what controller are you using and why?

I only know RA is 100% supported on the forum. Anything you need for programming is quickly responded to on RA forum. Seriously super easy. Plus there is a few of us on here that can help too
 
Leaning towards reef angel. With the money saved I may get the AP.com regulator (nook i remember seeing you post about regulators previously, did you go with the green leaf reg?)
 
Reef Angel Plus on its way. Thanks for all the help! I am sure I will be turning to the RA users for help in the coming weeks.
 
Congrats!!! Don't get overloaded with the initial set up...once you get past that it's smooth sailing! Ask any question you'd like once it arrives...I've got some sweet code
 
Right out of the box the pre-loaded software is really easy to program, much more straight forward than the Apex. Beyond that, once you learn the language you can make the thing do whatever you want. Right now mine is just running the basic code on my 220 but I've got an eight foot frag tank coming soon and it'll be running all of the equipment on it as well. In total about eight LED drivers, two calcium reactors, two return pumps, 6-8 powerheads, the fans on my LED's, 4 heaters, and who knows what else. The three biggest factors for me were upfront cost, expansion cost, and the fact that it runs on open-source software, I might add 'very stable open-source software'...
 
Last edited:
Yeah i took the preloaded software and have just been modifying it as i go.
Running all the possible probes at the moment, heaters, and wave makers.
right now i have the wave makers slowly ramp up in intensity through the day then back down again at night, i also kick on both sides of power heads at the same time between waves just to add a few seconds of turbulence.

why? i dont know i just wanted to see if i could make it do it.

Not really sure what the actual ocean does, is it steady 24/7?
 
This is what i use for the wave makers currently.
I tossed this together pretty fast , i should of made it more compact and cleaner but it works so....


if ( (hour()>=9 && hour()<15))
{

static unsigned long nexttoggle=now();
static boolean state=false;
int cycle=nexttoggle-now();
ReefAngel.Relay.Set(Port5,state);
ReefAngel.Relay.Set(Port6,!ReefAngel.Relay.Status(Port5));
if (cycle<0)
{
nexttoggle+=random(35,45);
state=!state;
}
if (cycle<5)
{
ReefAngel.Relay.On(Port5);
ReefAngel.Relay.On(Port6);
}
}
else if ( (hour()>=15 && hour()<21) )
{
static unsigned long nexttoggle=now();
static boolean state=false;
int cycle=nexttoggle-now();
ReefAngel.Relay.Set(Port5,state);
ReefAngel.Relay.Set(Port6,!ReefAngel.Relay.Status(Port5));
if (cycle<0)
{
nexttoggle+=random(10,20);
state=!state;
}
if (cycle<5)
{
ReefAngel.Relay.On(Port5);
ReefAngel.Relay.On(Port6);
}
}
else if ( (hour()>=21 && hour()<24) )
{
static unsigned long nexttoggle=now();
static boolean state=false;
int cycle=nexttoggle-now();
ReefAngel.Relay.Set(Port5,state);
ReefAngel.Relay.Set(Port6,!ReefAngel.Relay.Status(Port5));
if (cycle<0)
{
nexttoggle+=random(35,45);
state=!state;
}
if (cycle<5)
{
ReefAngel.Relay.On(Port5);
ReefAngel.Relay.On(Port6);
}
}
else
{
static unsigned long nexttoggle=now();
static boolean state=false;
int cycle=nexttoggle-now();
ReefAngel.Relay.Set(Port5,state);
ReefAngel.Relay.Set(Port6,!ReefAngel.Relay.Status(Port5));
if (cycle<0)
{
nexttoggle+=random(45,60);
state=!state;
}
if (cycle<5)
{
ReefAngel.Relay.On(Port5);
ReefAngel.Relay.On(Port6);
}
}
 
Very nice. What's your reasoning for the 1500 to 2100 speed up? I have a similiar code going but at night I just have ReefAngel.Relay.Off(Port 5); ReefAngel.Relay.Off(Port 6);

This makes a nice calm sea at night for the fish to rest (the return pump still allows for circulation and the mp20 is in night mode)
 
With the power heads switching back and forth for 10-20 second waves and with a few seconds of both power heads being on at the same time for 5ish seconds it creates a few hours of turbulant water which my sps seem to like and if any debris was sitting on a coral or the sandbed it gets picked up during this time. The 10-20 second waves might not really sound like it but are much more turbulent than a 30-45 second wave.

I just dont know if nature does anything close to this?


Drew,
Do you have your LED's hooked into the Reef angel for sunrise/sunset?
If so id love to see a picture of the actual wiring used. I'm having issues with mine.
 
Do what your corals like best. for sure.

I sent you a PM with a manual for working with a Meanwell D driver. Beyond that it is just a matter of hooking it to the Daylight and Actinic ports on the relay box. Then, using a PWMParabola function. I have mine set to max out at 82% CW and 85% RB for the LEDs. You just plot in your start ramp time, intensity and off time...the Parabola function does all the rest for you. Depending on your return pump, plumbing etc...I would recommend a calmer night time for your fish friends.
 
Drew,
Thanks for the manual i think thats exactly what Im looking for.

for night mode are you suggesting no waves at all or possible some idle time between waves?
 
Great!

That will depend on your flow without the pumps. For example, I know I have PLENTY of flow without my additional powerheads. Thus, I just turn them off at night. The SCWD from the return and the MP20 in night mode are plenty for calm night time water movement. In your case, this is up to you...


BTW my wiring is a mess...lol just like my brain...so I hope the manual will get you by with your troubles.
 
t.priscu I hope it's cool i am stealing your wavemaker code (thank god for open source) I have been meaning to code lately but haven't had the time, can't wait to dump it in and tweak it a little, thanks
 
That's what's good about open source...code can literally do a million different configs depending on what you want with YOUR tank...unlike other controllers which only have "wavemaker" and you have to just watch them alternate.

Anyone else out there with some nice code? Ideas for the RA?
 
ryanmell said:
t.priscu I hope it's cool i am stealing your wavemaker code (thank god for open source) I have been meaning to code lately but haven't had the time, can't wait to dump it in and tweak it a little, thanks
Click to expand...


totally cool,
If you tweak it and come up with any cool ideas let me know.

Im going to take drews advice and during the night hours im going to take away the turbulence and make it where both waves are turned off so i have
wave 1 (short)

(pause of no waves)

wave 2 (short)

(and pause again)

im going to clean up that code so its easier to read as well.
I do not need to declare those variables over and over, i just tossed that together mostly with copy and paste over a few minutes.
 
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