sets lights to whiter spectrum for 30 minutes.
  • FeedD — Feeding fish with Auto Feeder. Turns off powerheads, skimmer, and sets return pump to 1% for 5 minutes, and activates feeder for one rotation.
This is accomplished by adding the following line to each output you’d like off during the Feed Cycle:

If [FEED CYCLE] [DELAY] Then [ON/OFF/PROFILE]

For example, the powerheads are turned off with this code:

If FeedA 000 Then OFF
If FeedB 000 Then OFF
If FeedC 000 Then OFF
If FeedD 000 Then OFF


For the skimmer, I need it to wait for the sump water level to return to normal after the return pump has been off. This is achieved by using the delay timer:

If FeedA 005 Then OFF
If FeedB 005 Then OFF
If FeedC 005 Then OFF
If FeedD 005 Then OFF


This forces the skimmer to wait an additional 5 minutes after the Feed Cycle has completed. By that time, the return pump has brought the sump water level back down to normal so the skimmer doesn’t overflow.

Feed Cycles must be activated manually by clicking on the buttons in Fusion. They cannot be activated programmatically. If you want your Neptune AFS auto feeder to run with no manual intervention, then you can configure the AFS by clicking the gear icon above the AFS tile on your dashboard:

image8-5.png

After saving these settings, you can see the underlying code for the AFS by changing its Control Type to Advanced:

image8-6.png

However, while this automates the AFS, it does not give you control over your powerheads, pumps, or skimmer. The best way to incorporate an automated feeder and mimic the Feed Cycle buttons is to use a virtual output to control everything. Here’s an example:

Virtual Output vFeed:

Set OFF
If Time 08:00 to 08:02 Then ON
If Time 17:00 to 17:02 Then ON
Defer 005:00 Then OFF


AFS Output Configuration:

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Output vFeed = ON Then ON
Defer 001:00 Then ON


Return Pump Configuration:

Fallback ON
Set ON
If Output vFeed = ON Then OFF


Skimmer Configuration:

Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Output vFeed = ON Then OFF
Defer 005:00 Then ON


Now when the vFeed output is set to AUTO, it will turn on at 8am and 5pm for 2 minutes each. This will cause the return pump and skimmer to turn off immediately. The AFS feeder will wait 1 minute (due to the Defer timer) and then make a single rotation. One minute later the vFeed output turns off, so the powerheads and return pump come back on immediately. The skimmer waits an additional 5 minutes due to the Defer timer, allowing the sump water level to return to normal. Just like the manual Feed Cycle buttons, but all unattended!

That’s all for Feed Cycles. In our final tutorial, I’ll cover Lunar Schedules and Lighting Profiles.

~~~~~~~~~~

We encourage all our readers to join the Reef2Reef forum. It’s easy to register, free, and reefkeeping is much easier and more fun in a community of fellow aquarists. We pride ourselves on a warm and family-friendly forum where everyone is welcome. You will also find lots of contests and giveaways with our sponsors.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Author Profile: @SuncrestReef

John Halsey is a reefing hobbyist who keeps a Red Sea Reefer XL 425 in his living room. He is new to reefing with just over one year of experience, but has been successful in keeping a healthy mixed reef by following best practices learned here on R2R as well as actively participating in his local aquarist club--PNWMAS--in Portland, Oregon. John retired from his 30-year career in IT support, and put that technical expertise to good use by automating much of his aquarium equipment with an extensive Neptune Apex system.

~~~~~~~~~~~
 
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Johnseye

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In the article the return pump setting using the vFeed virtual outlet is set to turn off. With the manual Feed cycle the author sets the return pump to 1%. Is it possible to set the return pump to 1% or other speed, assuming a DC pump, with the virtual outlet?
 

SuncrestReef

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In the article the return pump setting using the vFeed virtual outlet is set to turn off. With the manual Feed cycle the author sets the return pump to 1%. Is it possible to set the return pump to 1% or other speed, assuming a DC pump, with the virtual outlet?

This will depend on the type of return pump you are using. I have the Neptune COR-20 and it allows the use a of percentage number in the If Output command, such as If Output vFeed = ON Then 1.

If your pump doesn't support this you could specify the name of a pump profile, such as If Output vFeed = ON Then RampDown, where the specific pump speed settings are defined in the profile named RampDown.
 

Johnseye

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This will depend on the type of return pump you are using. I have the Neptune COR-20 and it allows the use a of percentage number in the If Output command, such as If Output vFeed = ON Then 1.

If your pump doesn't support this you could specify the name of a pump profile, such as If Output vFeed = ON Then RampDown, where the specific pump speed settings are defined in the profile named RampDown.

My return is a Red Dragon RD3. I have a cable that allows me to connect it to a variable port on the Apex. I'll try the RampDown setting.

Thanks!
 

vetteguy53081

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I have a reeflo Hammerhead Gold and either the pump is on or its' off. It is the heart of my system , so I am reluctant to power-off
 

Ferrell

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My return is a Red Dragon RD3. I have a cable that allows me to connect it to a variable port on the Apex. I'll try the RampDown setting.

