Neptune Systems AI Skill for Claude Code

A Claude Code custom skill (/neptune-systems) that acts as an intelligent assistant for Neptune Systems Apex aquarium controllers. Ask it what you want to do in plain English — it reads the official Neptune Systems documentation and returns working Apex code or step-by-step configuration instructions.

What It Does

When you invoke /neptune-systems, Claude:

1. Reads your request
2. Identifies the most relevant official Neptune Systems documentation
3. Fetches and reads the actual PDF manual(s)
4. Returns accurate, working Apex programming code or hardware setup instructions
5. Cites every document it referenced

Requirements

• Claude Code (CLI, desktop app, or IDE extension)
• An active Claude subscription (Pro or Team recommended for long sessions)

Installation

Step 1 — Create the commands directory

Open your terminal and run:

mkdir -p ~/.claude/commands

Step 2 — Download the skill file

curl -o ~/.claude/commands/neptune-systems.md \
  https://raw.githubusercontent.com/dl-romero/neptune-systems-ai-skill/main/neptune-systems.md

Or clone this repo and copy manually:

git clone https://github.com/dl-romero/neptune-systems-ai-skill.git
cp neptune-systems-ai-skill/neptune-systems.md ~/.claude/commands/

Step 3 — Verify installation

In Claude Code, type / and look for neptune-systems in the autocomplete list. If it appears, you're ready to go.

How to Use

/neptune-systems <describe what you want to do>

Write your request in plain English. You do not need to know Apex programming syntax — that's what the skill is for.

Examples:

/neptune-systems Turn off my return pump if pH drops below 7.9
/neptune-systems Set up my heater to maintain 78.5°F with a 0.5 degree swing
/neptune-systems Create a sunrise and sunset ramp for my AI Hydra lights

Claude will fetch the relevant manual, read it, and return code you can paste directly into the Apex Fusion outlet programmer.

Sample Prompts & Outputs

1. pH Safety Shutoff for Return Pump

Prompt:

/neptune-systems Turn off my return pump if pH drops below 7.9 or rises above 8.5

Output:

Outlet: ReturnPump

Fallback ON
Set ON
If pH < 7.90 Then OFF
If pH > 8.50 Then OFF

Ref: Comprehensive Reference Manual, Chapter 5 — Probe Testing

2. Temperature-Controlled Heater with Hysteresis

Prompt:

/neptune-systems Program my heater to keep the tank at 78.5°F. Turn it on at 78.0 and off at 79.0

Output:

Outlet: Heater

Fallback ON
Set OFF
If Temp < 78.0 Then ON
If Temp > 79.0 Then OFF

Ref: Comprehensive Reference Manual, Chapter 5 — Probe Testing (Temp, pH, ORP)

3. Sunrise/Sunset Light Ramp with AI Hydra

Prompt:

/neptune-systems Create a sunrise and sunset schedule for my AI Hydra. Lights on at 9am, full brightness by 10am, start dimming at 7pm, off by 8pm

Output:

First, create two profiles in Apex Fusion:

Profile: RampUp

Profile: RampDown

Then program the VarSpd outlet for the Hydra:

Outlet: Hydra_VarSpd

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 09:00 to 10:00 Then RampUp
If Time 10:00 to 19:00 Then ON
If Time 19:00 to 20:00 Then RampDown

Ref: Comprehensive Reference Manual, Chapter 6 — Variable Speed Pumps and Dimmable Lights; IoTa — AI Prime & Hydra User Guide

4. Automatic Top-Off (ATO) with Float Switch

Prompt:

/neptune-systems Set up an automatic top-off using a float switch on SW1 to control a dosing pump

Output:

Outlet: ATO_Pump

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Sw1 OPEN Then ON
If Sw1 CLOSED Then OFF
Min Time 005:00 Then OFF

Connect the float switch to the I/O Breakout Box input SW1. Wire one lead to the SW1 terminal and the other to Ground. The Min Time statement prevents the pump from cycling rapidly and protects against float switch bounce.

>

Ref: Comprehensive Reference Manual, Chapter 13 — Automatic Top-Off System; Chapter 5 — Switches

5. Feed Mode: Pause Pumps During Feeding

Prompt:

/neptune-systems Pause my return pump and skimmer for 10 minutes when I trigger Feed mode A

Output:

Outlet: ReturnPump

Fallback ON
Set ON
If Feed A Then OFF

---

Outlet: Skimmer

Fallback ON
Set ON
If Feed A Then OFF

Feed mode is triggered manually from the Apex display or Fusion dashboard. Feed A runs for however many minutes you configure under Setup > Misc. Set it to 10 minutes.

>

Ref: Comprehensive Reference Manual, Chapter 5 — Feed (and Maintenance) Cycles

6. Skimmer Delayed Start After Power Restore

Prompt:

/neptune-systems Delay my skimmer 20 minutes after power is restored to let the water settle

Output:

Outlet: Skimmer

Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Power EB8_1 ON 020:00 Then OFF

The If Power statement checks how long has elapsed since the EB8 restored power. The outlet stays OFF for the first 20 minutes after power comes back, then resumes AUTO.

