apex question

[jminick2]

Had a recent mishap with my PoS*** skimmer decided to take off and overflow into the collection cup which I have plumbed to a milk jug. Well then my ATO put 5g of kalk water into the sytem to replace what the skimmer was overflowing. Which leads to my question.

Can I program an apex to make the tunze shut off if it runs for more than X amount of time? Ive heard tunze actually has this built in but I have had two different ones and neither one of them had it.

[BlackTip]

To my knowledge, you can't do that. What you can do, however, is to program Apex to shut off ATO, skimmer, and send you a text message, when the PH increase by certain amount.

For my setup, I know my PH fluctuate between 8.1 - 8.2, so I set Apex to shut off the ATO if the PH goes to 8.3.

[jminick2]

Originally Posted by BlackTip

To my knowledge, you can't do that. What you can do, however, is to program Apex to shut off ATO, skimmer, and send you a text message, when the PH increase by certain amount.

For my setup, I know my PH fluctuate between 8.1 - 8.2, so I set Apex to shut off the ATO if the PH goes to 8.3.

what is the module or whatever they are called to make this happen ? Is it just part of programing the standard apex? Obviously a ph probe but is there anything else, is it the SL1?

[BlackTip]

Originally Posted by jminick2

what is the module or whatever they are called to make this happen ? Is it just part of programing the standard apex? Obviously a ph probe but is there anything else, is it the SL1?

It is a programming statement like this:

If pH > 8.20 Then OFF

'PH' is the name of your PH probe.

[hkgar]

I am going to assume that your skimmer is external as overflow on an internal would not cause the ATO to come on. Therefore you should a=have had a flood. The ALD module (automatic leak detection) could have shut everything down. Mine is set up so that every pump shuts down if a leak is detected

[jminick2]

Originally Posted by hkgar

I am going to assume that your skimmer is external as overflow on an internal would not cause the ATO to come on. Therefore you should a=have had a flood. The ALD module (automatic leak detection) could have shut everything down. Mine is set up so that every pump shuts down if a leak is detected

Mmm sounds nice. I'm definitely buying an apex. How does is detect a leak?

[jdraider75]

You can add a float switch to your skimmate container and program to shut skimmer off when jug is full.

[BlackTip]

Originally Posted by hkgar

I am going to assume that your skimmer is external as overflow on an internal would not cause the ATO to come on. Therefore you should a=have had a flood. The ALD module (automatic leak detection) could have shut everything down. Mine is set up so that every pump shuts down if a leak is detected

Not necessarily!

I have an internal skimmer. When it floods, the collection cup is filled so quickly. It is like one gallon, I believe. Even 1/2 gallon of kalk water will increase the PH suddenly.

ALD, which I have 2 of them, is good when you have water on the floor. For skimmer overflow, I wouldn't want to shut off everything, especially if I am asleep at night or at work.

[hkgar]

Originally Posted by jminick2

Mmm sounds nice. I'm definitely buying an apex. How does is detect a leak?

https://www.neptunesystems.com/produ...detection-ald/

[slief]

There are a couple ways to limit the max run time of an outlet like your ATO. They would involve the use of virtual outlets. One approach would be to use a virtual outlet to limit the times of day that the ATO can come on. This would use the OSC command. When that virtual outlet is off, the ATO cannot turn on. When that outlet is on, the ATO would function as normal and the OSC command would like limit the ATO run time.

Another alternative is to use a virtual outlet as a timer. Float switch triggers virtual outlet which triggers timer. Float switch state would override the timer. The timer/virtual outlet would trigger the ATO pump. Sounds kind of complicated but it would work fine.

I run a float switch in my collection cup that shuts the skimmer down if my cup is ever too full. That float switch also sends me notificans and could be used to shut an ATO pump off such as your case.

As mentioned, there is the ALD leak detection module. Each module can support up to 4 leak sensors that are little boxes with sensors that sit on the floor. Water on the floor closes their circuit and can trigger alarms, pumps to shut off etc. It functions just like a float switch and is an invaluable addition to any Apex system. I have 4 leak sensors. Each in its own location. If I have a leak, I get an email and text notifying me where the leak is whether it's near my pumps, sump valves, closet or shed. Each locations sensor triggers a virtual outlet with a corresponding name. That in turn triggers my alarm notifications as well as shutting down things like my calcium reactor and or ATO pump.

[slief]

The official Neptune Systems Forum is a great place for advanced programming ideas such as those I mentioned above.
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/forum.php

[jminick2]

Thanks guys great info

[drummerboyevil]

My reef keeper is set to only allow the ATO pump to run for 5 seconds every 20 minutes. This is of course also tied to a float switch to override the timer.