Thanks!
I created a profile [return_slow] so it would go from 65% to 20% over 2 minutes so it wouldn’t be such an abrupt change. And the referenced it.
If FeedA 000 Then return_slow
Same results just another way to ramp it down
 

homer1475

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Btw a note here for who is intersted.
I once asked royal execlusive about feed mode and they told me turning on and off DC pumps frequently is not good. Thwy told me that when I wanted to buy their conteol module to connect my RDS to my controller..
I think reducing power is safer but turning on off is not.
Something to keep in mind.

But that's the whole purpose of using DC pumps over AC, the ability to turn them off or on without the hard startups(most DC pumps have a "soft" startup feature). Take DC PH's for example, we turn them on and off hundreds of times a day, and they work just fine.

The manufacturers comments make no sense.
 

powers2001

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This will depend on the type of return pump you are using. I have the Neptune COR-20 and it allows the use a of percentage number in the If Output command, such as If Output vFeed = ON Then 1.

If your pump doesn't support this you could specify the name of a pump profile, such as If Output vFeed = ON Then RampDown, where the specific pump speed settings are defined in the profile named RampDown.
@SuncrestReef could you do an article on pump and lighting profiles?
 

SuncrestReef

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@SuncrestReef could you do an article on pump and lighting profiles?

The next installment will cover lighting profiles. I'd need to put some thought into pump profiles since I haven't used them. My COR20 pump has its own Apex interface so profiles aren't needed.
 

rkpetersen

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Nice work.
One thing worth mentioning is that, if you cancel a Feed Cycle, rather than just letting it expire, the numerical term in the 'If Feed' command will be ignored. So in this case you will need to code a separate Defer command to delay activation of devices, in particular protein skimmers, to avoid having them restart immediately.
 

SuncrestReef

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Nice work.
One thing worth mentioning is that, if you cancel a Feed Cycle, rather than just letting it expire, the numerical term in the 'If Feed' command will be ignored. So in this case you will need to code a separate Defer command to delay activation of devices, in particular protein skimmers, to avoid having them restart immediately.

Thanks for that tip. Very good to know!
 

Cam333

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This was very helpful. How would you add multiple drum rotations?
Thanks!
 

#1Fellowreefer

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I love the article and all the info shared here. I wanted to know what if I wanted to the return pump and power heads to start 10 minutes after the drum rotation of the AFS and wait 15 minutes before the skimmer is on? Will the codes be as follows as I mentioned below?? Let me know if any corrections to be made.


Virtual Output Auto_Feed:

Set OFF
If Time 11:00 to 11:10 Then ON
If Time 19:00 to 19:10 Then ON
Defer 005:00 Then OFF

AFS Output Configuration:

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Output Auto_Feed = ON Then ON
Defer 001:00 Then ON

Return Pump Configuration:

Fallback ON
Set ON
If Output Auto_Feed = ON Then OFF

Skimmer Configuration:

Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Output Auto_Feed = ON Then OFF
Defer 015:00 Then ON
 

JPK_Esquire

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I think I may be missing something. I thought Feed A was supposed to “Feeding fish. Turns off powerheads, skimmer, and sets return pump to 1% for 5 minutes.”

The code for the Return on Feed A isn’t posted, but for the autofeed it says:

Fallback ON
Set ON
If Output vFeed = ON Then OFF

That code seems it would turn the Return OFF when activated, not set to 1%. Seems the code should maybe be:

Fallback ON
Set ON
If FeedA 000 Then 1

I’ve done some programming, but new to Apex. What am I missing?
 

#1Fellowreefer

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Well it will only put the return pump to 1% if you are using the COR15 or COR20 or any DC pump that can be managed and programmed within fusion. If your pump is not supported by APEX then it will turn off the pump outlet.
 

JPK_Esquire

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Well it will only put the return pump to 1% if you are using the COR15 or COR20 or any DC pump that can be managed and programmed within fusion. If your pump is not supported by APEX then it will turn off the pump outlet.
Got it thanks. I run dual return pumps, a COR20 and COR15. I’m in the process of programming these. I can’t figure out how to program the COR15 (the COR20 is an outlet, so it’s easy).
 

#1Fellowreefer

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Got it thanks. I run dual return pumps, a COR20 and COR15. I’m in the process of programming these. I can’t figure out how to program the COR15 (the COR20 is an outlet, so it’s easy).
That’s perfect so in this case the COR15 will be plugged into one of the 1Link port on the EB832 so you need to program that outlet as soon as you plug the COR15 it should show up in the new tiles and from there you should be able to program and code it how you want the COR15 to respond based on what you assign in the advance option. If you can PM me the system summary or check in there under the EB832 or where you have the COR15 plugged in.
 

jbilliel

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I am sure this is a dumb question, but should this be what the AFS code looks like now? Does the previous Advanced coding from the AFS get deleted?

Is it this?

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Output vFeed = ON Then ON
Defer 001:00 Then ON
OSC 000:00/000:30/000:30 Then ON
If Time 00:00 To 07:00 Then OFF
If Time 7:02 To 13:00 Then OFF
If Time 13:02 To 00:00 Then OFF
If FeedA 000 Then ON

Or this?
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Output vFeed = ON Then ON
Defer 001:00 Then ON
 

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