Raspberry Pi-based reef controller

[sjstelmach]

All,

I’d like to introduce my Raspberry Pi-based reef controller. This controller has been inspired by a desire to automate a lot of the annoying monitoring tasks I’ve been accumulating over the years and is designed for quick and easy decision-making on most routine tank maintenance decisions.

It’s based on Raspberry Pi and Python (Flask) with a variety of external devices.

If anyone is interested in looking at the code, it's available at https://github.com/sjstelmach/aquarium/tree/master. If you're looking to build a similar set up, let me know, and I'll start thinking about getting a proper installation routine installed and a rough guide.

* EDIT: Updated with recent pictures *

Main screen:

Parameter logging:

Device Management:

Admin Interface:

Here are some of the features:

- Function as a reef tank-centric log: track parameters and dosing with warning levels and age
- Interface with devices to automate routines like feeding and to create an hourly schedule to target a certain daily dKh dose using 2-part
- Interface with sensors and external devices (KHGuardian for example) to track parameters and catch problems before they arise
- Switch devices on and off remotely for tank emergency management
- Send Slack push notifications if any parameters are out of whack

Looking forward to answering any questions and to hearing feedback and feature recommendations.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Woah

 

[Dennis McGrath]

Is this similar to "Reef Pi" ?

 

[Ranjib]

Thats awesome. Thank you for sharing. I would love to see the kh monitor integration. Let me know if you need any help with code stuff

 

[sjstelmach]

Is this similar to "Reef Pi" ?

It’s similar to Reef Pi but currently more focused on sensors (salinity, PH, alk) rather doing things like controlling overflows and working as an ATO directly.

I definitely got a lot of inspiration from that project, and I finally decided to dive head first into this when I saw APEX Trident and decided I could build the same thing myself without locking myself into that ecosystem.

It’s really been amazing to use in practice and I’ve already been shocked at how inaccurate my two part dosing regime was previously. I’ve also found a low PH problem which I was able to address.

 

[Ranjib]

It’s similar to Reef Pi but currently more focused on sensors (salinity, PH, alk) rather doing things like controlling overflows and working as an ATO directly.

I definitely got a lot of inspiration from that project, and I finally decided to dive head first into this when I saw APEX Trident and decided I could build the same thing myself without locking myself into that ecosystem.

It’s really been amazing to use in practice and I’ve already been shocked at how inaccurate my two part dosing regime was previously. I’ve also found a low PH problem which I was able to address.

My experience with pH has been same, but I still have not been able to fix why the low pH is. I did changed my two part to kalk, for the exact same reason

 

[sjstelmach]

My experience with pH has been same, but I still have not been able to fix why the low pH is. I did changed my two part to kalk, for the exact same reason

For me, it’s high CO2 in my apartment, and drawing my skimmer intake in from outside raised it from 7.8 to 8.25 over the course of a week or so.

 

[sjstelmach]

Just wanted to post an update on my progress. I've upgraded the interface using Bootstrap and added the ability to track multiple parameters. With the addition of the KHGuardian to my tank, my alkalinity is now stable and I've been able to keep SPS alive for the first time in my life (~a month and counting, fingers crossed). I also added a predictive alkalinity consumption using my dose log + KHGuardian data which has been invaluable in calibrating my daily 2-part dose.

 

[Ranjib]

Very nice . Keep going

 

[William Norman]

very cool. What are you using to get your Phos and Nitrate ?

 

[BZOFIQ]

Great to see that there are people who see past APEX! Subscribed!

 

[OMGitsManBearPig]

This is great!
I’m embarking on this starting Monday when my first Pi comes in the mail.

Ive gathered several supplies, just waiting on the brain!

Since you’ve done all the hard work already...

Subbed.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

For me, it’s high CO2 in my apartment, and drawing my skimmer intake in from outside raised it from 7.8 to 8.25 over the course of a week or so.

Your screenshots say that you're dosing sodium bicarbonate. If that's true, you might get a small pH increase from using sodium carbonate (soda ash). People say that sodium bicarbonate lowers pH, and while that's technically true, it's a bit misleading because the effect is so small. Increasing carbonate alkalinity by 1.4 dKh with bicarb only lowers pH by 0.04. You're not getting that much of a decrease in pH, but you're not getting much of an increase either. Sodium carbonate (soda ash), on the other hand, will increase pH by about 0.3 for every 1.4 dKh dosed. Again, the effect is not as huge as some reefers make it out to be. But if you're battling low pH, every little bit can help.

