New Reef Angel Owner!

[Zechenia]

Hey!

I just purchased a Reef Angel (bought it used) and will be purchasing the wifi attachment here in a couple weeks. The controlled hasn't arrived yet, and I am eager to start coding! I want to start using RA Gen, then modify the sections I need different. This post is more of a place to list my ideas, and also to ask a couple questions. Definitely not looking for help coding (besides, isn't that half the fun?!)

So, here are my plans. I'm assuming (hoping) these are all possible, but haven't had a chance to look into the libraries and code base much to see how much work it would be What do you think of them?

1. Float Switches:
A. I already have an ATO, so I want to just plug that in. However, I want to use the float switches as alerts. I'm planning (once I figure out a good way to mount it) on mounting it above my current ATO location, and if it ever floats, I want it to alarm me, and turn off the outlet for the ATO.
B. I have a HOB refugium, so I want a similar set up with the other Float, turning off the pump it ever floats

2. Waterchange: I want to have the water change mode turn off the ATO, Powerheads, Skimmer, and Refugium pump. I then want it to prompt for a joystick input. On the joystick press, I want it to start the ATO. I fill via-ATO so I get the exact level.

3. Heater: My Heater is in my HOB refugium. I plan on only allowing the heater to be on if the refugium pump is on.

4. WaveMaker: Standard

5. Alerts: I want to keep a log of standard alerts (I believe the client does this automatically?) but I also want to set up email or text alerts for reminders (things like weekly emails for waterchanges/testing). Is this doable?

6. Lights: My lights have a built in timer. I want to have them always on (and let the built in timer controll it). The only time they will lose power is in extreme overheating

Questions:

I want three settings on my Wavemaker: Pump A on, Pump B on, and Both Pump A and Pump B on. With the wavemaker functions, does it already do this? or is it set up for only one or the other?

I read somewhere that PH probs need to be calibrated very frequently. Is this really the case? I wanted to set up a PH monitoring function that turns on all the pumps and powerheads if the PH drops too far. Don't know if that's ideal though if I need to constantly be calibrating it.

This turned out longer than I anticipated. Sorry!

[rimai]

All of that is possible
The standard function for wavemaker will always alternate them. Some other logic will need to be code for the way you want them to work.
Recalibration is a very personal option. I know people that calibrate every week and others that never calibrate. I'm in the latter group. I can't remember the last time I calibrated my probe
You will need to once in a while drop it in vinegar to remove any algae or bacteria growth that can occur. I do that like every year or so. But that's just me.

[Zechenia]

ok, Perfect! I'll let ya know how it goes one I get started

[Zechenia]

Ok, I have my first two questions as I am coding!

What do I need to add in my PDE file to be able to use the float switches inside my the loop function? Also, how do I know which float valve is which when I install them?

Thanks!

[rimai]

If you use RAGen, you don't need to add anything.

[Zechenia]

I used RAGen to set up the file, but am hand coding a lot. I am going to be using the float switches as overflow warnings (since I already have an ATO).

If I don't need to include anything, how can I reference the individual switches?

[rimai]

Ah ok.
Sorry... I missed the beginning of the thread
The float switch ports can be checked with this function:

Code: Select all

ReefAngel.LowATO.IsActive();
ReefAngel.HighATO.IsActive();

So, for example, you could use it like this:

Code: Select all

if (ReefAngel.LowATO.IsActive())
{
  ReefAngel.Relay.On(Port1);
}
else
{
  ReefAngel.Relay.Off(Port1);
}

[Zechenia]

Perfect! Thank you! Now I just gotta figure out how to mount them where I need em! lol

Ok, another (probably dumb) question. Which plugin is which?

[rimai]

http://reefangel.com/files/Reef%20Angel ... 20v1.8.pdf

[Zechenia]

Thank you!

[Zechenia]

Woo, finally purchased the Wi-fi. Can't wait til it shows up and I can play with it!

Things on the agenda, apart from adding wifi (including portal and android app, ect) is to add a softer start up. Whenever the power goes out, my GFI switch trips when it tries to start back up. I think it has to do with the amount of power suddenly starting again, so I'm going to see what I can do about turning stuff back on in stages.