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

[DirtDiggler2823]

Nice I just got my probe today it was delayed because the snow storm here over the weekend.
Snow plow guy knocked down my mailbox and I wasn't getting mail till I got the box back upright.

I think the plow drivers around here paint little mailboxes on the doors of their truck like WWII fighter pilots used to.;Shifty

Better than the plow taking out a hydrant

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Better than the plow taking out a hydrant

You are clearly not "in the know" when it comes to really cool things to see! LOL!

 

[dmolavi]

Since there are folks out there that aren't "linux-saavy", would it be possible/feasable to create a reef-pi image that already has the /boot/config.txt changes, etc already done for folks? I could easily make the image, hosting it would be another story.

 

[Ranjib]

thanks a bunch Mikeneedsahobby, this did the trick written in a way I could understand. I think I need to follow a single thread (this one way too long), been reading too much, to decide which options I want to employ. Need simple terminology (like above) as I'm new to all this programming language. Do you have a build thread? or is there one you'd recommend?

I would agree and recommend not to use this thread to get ideas on your build. This thread likely to cause "confusion by choices" as it is a high volume thread primarily intended for me to announce release, get some feedbacks, and share some reef tank photos on the way :-) . Its best to start your thread and tentatively explain your goals and follow the guides/other build threads. Its coherent that way

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

I would agree and recommend not to use this thread to get ideas on your build. This thread likely to cause "confusion by choices" as it is a high volume thread primarily intended for me to announce release, get some feedbacks, and share some reef tank photos on the way :-) . Its best to start your thread and tentatively explain your goals and follow the guides/other build threads. Its coherent that way

Agreed.

 

[Ranjib]

Since there are folks out there that aren't "linux-saavy", would it be possible/feasable to create a reef-pi image that already has the /boot/config.txt changes, etc already done for folks? I could easily make the image, hosting it would be another story.

you got the problem right, lets continue discussing about the solution.
We want to be able to configure the /boot/config.txt for builders, but hosting a whole image is probably hard due to large space equirements, and bandwidth is not cheap.
I have some thoughts on this, i'll get to this after 3.0,

 

[dmolavi]

you got the problem right, lets continue discussing about the solution.
We want to be able to configure the /boot/config.txt for builders, but hosting a whole image is probably hard due to large space equirements, and bandwidth is not cheap.
I have some thoughts on this, i'll get to this after 3.0,

Would an ISO of Raspbian Lite be too large for Github? The zip file clock in around 350MB. If Github doesn't care, an image for Pi 3B+ and Pi zero could be hosted there (with an additional set for the baseboards as well...4 total).

Otherwise, @theatrus has a pre-built config.txt on his git repo for his base board. Maybe something like that for a generic reef-pi build, along with a more detailed/explicit how-to. Soup to nuts - getting a headless install w/ ssh and wifi (my post above), config.txt stuff, etc. Basically consolidate all the docs from Pi and Reef-Pi into one place for new users.

 

[Ranjib]

Would an ISO of Raspbian Lite be too large for Github? The zip file clock in around 350MB. If Github doesn't care, an image for Pi 3B+ and Pi zero could be hosted there (with an additional set for the baseboards as well...4 total).

Otherwise, @theatrus has a pre-built config.txt on his git repo for his base board. Maybe something like that for a generic reef-pi build, along with a more detailed/explicit how-to. Soup to nuts - getting a headless install w/ ssh and wifi (my post above), config.txt stuff, etc. Basically consolidate all the docs from Pi and Reef-Pi into one place for new users.

Its not just one image, depending upon the build components (based on the adafruit guide recommended parts or HATs or baseboard), the configuration will change (and may be some software as well.. like motion) , the image path will lead to us hosting at least a handful of images.

 

[ScottF83]

Hey guys

Remember me? :)

My goal with reef-pi was to create a continual feeding doser, which would drip feed chilled, defrosted frozen food cubes.

Well, using guide 7 and many evenings of soldering, I've got everything together and have just been adding the equipment.

The good news is that the Pi powers up and the dashboard works. There's also power getting to a test pump.

