Reefpi Update (Raspberry Pi OS (Trixie) 64bit)

[epicfatigue]

@epicfatigue Thank you for doing this! Just adding my voice to the chorus, to make sure you see there is still interest in reef-pi from the community.

Got this going on raspberry pi zero W, no issues so far. Just configuring and testing GPIO. I had been banging my head against the wall with newer OS and GPIO config. My current prototype turned permanent is on legacy OS just to keep the GPIO commands working. With the legacy and reef-pi main I can't get any of the non-local options working as nothing is supported on the legacy OS I am using. I am thinking with OS Trixie running this, raspberrypi connect will be the easiest solution.

No worries, happy to contribute.
You are welcome to go to the main page and buy me a beer or donate towards buying hardware to rewrite drivers from my GitHub.

Alot of work to do and it's one of the best ways people can contribute as buying hardware is not cheap.

 

[Kurtzisa]

i have this problem. i think i accidentally press on dev mode, i don have the "configuration" tab anymore. Bit i can tipe the line reef-pi:8080/configuration and it work. I uncheked the dev mode option, reload reef-pi but nothing happen

 

[epicfatigue]

i have this problem. i think i accidentally press on dev mode, i don have the "configuration" tab anymore. Bit i can tipe the line reef-pi:8080/configuration and it work. I uncheked the dev mode option, reload reef-pi but nothing happen

Do you want to send me a copy of the database got currently have ?

I'll have a look into this, I had this problem along time ago on the original reefpi. I changed SD cards and it went away. I question of it was data corruption. I have almost finished your driver aswell.

 

[Kurtzisa]

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if you reset the data usage in the ATO tab, you'll have this error.


After the first ATO usage everything works fine.


Ah, i cannot Calibrate my ph sensors, i think is because there is no fully work driver yet

 

[epicfatigue]

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if you reset the data usage in the ATO tab, you'll have this error.


After the first ATO usage everything works fine.


Ah, i cannot Calibrate my ph sensors, i think is because there is no fully work driver yet

That's correct, I have almost finished the driver I just don't have a working sensor to test it on which makes it hard. I have ordered the parts to make one.

The first error will be because you copied your old style database.

 

[ChuzUThisDay]

@epicfatigue I watched the origination of Reef-Pi many years back, but got out of the hobby before I dove in. I'm now planning a new build and contemplating a Robo-Tank purchase. I found this thread searching for info on it and I'm amazed at the amount of work that you're doing. Thank you from future me!

 

[pais]

Hello, I'm running reef-pi 6.0 on Pi zero-w from many years. Is it possible to install this newer version as an upgrade from the settings menu ? Thank you for your work

 

[epicfatigue]

Hello, I'm running reef-pi 6.0 on Pi zero-w from many years. Is it possible to install this newer version as an upgrade from the settings menu ? Thank you for your work

You would be unable to install this from the menu.
What i recommend is to buy a new SD card, and install this version. that way you are able to roll back by just swapping out the sd card.

 

[epicfatigue]

Just thought I would provide an update for everyone.


I’m planning to release a new version within the next month that will include updated drivers as requested by @Kurtzisa .


Alongside this, I’m also designing a DIY PCB that anyone will be able to have manufactured themselves. The board will include a range of inputs and outputs, as well as multiple ports for pH, ORP, and EC probes.


As always, everything will be fully open source.


At the moment I’m just waiting for the remaining parts to arrive so I can finish testing.


If you like the work I’m doing, please consider supporting it. It’s quite expensive to buy and build all of the hardware needed for development. My own system is already complete — I’m doing this purely to contribute back to the community.

 

[ls1fst98]

i got away from reefing for a bit and have been diving back in. Ive had reef pi on my old tank but stopped using it. this makes me want to get it all back up and running with the ability to have salinity tracking now. will def be picking your brain on this more

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Might it make some sense to throw a link to this thread on the original Reefpi thread? Oroginal thread is below...

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

Welcome to the development thread of reef-pi, an open-source, affordable, modular DIY reef-tank controller based on Raspberry Pi. If you are trying to build a reef-pi controller, please check out the build guides linked below. You can use this thread to seek help and to stay updated with the...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Brett7397]

@epicfatigue Following.. I hope to start my reef tank sometime this summer. I have already built my own interface board between the Rpi and my sensors/relays. I was going to use the legacy OS and Reef pi but I want to try the newer OS and this version of reef pi. Thanks for the work you have put into this.

 

[ls1fst98]

deleted...wrong thread reply

 

[epicfatigue]

is local pickup an option?

I am very confused by the question?

 

[ls1fst98]

I am very confused by the question?

i had 2 tabs open....and commented on the wrong one. was meant for the WWC sale. i edited it before you saw it i guess haha

 

[epicfatigue]

Okay everyone i have made a new release.

as per @Kurtzisa i have added support for the reef-pi pH/ORP Board.
link here

The above details tell you how to make this device, it can be configured for either PH or ORP.


PH Driver,

input the i2c device address and leave everything as auto populated.
Select debug to show all the math and values in the log.

Follow below for how to calibrate.

