Code troubles without RTC

We ran into quite a few issues with trying to use code that needed an RTC without including an RTC in the circuit. I tried to hack the codes but it ended up not verifying. The codes that I tried to hack can be seen on these links:

https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/antiElectron/simple-wall-clock-using-adafruit-1-4-60-ring-neopixel-8ca99c?ref=userrespected&ref_id=238181&offset=0&fbclid=IwAR24_6G068OAxR6Mc3_jA0yGsyZiGoCRni5mFYZKkFewNspNdGvlWgk0QPU

https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/WannaDuino-from-WannaDIY/clock-arduino-nano-neopixel-ring-alarm-timer-function-5ce47c?ref=tag&ref_id=clocks&offset=19

https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/JaeKar99/cheap-neopixel-strip-clock-40dfc0?ref=tag&ref_id=clocks&offset=64

As the codes were not working without a RTC as a class we ordered RTC’s and Nano arduino counterfeits as they were more cost effective. When they arrive we will try the first code above as that is the closes technology to what we are after.