I have been running the AQLink A1 for just under a week. Setup is plug-and-play - it replaces the existing controller on my DCT-6000 sump return pump and uses the same power supply.
I simply swapped out the DCT-6000's controller, plugged in the AQLink A1 and connected an Ethernet cable between the AQLink and my Neptune Apex 2016.
aqlink-install.JPG
aqlink-dct6000.JPG
Then I started programming the variable speed ports.
The instructions aren't 100% clear but it's easy to setup and get going on the Neptune Apex.
Channel 1 on the variable speed port controls the return pump's speed.
The important thing to remember - as per the instructions - is that the second channel (ie channel 2 of the variable speed port you connect your Ethernet cable to) is used to reverse the pump rotation if the voltage is greater than 2v.
So I simply ensure it remains off at all times - ie zero volts!
aqlink-program.JPG
The above screenshot is my program for the DCT-6000, which is feeding a 400 litre mixed invert/fish tank via a miracle mud filter system in the sump.
I decided to lower the pump's speed during feeding times - ie @ 05:50, 12:45 and 18:45. In my setup, anything lower than 50% and the DCT-6000 struggles to return the water from the sump to the main tank - hence the reason I decided to drop the speed to 50% for feeding.
At the moment, I'm only running it 60% - which matches the flow of my previous return pump.
I will probably look at experimenting with increasing the flow at a later date. The current flow rate turns over the tank's volume nine times an hour if my maths is correct - 60% of 6000 is 3600 l/hr and I have a 400 l tank.
Any complaints? So far so good. I've only started using the Neptune a few weeks ago so programming it is still very much a learning curve for me.
I did, however, experience a mishap which could have been a disaster: Trying to be clever, my previous program for the DCT-6000 lowered the flow rate when the autofeeder was ON. I also setup a virtual switch, with settings to match feeding times.
Now I'm not sure what I did wrong, but the mains fuse that powers the aquarium setup flipped just when the autofeeder switched on. The result: The pump stopped returning water to the main tank - even when I got the main power back on. The autofeeder was stuck half way open and didn't return to normal until the next feed cycle.
So from this experience I have manually adjusted feed times for the DCT-6000/AQLink A1 and ensure it failsafes ON:
Here's the program for the SQLInk A1/DCT-6000 listed in the Basic View Advanced control type mode, where profile RetPumpNum sets the pump to 60%:
Fallback RetPumpNorm
tdata 00:00:00,0,0,60,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
tdata 05:45:00,0,0,60,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
tdata 05:50:00,0,0,50,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
tdata 06:20:00,0,0,60,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
tdata 12:40:00,0,0,60,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
tdata 12:45:00,0,0,50,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
tdata 13:15:00,0,0,60,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
tdata 18:40:00,0,0,60,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
tdata 18:45:00,0,0,50,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
tdata 19:15:00,0,0,60,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
tdata 23:59:00,0,0,60,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
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