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

[Mark Bianco]

As someone who has gotten out of large tanks for a while I was thinking about starting a medium tank back up. In the past I was a diehard Apex Classic fan, but being a part time PLC programmer I was always somewhat annoyed by the fact the big name brand aquarium controllers do not have the simple abilities like using registers or do IMO simple math. I have looked thru several of the threads here and haven't seen anything related. I am asking those who know does the ReefPi have these capabilities.

1. I have a chiller pump that runs when needed. Is it possible to set up a timer / register and based upon a predetermined number of hours it runs, it will display a message so I know when its time to service?
2. I have two return pumps and I want to run them on alternating days. Can I set up a 24 hour timer and when it expires it adds an integer to a register and based upon the integer being odd or even it determines what pump will run?

Thanks in advance
Mark

 

[sjeff35]

I dont think its related to that. The ph monitor build does not have any other sensor etc, its just pi and ezo circuit. So I doubt this setup is prone to that kind of problem. This is (galvanic isolation) is pretty common requirement and atlas scientific/tentacle boards call it as voltage isolators. They are another 25$ extra circuit, https://www.atlas-scientific.com/_files/_datasheets/_circuit/basic-ezo-inline-voltage-isolator.pdf

My bigger concern is not the circuit, but the value itself. and the fact that it tallys with my test kits. My next plan is to get a red sea or some reputed ph test kit and cross check the results, i have to worry about the circuit only after i am sure that the readings are wrong..

@Ranjib,

PM me your address and I'll order a Red Sea kit for you. It's the least I can do!

Thanks!

Jeff

 

[sjeff35]

Wow :)
You have one lm2596 and another different buck converter board. Is that a 5v -> 3.3 v step down regulator?

That step down regulator isn't hooked up, just sitting there on my messy desk :p

 

[sjeff35]

Well, just finished reading all 245 pages of this thread.
My head is spinning....

 

[MLSReefer]

Well, just finished reading all 245 pages of this thread.
My head is spinning....

I just spent almost the whole morning reading all of this. I'm right there with you. I should probably get back to work... ;Sorry

 

[Erica-Renee]

Show your messy desk!!!

I just added the lighting function to Reef-pi. (While on a conference call for work, don't tell my boss)...

And it appears to be working:

I can't thank you enough @Ranjib for this!!! I'm a total noob at this, but I'm figuring it out.

That crooked heat sink on that Pi bothers me.. They Desk looks perfectly normal to me

 

[sjeff35]

If you are in US, get a adj srp8 channel relay pack, db9 connector, db9 cable , uln2803 and you should be gold

I'm really interested in doing this, but totally confused by the whole Serial(DB9) interface setup. Have you documented that yet? If not, where could I go for more info?

Thanks

 

[Ranjib]

I'm really interested in doing this, but totally confused by the whole Serial(DB9) interface setup. Have you documented that yet? If not, where could I go for more info?

Thanks

Its very simple, dont let all these buzz words deter you :-)
This is the powerstrip: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007EYHBVQ/
This is the connector that you have to mount on reef-pi housing and connect the uln2803 outputs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075HW26HX/
This is the wire that connects reef-pi (housing) with the powerstrip: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QM8ZP5E/

You need pi, a uln2803 (8 channels, input connected to 8 GPIO from pi, outputs connected to the db9)., a 12v power supply to power pi and the uln2803, since the relay pack works on 12v, an lm2596 module (to convert 12v -> 5v for pi).

 

[Ranjib]

Well, just finished reading all 245 pages of this thread.
My head is spinning....

wow .. what you think about the whole journey :-) , from the very first hacked up wooden housing, to the intermediate somewhats better wooden housing (i learned little bit wood work by then) to the current form factor (uxcell plastic enclosures). The software itself (feature and UI) has changed , as well as the some of the ancillary parts.
The only thing that remains somewhat same is pi, pca9685, ds18b20 combo ....
anyway.. now you know the whole journey.

 

[Ranjib]

This is a somewhat recent parts list for building a power controller + temperature controller: http://a.co/39OPYUX , i made this list for another r2r user

 

[sjeff35]

Its very simple, dont let all these buzz words deter you :)
This is the powerstrip: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007EYHBVQ/
This is the connector that you have to mount on reef-pi housing and connect the uln2803 outputs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075HW26HX/
This is the wire that connects reef-pi (housing) with the powerstrip: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QM8ZP5E/

You need pi, a uln2803 (8 channels, input connected to 8 GPIO from pi, outputs connected to the db9)., a 12v power supply to power pi and the uln2803, since the relay pack works on 12v, an lm2596 module (to convert 12v -> 5v for pi).

