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

[That Crusso Kid]

Thanks Ranjib for your response, the controller was running as expected.
Your comment towards SDcard corruption, specifically pointing to the database and yet Reef-Pi was unaffected, as the controller is up and running in blank form after a "Service" reset??
Only the database and nothing else for SDcard corruption?
In a previous post I said I don't implement "RELOAD" because every time I do, I have to reset "Service" Could this be another reason for loosing the database?
Hugh thanks for your effort and time in sharing such a great opportunity for DIY Reefers.

Out of curiosity; do you reboot after adding a module? If by "RELOAD" you mean reboot then that may be the issue.

 

[MichaelA18454]

Hi Crusso, Yes, I meant "REBOOT". I add all the modules and "UPDATE" but find I have to reset "Service" if I implement "REBOOT" I'm not sure what this is for or if part of the save configuration. So, I haven't been implementing this, I just do a power cycle and see if the modules persist. As an addition, I found the modules previously setup were all gone after I lost comms and reset Service. It might point to me not actually saving the modules at the onset in "Configuration" What's the Reload Reboot for?
Cheers

 

[Fish Fan]

Hi guys! Quick question and I’m sorry if this has been answered already.... I have never used any kind of aquarium controller before. Do I need a heater without an internal thermostat in order for Reef-Pi to control it? Will my Cobalt Neotherm heaters work with Reef-Pi?

Thank very much!

-Fish Fan

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Hi Crusso, Yes, I meant "REBOOT". I add all the modules and "UPDATE" but find I have to reset "Service" if I implement "REBOOT" I'm not sure what this is for or if part of the save configuration. So, I haven't been implementing this, I just do a power cycle and see if the modules persist. As an addition, I found the modules previously setup were all gone after I lost comms and reset Service. It might point to me not actually saving the modules at the onset in "Configuration" What's the Reload Reboot for?
Cheers

It's my understanding that rebooting is necessary after adding or changing modules. I have a suspected understanding as to why but, since I am not certain, will not comment on it.

I am sure we will hear from @Ranjib regarding the "rebooting".

 

[MacSakkie]

Hi guys! Quick question and I’m sorry if this has been answered already.... I have never used any kind of aquarium controller before. Do I need a heater without an internal thermostat in order for Reef-Pi to control it? Will my Cobalt Neotherm heaters work with Reef-Pi?

Thank very much!

-Fish Fan

Hi it will work. I prefer the thermostat heater. Just set the thermostat one degree higher. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong it will shut the heater off preventing that the tank overheats

 

[Fish Fan]

Hi it will work. I prefer the thermostat heater. Just set the thermostat one degree higher. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong it will shut the heater off preventing that the tank overheats

I thought so, just wanted to be sure. Thank you for the reply!

-FF

 

[Ranjib]

Hi Crusso, Yes, I meant "REBOOT". I add all the modules and "UPDATE" but find I have to reset "Service" if I implement "REBOOT" I'm not sure what this is for or if part of the save configuration. So, I haven't been implementing this, I just do a power cycle and see if the modules persist. As an addition, I found the modules previously setup were all gone after I lost comms and reset Service. It might point to me not actually saving the modules at the onset in "Configuration" What's the Reload Reboot for?
Cheers

If by reset you mean you are deleting database, then yes you will loose all your previous configuration. Don’t resent database unless you are updating major version or something it really broken

 

[MichaelA18454]

Hi Ranjib, Please let me clarify my situation, I select configuration, and then check Lighting and doses, press UPDATE and then go to admin and select reboot as per the instructions. Then I am disconnected from the UI and am required to enter my http://reeftank to initiate the UI, BUT now the UI will not connect. I then use Putty to:
sudo systemctl stop reef-pi.service
sudo rm -rf /var/lib/reef-pi/reef-pi.db
sudo systemctl start reef-pi.service
And then I can connect to the UI once more.
Once I have done this the Doser and Lighting are NOT selected in Configuration, and so I choose not the go through admin "REBOOT" and continue with the build. And this is where that after a week the UI stops working, and again I need to do the :
sudo systemctl stop reef-pi.service
sudo rm -rf /var/lib/reef-pi/reef-pi.db
sudo systemctl start reef-pi.service
Again to get the UI working, and again the Doser and Lighting are once again not selected, and I have lost ALL the setup modules.
You suggest this is caused from a corrupt SDcard? Then should I start over from installing NOOBS?
Cheers

 

[BenB]

sudo rm -rf /var/lib/reef-pi/reef-pi.db

This commando delete the database, that is why you have no lighting nor doser afterwards.

