Need pump/controller recommendations

[RobertK]

Roger,

When running two pumps in pulse only mode, do both pumps output at their power 1 level simultaneously, or do they alternate? I tried to tell by putting my hand in front of them but I couldn't tell.

Also, for interval mode with two pumps, do the pumps need to be connected to ports 1 and 3? I currently have them in ports 1 and 2 for pulse only mode.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[rvitko]

You are correct regarding interval mode.

Yes, they are simultaneously in power 1 or 2 so if you want one on high while one is on low you need to invert the power settings on the other pump so 1 is high and 2 is low.

 

[RobertK]

OK thanks Roger. But if I invert the power 1 and power 2 settings on one of the pumps so one is high while the other is low then when it reverts to night mode one of them will be on high power all night, correct?

RK

 

[rvitko]

That is true, but that isn't a bad thing, in night mode you want some calm and the lack of pulsing gives that, but in a confined aquarium you need to keep a high gas exchange to avoid night time pH drop.

 

[RobertK]

Wow, great info here Roger. Thanks a million for all your help. I think I have what I need to use this impressive system to its full potential now!

Robert

 

[RobertK]

Roger,

I'm confused about what the night mode setting does when the 7096 controller is in interval mode. On page 83 of the manual it says:

"When activated, the 'night mode' function interrupts the pulse operation as soon as the aquarium lighting goes off; all pumps remain in 'Power 1' setting. However, the 'Interval' low and high tide simulation continues to be operational."

So, what exactly are the pumps doing at night when night mode is activated in interval mode? Apparently they are not pulsing, but are they both running at their power 1 setting or are they alternating one pump at a time at power 1 at the specified interval?

Thanks,
Robert

 

[rvitko]

Your understanding is correct.

 

[RobertK]

Roger,

Let me rephrase that last question again since apparently I did not ask it clearly.

With two 6055s on a 7096 controller set for interval mode and night mode, how do the pumps continue to simulate high and low tide at night if they are both remaining in the power 1 setting? Do they alternate one pump on and one pump completely off at the specified interval?

Also, is the "minimum flow for switched off pumps" function operational during night mode? If so, in the above situation would the two pumps then alternate between the power 1 setting and the minimum (30%) setting without shutting off at all during the night?

Sorry for all the questions, but the manual is not at all clear on many of these scenarios. I am sure that other users must have similar questions when reading the manual.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[rvitko]

At night the pulsing stops, the pumps stay on power 1, but they continue to alternate at the interval between pumps. The idea is to simulate the calmer night sea, usually high tide comes in as the sun is setting and the winds die down and lower the waves. With the minimum flow setting on, instead of being off the other channel will idle at 30%. Basically all night mode does is stop the change from power 1 to power 2.

 

[RobertK]

Thank you, Roger!

Robert

 

[RobertK]

Roger,

If I have the interval set to 6 hours as you suggested to simulate the tides, does it automatically reset to a new 6 hour period when the lights go on in the morning (or off at night)? Or do the 6 hour intervals continue to change based on when I changed the program?

Thanks,
Robert

 

[rvitko]

The 6 hour count is started when the controller gets power and is not influenced by the photocell, it would however be influenced by unplugging the pumps, a power failure or any situation where the controller lost power.

 

[RobertK]

OK, thanks again Roger.

 

[RobertK]

Roger,
OK, so I changed from pulse only to interval mode per your suggestion. In pulse only mode I had the pumps plugged into sockets 1 and 2, and the indicator lights for both those sockets were on. For interval mode I changed to sockets 1 and 3 (with the corresponding settings programmed), but now there are 3 indicator lights on, for pumps 1, 3 and 4. Is that normal?
Thanks,
Robert

 

[rvitko]

In pulse mode, all 4 should be on, in Interval mode without the idle speed on, only 1 and 3 should be on or 2 and 4. What you describe sounds like wavemode is on so channels 3 and 4 are working independently of whatever mode you set, they are in wave mode and only 1 and 2 are doing the pulse or interval mode.

 

[RobertK]

Roger,

What do you mean by wave mode? Here is how I have it set:

interval mode
pumps connected to sockets 1 and 3
both pumps set at 50% for power 1 and 100% for power 2
channels 2 and 4 both set at 0 for power 1 and power 2
interval time 6 hours
pulse flow 5.00 seconds, ramp 1.0
"min. flow for switched off pumps" is checked
"moonlight" and "night mode" are checked
"wavecontroller" is not checked

Indicator lights 1, 3 and 4 are on. When I had it in pulse only mode, I had the pumps connected to sockets 1 and 2, and only lights 1 and 2 were on.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[rvitko]

OK, I see what is happening. Yes, I was referring to wavecontroller.

In this case since "min flow for switched off pumps" is checked, you should see 1, 3 and 4 on for 6 hours and then 1,2 and 3 as the setting of 0% is overridden by 30% during the "off" interval by checking this.

 

[RobertK]

OK, I won't worry about it then!

Thanks Roger,
Robert