Today on BRStv we have episode seventeenth episode of our Neptune Apex series; Alarms.
Hi, I'm Ryan, your host of BRStv where each week we cover a new topic related to reefing.
This week we are going to show you how to use the alarms and configure them using the
Fusion cloud based interface.
There are three different types of alarms and they are all what is referred to as a
virtual outlet which means they are programed the same way you would program an outlet.
It's easiest to think if it as a real outlet that has an alarm plugged into it and goes
off based on the statements you enter.
The three outlets are labeled as abbreviations of sound warning, sound alarm and email alarm.
Basically, the warning is an infrequent beep which designed to make you aware of a situation
like maybe the pH is slightly higher than you would like it.
Sound alarm is an alarm and goes off constantly to tell you something is really wrong with
the tank and email alarm is as you might guess a list of events you want to be notified via
email or text message should they ever happen.
I suggest testing all three based on an easy alarm like temp and see what each does for
you.
You can check out what each sounds like by sliding the alarm status bar from auto to
on , once you are done slide it back to off and then auto.
The email and SMS text message component used to be difficult to set up previously but with
apex fusion all you need to do is hit settings under your username, click the notification
tab and then add a recipient.
Select email or text and add your email address or phone number and it is completely set up,
really it is super easy.
Setting up the alarms is a bit harder because you need to write the command lines.
Hopefully they will add one of the nice configuration tools for this in fusion soon but we will
show you some of the more common commands lines with the assumption you are using the
default probe names.
The first line should always be Set OFF which will make sure the alarm is off by default.
Note that spacing and proper capitalization is important.
First alarm is typically related to temperature and something like.
If Temp > 82.0 Then ON If Temp < 75.0 Then ON . Which will set off
an alarm if the temp ever gets over 82 or below 75.
Then something pretty similar with PH.
If PH > 8.5 Then ON If PH < 7.7 Then ON which will turn on the
alarm if the PH ever gets over 8.5 or drops below 7.7 both of which are a pretty good
indicator that something is wrong with the tank.
Alarms based on ORP are also popular If ORP < 250 then ON
If ORP > 450 Then ON.
The low will likely be triggered by something large dying in the tank or a large release
of organics like a bag of food spilled into the tank which you would want to deal with
immediately.
High is likely ozone related equipment failure.
You can also set off an alarm based off a switch level like float switch with a line
like.
If Switch6 CLOSED Then ON.
This same thing can be used on Door Switch to set off an alarm if the door is opened
which can help keep kids out.
If Switch6 OPEN Then ON.
The ALD leak detector switches should have alarms to help save your home from damage.
In this case we would add a line that looks like Switchx5_1 CLOSED Then ON.
Note that the x on the switch is what indicates this is an ALD leak sensor rather than a simple
switch.
Your module name will likely be different depending on the sensor used and module number
the apex assigned your ALD module.
Another good one is based on the conductivity or salinity module.
If Condx4 < 33.0 Then ON and If Condx4 > 37.0 Then ON which will set the alarm off if the
salinity ever drops or rises suddenly.
Note that your code might look different.
The number after the x signifies the module number and the alarm points will depend on
if you are measuring salinity in parts per thousand or conductivity.
Remember to test each alarm when you add it to make sure it is working properly, if you
are having issues one common cause is the name of the probe is different so make sure
you check the names of the probes in the set up area of the display and or tiles within
the Fusion interface.
So I know some of you still have questions or have great ideas for alarm code you have
used and want to share with the rest of us so do it in the comments area down below.
If this is your first time with us subscribe because we do this every week.
See ya next week with another episode of BRStv.