Bad news is that the pump seems to turn on and off at random (still just trying to calibrate it), and I received an error when adding the pumps to the gui.

Anyway, I've disconnected it for tonight and will start a separate build thread tomorrow to get this fixed and also program it properly (you may remember that I need it to feed the food and then reverse direction to clear the tubes thereby avoiding spoilage).

 

[theatrus]

Its not just one image, depending upon the build components (based on the adafruit guide recommended parts or HATs or baseboard), the configuration will change (and may be some software as well.. like motion) , the image path will lead to us hosting at least a handful of images.

I’d actually propose we just package Debian packages for base configurations (Hat, Pico, Guide) which can be installed and maintain the base configs. A quick shared script can be used to safely merge any other configure changes.

I can hack something up here (as terrible as dpkg is over rpm)

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Upgraded to 2.2. Let's see how it goes!

 

[Ranjib]

Hey guys

Remember me? :)

My goal with reef-pi was to create a continual feeding doser, which would drip feed chilled, defrosted frozen food cubes.

Well, using guide 7 and many evenings of soldering, I've got everything together and have just been adding the equipment.

The good news is that the Pi powers up and the dashboard works. There's also power getting to a test pump.

Bad news is that the pump seems to turn on and off at random (still just trying to calibrate it), and I received an error when adding the pumps to the gui.

Anyway, I've disconnected it for tonight and will start a separate build thread tomorrow to get this fixed and also program it properly (you may remember that I need it to feed the food and then reverse direction to clear the tubes thereby avoiding spoilage).

I remember. Very interesting use :-)
The doser pumps should work as expected. 2.0 had a bug. What version you are running?

 

[Bigtrout]

Yup. That’s my current estimate ... but it can always change if we encounter bugs(delayed) or get a some free cycles ( faster).

I got my pH board from @Jonathan Troutt today...that gives me time to get a good probe on the way!

 

[bishoptf]

I’d actually propose we just package Debian packages for base configurations (Hat, Pico, Guide) which can be installed and maintain the base configs. A quick shared script can be used to safely merge any other configure changes.

I can hack something up here (as terrible as dpkg is over rpm)

I can help out if we want to package stuff up. What about using p2p torrents for the software, I would be glad to seed a torrent, if we get enough folks to seed then that would be a possibility and no one person would take the bandwidth hit.

 

[bishoptf]

I am using the mini xlrs as well, and I love them. I did not have any issues with my 3.5mm plugs (old radioshack plugs) but I am happy that I switched.
I went with the 3 pin version for my temp probes and I am going to be using the 4 pins for my lighting controls.
https://www.amazon.com/Connector-Au...7&sr=8-10&keywords=3+pin+mini+xlr+panel+mount

Those do look nice but pricey, I have some different panel audio jacks and they lock in really well these are the ones - https://www.amazon.com/CESS-Stereo-...1312&sr=8-20&keywords=panel+mount+audio+jacks

 

[bishoptf]

Sooo I know this has been discussed but what is the proper way to upgrade, do we stop the reef-pi service do the install and start the service back up? I'm used to just doing apt-get etc, I assume we can just do a dpkg -i vs removing and re-installing but thought I'd ask.

:)

 

[bishoptf]

Upgraded to 2.2, now to go and change the default stats

 

[b4tn]

I just do a dpkg -i. I don’t stop any services or anything and it has worked for me.

 

[Ryan115]

Those do look nice but pricey, I have some different panel audio jacks and they lock in really well these are the ones - https://www.amazon.com/CESS-Stereo-...1312&sr=8-20&keywords=panel+mount+audio+jacks

Agreed they are a bit more expensive, but they are soooo nice!
You can get them cheap on ebay (or elsewhere from china) if you have the time.

 

[bishoptf]

Agreed they are a bit more expensive, but they are soooo nice!
You can get them cheap on ebay (or elsewhere from china) if you have the time.

Yeah a much better connector for sure, those audio jacks I listed are good too, really hard to pull out etc but will never be as good as an xlr jack.