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

[Fish Fan]

Hi all! I have a 10 gallon Nuvo Fusion up and running that I hope to control using Reef-Pi, and I'd like to start my build in the next week or so. I have been following along with this project off and on for a good 18 months or so, and when I first found Reef-Pi the power controller was built from a number of regular duplex outlets placed in a junction box instead of the ADJ powerbar. I understand that the ADJ powerbar maybe safer and simpler for many, but I would prefer to use regular duplex outlets for my build. This should be a good amount Jess expensive, but more important to me is that the outlets will be spaced further apart and can accommodate more adapters and wall warts that come with a lot of equipment. I have built a Raspberry Pi controlled holiday light show in the past with the duplex outlets, so I gave some experience and could likely figure it out, but does anyone still have the original instructions for building the Reef-Pi power controller using duplex outlets? I’d appreciate having access to this instructions if possible, unless I am really missing something about the ADJ power bar.

Thank you for your help!

-Fish Fan

 

[Ranjib]

Hi all! I have a 10 gallon Nuvo Fusion up and running that I hope to control using Reef-Pi, and I'd like to start my build in the next week or so. I have been following along with this project off and on for a good 18 months or so, and when I first found Reef-Pi the power controller was built from a number of regular duplex outlets placed in a junction box instead of the ADJ powerbar. I understand that the ADJ powerbar maybe safer and simpler for many, but I would prefer to use regular duplex outlets for my build. This should be a good amount Jess expensive, but more important to me is that the outlets will be spaced further apart and can accommodate more adapters and wall warts that come with a lot of equipment. I have built a Raspberry Pi controlled holiday light show in the past with the duplex outlets, so I gave some experience and could likely figure it out, but does anyone still have the original instructions for building the Reef-Pi power controller using duplex outlets? I’d appreciate having access to this instructions if possible, unless I am really missing something about the ADJ power bar.

Thank you for your help!

-Fish Fan

@Fish Fan you are most welcome to do a scratch build. As you noted, its not in the adafruit guide due to complexity involved and safety concern, but for anyone (which is many of us) who has done something similar or wanted to endavour, they are most welcome. None of reef-pi official documentation should ever be lost as they itself lives as code and we can switch back to historical states if need be. These are also completely open (like the code), its just due to various logistical reasons they are not visible at the front pages (some time its just lack of time). So here you go, this is the link of the power guide, scratch build: https://github.com/reef-pi/website/blob/master/content/guides/power.md
I hope to either make an archive or consolidate all the main different styles under thematic mega-guides (like power controller guide will start with smart outlets, but also cover ADJ wired power strip and finally scratch builds) .
Thank you for considering reef-pi, godspeed

 

[Fish Fan]

Thanks, @Ranjib ! I always appreciate that you respond to my questions so quickly. I am about to start the cycle on this tank, and hope to have my Reef-Pi build going soon. Please stand by ;-)

Thanks again!

-FF

 

[bala murugan 00500]

hi friends,
I'm getting this error

{"error":"stats for id: '5' not found"} | HTTP 404

now I connected jebao ds-4 to reef pi. it is controlling it, no problem on that, I added dosing in the dashboard , it causing this error..... what i did wrong

 

[Reef Recked]

If you have a multi meter then check voltage at the other end of the jumper thats connected to the pwm pins. The download link is correct and should work.

sudo apt-get remove -y —purge reef-pi

Should remove reef-pi

You don’t need to uninstall the old version while updating it should work just fine.

So i was looking at the board upside down i moved the pins and still nothing is happening when i try to adjust the levels but the LED just stays on constantly but dim. even if the Reef Pi is off the LED stays on, i hooked up a multimeter and there is a constant 3.11 volts coming from my wires.

And when i try to update on the raspberry it keeps telling me update fails.

 

[Ryan115]

So i was looking at the board upside down i moved the pins and still nothing is happening when i try to adjust the levels but the LED just stays on constantly but dim. even if the Reef Pi is off the LED stays on, i hooked up a multimeter and there is a constant 3.11 volts coming from my wires.

And when i try to update on the raspberry it keeps telling me update fails.

A few things going on here.
In reef-pi you have PCA9685 selected, but you are using the rpi pwm pins.
Do you have an updated image of your wiring? It looks like you are missing a ground connection, for PWM0 on rpi it should go GPIO18(Pin12)->LED&Resistor->GND

 

[Stephen2]

I cant't add the annalog input for the ph on the pico board.
I get the following error
ERROR: Failed to create. Error: invalid pin 0: driver for analog input test not found: driver by id not available

Could anyone assist?

 

[Ranjib]

I cant't add the annalog input for the ph on the pico board.
I get the following error
ERROR: Failed to create. Error: invalid pin 0: driver for analog input test not found: driver by id not available

Could anyone assist?

Does test driver shows up in drivers section?

 

[Ranjib]

So i was looking at the board upside down i moved the pins and still nothing is happening when i try to adjust the levels but the LED just stays on constantly but dim. even if the Reef Pi is off the LED stays on, i hooked up a multimeter and there is a constant 3.11 volts coming from my wires.

And when i try to update on the raspberry it keeps telling me update fails.

From your previous post , I recall that the install was failing due to missing package file, I.e. the file was not actually downloaded in that location

 

[Stephen2]

Does test driver shows up in drivers section?

Analog input

Drivers
Pico-board added on address 72

 

[janos]

@janos did you get this working or is it still reading around 7/8 without any calibration?

Hi Ranjib it is still reading between 7-8 and not did not programmed yet i was working far a way from home.

