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

[Broady2067]

Most of the time I update something I reboot to make it work.
What username did you update?
Did you setup e-mail alerts with a google mail acount? When I google "535-5.7.8" it looks like the it is the mail credentials.

This is what i updated,

 

[BenB]

This is what i updated,

That should not give you this message. What is best to always have a copy of your database, in case you can always go back to the still working version.

 

[elysics]

Did you try to input your actual gmail account password? Because that won't work. You have to go into google settings and activate 2 factor authentification and then set a "app password" specific to reefpi.

Just logging into gmail with your account and password in other apps/websites isn't possible anymore for security/walled garden reasons

 

[Yachti]

Howdy! Looking to purchase a Pi 5 but saw it may not be fully compatible with reef pi yet. Curious on other peoples thoughts/experiences if they’ve done this yet? I know within the last 6ish months there was a branch for the 5, but unsure if it was successful and released? Any insight would be appreciated so I can kick off this journey.

I ´hve also a P5 with bookworm installed and finished the wiring of the GPIO‘s and sockets.
I think bet on the wrong horse.
I'm now looking for alternatives

 

[hectorespert]

Yes, it should work, did you install Raspberry Pi OS codenamed Bullseye?

Yes, I installed it in a Raspberry Pi 3

 

[Trickman2]

Following along...Been a long time since I looked at Reef-pi. Curios on far this project has moved along.

 

[Cow]

Was considering jumping into this project for an additional tank I'm adding to my setup. I have an Apex Fusion and love to tinker. I can see the project was last updated 4 months ago. Is this thing alive and well?

 

[bishoptf]

Was considering jumping into this project for an additional tank I'm adding to my setup. I have an Apex Fusion and love to tinker. I can see the project was last updated 4 months ago. Is this thing alive and well?

So it's kind of in limbo, if you want to run a rpi 5 then its a little tougher to do, but if you want to run a zero 2 w, pi3, or pi4 and run the older OS on it then it will work fine. Raspbian changed how you interface with the gpio and it needs to be updated in order to work with the latest OS releases. I have multiple of these running and they are solid if you do that. So it just depends, there is currently no features being added that I am aware of but if you look through and see all that it can do which is a bunch of stuff, you just have to decide if your ok knowing what I stated above. I look for stability over pretty much all else, I do not mind running on an older OS as long as it does what I need so I continue to use them.

Maybe this winter I will have some more time, I would like to go through the code and see if I can figure out what needs to be updated, but i was also hoping to do that last winter, lol. I believe @Ranjib is just really busy with life currently and not sure if and when he may be able to jump back in, but the current product is solid.

There are other options out there @robsworld78 who has kits also has his own software that you can use so that is an option also. The thing that I like the most is that its all open source, anyone could fork the repo and start updating. It's not like the corporations that just stop supporting things especially when using the cloud, at least here there are opportunities to do something in the future.

 

[Cow]

So it's kind of in limbo, if you want to run a rpi 5 then its a little tougher to do, but if you want to run a zero 2 w, pi3, or pi4 and run the older OS on it then it will work fine. Raspbian changed how you interface with the gpio and it needs to be updated in order to work with the latest OS releases. I have multiple of these running and they are solid if you do that. So it just depends, there is currently no features being added that I am aware of but if you look through and see all that it can do which is a bunch of stuff, you just have to decide if your ok knowing what I stated above. I look for stability over pretty much all else, I do not mind running on an older OS as long as it does what I need so I continue to use them.

Maybe this winter I will have some more time, I would like to go through the code and see if I can figure out what needs to be updated, but i was also hoping to do that last winter, lol. I believe @Ranjib is just really busy with life currently and not sure if and when he may be able to jump back in, but the current product is solid.

There are other options out there @robsworld78 who has kits also has his own software that you can use so that is an option also. The thing that I like the most is that its all open source, anyone could fork the repo and start updating. It's not like the corporations that just stop supporting things especially when using the cloud, at least here there are opportunities to do something in the future.

Thanks, that was super helpful! I’ve decided to go with a few Raspberry Pi 3 B+ units. Just curious, aside from not being the latest release, are there any real downsides to sticking with Buster in terms of functionality?

 

[bishoptf]

Thanks, that was super helpful! I’ve decided to go with a few Raspberry Pi 3 B+ units. Just curious, aside from not being the latest release, are there any real downsides to sticking with Buster in terms of functionality?

Buster is fine, all functionality will continue to work. The only issue is at some point they will stop providing security updates to buster but imho that should not really be an issue if you run headless and only running reef-pi and the lite version of raspbian. I would follow this guide that Rob put together - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t9majBpGlqKacDjkyEZ1HQNWsTRo3woZ/mobilebasic


I think that should still work, i will try to take a look at the guide and see if everything is still working...if you run into any issues before then, let me know.

