New User Guide Apex Comprehensive Reference Manual
Apex_Comprehensive_Reference_Manual
User Manual:
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- This Page Intentionally Left Blank
- V5 Change Log
- Chapter 1: Getting Started
- The EB8 is mounted inside the stand where the various power cables can be easily connected.
- The temperature probe has no cap (although it looks like it does) and can be stored as-is.
- Chapter 2: Configuring your new controller
- What if that doesn’t work?
- You can also view your current firmware version at the bottom of the Configuration - Network Setup screen
- A couple of special notes:
- No unused ports are listed making for a very clean display.
- Display Switch Status
- One such source is https://github.com/ingenuitas/SimpleCV/wiki/List-of-IP-Camera-Stream-URLs.
- Here’s a sample from a D-Link router’s port forwarding configuration screen.
- You should get a message that the configuration was successful.
- Chapter 3: Wireless
- Image from dd-wrt.com
- Chapter 4: Programming
- Then ON
- When you assemble the pieces you have the complete program statements
- If pH > 8.30 Then ON
- Chapter 5: Basic Programming Statements
- If Time [TIME] to [TIME] Then [ON/OFF/PROFILE]
- If Time 21:00 to 03:00 Then ON
- If [PROBE NAME] [</>] [VALUE] Then [ON/OFF/PROFILE]
- If Temp > 78.6 Then ON
- If Outlet [OUTLET NAME] = [ON/OFF] Then [ON/OFF/PROFILE]
- Set OFF
- If Outlet MH_Right = ON Then ON
- If DoW [SMTWTFS] Then [ON/OFF/PROFILE]
- SMTWTFS
- If you substitute any of the days with a hyphen, then that day evaluates as false
- If you happen to use the wrong letter for a day position, a hyphen will automatically be substituted.
- Set OFF
- The above statement would evaluate to ON for every day except Sunday and Saturday.
- Fallback ON
- If Power Apex OFF 005 Then ON
- If Power EB8_3 OFF 003 Then OFF
- If Power to EB8 #3 is OFF and for 3 minutes after power is returned, set the skimmer outlet state register to OFF.
- If Power EB8_5 000 Then ON ( use when you have supplemental 12v power available
- If [FEED CYCLE] [DELAY] Then [ON/OFF/PROFILE]
- Set OFF
- Fallback ON
- If FeedA 000 Then Slow
- At the completion of the Feed cycle, the pump would resume normal programming.
- Chapter 6: Advanced Programming
- OSC [DURATION / DURATION / DURATION] Then [ON/OFF/PROFILE]
- The Oscillate syntax is as follows (Tip: there is no “If” conditional)
- OSC MMM:SS/MMM:SS/MMM:SS Then ON
- Fallback OFF
- OSC off/on/off Then ON
- OSC 0:00/15:00/45:00 Then ON
- OSC 45:00/15:00/0:00 Then ON
- OSC 7:30/45:00/7:30 Then OFF
- If Temp > 78.5 Then ON
- Set OFF
- Min Time [DURATION] Then [ON/OFF]
- Fallback ON
- The Min Time statement applies to the entire outlet, not individual statements.
- Defer [DURATION] Then [ON/OFF]
- Like Min Time, Defer applies to the entire outlet, not individual statements.
- Fallback OFF
- If Temp [</>] RT+[-] [DIFFERENTIAL DEGREES] Then [ON/OFF/PROFILE]
- If Sun [+/-] [DELAY] / [+/-] [DELAY] Then [ON/OFF/PROFILE]
- If Moon [+/-] [DELAY] / [+/-] [DELAY] Then [ON/OFF/PROFILE]
- Note that the lunar intensity is applied against whatever intensity setting is currently active. This is especially important with the WXM and AWM modules since the LED’s may not illuminate if the intensity is too low. If your module intensity is 20...
- Modifying the table
- Hydor Koralia – These use a proprietary controller and cannot be controlled by the Apex.
- Once configured, you refer to a profile instead of the “ON” command when programming.
- Set OFF
- Set Off
- If Time 08:00 to 20:00 Then RampUp
- The controller will follow the ramp time in the profile, bring the lights to 75% and leave them there until 20:00.
- Fallback ON
- Fallback Emergency
- If FeedA 000 Then Slow.
- If Time 19:00 to 08:00 Then Slow
- Chapter 7: Fusion
- Chapter 8: Other Neptune Accessories
- PX1000 Probe Expansion Module (Discontinued)
- Lunar Simulation Module (discontinued, replaced by LSM module)
- AquaSurf Module (Discontinued, replaced by VDM module)
- DC8 Direct Connect 8
- DC4 and DC4HD
- PM1 Probe Expansion Module
- PM2 Probe Expansion Module
- PM3 Probe Expansion Module
- WXM Wireless Expansion Module
- WXM Firmware Update
- If you want to see a sample VDM program complete with profiles for all 3 light types, click here.
- If Swx3_1 CLOSED Then ON
- Then from that point forward, you reference the ‘Behind_Stand’ outlet instead of switch ‘Swx3_1’.
