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

[BenB]

Yes. but not in 2.3, its in 3.0 development branch. This is due to the recent work we did on HAL (hardware abstraction layer), which will allow us to not only add multiple pca9685 devices, but also use them as outlets. Each pca9685 can be used to get 16 outlets.

Nice! Will there be an option for inlets too? By adding an other type of i2c board for example?

 

[BenB]

I found this:

https://github.com/reef-pi/reef-pi/issues/566

Add support for MCP23017 IC #566

Current reef-pi digital input and output capabilities (outlets & inlets) are limited by Raspberry Pi's GPIO pins (18 altogether), we want to support MCP23017 IC to extend the digital I/O capability. For this we'll need

• MCP23017 driver in reef-pi/drivers
• Ability to configure inlets and outlets in reef-pi as either pi GPIO or MC23017 IC (address , incase of multiple MCP23017)
• Frontend/UI support for all of the backend configuration

 

[Ranjib]

I found this:

https://github.com/reef-pi/reef-pi/issues/566

Add support for MCP23017 IC #566

Current reef-pi digital input and output capabilities (outlets & inlets) are limited by Raspberry Pi's GPIO pins (18 altogether), we want to support MCP23017 IC to extend the digital I/O capability. For this we'll need

• 
  
  
  • MCP23017 driver in reef-pi/drivers
  • Ability to configure inlets and outlets in reef-pi as either pi GPIO or MC23017 IC (address , incase of multiple MCP23017)
  • Frontend/UI support for all of the backend configuration

You noticed this already. This is planned, but not prioritized yet. Probably we;ll get it done once we wrapped up the high priority stuffs (pwm profiles, managment API)

 

[AquaRaider44]

@Ranjib I see that you have a Coralife lunar light over your tank like this one https://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Energy-Savers-ACL15608-Biocube/dp/B0088ZJ4U6. How dim does this get? Can you post some pictures and experiences with it?

Does anyone else have some lunar lights that they use that get super dim and can be run off of the reef pi?

 

[bala murugan 00500]

HI friends, I'm bala from INDIA


First of all I thank everyone how contributed their work on REEF-pi. I never think I will have automation in my aquarium. I get to know reef-pi by watching one youtube channel named Rickets Reef.


Basically I don’t know anything about electronic and programing. By seeing the support you peoples are giving. I simply ordered every items to make Reef-pi. I love to make DIY, but I never tried any DIY in electrical.

I’m having 70G main tank and 40G sump. For that I started MY reef-pi built, by Step by step Guide from reef-pi.github and reef2reef website. I successfully connected 2 temperature probe, 1 float switch, and 1 small LES to test.

In that I come across with some problem

1) I added one led in GPIO pin 21 and added it in equipment. if I triggered the float switch LED is turning on , but when I manually turn on the led (in Equipment) it is turning on and automatically going off after few seconds, and I try set that equipment as heater, same problem over there , turning off in few seconds ....



2) I got pca9685 to control my DIY light, in that I don’t know what is the name of the pins in pca9685 to enter in jacks option. In reef-pi.github website they entered as pin 0, 1 and 2,3 and 4,5 and 12 .how they are defining 0,1 as pin number
how to find pin number for 16 pin in pca9685

 

[Bigtrout]

First of all, welcome to reef 2 reef!!!

To answer your questions:

1. If you make an equipment that is controlled by something else...that is ato or a heater, the equipment can not be manually controlled, because the ato, or heater control now takes control of that piece of equipment, and switches it on or off according to that control.

If you just make an outlet, NOT controlled by a heater or ATO, you can manually switch it on or off and it will stay in that state.

2. The 16 pins of the pca9685 are not numbered 1 thru 16, they are numbered 0 thru 15. So the first pin is pin 0 and the 16th pin would be pin 15.
When pins are seperated by commas, it means you are defining one light with 2 seperate channels. So a light with pins defined as pins 0,1 uses pin0 ( first pin) as one channel and pin1(second pin) as a seperate channel.

 

[ChrisNH]

I must say I also like the less wire aspect of it :) . The dependency on WiFi is a concern though.

I would not be comfortable relying on WiFi for critical aquarium equipment.

 

[Ranjib]

HI friends, I'm bala from INDIA


First of all I thank everyone how contributed their work on REEF-pi. I never think I will have automation in my aquarium. I get to know reef-pi by watching one youtube channel named Rickets Reef.


Basically I don’t know anything about electronic and programing. By seeing the support you peoples are giving. I simply ordered every items to make Reef-pi. I love to make DIY, but I never tried any DIY in electrical.

I’m having 70G main tank and 40G sump. For that I started MY reef-pi built, by Step by step Guide from reef-pi.github and reef2reef website. I successfully connected 2 temperature probe, 1 float switch, and 1 small LES to test.