 

[Cow]

Buster is fine, all functionality will continue to work. The only issue is at some point they will stop providing security updates to buster but imho that should not really be an issue if you run headless and only running reef-pi and the lite version of raspbian. I would follow this guide that Rob put together - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t9majBpGlqKacDjkyEZ1HQNWsTRo3woZ/mobilebasic


I think that should still work, i will try to take a look at the guide and see if everything is still working...if you run into any issues before then, let me know.

Has anyone tried running Robo-Tank on custom hardware? I’m considering buying the controller PCB, but I’ve noticed the dashboard looks far more polished than standard reef-pi. Even if I don’t use the PCB, the UI alone seems like it could be worth it. Curious if anyone has experience with this setup or thoughts on compatibility.

 

[Fish Fan]

Has anyone tried running Robo-Tank on custom hardware? I’m considering buying the controller PCB, but I’ve noticed the dashboard looks far more polished than standard reef-pi. Even if I don’t use the PCB, the UI alone seems like it could be worth it. Curious if anyone has experience with this setup or thoughts on compatibility.

I use and like Robo-Tank! I'm genuinely curious why you want to run it on different hardware, to save money? The Robo-Tank software and hardware have been working great for me.

 

[Cow]

Has anyone tried running Robo-Tank on custom hardware? I’m considering buying the controller PCB, but I’ve noticed the dashboard looks far more polished than standard reef-pi. Even if I don’t use the PCB, the UI alone seems like it could be worth it. Curious if anyone has experience with this setup or thoughts on compatibility.

I use and like Robo-Tank! I'm genuinely curious why you want to run it on different hardware, to save money? The Robo-Tank software and hardware have been working great for me.

I’m planning to set up at least 3 controllers (possibly up to 5), so keeping costs down is definitely helpful. I was thinking of going the DIY route with a Robo-Tank PCB and 3D printed case.

Do you just use any 12V DC pump for your ATO, or is there a preferred/tested list of equipment? I’ve been looking for recommendations. The Adafruit guide has been super helpful so far: https://learn.adafruit.com/reef-pi-water-level-controller/parts-2

 

[Fish Fan]

I’m planning to set up at least 3 controllers (possibly up to 5), so keeping costs down is definitely helpful. I was thinking of going the DIY route with a Robo-Tank PCB and 3D printed case.

Do you just use any 12V DC pump for your ATO, or is there a preferred/tested list of equipment? I’ve been looking for recommendations. The Adafruit guide has been super helpful so far: https://learn.adafruit.com/reef-pi-water-level-controller/parts-2

I see your concern about cost when planning on that many controllers.

One thing I really like about Robo-Tank is that while the initial outlay for the system is not insignificant, it's far less than other controller options, and personally I've scored two complete units "used" in basically like-new condition. Although not insignificant to purchase, after that I believe Robo-Tank saves you money big time.

My ATO is driven by this 12v pump, $14 for TWO pumps, so I have a backup too; works flawlessly for me:
12v ATO pump on The Big Orange Bookstore

I set up dosing pumps in Robo-Tank for All For Reef and Carbon using these 12v pumps, which are currently unavailabe, but cost me $13 for two, and there's other, similar options; also working flawlessly for me:
12 Peristaltic Pumps on The Big Orange Bookstore

Robo-Tank is controlling my Kessil lights, including a dawn/dusk, so no additional Kessil controller needed. Robo-Tank does work with other brands of lights too, not all, but it can turn any AC device on/off on a set schedule, like a simple light timer.

Robo-Tank is backing up my InkBird heater controller for redundancy.

Robo-Tank is also able to control things like return pumps, skimmers, my UV and other devices that are either AC or DC powered. It's monitoring my pH and temp, and providing feed back on ATO and dosing container reservoir levels, and more.

I'm not cool enough (read: rich enough) for Apex gear, etc, and although not quite as polished perhaps, Robo-Tank doesn't force you to use all their expensivee, proprietary gear, from cables to "approved" pumps, etc.

Reef-Pi is as flexible as Robo-Tank and can do all of the above, but it requires much more time, knowhow and skill to get it up and running. Robo-tank is as easy as loading the software on the microSD card, firing up Robo-Tank and setting up your equipment. It's not entirely for the faint of heart, so if you like DIY and a bit of figuring, Robo-Tank would be a great option that requires significantly less DIY compared to Reef-Pi, in my experience (and I tried Reef-Pi a few years ago; couldn't get it going).

I hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions about Robo-Tank that I can help with!

