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

[Ryan115]

I have pretty much the same ones, though I think I got them at DX.com several years ago.
I did try passivating them using Oxalic acid, but there is still a bit of rust. The only place it is rusting is on the very end where it was cut during processing, the outer shell has been great.
I was thinking about coating just the tip in either epoxy or silicone and let them go again for another test.

 

[Cary]

Thanks Ryan. I wonder about that plasticote dip? I will probably buy the spark fun covered one today. I need to read the tutorial to make sure I buy everything I need, though

 

[Ranjib]

Thanks njtiger and AshwinRavi. Do either of you remember someone saying they were testing coating the sensors? I also think that Ranjib was using the Sparkfun probe because it is covered, but I could be wrong. We have so many pages now, it is hard to look back through them all and I dont' see anyway to search just this thread. Later

Use canakit or spark fun probes that have black coating. Mine didn’t rust after 3 months of use.

 

[marspeed]

How about covering them in plastic dip works for magnets

 

[Ryan115]

I dont see any reason that the plasti-dip wouldn't work. I was just looking at what I have on hand.

 

[Cary]

Ranjib, When installing the temperature controller are the code changes that are shown in the Adafruit tutorial still required? Or, is the code in Reef-Pi and the tab and controller just have to be enabled?

 

[Ranjib]

Ranjib, When installing the temperature controller are the code changes that are shown in the Adafruit tutorial still required? Or, is the code in Reef-Pi and the tab and controller just have to be enabled?

I don’t think the code changes are required with latest raspbian. Just create a feed in adafruit.io named “temperature” if you are enabling telemetry

 

[Cary]

I will do the following (when I get the temp probe):

Install hardware\
Attach to pi - as shown in the tutorial
Configure the heater tab and enable
create the fee in adafruit.io

when I finish I will Pull the build doc, update with the steps I used and the type of probe and let you approve it.

thanks

 

[Orbela]

@Ranjib this thread got me interested I was saving up for an apex but this seems cool and can take pride in my work. I was wondering if you can add a salinity prove? I can't find anything on this. Is it possible? And is it possible for a 16 relay and is the pi zero able to use that?

 

[Ranjib]

@Ranjib this thread got me interested I was saving up for an apex but this seems cool and can take pride in my work. I was wondering if you can add a salinity prove? I can't find anything on this. Is it possible? And is it possible for a 16 relay and is the pi zero able to use that?

16 channel relay is possible, I have not done it personally (or anyone else in this thread), I have used as many as 8 channel, but I dont see any reason that will hinder 16 channel relay.
reef-pi as of now do not have any support for salinity probe. I plan to add support for pH, salinity (conductivity) and ORP probes after 1.0 release (around x-mas), using tentacle board. One of the local reefer already using it, so the code is already out there, it just not well tested and released as part of the main reef-pi.

 

[Orbela]

16 channel relay is possible, I have not done it personally (or anyone else in this thread), I have used as many as 8 channel, but I dont see any reason that will hinder 16 channel relay.
reef-pi as of now do not have any support for salinity probe. I plan to add support for pH, salinity (conductivity) and ORP probes after 1.0 release (around x-mas), using tentacle board. One of the local reefer already using it, so the code is already out there, it just not well tested and released as part of the main reef-pi.

Sounds good I am going to start reading more about the reef pi and start building after I feel I have the adequate information. So doesn't make a difference if I use Pi zero or or Pie 3B?
Also I was wondering can I repurpose reefkeeper eb8 bars or will this create to much trouble?

 

[marspeed]

16 channel relay is possible, I have not done it personally (or anyone else in this thread), I have used as many as 8 channel, but I dont see any reason that will hinder 16 channel relay.
reef-pi as of now do not have any support for salinity probe. I plan to add support for pH, salinity (conductivity) and ORP probes after 1.0 release (around x-mas), using tentacle board. One of the local reefer already using it, so the code is already out there, it just not well tested and released as part of the main reef-pi.

if you look at my avatar lower left that board is similar to the tentacle board I designed it when we couldn't get stable readings from the atlas stamps due to stray voltage shortly after atlas came out with a similar board

 

[Ranjib]

if you look at my avatar lower left that board is similar to the tentacle board I designed it when we couldn't get stable readings from the atlas stamps due to stray voltage shortly after atlas came out with a similar board

Fascinating:-). Voltage isolation is a big thing for those probes.
I still think the pricing is a major deterrent

 

[marspeed]

yes that recon component is expensive I think it was twelve dollars at the time times three plus the stamps

 

[Ranjib]

Sounds good I am going to start reading more about the reef pi and start building after I feel I have the adequate information. So doesn't make a difference if I use Pi zero or or Pie 3B?
Also I was wondering can I repurpose reefkeeper eb8 bars or will this create to much trouble?

Apex eb8 you mean ? I have never played with it. EB8 provides lot more than just on/off functionality (e.g. current consumption, slow start etc). I think it is possible to hack it to be controlled by reef-pi, for sake of reusability (lets have that discussion in private, if need be, i have seen couple of threads where modding apex in public forums have lead to heated arguments). We cant have any official support for this in reef-pi though, as it is likely to have legal or ethical implications.

 

[Ryan115]

I bought these from Amazon,
Vktech 5pcs 2M Waterproof Digital Temperature Temp Sensor Probe DS18b20 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EU70ZL8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_SDqYzbXE6YJF2

they are about .5F off, I couldn't get them to match up, but I atleast know where they fall.

Are you saying these were all within 0.5*F of each other, or they were off from a different thermometer.

Specs sheet give +-0.5*C, but typical curve for our range is ~+.05/-0.4*C

 

[AshwinRavi]

Are you saying these were all within 0.5*F of each other, or they were off from a different thermometer.

Specs sheet give +-0.5*C, but typical curve for our range is ~+.05/-0.4*C

they are about .5-.6 off from the actual reading.

 

[Ryan115]

they are about .5-.6 off from the actual reading.

What did you use for comparison?
I have tried a few different thermometers around the house, but then none that I have are really made to be accurate in this range.

 

[AshwinRavi]

What did you use for comparison?
I have tried a few different thermometers around the house, but then none that I have are really made to be accurate in this range.

I used two of these, AODE[emoji768] (2-Pack, Black) Digital LCD Fish Tank Aquarium Thermometer 600009 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0177WL5R0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_pEUYzbWKS078A

and some analog ones too.

 

[Ranjib]

I just published the first working draft for light controller (essentially a kessil controller) on reef-pi website: https://reef-pi.github.io/build-guides/lighting/

I could use some help with proof reading, my english is pretty bad, and I am fairly sure there are plenty of typo/spelling/grammartical errors. Other than that, if you think anything obvious is missing, do let me know,. i'll add them