Hello all, and thanks for stopping in to read and help if possible.
Just installed my first apex and I have most of it figured out, but The Kalk stirrer and solenoid valve programming is starting to scare me. I had to run my top off line through a couple of walls, so adding a second line and pump for the kalk stirrer is a LAST RESORT or maybe even not likely at all.
So here's what I'm looking at. My ATK is currently setup with a pmup and is fully operational with a siphon break. I plan to use solenoid valves with this install. I'm sorry in advance. I'm a self taught rookie that can't get Neptune on the phone and can't do all of this with them via e-mail.
Here is my current PMUP programming:
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If ATK_LO OPEN Then ON
If ATK_HI CLOSED Then OFF
If Output Maintenance = ON Then OFF
When On > 005:00 Then OFF
Defer 000:10 Then ON
Defer 000:10 Then OFF
Min Time 020:00 Then OFF
I plan to install the plumbing in accordance with this diagram. I have a 200 gallon heavily stocked system with lots of SPS (currently consuming 100ml of Carbo Cal each day) so i'm assuming it will use a decent amount of Kalk most if not ALL top off will process through the kalk stirrer, I could be mistaken). I'm hoping I have the correct plan, hopefully somebody can let me know if that is the case.
So, I would program the solenoid valves as follows:
SV1:
Fallback ON
If pH > 8.40 Then OFF
If pH < 8.30 Then ON
SV2:
Fallback OFF
If pH > 8.40 Then ON
If pH < 8.30 Then OFF
I have the kalk stirrer (Icecap 200) plugged into my Energy Bar. I want the stirrer to have power 3-4 times a day for just a few minutes. I am confused about the programming here. Any suggestions would be helpful for this.
I would also like to add a setting to my pmup to NOT TURN ON if the kalk stirrer is mixing and instead differ top off until 5 minutes or so after a stir so that i'm not topping off while it is stirring. I'm very confused here.
Solenoid valve 2 is only a fallback in case the ph is elevated too high but the tank needs top off water. Maybe this is overkill, I'm open for critiques and suggested changes to my plan.
I've also thought that maybe I shouldn't push kalk through my atk and that it may eventually cause faults with the censors or float valves? I decided to plug it into the APK because it does have the mechanical float valves as a backup in case for some reason my solenoid valves fail. As another level of precaution the icecap is gravity drain from the top so it should never siphon out all of the kalk.
According to the Apex logs my PMUP currently comes on for about 1 minutes or less 2-3 times per hour. The top off reservoir is quite a distance away so the flow isn't very fast.
I'm beating my head against a wall trying to finish this, as this completes a tank i've spent the better part of this year putting together. That being said, Thank you for reading and for any help you provide.
Just installed my first apex and I have most of it figured out, but The Kalk stirrer and solenoid valve programming is starting to scare me. I had to run my top off line through a couple of walls, so adding a second line and pump for the kalk stirrer is a LAST RESORT or maybe even not likely at all.
So here's what I'm looking at. My ATK is currently setup with a pmup and is fully operational with a siphon break. I plan to use solenoid valves with this install. I'm sorry in advance. I'm a self taught rookie that can't get Neptune on the phone and can't do all of this with them via e-mail.
Here is my current PMUP programming:
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If ATK_LO OPEN Then ON
If ATK_HI CLOSED Then OFF
If Output Maintenance = ON Then OFF
When On > 005:00 Then OFF
Defer 000:10 Then ON
Defer 000:10 Then OFF
Min Time 020:00 Then OFF
I plan to install the plumbing in accordance with this diagram. I have a 200 gallon heavily stocked system with lots of SPS (currently consuming 100ml of Carbo Cal each day) so i'm assuming it will use a decent amount of Kalk most if not ALL top off will process through the kalk stirrer, I could be mistaken). I'm hoping I have the correct plan, hopefully somebody can let me know if that is the case.
So, I would program the solenoid valves as follows:
SV1:
Fallback ON
If pH > 8.40 Then OFF
If pH < 8.30 Then ON
SV2:
Fallback OFF
If pH > 8.40 Then ON
If pH < 8.30 Then OFF
I have the kalk stirrer (Icecap 200) plugged into my Energy Bar. I want the stirrer to have power 3-4 times a day for just a few minutes. I am confused about the programming here. Any suggestions would be helpful for this.
I would also like to add a setting to my pmup to NOT TURN ON if the kalk stirrer is mixing and instead differ top off until 5 minutes or so after a stir so that i'm not topping off while it is stirring. I'm very confused here.
Solenoid valve 2 is only a fallback in case the ph is elevated too high but the tank needs top off water. Maybe this is overkill, I'm open for critiques and suggested changes to my plan.
I've also thought that maybe I shouldn't push kalk through my atk and that it may eventually cause faults with the censors or float valves? I decided to plug it into the APK because it does have the mechanical float valves as a backup in case for some reason my solenoid valves fail. As another level of precaution the icecap is gravity drain from the top so it should never siphon out all of the kalk.
According to the Apex logs my PMUP currently comes on for about 1 minutes or less 2-3 times per hour. The top off reservoir is quite a distance away so the flow isn't very fast.
I'm beating my head against a wall trying to finish this, as this completes a tank i've spent the better part of this year putting together. That being said, Thank you for reading and for any help you provide.
