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

[Ranjib]

reef-pi up to date.
I have a ph probe in my calcium reactor and a solenoid valve. How can I close the solenoid valve when I reach 6,6 ph?

Ph control ? Set the max threshold value to 6.6 upon which reef-pi should switch off the solenoid (assuming the solenoid is relay or some other type of outlet controlled)

 

[Kurtzisa]

reef-pi up to date.
I have a ph probe in my calcium reactor and a solenoid valve. How can I close the solenoid valve when I reach 6,6 ph?

Like this?

 

[92Miata]

Looking for what is probably more of a pi problem than a reef-pi problem.


After a while of inactivity, my reef pi seems to drop off the network and stop making readings. pH is a constant in the graphs once this happens. The CPU/memory graphs still seem to be tracking.

I turned off power saving on the wlan and put in a script to produce some network activity every couple of minutes, and that seemed to make the window where it was up longer, but it still drops off after a while.

I have to unplug it and plug it back in to get it to come back up.


Any ideas where to start? This was happening before I put the pi into the robo-tank hardware, so I don't think it has anything to do with the pH circuit, or the sensor/etc hardware.

 

[Ranjib]

Looking for what is probably more of a pi problem than a reef-pi problem.


After a while of inactivity, my reef pi seems to drop off the network and stop making readings. pH is a constant in the graphs once this happens. The CPU/memory graphs still seem to be tracking.

I turned off power saving on the wlan and put in a script to produce some network activity every couple of minutes, and that seemed to make the window where it was up longer, but it still drops off after a while.

I have to unplug it and plug it back in to get it to come back up.


Any ideas where to start? This was happening before I put the pi into the robo-tank hardware, so I don't think it has anything to do with the pH circuit, or the sensor/etc hardware.

How are you powering your pi ? Any chance it’s getting under voltage condition ? Vcgencmd get_throttled should show it.

 

[Ranjib]

Like this?

You don’t need the upper function or threshold , since you don’t have anything that can bring down ph. Set lower threshold to 6.7 with hysteresis .1 and that will tell reef-pi to turn on the solenoid when the ph goes below 6.6 (6.7-.1) . Reef-pi will automatically turn off the solenoid when Ph goes above 6.8 (6.7+.1) .

Does that make sense ?


On a separate note, ph chasing via direct dosing is risky. I feel it’s safer to just do periodic dosing and slowly adjust the quantity to attain an expected value.

 

[Ranjib]

Looking for what is probably more of a pi problem than a reef-pi problem.


After a while of inactivity, my reef pi seems to drop off the network and stop making readings. pH is a constant in the graphs once this happens. The CPU/memory graphs still seem to be tracking.

I turned off power saving on the wlan and put in a script to produce some network activity every couple of minutes, and that seemed to make the window where it was up longer, but it still drops off after a while.

I have to unplug it and plug it back in to get it to come back up.


Any ideas where to start? This was happening before I put the pi into the robo-tank hardware, so I don't think it has anything to do with the pH circuit, or the sensor/etc hardware.

Which version of pi you are using ? Is it running a full raspbian desktop or just the lite version. The desktop version has all these things, I’ll check some more resources

 

[92Miata]

How are you powering your pi ? Any chance it’s getting under voltage condition ? Vcgencmd get_throttled should show it.

Returns

throttled=0x0

It's on a 12v 6a power supply through whatever Rob is using to step down. It's a cheap one though - so maybe - I bought a meanwell lrs-100-12 the other day, so I'll try it on that at some point.

It's a pi4 2gb in case that matters. Running reef-pi 3.5 and buster.

 

[92Miata]

Which version of pi you are using ? Is it running a full raspbian desktop or just the lite version. The desktop version has all these things, I’ll check some more resources

I think it's the full desktop - I had installed the newest version of lite and was having a ton of issues - found a post saying newest version was causing all sorts of issues with reef-pi, so downgraded.

Running headless - so maybe that's it.