In that I come across with some problem

1) I added one led in GPIO pin 21 and added it in equipment. if I triggered the float switch LED is turning on , but when I manually turn on the led (in Equipment) it is turning on and automatically going off after few seconds, and I try set that equipment as heater, same problem over there , turning off in few seconds ....



2) I got pca9685 to control my DIY light, in that I don’t know what is the name of the pins in pca9685 to enter in jacks option. In reef-pi.github website they entered as pin 0, 1 and 2,3 and 4,5 and 12 .how they are defining 0,1 as pin number
how to find pin number for 16 pin in pca9685

Welcome to reef2reef bala, we are super excited to have you with us and thank you for trying out reef-pi. I see @Bigtrout already answered most of your question (he's the best :-0) ). Let us know if you need any other help.
Which part of Coimbatore you are from? I've been to Tidal park once. Do share your tank pics if possible :-)

 

[Ranjib]

I would not be comfortable relying on WiFi for critical aquarium equipment.

I have the same concern as well, but I think theres some good mechanism in place now. I am using google wifi routers (two of them) to build a mesh network at home/garage. Each of these little beasts can easily support 12-15 devices. So theres redundancy as well as isolation from my comcast/xfinity router. Which means my devices (reef-pi, model railroad controller, octoprint, garage controller, terrrarium controller etc etc) will continue function even if comcast router dies or disconnect from internet. This also gives me the ability to watch their health state from mobile app anywhere in the world and poke a hole (port forward) on-demand, without relying on xfinity's expensive packages (my xfinity ??). Its still need to be proven for long term usage, as i just introduced this in less than a month before, but i think this is something reliable enough that I can recommend. I'll keep you all posted about my learning

 

[trackerit]

@Ranjib

On the pico board, can I use the pins in the header for the ato? although I only have 5 volts?

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

HI friends, I'm bala from INDIA


First of all I thank everyone how contributed their work on REEF-pi. I never think I will have automation in my aquarium. I get to know reef-pi by watching one youtube channel named Rickets Reef.


Basically I don’t know anything about electronic and programing. By seeing the support you peoples are giving. I simply ordered every items to make Reef-pi. I love to make DIY, but I never tried any DIY in electrical.

I’m having 70G main tank and 40G sump. For that I started MY reef-pi built, by Step by step Guide from reef-pi.github and reef2reef website. I successfully connected 2 temperature probe, 1 float switch, and 1 small LES to test.

In that I come across with some problem

1) I added one led in GPIO pin 21 and added it in equipment. if I triggered the float switch LED is turning on , but when I manually turn on the led (in Equipment) it is turning on and automatically going off after few seconds, and I try set that equipment as heater, same problem over there , turning off in few seconds ....



2) I got pca9685 to control my DIY light, in that I don’t know what is the name of the pins in pca9685 to enter in jacks option. In reef-pi.github website they entered as pin 0, 1 and 2,3 and 4,5 and 12 .how they are defining 0,1 as pin number
how to find pin number for 16 pin in pca9685

How did you get your metrics to display side by side?

 

[AquaRaider44]

How did you get your metrics to display side by side?

Use 2 columns on the dashboard set up.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Use 2 columns on the dashboard set up.

That's how I have it set, but no luck.

 

[AquaRaider44]

That's how I have it set, but no luck.

How big is your monitor as it will auto adjust to what size you have available.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

How big is your monitor as it will auto adjust to what size you have available.

22-23 inches maybe. Monitor might just be too small..... ;Bucktooth

 

[AquaRaider44]

22-23 inches maybe. Monitor might just be too small..... ;Bucktooth

Yep might be. I have 2 27 inch monitors and it works fine on either of mine but I prefer one column

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Yep might be. I have 2 27 inch monitors and it works fine on either of mine but I prefer one column

looking to upgrade my rig this year, and I'd probably get new monitors as well. How goes your reef-pi?

 

[AquaRaider44]

looking to upgrade my rig this year, and I'd probably get new monitors as well. How goes your reef-pi?

It's going amazing check out my build thread. Can't wait for my connectors for my lights and pH calibration solution to show up. Then it will pretty much be complete. I'd like to add a lunar light but am unsure if anyone has any good suggestions on one to buy. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reef-pi-the-all-in-one-pi-challenge.592733/

 

[bala murugan 00500]

IN reef -pi >> dashboard >> Configure >> Columns change the Columns value to 2

 

[Bigtrout]

It's going amazing check out my build thread. Can't wait for my connectors for my lights and pH calibration solution to show up. Then it will pretty much be complete. I'd like to add a lunar light but am unsure if anyone has any good suggestions on one to buy. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reef-pi-the-all-in-one-pi-challenge.592733/

Get a cheapy and pwm control it to dim it...the blue channel on my beamswork lights goes pretty dim