I personally dose sodium bicarbonate because I don't think the small increase in pH is worth the cost and work of sourcing sodium carbonate over the more readily-available sodium bicarbonate. It also sounds like you have your pH solved with the airline out the window. Just thought I'd mention for other reefers reading.

 

[sjstelmach]

Your screenshots say that you're dosing sodium bicarbonate. If that's true, you might get a small pH increase from using sodium carbonate (soda ash). People say that sodium bicarbonate lowers pH, and while that's technically true, it's a bit misleading because the effect is so small. Increasing carbonate alkalinity by 1.4 dKh with bicarb only lowers pH by 0.04. You're not getting that much of a decrease in pH, but you're not getting much of an increase either. Sodium carbonate (soda ash), on the other hand, will increase pH by about 0.3 for every 1.4 dKh dosed. Again, the effect is not as huge as some reefers make it out to be. But if you're battling low pH, every little bit can help.

I personally dose sodium bicarbonate because I don't think the small increase in pH is worth the cost and work of sourcing sodium carbonate over the more readily-available sodium bicarbonate. It also sounds like you have your pH solved with the airline out the window. Just thought I'd mention for other reefers reading.

Thanks for the response. I’ve actually got it around 8.35 now after a month with the intake tube out the window from 7.9 previously.

I actually used to use soda ash for my alkalinity dosing but I had a lot of issues with precipitation on pumps and my heater which I hear is because of the localized PH spike.

 

[sjstelmach]

It's been around four months since my last update, and I still haven't lost a single SPS frag or had to do any water changes. It's amazing how much my tank time has totally shifted gears from reacting to surprise test results to focusing on the health of my fish and corals.

I've enhanced my controller with:

• Target ranges for parameters
• A calculation engine to recommend dosages of additives based on parameters levels.
• Charting (Chart.js)
• a Slack-based warning system that has already saved me more than once. Last week my alkalinity reagent ran out and it pushed a warning to my phone after the KHGuardian detected a low reading.

 

[Ranjib]

It's been around four months since my last update, and I still haven't lost a single SPS frag or had to do any water changes. It's amazing how much my tank time has totally shifted gears from reacting to surprise test results to focusing on the health of my fish and corals.

I've enhanced my controller with:

• Target ranges for parameters
• A calculation engine to recommend dosages of additives based on parameters levels.
• Charting (Chart.js)
• a Slack-based warning system that has already saved me more than once. Last week my alkalinity reagent ran out and it pushed a warning to my phone after the KHGuardian detected a low reading.

Very cool

 

[gregor]

It's been around four months since my last update, and I still haven't lost a single SPS frag or had to do any water changes. It's amazing how much my tank time has totally shifted gears from reacting to surprise test results to focusing on the health of my fish and corals.

I've enhanced my controller with:

• Target ranges for parameters
• A calculation engine to recommend dosages of additives based on parameters levels.
• Charting (Chart.js)
• a Slack-based warning system that has already saved me more than once. Last week my alkalinity reagent ran out and it pushed a warning to my phone after the KHGuardian detected a low reading.

Good evening.
You have a very interesting development.
I wanted to ask, can I try to install your code on automated-reef-controller?
Is there access to download your code?
Can you take a closer look at the photo, how is yours connected, what sensors do you use?
Sincerely, Gregory.

 

[sjstelmach]

Since my last update in November, I've implemented a device management system utilizing the MCP23017 chip (https://www.adafruit.com/product/732) and two SainSmart 8-channel relays that lets me control all of my devices, rather than utilizing my Red Sea Max's power bar. I've been able to use this API to automate routines such as feeding. Some more recent pictures of the interface are at the top of the thread.

If anyone is interested in taking a look at my code (@gregor @Ranjib), it's available at: https://github.com/sjstelmach/aquarium/tree/master. It's certainly not quite ready to be installed out of the box yet (I have to create some setup routines, etc.).

I'm also planning to create a build thread to include some pictures of the hardware, but I have to improve the mess of wires in my cabinet before I'm comfortable sharing...

 

[Ranjib]

Nice . Keep us updated. I’ll browse through the code