Used version @robsworld78 (I think it's him ) suggested in here:

Robo-Tank DIY Aquarium Controller Forum

 

[elysics]

I have an issue with the mobile site. If i go to the temperature submenu, and expand the menu for a sensor, the expansion works, but after a second or so, i get Something went wrong, TypeError: t is undefined.

Graphs in dashboard work fine, and if i request desktop site instead of mobile i dont have the issue.

If i create a new sensor, and immediately expand the menu, the problem doesn't occur, but if i close it and open it again, then it does. My guess is that it has something to do with the graph rendering in the submenu, although the graphs in dashboard work fine, maybe duplicate code that wasn't updated?

 

[robsworld78]

I think it's the full desktop - I had installed the newest version of lite and was having a ton of issues - found a post saying newest version was causing all sorts of issues with reef-pi, so downgraded.

Running headless - so maybe that's it.

Used version @robsworld78 (I think it's him ) suggested in here:

Robo-Tank DIY Aquarium Controller Forum

The issue I was referring to for the Pi 4 has been fixed in reef-pi 3.5 but it wasn't related to what you're experiencing. My reference to running the desktop version was based on that issue. Just before Ranjib fixed the Pi 4 bug Raspberry Pi had rolled the troublesome update into the main image so you had to directly download an old image file, I couldn't find one for the lite version so the desktop version had to be used. I always assume the lite version is the better way to go as there's less to go wrong in the OS but I don't think it really matters as plenty use the desktop version.

I haven't come across this yet, maybe it's a faulty SD card that causing it, if you have another try it. If you're running wifi maybe try an Ethernet cable or vice versa. I'll see if I can find anything on this.

 

[92Miata]

The issue I was referring to for the Pi 4 has been fixed in reef-pi 3.5 but it wasn't related to what you're experiencing. My reference to running the desktop version was based on that issue. Just before Ranjib fixed the Pi 4 bug Raspberry Pi had rolled the troublesome update into the main image so you had to directly download an old image file, I couldn't find one for the lite version so the desktop version had to be used. I always assume the lite version is the better way to go as there's less to go wrong in the OS but I don't think it really matters as plenty use the desktop version.

I haven't come across this yet, maybe it's a faulty SD card that causing it, if you have another try it. If you're running wifi maybe try an Ethernet cable or vice versa. I'll see if I can find anything on this.

The original issue I was having was similar to what he was having - basically it couldn't connect to the pH probe. Similar error messages. As soon as I went to Buster it could read and calibrate just fine.

If there's any way to save off/restore the calibration data for the probe, I could probably load lite and see what happens.

 

[robsworld78]

The original issue I was having was similar to what he was having - basically it couldn't connect to the pH probe. Similar error messages. As soon as I went to Buster it could read and calibrate just fine.

I think this is something different. I did a quick search and see lots of connection issues for various reasons, one common was wifi issues. If you use wifi I would try a hard wire connection and if you have an extra SD card maybe load the Raspberry Pi OS as it won't be a problem now.

 

[Tankkeepers]

Wait you can use a pi to co troll your tank hmmm I'm gunna have to look into this iv got 2 sitting around from the 3d printers I used to have(got a better one and scavenged the parts I used to build it)

 

[Bigtrout]

Wait you can use a pi to co troll your tank hmmm I'm gunna have to look into this iv got 2 sitting around from the 3d printers I used to have(got a better one and scavenged the parts I used to build it)

Yes, you can monitor and or control temps, ph, lights, dosers, ato and other equipment. There are ready made boards to help with a build or if you prefer, you can roll your own following the adafruit guides.

Read a few reef-pi build threads to see what others have done. Decide what you want to do with your controller. Start a build thread of your own and if you get stuck there is plenty of help on the boards.

 

[Des Westcott]

Is it possible to trigger a macro from an external input or sensor value?

I note that it's possible to create a simple driver using a text file to read an input into the system, but is it possible to use this in an if-this-then-that type of scenario. Or even do the same from an input from the GPIO.

