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

[Gary G]

ok thanks I was just wondering how the ui looks now. you did a killer job on this.

 

[Ranjib]

Ah, get it now. Thanks for the props :-0)

Here are some screen shots of one my build thats powering Biocube29G. Its powerd by pi-zero, running for more than a month now (since i update them a lot, my uptimes are not very high, i think some other users have longer running version of a single reef-pi )

We have added support for dosing, ph monitoring and better camera/image management system since then. So, some of my smaller builds has those (undergoing field testing :-) )

 

[Gary G]

THank you. so are you able to run this on a pi touchscreen and make changes on the fly. I am a graphic artist so if you need some stuff let me know who knows you could come with a different UI. I will start to order my parts. so you have been able to find all the sensors for all the little things like ph and stuff. I'm so down to build this I bet I could design a simple to make case blueprints in SketchUp so ppl can just dl the plans. food for thought

 

[Orbela]

THank you. so are you able to run this on a pi touchscreen and make changes on the fly. I am a graphic artist so if you need some stuff let me know who knows you could come with a different UI. I will start to order my parts. so you have been able to find all the sensors for all the little things like ph and stuff. I'm so down to build this I bet I could design a simple to make case blueprints in SketchUp so ppl can just dl the plans. food for thought

Holding you accountable! Hahaha looks to be a good addition.

 

[Bronc]

Reef-Pi parts are arriving! Hope to begin assembly next week.

 

[Ranjib]

Reef-Pi parts are arriving! Hope to begin assembly next week.

:-) exciting time. No sensors?
Those SSD based relays are very good, but remember they have 2A load limit (cross check), for me they have been very stable, the mechanical ones sometime get bad (like one of the channels in 8 channel module will be wedged), but the ssd relays are all working exactly same as they were for past two years, almost

 

[Ranjib]

THank you. so are you able to run this on a pi touchscreen and make changes on the fly. I am a graphic artist so if you need some stuff let me know who knows you could come with a different UI. I will start to order my parts. so you have been able to find all the sensors for all the little things like ph and stuff. I'm so down to build this I bet I could design a simple to make case blueprints in SketchUp so ppl can just dl the plans. food for thought

I would love to get some help on the UI/color /general visual aesthetics parts. For starter, I need help with following parts:
- Have a consistent them (color pallete, fonts and logo) across reef-pi UI and website
- Making things responsive (size and layout should work across mobile, tablet and laptop)

I am still a newbie with sketchup, also I am currently focused on nailing down the software (I expect this to be the case for at least 1 year, till I finish all the 2.0 and some more critical features) and corresponding electronics (i want to have reef-pi specific PCB's wich will significantly simplify the build process and reduce chance of errors). So, I'll spend more of my time to do coding and learning pcb designing/milling. After that I want to give reef-pi UX/UI some time, unless we dont get any help till then.

 

[Ranjib]

There are couple of 3d printable reef-pi related parts (housing and ato sensor holder) out there in thingiverse. I can see some more (like ph probe holder etc) as I ship 2.0 features

 

[Bronc]

:) exciting time. No sensors?
Those SSD based relays are very good, but remember they have 2A load limit (cross check), for me they have been very stable, the mechanical ones sometime get bad (like one of the channels in 8 channel module will be wedged), but the ssd relays are all working exactly same as they were for past two years, almost

Temp probe and the rest of the parts will arrive next week.

 

[Ranjib]

I am getting excited about my sps. Since I have started automated dosing, i think they are growth has become consistent. At least one of them is growing through a growth spurt, i beleive
This one..

I know, this is not a big colony, but consider this, I was not able to keep most of the acros few months back. Now thats not the case. And I dont really have a lot of space in my 29G tank, so I would assume that to be a limitng factor as well (as in how it affects water movement and chemistry).

Tenius, this one I think is almost a mini colony now,

And another one,

Polyp extension has been consistent, for months now.

The hardest to keep in this tank is a red dragon frag. Which kinda didnt grow, didnt die for months. Then when I started dosing (manually) it started showing tiny bits of encrusting at the base. Now the encrusting has gotten bigger, and I can see polyp extension (for last couple of weeks ) . Fingers crossed.

\

Just thought I'll share these images, as this is the reason I am working hard on the dosing and ph sub-system. They are important for me at this juncture of my tank's evolution

 

[Gary G]

well If you want help with the UI I am more then willing to toss my hat in. just give me a list of what you want ie looks, colors, you know buttons vs tabs, slidders,Icons I can handle that aspect it will give me something to do since my tank is not even up and running. Just pm me the details and we can figure something out.

