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

[Mikeneedsahobby]

Morning folks, just thought I would post a question. I have been using some @Michael Lane goby hat boards for a couple years now and I am thinking about making some additional boards up for test rigs and spares (I always like having spares, lol). Just looking to see if anyone would be interested in having one as a test board etc, just trying to see if there is any interest. I have not worked out the cost yet but these are not intended to compete with the likes of robotank or leviathan but at least for me they are really useful and provide enough capability and are quick to do.

Here is the board on @Michael Lane tindie store - https://www.tindie.com/products/ranthalion/ml-reef-pi-hat-goby/#specs

Looks like if I get assy done on the boards it cost the same whether I do 5 boards or 20, just thought I would ask. :)

I’m running one his boards. If you get a batch then I’ll pick one up as a spare.

 

[bishoptf]

I’m running one his boards. If you get a batch then I’ll pick one up as a spare.

Noted, my other plan is to try to make up a cheap loaner system that I can ship out for people to kick the tires and see if they want to pursue, so it's a cheaper option for a loaner system. I have one now but want to get a couple, the main issue I have right now is getting cheap pi's to go along with them.

I got in my batch of the vipar adapters from PCBway, they look good and tested one and it tested fine.

 

[theatrus]

Noted, my other plan is to try to make up a cheap loaner system that I can ship out for people to kick the tires and see if they want to pursue, so it's a cheaper option for a loaner system. I have one now but want to get a couple, the main issue I have right now is getting cheap pi's to go along with them.

I got in my batch of the vipar adapters from PCBway, they look good and tested one and it tested fine.

Pis are hard to get. If someone does want to buy some spare Pi-Zero-W (Gen1) boards I have a small collection, as well as a bunch of the new compute modules (but those do require a carrier board).

 

[bishoptf]

Pis are hard to get. If someone does want to buy some spare Pi-Zero-W (Gen1) boards I have a small collection, as well as a bunch of the new compute modules (but those do require a carrier board).

Shoot me a PM I would be interested in some zero's...I can get the zero2 when they are in stock at Microcenter but its rare when they get them in then they limit the purchase.

 

[GaryE]

Shoot me a PM I would be interested in some zero's...I can get the zero2 when they are in stock at Microcenter but its rare when they get them in then they limit the purchase.

I got an email notification yesterday that Sparkfun had 1 PI Zero W in stock...

HA! That thing was gone long before I clicked the link.

 

[GaryE]

For those of you who are looking for them...

Find Raspberry Pi computers in stock - rpilocator

Find Raspberry Pi computers in stock - rpilocator

rpilocator.com

Raspberry Pi 4 model B, Compute Module 4, Pi Zero 2 W, and Pico availability

 

[Kraig]

Well, I've been thinking about jumping in. This will be a big learning curve for me. I've been trying to figure out the best Raspberry pi to get. Seems a lot use the Zero 2 w. Is there one that is a little better than others? I'm not sure how much processing power or memory is truly needed (and the answer is probably depends:))

 

[GaryE]

the Zero W (version 1) is just fine.. Zero 2 W is a bit faster..

 

[Kraig]

So it's probably just a matter of how patient and lucky I am as to what I get.... At least I've learned a little patience since being in the hobby.

 

[bishoptf]

So it's probably just a matter of how patient and lucky I am as to what I get.... At least I've learned a little patience since being in the hobby.

If you are just going to run reef-pi then any version will work, but if you run the desktop image and want to run the desktop or a GUI vs CLI then you will need a higher end model. I have reef-pi running on the original zero w just fine, but its all CLI access based and browser for reef-pi access. It comes down to what you want to run on the rpi, the more stuff you want to run on it the more hardware is needed. :)

 

[GaryE]

If you are just going to run reef-pi then any version will work, but if you run the desktop image and want to run the desktop or a GUI vs CLI then you will need a higher end model. I have reef-pi running on the original zero w just fine, but its all CLI access based and browser for reef-pi access. It comes down to what you want to run on the rpi, the more stuff you want to run on it the more hardware is needed. :)

Since learning how to setup an SD card for headless startup without connecting to a keyboard, mouse or monitor, I have no need for a CLI or GUI on my pi's other than an SSH from my Linux work station. That little trick saves quite a bit of time when setting up a card.

 

[bishoptf]

Since learning how to setup an SD card for headless startup without connecting to a keyboard, mouse or monitor, I have no need for a CLI or GUI on my pi's other than an SSH from my Linux work station. That little trick saves quite a bit of time when setting up a card.

Exactly, how I have always done them. I helped @robsworld78 update the script that they are using for robotank and it walks you through setting up your pi for reef-pi for robotank OR any reef-pi and it's really easy to do now. Tools are out there that really makes it much easier to get things going...

 

[GaryE]

Exactly, how I have always done them. I helped @robsworld78 update the script that they are using for robotank and it walks you through setting up your pi for reef-pi for robotank OR any reef-pi and it's really easy to do now. Tools are out there that really makes it much easier to get things going...

Care to share that script?

 

[bishoptf]

Care to share that script?

Not sure they will let me link to the google docs page - https://www.robo-tank.ca/reef-pi_Related_User_Manuals the top link from that page from google docs has the installation manual and link to the script, the script is for robotank but also can be used for any installation, pretty slick and the document walks you through the whole headless stuff.

 

[GaryE]

Not sure they will let me link to the google docs page - https://www.robo-tank.ca/reef-pi_Related_User_Manuals the top link from that page from google docs has the installation manual and link to the script, the script is for robotank but also can be used for any installation, pretty slick and the document walks you through the whole headless stuff.

Awesome.. I'll check it out when I get home.

 

[robsworld78]

Care to share that script?

I'm also planning on creating a thread so people can find it, IMO there's no better way to setup.

 

[GaryE]

I'm also planning on creating a thread so people can find it, IMO there's no better way to setup.

I got caught going down the prometheus / grafana rabbit hole last night, didn't get a chance to dig too much into the script...

 

[GaryE]

Speaking of Grafana, it'd be interesting to see what others have setup.. I'm in the process of rebuilding mine.

I'm thinking of integrating some basic raspberry pi data into it just to make it a bit more complete..

 

[GaryE]

Adafruit has Rpi 4 2gb right now

***currently getting their butts kicked..

 

[Ranjib]

Speaking of Grafana, it'd be interesting to see what others have setup.. I'm in the process of rebuilding mine.

I'm thinking of integrating some basic raspberry pi data into it just to make it a bit more complete..

I wish I could do a dedicated blog/docs on this, but here is the tldr version;
- I have one dashboard each for individual tanks. That shows ato, ph, temp, light etc.. whatever that build has
- I have a global dashboard that consolidated all key parameters (ph, temperature, ato) and some ambient readings (temperature for example). I use this as Home Screen, to get a glimpse of fleet wide stats
- I have the stock node exporter dashboard , imported from grafana community hub that shows low level system metrics (it requires node exporter installed and running on all pi )

Other than these keyed dashboard I also use a whole bunch of adhoc dashboard to test things like light profile, psu setup (under voltage detection ).
I do use alerting from several of these dashboard