 

[Cow]

I'm still waiting on the Robo-Tank DIY PCB but I was able to setup Robo-Tank on my Raspberry Pi 3 B+. I found the official instructions needed a little tweaking to work for me, this is what I did

1. Download Raspberry Pi Imager:
raspberrypi.com/software

Open the Imager and select: Operating System:
Raspberry Pi OS (Legacy) – Raspberry Pi OS (32-bit) with desktop (Debian Bullseye)

Click the gear icon (Advanced Options) and:
Enable SSH
Set a username (optional)
Configure Wi-Fi if needed
Set the hostname to robo-tank (so you can connect via robo-tank.local)

Write the image to your SD card.
Insert the SD card into your Raspberry Pi and power it on.

2. Connect to Raspberry Pi via SSH
Use PuTTY, connect to:
robo-tank

3. Update the System
Run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

4. Create the pi User (Required!)
Recent Raspberry Pi OS versions do not include the default pi user. The Robo-Tank installer expects it, so create it:

sudo adduser pi
sudo usermod -aG sudo pi

Press ENTER for defaults when prompted.

5. Download and Install Robo-Tank
Run these commands:

sudo wget -c https://www.robo-tank.ca/app/releases/Robo-Tank_v6_7.zip
sudo unzip -o Robo-Tank_v6_7.zip -d /boot/
sudo bash /boot/robotank/install_robotank.sh
6. Complete Installation
Follow on-screen instructions.

At the end, the script will display your Robo-Tank web interface IP address.

Write it down!

When prompted, press ENTER to reboot.

 

[Submerge]

Great thread tagging in. I’ll be adding Robotank to the 150 I’m building now.

 

[Submerge]

I see your concern about cost when planning on that many controllers.

One thing I really like about Robo-Tank is that while the initial outlay for the system is not insignificant, it's far less than other controller options, and personally I've scored two complete units "used" in basically like-new condition. Although not insignificant to purchase, after that I believe Robo-Tank saves you money big time.

My ATO is driven by this 12v pump, $14 for TWO pumps, so I have a backup too; works flawlessly for me:
12v ATO pump on The Big Orange Bookstore

I set up dosing pumps in Robo-Tank for All For Reef and Carbon using these 12v pumps, which are currently unavailabe, but cost me $13 for two, and there's other, similar options; also working flawlessly for me:
12 Peristaltic Pumps on The Big Orange Bookstore

Robo-Tank is controlling my Kessil lights, including a dawn/dusk, so no additional Kessil controller needed. Robo-Tank does work with other brands of lights too, not all, but it can turn any AC device on/off on a set schedule, like a simple light timer.

Robo-Tank is backing up my InkBird heater controller for redundancy.

Robo-Tank is also able to control things like return pumps, skimmers, my UV and other devices that are either AC or DC powered. It's monitoring my pH and temp, and providing feed back on ATO and dosing container reservoir levels, and more.

I'm not cool enough (read: rich enough) for Apex gear, etc, and although not quite as polished perhaps, Robo-Tank doesn't force you to use all their expensivee, proprietary gear, from cables to "approved" pumps, etc.

Reef-Pi is as flexible as Robo-Tank and can do all of the above, but it requires much more time, knowhow and skill to get it up and running. Robo-tank is as easy as loading the software on the microSD card, firing up Robo-Tank and setting up your equipment. It's not entirely for the faint of heart, so if you like DIY and a bit of figuring, Robo-Tank would be a great option that requires significantly less DIY compared to Reef-Pi, in my experience (and I tried Reef-Pi a few years ago; couldn't get it going).

I hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions about Robo-Tank that I can help with!

There needs to be a thank you emoji worth 2 likes. Super helpful info.

I see the current kit comes with a pi zero. I’d like to swap out with one of these rpi4s I got here. I assume the hardware change and Ethernet support come from the os and do not effect the kit performance negatively? Thx in advance

 

[Cow]

There needs to be a thank you emoji worth 2 likes. Super helpful info.

I see the current kit comes with a pi zero. I’d like to swap out with one of these rpi4s I got here. I assume the hardware change and Ethernet support come from the os and do not effect the kit performance negatively? Thx in advance

Swapping to a rpi4 won't cause any issues should just be an upgrade. I think the rpi5 creates issues with the newest version of debain. Ethernet works out of the box on rpi3b+ and all that should be dependent on the OS not the reefpi/robotank software.

 

[Fish Fan]

There needs to be a thank you emoji worth 2 likes. Super helpful info.

I see the current kit comes with a pi zero. I’d like to swap out with one of these rpi4s I got here. I assume the hardware change and Ethernet support come from the os and do not effect the kit performance negatively? Thx in advance

Thank you, I'm glad my reply was helpful!!!

Good luck with your Rob-Tank build, I think you're going to like it!

 

[Fish Fan]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if @robsworld78 is still available to help with Robo-Tank questions? I noticed he has not logged in here at R2R since April. Does anyone know if he can be reach through his website or another way?