 

[Gary G]

I Got a idea for a logo to use so I will work on the stuff you listed.

 

[Gary G]

here is one concept

 

[ReeferMadness88]

well If you want help with the UI I am more then willing to toss my hat in. just give me a list of what you want ie looks, colors, you know buttons vs tabs, slidders,Icons I can handle that aspect it will give me something to do since my tank is not even up and running. Just pm me the details and we can figure something out.

That is super awesome! A slick interface would really take this to the next level! It’s amazing how bits and piece of this project fall together through the open source idea! I’d like to get a touch screen implemented into my build but what’s holding back my idea is how the dashboard would look on the small output. If the interface can be optimized to look right on a small display that would definitely push me to do it!

 

[ReeferMadness88]

Another idea, possibly to help scale how it would display, but if the interface could be designed, similar to the dashboard now, but with large digital readout (ie, current temp, current pH, current time, current light intensity, etc) in blocks, and then possibly if those blocks could hyperlink off to a graph, it would be substantially easier to read off the little screens. Just the numerical values in a clean block type look, no graphs up front, but you could access them from say the lighting page. Just tossing things out their for user friendly functionality, the design element is beyond me but just some thoughts I’ve had about how a layout could look!

 

[Gary G]

Another idea, possibly to help scale how it would display, but if the interface could be designed, similar to the dashboard now, but with large digital readout (ie, current temp, current pH, current time, current light intensity, etc) in blocks, and then possibly if those blocks could hyperlink off to a graph, it would be substantially easier to read off the little screens. Just the numerical values in a clean block type look, no graphs up front, but you could access them from say the lighting page. Just tossing things out their for user friendly functionality, the design element is beyond me but just some thoughts I’ve had about how a layout could look!

That is what I am looking into now a ui that looks like a Iphone app clean and simple I just could not make up my mind of the type of design. so the more input I get the better we can make it. so i'm looking at some premade templates and go from there. something like a flat setup clean and simple i just hope someone will know how to make it all work all i can do is design it.

 

[ReeferMadness88]

That is what I am looking into now a ui that looks like a Iphone app clean and simple I just could not make up my mind of the type of design. so the more input I get the better we can make it. so i'm looking at some premade templates and go from there. something like a flat setup clean and simple i just hope someone will know how to make it all work all i can do is design it.

Yup! That would be a great vision, I’m not sure the backend integration but Ranjib seems like a pretty smart dude so I’m sure it can happen! Plus I’m sure we have some other talented programmers on here hiding out in the shadows that could help fill in some gaps. It’s a super cool project when people come together to make it work! Gary if you post some generic layouts on here as a group we can direct what could look best! Thanks a lot for putting some work into this

 

[Gary G]

ok here we go ..

 

[Gary G]

I think that will cover everything plus stuff that we won't need. so now it's just a layout ,colors , fonts, then I will redo the logo to match the finished project.

 

[Ranjib]

Some of you had asked for the ph circuit pics. Here are the details, I got some time yesterday to consolidate things for ph probe guide.
Broadly, this is what it will take to get a ph probe working with reef-pi
1. Use reef-pi 1.4 or above
2. Get at least an Ezo /ph circuit, a BNC connector (either pcb mount or panel mount), a ph probe with BNC connector (most ships with it)
3. Build a breakout board that will connect Bnc pins, Ezo circuit and pi (i2c pins). Use the atlas scientific Ezo probe data sheet for wiring guide. Short the Ezo circuit to configure it in i2c mode (it defaults to uart mode)
4. Connect everything, specify your ph probe i2c address (should be 99 by default) , calibrate and monitor :-)

It may sound daunting, but let me tell you getting this working has been lot less complicated than temp probe or even ato.

I have learned a few things while building different reef-pi setups, so you’ll spot a few changes
Here is the image of a perma proto board with the basic circuit laid out. I am using solid core 22awg colored wire to make things look nice and also to visually understand what’s going on. I have also used female header pins so that I can snap in and out the BNC connector or the Ezo circuit (which means this circuit should works as it is for orp and ec)

The right angle male header pins are for connecting pi , with female female jumper wires. Here’s a photo of the back side, Ignore the smudge caused by faux, a gentle wipe with a dry cloth will make it shine like silver. I must this is one of the better soldering job I did (rob ably because I have switched from dogfishhead to Sierra Nevada)

Another front view of the breakout circuit

BNC connector and Ezo circuit snapped in

That’s it, I have tested this setup (I also do a multimeter based continuity check after the breakout is soldered and before powering it in) with reef-pi, it works. I am waiting for the ph probe holder to arrive so that I can put this one in permanent use.