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

[b4tn]

Once you get it, you got it!!! Easy as pie once you understand the concept.

@ScottBrew I am all excited. I just figured out I can reduce from 10 doser rules down to 2 by using a "," ie.. dose at 5,10,15,20,1 lol

 

[rushbattle]

yes. I want to support custom profile, as part of 3.0 .

I am hoping the code for the lights and the wavemaker are the same and have fine granularity. I need to control all of my pumps on 3 aquariums with 0-10V but I refuse to buy an Apex to do so. The only thing holding me back is the code in reef-pi for now, I think?

 

[Ranjib]

I am hoping the code for the lights and the wavemaker are the same and have fine granularity. I need to control all of my pumps on 3 aquariums with 0-10V but I refuse to buy an Apex to do so. The only thing holding me back is the code in reef-pi for now, I think?

Something to note here is that though you define the intensity in two hours interval, they get applied every minute with linear interpolation. Then theres the diurnal profile as well...

 

[rushbattle]

Something to note here is that though you define the intensity in two hours interval, they get applied every minute with linear interpolation. Then theres the diurnal profile as well...

Right, I was just referring to my wish that you only have to do the coding work on one and translate to the other module, not write from scratch for both.

 

[stefanm]

A couple of questions,

Which pi do I need to run the following;
1) chiller and heater (2 no. Ds18b20)
2) 8 power outlets including the chiller and heater
3) 4 no. Dosing pumps

Running headless via a smartphone.

 

[ScottBrew]

A couple of questions,

Which pi do I need to run the following;
1) chiller and heater (2 no. Ds18b20)
2) 8 power outlets including the chiller and heater
3) 4 no. Dosing pumps

Running headless via a smartphone.

A pi zero W would easily run those items and more as many here will attest. Don't really need the power or USB ports of the 3b or 3b+ for any functionality but those give you a wired ethernet port. Main thing is the gpio (input/output) pins, all the latest pi's have 40 pins, while the earlier ones had 26, more pins, more things can be hooked up. There are a number of boards being designed specifically for the reef-pi, search around R2R for reef-pi if a pre-made board fits your needs or you wish to build your own with a proto board.

 

[b4tn]

All, I figured I would share my CPU usage and current status. My reef-pi is still running next to my tank in simulation mode. I configured all the lights, dosers, and timers exactly how I would configure them if it was running my tank. The lights are connected to small LED's so I can watch them come on and off and the dosers are connected to 12 volt computer fans. As of now I get no interference with the lights when the fans kick on to simulate dosing. I have the following on my pi

2 dosers, one runs 4 times a day the other runs 5 times a day
Dual ATO with float switches (The timer is set to 30 second check intervals but I dont really have a way to simulate it)
dual temp probes set to 30 second check intervals
8 110 volt relays that have 3 timers. One timer flip flops pumps on the hour and the other is my sump light.
2 relays to switch 12 volts to turn lights on and off. These relays have 2 on timers and 2 off timers.
3 PWM light channels Blue, White, and Sunrise/Sunset

I am running this off a pi 3B+

Ignore the beginning of the light cycle yesterday. I was adjusting values. The moon/sunrise light is going to be 10 20mA 450nm standard hobby LED's. I did the math and they are .6 watts with all 10 lit at 100% I will most likely be running them much lower.

 

[Bigtrout]

Im getting a pi zero w to start my build, but the new pi 3 A+ is looking sweet as a reef pi candidate with the 5ghz wifi and the same processor as the B+, but still having a slim form factor.

 

[theatrus]

Im getting a pi zero w to start my build, but the new pi 3 A+ is looking sweet as a reef pi candidate with the 5ghz wifi and the same processor as the B+, but still having a slim form factor.

If someone sees one in stock let me know :)

 

[Bigtrout]

If someone sees one in stock let me know :)

They are in stock at adafruit!

 

[ScottBrew]

If someone sees one in stock let me know :)

They are in stock at adafruit!

...and Amazon from a couple sellers, one that one could have tomorrow, at least in my neighborhood.

edit: that was the A+ 2016 model, not the 3A+ 2018 model...

 

[Erica-Renee]

If someone sees one in stock let me know :)

The odd part. the First few Shipped batches are usually Out of stock before anyone gets to buy one.. Go figure

 

[That Crusso Kid]

If someone sees one in stock let me know :)

@theatrus - if you're still looking...

https://chicagodist.com/products/raspberry-pi-3-model-a?variant=15386068320335

 

[theatrus]

@theatrus - if you're still looking...

https://chicagodist.com/products/raspberry-pi-3-model-a?variant=15386068320335

Grabbed, thanks!

 

[theatrus]

What have people been using to coat the “stainless” “steel” DS18B20 probes? Silicone? PlastiDip?

I was going to give some acrylic conformal coating a shot to see how it holds up (plus super easy to deal with a quick dip) but unsure it’s going to hold up.

 

[Bigtrout]

What have people been using to coat the “stainless” “steel” DS18B20 probes? Silicone? PlastiDip?

I was going to give some acrylic conformal coating a shot to see how it holds up (plus super easy to deal with a quick dip) but unsure it’s going to hold up.

I just built my sump baffles a few weeks ago and have silicone left, so a very light coating of silicone is how I am going to coat mine. As long as whatever you use can completely seal off the stainless, is reasonably durable and is aquarium safe, I think it will be fine.

 

[Ryan115]

What have people been using to coat the “stainless” “steel” DS18B20 probes? Silicone? PlastiDip?

I was going to give some acrylic conformal coating a shot to see how it holds up (plus super easy to deal with a quick dip) but unsure it’s going to hold up.

I had used silicone on a previous one. I thought it had worked OK, until a tiny spot rusted through and it shorted out my GFCI. I am now using the epoxy/plastic coated one.
Though I was still strongly considering epoxy coating one of the stainless ones.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

I had used silicone on a previous one. I thought it had worked OK, until a tiny spot rusted through and it shorted out my GFCI. I am now using the epoxy/plastic coated one.
Though I was still strongly considering epoxy coating one of the stainless ones.

What epoxy are you using?

 

[Ryan115]

I havent used any yet. The ones I was thinking about are Loctite Marine Epoxy, or DEVCON 5 Minute, clear.
Not sure if they are reef safe, or how long I would need to soak them after, which is the main reason I havent done them yet.

 

[money88]

Try: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11050