 

[bishoptf]

Sorry I've been absent for some time, summer is just a busy time, going to try to catch up and see where things stand.

I saw a deal for o e of these from petco really has me thinking, does anyone know if these are any good - Fluval 13.5 Gallon Evo XII Marine?

I have two fluval specs and they have been good but wondering if it's possible to do a mini reef, looks like you can pick them up after price matching Amazon and coupon for $140, I already do RODI but not sure how difficult the small tanks are, thanks.

:)

 

[Ranjib]

Sorry I've been absent for some time, summer is just a busy time, going to try to catch up and see where things stand.

I saw a deal for o e of these from petco really has me thinking, does anyone know if these are any good - Fluval 13.5 Gallon Evo XII Marine?

I have two fluval specs and they have been good but wondering if it's possible to do a mini reef, looks like you can pick them up after price matching Amazon and coupon for $140, I already do RODI but not sure how difficult the small tanks are, thanks.

:)

they are not bad, the tank, form factor are all good. Depending upon what livestock you want to keep, you are likely to get rid of the stock light , filter media and may be the return as well. I personally not a huge fan of the corener braces its comes with, i find them eye sore.
So, if those things are not big deal for you, I think they are good choice. I ran a fluval spec 3 for two n half years and was fairly happy with it. But if you have specific livestock and necessary customization in mind, i'll recommend choosing sommething rimliess/brace less, and without lighting. So that you dont have to get rid of anything and just add the bits you want

 

[bala murugan 00500]

hi friends,
I'm getting this error

{"error":"stats for id: '5' not found"} | HTTP 404

now I connected jebao ds-4 to reef pi. it is controlling it, no problem on that, I added dosing in the dashboard , it causing this error..... what i did wrong

I didn't do anything .. but it automatically showing the chart in Dashboard.

 

[Ranjib]

Finally, i spend some time on the pi pwm frequency issue with 2.4 release. There was a nasty bug that i had overlooked, I feel really sorry about the users as 2.4 is was supposed to fix pwm issues on pi. I'll publish a bug fix 2.5 version as soon as possible. probably tonight

 

[AbjectMaelstroM]

What temp probes are you guys using in your builds?

Would these work?

1/2/2.5/3m DS18B20 Waterproof Digital Humidity Temperature Sensor Thermal Probe | eBay

1//2/2.5/3m DS18B20 Here is a DS18B20 chip,three fine copper wire temperature sensor. Storage temperature range: -55°C ~ +125°C (-67°F - +257°F). No other components, unique single bus interface. hope you could understand.

www.ebay.com

 

[Zippyfear]

What temp probes are you guys using in your builds?

Would these work?

1/2/2.5/3m DS18B20 Waterproof Digital Humidity Temperature Sensor Thermal Probe | eBay

1//2/2.5/3m DS18B20 Here is a DS18B20 chip,three fine copper wire temperature sensor. Storage temperature range: -55°C ~ +125°C (-67°F - +257°F). No other components, unique single bus interface. hope you could understand.

www.ebay.com

I use 4 of these

Diymore 5pcs DS18B20 Waterproof Temperature Sensors Thermistor Temperature Controller Length 1M with Digital Thermal Stainless Steel Probe: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Diymore 5pcs DS18B20 Waterproof Temperature Sensors Thermistor Temperature Controller Length 1M with Digital Thermal Stainless Steel Probe: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

connected in parallel across a 4.7k ohm resistor. They are covered (the metal part) with heat shrink tubing and a tip of silicon on the ends.. they work great, and tracking air temp, refugium, sump and main tank. alerts below 79 and over 80.5 (it's Texas, it's hot here) - and a fan turns on above 79.8 with 2 heaters that kick on around 79.2.. so far my temps really mostly hover 79.4 - 79.8 - I assume in winter I'll let it dip a little lower, but right now, the heater doesn't run much.

 

[Ranjib]

What temp probes are you guys using in your builds?

Would these work?

1/2/2.5/3m DS18B20 Waterproof Digital Humidity Temperature Sensor Thermal Probe | eBay

1//2/2.5/3m DS18B20 Here is a DS18B20 chip,three fine copper wire temperature sensor. Storage temperature range: -55°C ~ +125°C (-67°F - +257°F). No other components, unique single bus interface. hope you could understand.

www.ebay.com

Yes, this is same type of sensor we use (ds18b20),

 

[b4tn]

Been out of the loop for awhile. We bought our first house wo hoo! But a couple of months prior to settling and moving I had a strange crash. For no apparent reason all of my SPS just started to RTN. All parameters where within acceptable ranges but everything but soft coral and fish was dying. Knowing I was going to have to break down and move soon anyway I decided that chasing the problem was not worth it so decided to start over anyway when I get moved in. As I was breaking things down I found this!

All my other probes are encased in silicone but I decided to just drop this one in. It was the DROK probes that I installed April 1st https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY8U394/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I am not sure if this was what cuased the crash but it was not only rusted but oozing something out the top. I will be coating all sensors in silicone from here on out.

But here is the man cave as it sits now with the life I was able to salvage in a 15 gallon holding tank. reef-pi is only controling the light on this one. My 150 lbs of rock is currently curing in a garbage can of bleach and will be coming out next week. This time around I will be breaking the rock up and doing a bare bottom epoxied together rockscape. I have some catching up to do to get my reef-pi updated and lots of planning still to go.

 

[Fish Fan]

Sorry to hear about the crash, but congrats on the new house and man cave; looks great! Good luck on your new start!

-FF