- First Feeding Time – The time each day of your first (or only) feeding.
- Drum Rotations per Feeding – How many drum rotations per feeding?
- Feedings per Day – Used with Feeding Interval to space multiple feedings starting with Feeding Time
- Feed Timer (A-D) – Used to select one of the built-in Feed timers as an override to your AFS feed program
- OSC 000:00/000:30/000:30 Then On
- Features include:
- Initial Connections
- Startup
- Verify the Installation
- There is nothing to download – any firmware update will be contained in your controller’s software.
- PAIRING THE AWM WITH YOUR LIGHTS
- Programming LIGHTS
- Basic Lighting Program:
- Fallback OFF
- Advanced Program Examples
- The following examples show you how you can apply more controller features to your lighting strategy.
- Weekend Override:
- Moonlights:
- Fallback OFF
- Weather:
- Cloud Duration (MMM): the number of minutes for each cloudy period.
- Fallback OFF
- Acclimation
- Using a Weather profile to help acclimate:
- If [SWITCH NAME] [OPEN/CLOSED] Then [ON/OFF/PROFILE]
- Fallback OFF
- Alternative to a WaterBug water sensor. Much less expensive.
- Use on your stand doors to turn on interior lights. Can also use doorbell switch to pushbutton activate functions.
- Contacts close when desired RH% reached. Use to activate ventilation fans.
- Chapter 9: Virtual Outlets
- Set OFF
- Set OFF
- Set OFF
- Set ON
- If Outlet Auto_Feed = OFF Then OFF
- Set OFF
- If Outlet Check_me_out = ON Then ON
- Create a virtual outlet called “Maint”.
- Fallback OFF
- If Outlet Maint = ON Then OFF (or ON if for example lights in your sump)
- For the skimmer however, you need three lines of code
- If Outlet Maint = ON Then OFF
- Chapter 10: Logs and Logging
- Now open Excel and go to the Data tab. Select ‘From Web’ in the ‘Get External Data’ box.
- Chapter 11: Third Party Accessories
- Screenshot of QuickTime streaming video
- Chapter 12: Firmware Upgrades
- A small window will pop up detailing the update process.
- That’s it. All modules are now current.
- Chapter 13: Do-it Yourself
- 1 – Reservoir (Petsmart, Amazon)
- 2 – Floats, NO/NC (Aquahub, one for normal level, one for safety in case the first float fails)
- 2 – 1/8” Mono Headphone Plugs (they’re 2/package, Radio Shack)
- Put some water in a small pot and start it boiling.
- Fallback OFF
- If Sw3 OPEN Then OFF
- If Sw3 OPEN Then ON
- Appendix - Common issues and solutions
- What is the ‘DOS Command Prompt’?
- What is ‘Telnet’?
- My EB8 has the wrong bus number
- My Apex does not recognize my module
- I have more modules declared than I physically have
- I don’t like my outlet or module names – what can I do?
- I have duplicate outlet numbers – how do I fix?
- How do I send a text message to my phone?
- Controller module is unresponsive, Display module is blank
- Time and Date are wrong after a power failure
- EB8 or EB4 shows incorrect amperage
- How do I save my programming and configuration?
- My probe (pH or ORP) doesn't read the correct values any more
- My temperature probe reads 20 (or my pH reads 2, ORP reads 1000 etc.)
- My temperature probe reports strange temp but no entry in the log
- Defer 00:30 Then ON
- How do I setup my Apex to notify me of a power failure?
- How can I keep essential devices running during power failures?
- My Power Failed time is not correct
- My controller is reporting a power failure but no failure occurred
- EB8 shows power failed but no power failure occured
- EB8 has intermittent power failures
- What happens if a problem occurs with my tank at night?
- My data logs have corrupt data – how can I clean it up?
- How do I view other days in the XML screens?
- I changed my password but it doesn't work.
- I want to just erase everything and start over
- Note – AquaBus Dev will delete any outlet programs and re-create default outlet names and programs.
- You can view your version and release in the first line of text in any of the XML reports,
- Items that can ONLY be done via the Display are indicated in CAPS.
- Program Examples
- Contributed by ‘YCore’
- Contributed by Jon (‘schwaggs’)
- Set OFF
- Set OFF
- Contributed by swearint (Todd)
- Contributed by swearint (Todd)
- Create a virtual outlet, call it [Reset] with a Set OFF statement. Note there’s nothing to turn it ON.
- Create another virtual outlet for the detection, call it [Leak_Detect]
- If Outlet Reset = ON Then OFF
- Apex Programming Quick Reference Guide
- Index
- TRADEMARKS
- Apex, Apex Lite, Apex Jr. and AquaController are registered trademarks of Neptune Systems, LLC.
- VorTech, EcoSMART and EcoTech Marine are all registered trademarks of EcoTech Marine.
- Acan is a registered trademark of Acan Lighting, Inc.
- Tunze is a registered trademark of Tunze Aquarientechnik GmbH.
- Hydra, Hydra FiftyTwo and Vega are registered trademarks of C2 Development, Inc.
- All other images, logos and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.