Easy for you to say. ;)

Has anyone drawn up a schematic???

My cart on Amazon is full now. Just put a 3d printer in there.

 

[philshel]

Its very simple, dont let all these buzz words deter you :)
This is the powerstrip: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007EYHBVQ/
This is the connector that you have to mount on reef-pi housing and connect the uln2803 outputs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075HW26HX/
This is the wire that connects reef-pi (housing) with the powerstrip: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QM8ZP5E/

You need pi, a uln2803 (8 channels, input connected to 8 GPIO from pi, outputs connected to the db9)., a 12v power supply to power pi and the uln2803, since the relay pack works on 12v, an lm2596 module (to convert 12v -> 5v for pi).

Another question please. How do you get 8 signals, vcc, and ground through a 9 pin cable?

 

[Des Westcott]

I've just upgraded from 1.5 to 2.0 beta3 and broken it

https://1drv.ms/u/s!ArJ_ojTdw8EZkCz2weRv4ir6hJJR

What did I do wrong? I've got that pink bar across the top and I can't get the dashboard to work properly. I can't set up ATO or edit it.

 

[Des Westcott]

I just upgraded Reef-Pi from 1.5 to 2.0beta3 and I've broken it!

Dashboard won't load, ATO settings are unavailable etc etc. It's a mess. What did I do and how do I fix it?

I've got this pink block at the top - Why is that?

 

[Ranjib]

I just upgraded Reef-Pi from 1.5 to 2.0beta3 and I've broken it!

Dashboard won't load, ATO settings are unavailable etc etc. It's a mess. What did I do and how do I fix it?

I've got this pink block at the top - Why is that?

You have changed 1.5 to 2.0 beta, this is a major breaking change hence your ato is not working. You have to create an inlet in settings-> connectors (with the same PIN number that u used for ato in 1.5). And then associate that ato with the new inlet. In 2.0 reef-pi support multiple ato, and they are connected to inlet (same as equipment are connected to outlet)


Ignore the pink block on top, it’s a benign ui bug that’s in the beta release, will be gone in next release.
The dashboard loading issue is another known bug , if you click on the other tabs and then come back to the dashboard tab, it will be alright. I have fixed this bug already, and will be released this weekend

 

[Ranjib]

Another question please. How do you get 8 signals, vcc, and ground through a 9 pin cable?

Uln2803 is a sync type ic. So, you just pass the 12 v (wired to gnd of db9 connector), and each output of uln2803 to One data pin of the db9 connector

 

[Fish Fan]

Hi guys!

I'm sorry, I've been busy, and lost track of some of the most recent developments to the ReefPi project. Could someone please remind me: Can ReefPi control and ideally dim those inexpensive PAR 38 bulbs? Or, Are there any other inexpensive lights or bulbs that works well with ReefPi, and would do well on a 6.6 gallon Imagitarium AIO. I'm just looking to do some easy going softies and such, and not looking to spend big money on a light for this particular project. I very much appreciate everyone's help!

-FishFan

 

[Ranjib]

Hi guys!

I'm sorry, I've been busy, and lost track of some of the most recent developments to the ReefPi project. Could someone please remind me: Can ReefPi control and ideally dim those inexpensive PAR 38 bulbs? Or, Are there any other inexpensive lights or bulbs that works well with ReefPi, and would do well on a 6.6 gallon Imagitarium AIO. I'm just looking to do some easy going softies and such, and not looking to spend big money on a light for this particular project. I very much appreciate everyone's help!

-FishFan

You’ll need a meanwell or similar driver for the par38 bulb. You have to still hack that bulb (pretty much destroy the housing) to salvage its power supply , which will feed into the meanwell driver , and reef-pi will send the control signal to meanwell driver

 

[Fish Fan]

Ranjib, is there an inexpensive light you could suggest I look for to light a 6.6 gallon softie tank? Didn't you use a PAR bulb over your Imagitarium 3.3? I have the "big brother" to your tank.

Thank you very much!

-FF

 

[Ranjib]

Ranjib, is there an inexpensive light you could suggest I look for to light a 6.6 gallon softie tank? Didn't you use a PAR bulb over your Imagitarium 3.3? I have the "big brother" to your tank.

Thank you very much!

-FF

ABI Tuna blue , 27 watt