reef-pi :: An opensource reef tank controller based on Raspberry Pi.

[Ranjib]

Just finishing up the build phase of my reef-pi project. A little more wiring and tidying up and it will have temp, lights and power control. I need to order the parts to get the pH and orp monitoring installed still. I have enough room on the front of the control module for a monitor (if I decide to use one) and another board for the pwm for lights and the DC main pump in the future.

I love looking at these wooden enclosures :-0)

 

[Des Westcott]

OOOOOoooops

I think I just jinxed my run of trouble-free Reef-Pi running :(

I went to check on tank temp and to run a quick top-up macro to prime my Kalkwasser Stirrer and nothing. Yip. Nothing. I can't access the Pi at all. When I do try go to the IP address of my Reef-Pi, I get nothing except the Laptop downloads a 1kb file called "download".

I can still access my other build on my Brineshrimp hatchery.

Any ideas guys?

 

[Ranjib]

OOOOOoooops

I think I just jinxed my run of trouble-free Reef-Pi running :(

I went to check on tank temp and to run a quick top-up macro to prime my Kalkwasser Stirrer and nothing. Yip. Nothing. I can't access the Pi at all. When I do try go to the IP address of my Reef-Pi, I get nothing except the Laptop downloads a 1kb file called "download".

I can still access my other build on my Brineshrimp hatchery.

Any ideas guys?

Can you access the pi using ssh ? try hard refreshing your browser

 

[Ranjib]

Hiveminds, I have cut a new release candidate, and hopefully the last release candidate before the final 2.o release (around Thanksgiving). This release mostly contains various bugfixes, including a critical temperature controller fix (thank you @b4tn and others for pointing it out). Following are the highlights:

Bug fixes

• Temperature controller will not enforce cooldown routine when cooling device is not defined.
• Ignore superfluous API error during reload, since its expected
• Don't crash reef-pi is pca9685 is enabled but absent
• Sync lights as soon as the controller starts, instead of waiting till the first interval (1 minute)
• Bring back ATO notification UI
• Fix telemetry update and dashboard update button width
• Fix temperature enable UI in edit mode
• Don't close all GPIO (resulting in start/stop of equipment/outlets) during shutdown/reload

Features

• Introduce Connection lost error UI

Chores/Enhancements

• Connector UI enhancements
• Input validation and mobile UI enhancements for Macro

release builds can be found in usual location: https://github.com/reef-pi/reef-pi/releases/tag/2.0.0-rc2

Thank you again for testing these pre-release builds, every issue reported by you help us addressing them before it hits the wider audience

 

[Ranjib]

One of the new feature that I am liking is ability to see some of the critical errors from UI. Here is an example of telemetry error (failure to submit data in adafruit.io, not sure if it was my router's error or adafruit.io)

 

[ScottBrew]

That's looking epic, that's a big psu, can I ask more about the lighting your using and what control you'll have over them

Thanks! The power supply is a 24 volt 350 watt unit to run 3 reef brite 48" led strips. Until I get a pwm board I'm just switching the lights on and off with the 4 channel relay board. Each light draws about 50 watts so plenty of overhead, enough to run the Current USA 6010 I just got if I decide. Need to figure out how to control it with the reef-pi without buying the loop controller.

 

[b4tn]

Awesome, I will upgrade tonight and check it out. Do I just remove the old version and delete the database or will running the installer of the new version update it. I’m not super Linux savy. Just know enough to get in trouble lol

 

[Ranjib]

Awesome, I will upgrade tonight and check it out. Do I just remove the old version and delete the database or will running the installer of the new version update it. I’m not super Linux savy. Just know enough to get in trouble lol

You don't need to delete database or stop/uninstall the existing reef-pi, if you are running 2.x beta/rc series, it''s just

sudo dpkg -i reef-pi-2.0.0-rc2-pi3.deb

database resetting or removing older reef-pi is only required if you are upgrading from 1.x series or something bad has happened (like something is not working)

 

[Ranjib]

Thanks! The power supply is a 24 volt 350 watt unit to run 3 reef brite 48" led strips. Until I get a pwm board I'm just switching the lights on and off with the 4 channel relay board. Each light draws about 50 watts so plenty of overhead, enough to run the Current USA 6010 I just got if I decide. Need to figure out how to control it with the reef-pi without buying the loop controller.