ORP Driver.

input the i2c device address, and away you go.

Add the devices as analogs

Enable the chemisty tab

At this point it is important to reboot for changes to take effect, i say reboot as i have seen a lot of people not have permissions setup correctly for a reload, my installer should take care of this if you use it.


Configure your probe

Now select the calibrate Tab and place the probe into the calibration solution

4 and 7 are recommended.


Let the probe settle for a few minutes, and take the avg 1m reading.
This will take average readings over the past minute

My figures are example only your mv readings will be different.



in this example i am using ph 7 and my result was 77.19mV


so now we go back to the driver and put in our result, save and reboot (or reload)
.
The Driver is designed that it knows we only have a 1 point calibration, if we then do the same for 4 it will use a slope for a more accurate reading.

If we open a console to reefpi we can run the following command.
this will show us everything reefpi is doing. if we enabled debug we can see the math and the code working

journalctl -u reef-pi -f

 

[Freccialata]

Hi.
Thank you for your work.
Will the measurement always be in mV or like normal pH value?

This is a big step towards having reef-pi running on an operating system that receives updates.

Thanks.

 

[epicfatigue]

Hi.
Thank you for your work.
Will the measurement always be in mV or like normal pH value?

This is a big step towards having reef-pi running on an operating system that receives updates.

Thanks.

If you see there is a primary value that is in PH. The mv observed value is the raw MV from the PCB. The primary is the value that will be graphed, the Observed is for calibration.

 

[epicfatigue]

I’ll be slowly putting together proper documentation for reef-pi.


One of the biggest challenges reef-pi has always faced is the lack of clear, straightforward documentation—especially when it comes to wiring, schematics, and understanding how everything fits together. While the software itself is incredibly powerful, getting started (and even scaling up) can be difficult without good reference material.


Alongside this, I’ll also be working on schematics and hardware examples, including DIY circuits and layouts. This will take some time, but the goal is to create something that’s easy to follow and actually useful for both beginners and more advanced users.

---

Current reef-pi Driver Landscape​

Before going too far down this path, I wanted to get a feel for what people are currently using.


From what I’ve seen so far, most setups tend to fall into a few common categories:

Core Drivers (Most Common)​

• Temperature (DS18B20)
• pH (typically Atlas Scientific EZO circuits)
• ORP
• ATO (float switches / optical sensors)
• Equipment control (relays)
• Lighting (PWM / basic dimming)

These form the backbone of most reef-pi systems and are generally well understood.

---

I2C / Expansion​

As systems grow, people tend to move into expanders and external controllers:

• PCA9685 (PWM expansion)
• PCF8575 (GPIO expansion)
• ADS1115 (analog inputs for DIY sensors)

These are widely used but often lack consistent documentation or standard approaches.

---

Chemistry & Advanced Monitoring​

This is where things start to get less consistent:

• Salinity / Conductivity (often Atlas, sometimes DIY)
• Custom pH circuits
• ORP via analog or EZO
• Experimental probes and circuits

Many users attempt DIY solutions here but run into issues with drift, noise, and calibration.

---

Dosing & Automation​

• Dosing pumps (relay, PWM, or stepper-driven)
• Timed or rule-based automation
• Increasing interest in more precise control systems

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Experimental / Less Common​

There are also a number of one-off or custom implementations:

• Flow meters
• Leak detection
• Pressure-based level sensing
• Ultrasonic sensors
• Custom Arduino/I2C bridge devices

---

Gaps & Opportunities​

From what I can see, there are a few key areas where reef-pi could really benefit from improvement:

1. Clear Documentation​

• Wiring diagrams
• Setup guides
• Calibration walkthroughs
• Troubleshooting

2. Standardised DIY Hardware​

• Known working circuits
• Repeatable builds
• BOMs and schematics

3. Reliable Chemistry Monitoring​

• Stable pH implementations
• Accurate salinity measurement
• Proper temperature compensation
• Calibration standards

4. Closed-Loop Control​

• Systems that don’t just monitor, but actively maintain parameters
  (e.g. salinity up/down control with safeguards)

---

Goal​

The goal here is to build:

• Clear, practical documentation
• Working, repeatable hardware designs
• Improved drivers (especially around chemistry and ADC-based inputs)

Everything will be open source, and designed so people can build and extend it themselves.

---

Community Input​

Before I go too far, I’d love to hear from others:


Are there any other drivers or setups people are currently using?

• Custom drivers
• Forks
• DIY circuits
• Anything that isn’t part of the “standard” setup

Even if it’s experimental or unfinished, it would be great to see what’s out there.

 

[bishoptf]

Just found this and wanted to ask some questions. I have had this on my to do list for some time and just have not had the time to do it. My goal was just to update the gpio libraries to the new way so you could run and use the code on the newer OS and rpi 5 hardware.

I will look at your code on github but if you have time I would be interested to know how you addressed the gpio libraries. I had made it to having chgpt analyze the code and suggest changes but hadn't made it any further.

Will follow along, I have multiple units that I am using and meet my needs and have been using them for years. Not sure what happened to @Ranjib but hoping him and his family are doing well.

Thanks for work and posting the information.