auto feed cycle program help

[jimsflies]

I have read several threads but not sure I understand how to do the programming for what I need.

Basically, I am looking for a program that will initialize a feed cycle that will correlate to an automatic feeder that will be used when I go on vacation. The feeder is one of those hydor feeders that dump food up to three times per day. I want to give the fish a chance to find the food before it goes down the return and into the sump.

Basically, I want to turn the return pump (RT1) off 3 times during the day for 5 minutes every 6 hours.

I have seen where a switch is defined and the OSC command is used...but I'm a still a little fuzzy on how to make all this work to do what I need.

 

[Aquaduck]

You could just use the IF TIME function if it's the same time everyday. For example:

If Time > 10:00 then RT1 OFF
If Time > 10:05 then RT1 ON

Program that three times for every 6 hours.

BTW if you are trying to sync to an autofeeder you may want to increase the window so that your pump is off before the feeder dumps.

Or you can use the OSC function:

OSC 360/5 ON/OFF Then RT1 ON

This means pump RT1 will be on for 360 minutes and off for 5.
Don't forget to add If TIME >00:00 then RT1 ON

 

[jimsflies]

thanks. Yeah, I just want to sync to an auto feeder.

I like the OSC command because it saves about 6 lines of program compared to using the time function.

Is there a feeder that the controller would control to feed? That would be cool.

 

[clp]

I used a feeder from http://super-feeder.com/ on my tank when I'm on vacation. It worked great until one of my kids knocked into the tank. Of course neither will admit to it.

Curt

 

[collins]

You might want to clean your return pump by running it in a vinegar solution before you go away. I have had return pumps that will not restart after a power interruption.

Just a thought

 

[jimsflies]

Good tip. Hadn't thought about that.

Wonder if there is a flow sensor that could be installed and connected to the controller to indicate that there is flow?

 

[collins]

That would be a cool. If the return pump fails though, the extra CO2 in the water will toilet your pH and you might be able to tell that way.

 

[jimsflies]

Yeah, wasn't sure if there'd be a way to tell using other water quality parameters. It is interesting seeing how my tank behaves over the course of a day and how it responds to additives. Once I get a feeling for what normal is, I can probably tell if there is a problem when one arrises.

 

[collins]

jimsflies, I see that you have an olmolator. Do you use a kalk reactor for your top up? If not, you might want to consider one so that you can save the fortune on additives and stabilize your tank.

 

[jimsflies]

I don't use one yet. But I think you're right. I'm seeing a pH swing of from 8.1 to 8.5 before and after adding the A and B solution.

Is it normal for the ORP to roughly mirror the pH when you look at the graphs?

Now that I have so much more info about what my tank is doing, I think I have a lot more to learn.

 

[collins]

I don't have an ORP probe, but the graphs that I have seen indicate that it is normal.

I used to play chemist twice a day before I added a kalk reactor. My system totally stabilzed after I did and I saved a ton of cash on additives. I also have a calcium reactor, but still use the kalk reactor for my top off water. There are lots of benefits to using both.