 

[BenB]

Did you select only light and doser in the configuration??

 

[PaulJ2303]

Hi,
I want to start on the second part of my Reef-Pi project which is the power controller. Unfortunately here in the UK i cant use the power strip you guys use in the guides, it's the wrong type of plug and would also cost me a fortune to get over here.

is there anyone in the UK who's built this unit and what parts did you use ?
Thanks for any help you can be.

 

[MichaelA18454]

Did you select only light and doser in the configuration??

Hi Ben, yes as these are the only 2 un-checked in the default setup.

 

[MichaelA18454]

sudo rm -rf /var/lib/reef-pi/reef-pi.db

This commando delete the database, that is why you have no lighting nor doser afterwards.

Thanks Ben, then that explains that. Then I can't figure out why selecting "REBOOT" crashed the controller. I have tried many times but can't get past this point.

 

[Ranjib]

Hi,
I want to start on the second part of my Reef-Pi project which is the power controller. Unfortunately here in the UK i cant use the power strip you guys use in the guides, it's the wrong type of plug and would also cost me a fortune to get over here.

is there anyone in the UK who's built this unit and what parts did you use ?
Thanks for any help you can be.

The ones I can recall from UK/Oz are all scratch builds, using relays and receptacles.
From 3.0 onwards you can use Kasa/tplink based smart plugs

 

[Ranjib]

Thanks Ben, then that explains that. Then I can't figure out why selecting "REBOOT" crashed the controller. I have tried many times but can't get past this point.

Can you elaborate what you mean by crash? You are expected to see the red UI dialog while the pi power cycle, relays might be turned on/off during this.

 

[MichaelA18454]

Can you elaborate what you mean by crash? You are expected to see the red UI dialog while the pi power cycle, relays might be turned on/off during this.

Hi Ranjib, Thanks for reaching out, today I decided to do a complete rebuild, reformatting and checking the SDcard and then proceeded to install Rasbian lite and reef-pi. Unfortunately I am getting the same condition.
I see the condition after I go into Configuration, check Lighting, Doser and the PCA9685 and press "UPDATE".
I then go to admin and press "REBOOT", this causes an instant error stating I have been disconnect.
When I attempt to re-log in to Reef-pi UI in a browser, I see "loading" in the top left hand corner of the window and eventually get cannot connect.
I can connect to the controller using Putty, and see it connected to the network, but not a browser.
This is where I use Putty to:
sudo systemctl stop reef-pi.service
sudo rm -rf /var/lib/reef-pi/reef-pi.db
sudo systemctl start reef-pi.service
This allows me to reconnect to Reef-pi again.
As suggested, this is why I loose the selections in "Configuration"

 

[BenB]

You have a pca9685 board connected to the pi? You need to if you enable pca9685.

If you do not have the pca9685 board than do not enable pca9685 but rather use the pi pwm ports

 

[MichaelA18454]

You have a pca9685 board connected to the pi? You need to if you enable pca9685.

If you do not have the pca9685 board than do not enable pca9685 but rather use the pi pwm ports

Hi Ben, I do have the PCA9685 board, but haven't progressed to connecting it up. I will try that. Thanks for the suggestion

 

[Ranjib]

Check if reef-pi is running (sudo systemctl status reef-pi.service), as mentioned here: https://reef-pi.github.io/guides/troubleshooting/

 

[ph123uk]

Hi,
I want to start on the second part of my Reef-Pi project which is the power controller. Unfortunately here in the UK i cant use the power strip you guys use in the guides, it's the wrong type of plug and would also cost me a fortune to get over here.

is there anyone in the UK who's built this unit and what parts did you use ?
Thanks for any help you can be.

I got these: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32997848522.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.6a9f4c4dPwngLU

Will be manually wiring them up and using relays and a ULN chip as specified in the tutorials :) - you are essentially making your own powerstrip - and each plug will be controlled by a single wire (on the ADJ strip, these wires are encased in a single cable)

Hope that helps