How you plan to dim them? meanwell drivers? Apologies in advance if you have already answered this,

 

[LionHeart2017]

Postman delivered some goodies today[emoji2] parts are building up

 

[Ranjib]

Postman delivered some goodies today[emoji2] parts are building up

Very nice. I see you have to Raspberry Pi, a zero and a pi 3 . Is it for backup ?

 

[LionHeart2017]

Very nice. I see you have to Raspberry Pi, a zero and a pi 3 . Is it for backup ?

Was just going with the zero at first but I changed my lights from AI Prime hd to mars aqua 165w and going to use the zero with 8 channel relay for turning on and off the 4 light panels, and then the pi3 for reef-pi[emoji2]

 

[ScottBrew]

How you pan to dim them? meanwell drivers? Apologies in advance if you have already answered this,

That I haven't figured out yet, so far I've just been figuring out how to assemble the reef-pi modules I have built so far. The lights don't have a control circuit, just a 24vdc input, will need to adjust the 24 volts to dim them. Again, not sure how to do that, so any input is appreciated! The 24vdc power supply and reef-pi will eliminate the 3 power bricks and timers that I'm currently using.

 

[ScottBrew]

I love looking at these wooden enclosures :-0)

Thank you! Wasn't sure how I was going to enclose the system when I started, the big power supply kind of dictated the size box I needed and it didn't fit in any normal size project box that wasn't too thick to fit where I want to mount it. All the line voltage components (120vac) are on the back of the plate leaving lots of room for any future expansion on the front above the pi.

 

[Ranjib]

That I haven't figured out yet, so far I've just been figuring out how to assemble the reef-pi modules I have built so far. The lights don't have a control circuit, just a 24vdc input, will need to adjust the 24 volts to dim them. Again, not sure how to do that, so any input is appreciated! The 24vdc power supply and reef-pi will eliminate the 3 power bricks and timers that I'm currently using.

Meanwell drivers will definitely work, probably the power mosfets as well (dirt cheap). Do you know the amperage?

 

[ScottBrew]

Meanwell drivers will definitely work, probably the power mosfets as well (dirt cheap). Do you know the amperage?

I measured 52 watts, so 2 amps at 24vdc. Do you have any links to the Meanwell drivers or the power mosfets you are referencing? There are numerous choices.

 

[Ranjib]

Just finished water change. Since dialing in the doser, My sps growth is now decent . Some of the sticks are now showing different colors after a phase of initial growth. Fascinating

Softies,

 

[Ranjib]

I am happy that I am able to finally grow sps with confidence in a nano tank. I really hope reef-pi will allow me to grow them in pico setup with confidence and reproducibility. That will be a really nice milestone to achieve

 

[Diamond1]

Just finished water change. Since dialing in the doser, My sps growth is now decent . Some of the sticks are now showing different colors after a phase of initial growth. Fascinating

Softies,

Those corals look great!! Nice colors too.

 

[Ranjib]

I measured 52 watts, so 2 amps at 24vdc. Do you have any links to the Meanwell drivers or the power mosfets you are referencing? There are numerous choices.

I have seen folks use the LDD-H or LDD-L series. They are the most popular ones for DIY LEDs. Generally one per strip. https://www.ledsupply.com/blog/meanwell-power-supply-guide/ , . RapidLed has some information on them as well.
I was referring to this type of MOSFETs: https://www.adafruit.com/product/355 . I have used them for 12W lights, without a heatsink. I think it will work, but not sure, you have to double check.