I have a built in switch on the case I'm using and I'm thinking of using it to trigger things like feeding mode. So when the switch is pressed it can trigger a 'feed' macro or start a timer that calls a feed macro.

The macro would turn my power heads off, reduce return pump flow (more on that later), turn my roll filter off and optionally other stuff.

TIA

/DM

It should be possible using an ATO. A momentary switch is set up as an Input should be able to trigger a Macro. When I last played with that, I could not get an input on an ATO to trigger a Macro in any way. But it should be possible as the options are built in.

 

[Kurtzisa]

You don’t need the upper function or threshold , since you don’t have anything that can bring down ph. Set lower threshold to 6.7 with hysteresis .1 and that will tell reef-pi to turn on the solenoid when the ph goes below 6.6 (6.7-.1) . Reef-pi will automatically turn off the solenoid when Ph goes above 6.8 (6.7+.1) .

Does that make sense ?


On a separate note, ph chasing via direct dosing is risky. I feel it’s safer to just do periodic dosing and slowly adjust the quantity to attain an expected value.

Make sense, but i can't save the parameters witout set the upper threshold and hysteresis is always zero. So a set upper threshold to 10

I don't want ph chasing, but to block te co2 just in case the ph reach 6.5 to avoid disasters

 

[Kurtzisa]

I have another little problem, I'd bought a simple relay board, like this 8 relay, one of this relay turn on my freshwater led light, like 6 light for 60W totals. But the relay is stuck in on position. So I changed every relay with Omron product and 16A contact (8 inductive) but I have the same problem, one relay is stuck in on position. I can see the little red led light turn on and off but not the relay.

any suggestion?

 

[Bigtrout]

I have another little problem, I'd bought a simple relay board, like this 8 relay, one of this relay turn on my freshwater led light, like 6 light for 60W totals. But the relay is stuck in on position. So I changed every relay with Omron product and 16A contact (8 inductive) but I have the same problem, one relay is stuck in on position. I can see the little red led light turn on and off but not the relay.

any suggestion?

We need alot more info to help you.
How are you wiring the relay?
Are you using the uln2803 to switch the relay?
Are the grounds for all dc power supplies tied together?

The pi itself wont reliable switch a 5v relay so the uln2803 has to be used.

Show us some pics of how everything is wired amd im sure you will get good advice.

 

[Kurtzisa]

We need alot more info to help you.
How are you wiring the relay?

the neutral is in common, the phase wire into the COM contact of every relay. I'm using a "star" connection, every single wires are tied together in one single point. I'm an electronic and electrician.

Are you using the uln2803 to switch the relay?

nope

Are the grounds for all dc power supplies tied together?

Yes, all ground of DC power supplies are in common

The pi itself wont reliable switch a 5v relay so the uln2803 has to be used.

Show us some pics of how everything is wired amd im sure you will get good advice.

I have bought a board with optocoupler, so the 3,3V and the 5V are optical isolated to each-other, le GND are in common.

 

[Bigtrout]

the neutral is in common, the phase wire into the COM contact of every relay. I'm using a "star" connection, every single wires are tied together in one single point. I'm an electronic and electrician.


nope

Yes, all ground of DC power supplies are in common



I have bought a board with optocoupler, so the 3,3V and the 5V are optical isolated to each-other, le GND are in common.

Im workin today so keep in mind ill respond as I can.

First off, those relay boards require 15-20ma Per channel to switch on and off, the pi can source or sink 16ma per gpio pin and only a total of 50ma for the whole pi, which is why you need to use an uln2803. 8 relays x 20ma each is 160ma with all relays on.

The uln2803 is an 8 channel transistor chip. The pi turns on the 2803, which can handle the current of the relay board much better.

This leads me to another thing. Those relay boards work by supplying VCC to the opticals and each relay input is actually sinking current to ground to turn the opticals on.

Id suggest using a uln2803 between the pi and relay board. Roll your own on a breadboard, or get one of the fantastic hats with one built in.