>

Ref: Comprehensive Reference Manual, Chapter 5 — Power

7. Weekend Light Schedule Override

Prompt:

/neptune-systems Make my lights come on 1 hour earlier on weekends (Saturday and Sunday)

Output:

Outlet: Lights

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 09:00 to 21:00 Then ON
If DoW -MTWTF- Then OFF
If Time 08:00 to 21:00 Then ON
If Temp > 83.0 Then OFF

The DoW statement uses SMTWTFS for the 7 days of the week. Dashes represent days to exclude. -MTWTF- means Monday–Friday only, so the earlier time block (08:00) only fires on Saturday and Sunday.

>

Ref: Comprehensive Reference Manual, Chapter 5 — Day of Week

8. ORP-Based Ozone Controller

Prompt:

/neptune-systems Control my ozone generator to keep ORP between 350 and 400

Output:

Outlet: Ozonizer

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If ORP < 350 Then ON
If ORP > 400 Then OFF

Requires an ORP probe connected to the Apex base unit's ORP/pH combo jack or a PM3 module. Do not exceed 400 mV ORP in a reef tank.

>

Ref: Comprehensive Reference Manual, Chapter 5 — Probe Testing; PM3 Manual

9. DOS Dosing Schedule (Two-Part Dosing)

Prompt:

/neptune-systems Dose Part A and Part B with my DOS module — 50mL of each per day, split into 4 equal doses

Output:

In Apex Fusion, navigate to Outputs > DOS and configure each head:

DOS Head 1 (Part A)

DOS Head 2 (Part B)

Offset Part B by 30 minutes from Part A to prevent calcium/alkalinity precipitation in the water column.

>

Ref: DOS Manual

10. High Temperature Alarm and Emergency Shutoff

Prompt:

/neptune-systems Shut off my lights and send an alarm if the tank temperature exceeds 82°F

Output:

Outlet: Lights

Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Temp > 82.0 Then OFF

---

Outlet: TempAlarm  (Virtual Outlet)

Set OFF
If Temp > 82.0 Then ON

---

Email/SMS Alert (configure in Apex Fusion > Notifications):
  Trigger: When outlet TempAlarm = ON
  Message: "ALERT: Tank temp exceeded 82°F"

Create TempAlarm as a Virtual Outlet (no physical plug needed). Then set up a notification in Fusion that fires when that outlet turns ON.

>

Ref: Comprehensive Reference Manual, Chapter 9 — Virtual Outlets; Chapter 5 — Alarms and Warnings

11. Oscillating Wavemaker (Random Flow)

Prompt:

/neptune-systems Set up my wavemaker to alternate on for 30 seconds and off for 45 seconds continuously

Output:

Outlet: Wavemaker

Fallback ON
Set ON
Oscillate 030/045/000

Oscillate ON_seconds/OFF_seconds/OFF_seconds — the third value is an additional off period before the cycle repeats. Set to 0 to loop continuously.

>

Ref: Comprehensive Reference Manual, Chapter 6 — Oscillate

12. Moonlight Simulation with Lunar Cycle

Prompt:

/neptune-systems Program moonlights that follow the real lunar cycle using my LSM module

Output:

Create a profile named moonlight:

• Deep Blue channel: 1%
• UV channel: 6%
• All other channels: 0%
• Ramp time: 0, Start/End intensity: 1

Outlet: Moonlight_VarSpd

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Moon 000/100 Then moonlight

If Moon 000/100 fires when the lunar phase is between 0% (new moon) and 100% (full moon) — i.e., always. Adjust the range to restrict to specific moon phases (e.g., 050/100 = half to full moon only). Requires LSM module.

>

Ref: Comprehensive Reference Manual, Chapter 6 — Features (Moon/Sun); LSM Manual

Supported Devices

Based on the official Neptune Systems documentation included in this skill:

Controllers

Energy Bars / Power Strips

Probe & Expansion Modules

Flow / Pump Modules

Lighting Modules

Monitoring & Automation

Official Documentation

All documents sourced from help.neptunesystems.com/support/docs/.

Manuals & User Guides

Mounting Templates

Community & Support

Tips

• Be specific — mention your device names (e.g., "my EB8 outlet named ReturnPump") to get code that doesn't need renaming.
• Mention your probes — if you have an ORP probe or PM3 module, say so. Claude will adjust the code accordingly.
• Ask for explanations — add "and explain each line" to your prompt if you're learning the Apex language.
• Multiple devices — you can ask for a complete multi-outlet setup in one prompt (e.g., "Set up my heater, chiller, and fan to all respond to temperature").

Disclaimer

This skill is a community tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Neptune Systems. Always verify generated code against the official Neptune Systems documentation before deploying to a live tank. Incorrect programming can harm livestock.

Built with [Claude Code](https://claude.ai/code)