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

[BSA]

Actually I don't want to remove the Sd card as it's a pain to access. I think no I know what to edit it should be possible Via putty.

OK you can Putty if you still have your old router but for me, i had changed the router password so i had no choice but to take out the Sd Card.

 

[stefanm]

OK you can Putty if you still have your old router but for me, i had changed the router password so i had no choice but to take out the Sd Card.

I've still got the old router connected, without internet. The password is the same for both routers, hopefully it'll work.

 

[Coolhack]

I started at reformat SDcard again and did a complete fresh install.
Without setting up any modules and ONLY selecting the 3 items in the "Configuration" folder Dose-LightingpPCS8685 and pressing "REBOOT"
Here are the log files before and after pressing "REBOOT"

pi@reeftank:~ $ sudo systemctl status reef-pi.service

? reef-pi.service - raspberry pi based reef tank controller
Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/reef-pi.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
Active: active (running) since Mon 2019-07-15 12:31:38 AEST; 2min 58s ago
Main PID: 268 (reef-pi)
Memory: 9.3M
CGroup: /system.slice/reef-pi.service
+-268 /usr/bin/reef-pi daemon -config /etc/reef-pi/config.yml

Jul 15 12:31:39 reeftank reef-pi[268]: 2019/07/15 12:31:39 INFO: equipment subsystem: Finished syncing all equipment
Jul 15 12:31:39 reeftank reef-pi[268]: 2019/07/15 12:31:39 Successfully started subsystem: equipment
Jul 15 12:31:40 reeftank reef-pi[268]: 2019/07/15 12:31:40 Successfully started subsystem: timers
Jul 15 12:31:40 reeftank reef-pi[268]: 2019/07/15 12:31:40 Successfully started subsystem: ato
Jul 15 12:31:40 reeftank reef-pi[268]: 2019/07/15 12:31:40 Successfully started subsystem: temperature
Jul 15 12:31:40 reeftank reef-pi[268]: 2019/07/15 12:31:40 Successfully started subsystem: macro
Jul 15 12:31:40 reeftank reef-pi[268]: 2019/07/15 12:31:40 reef-pi is up and running
Jul 15 12:31:40 reeftank reef-pi[268]: 2019/07/15 12:31:40 Starting http server at: 0.0.0.0:80
Jul 15 12:31:40 reeftank reef-pi[268]: 2019/07/15 12:31:40 ERROR: health checker. Failed to load usage. Error: Item 'health_stats' does not exist in bucket '
Jul 15 12:31:40 reeftank reef-pi[268]: 2019/07/15 12:31:40 Starting health checker

*****************************************************************
Error Log file after pressing "REBOOT"

pi@reeftank:~ $ sudo journalctl -fu reef-pi.service
-- Logs begin at Mon 2019-07-15 12:39:55 AEST. --
Jul 15 12:41:28 reeftank systemd[1]: Started raspberry pi based reef tank controller.
Jul 15 12:41:29 reeftank reef-pi[292]: 2019/07/15 12:41:29 Setting pca9685 frquency: 1500
Jul 15 12:41:29 reeftank reef-pi[292]: 2019/07/15 12:41:29 ERROR: Failed to initialize pca9685 driver with mock i2c bus. Error: remote I/O error
Jul 15 12:41:29 reeftank reef-pi[292]: 2019/07/15 12:41:29 ERROR: Failed to initialize controller. Error:remote I/O error
Jul 15 12:41:29 reeftank systemd[1]: reef-pi.service: Main process exited, code=exited, status=1/FAILURE
Jul 15 12:41:29 reeftank systemd[1]: reef-pi.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
Jul 15 12:44:19 reeftank systemd[1]: reef-pi.service: Service RestartSec=1min 30s expired, scheduling restart.
Jul 15 12:44:19 reeftank systemd[1]: reef-pi.service: Scheduled restart job, restart counter is at 1.
Jul 15 12:44:19 reeftank systemd[1]: Stopped raspberry pi based reef tank controller.
Jul 15 12:44:19 reeftank systemd[1]: Started raspberry pi based reef tank controller.
Jul 15 12:44:19 reeftank reef-pi[599]: 2019/07/15 12:44:19 Setting pca9685 frquency: 1500
Jul 15 12:44:19 reeftank reef-pi[599]: 2019/07/15 12:44:19 ERROR: Failed to initialize pca9685 driver with mock i2c bus. Error: remote I/O error
Jul 15 12:44:19 reeftank reef-pi[599]: 2019/07/15 12:44:19 ERROR: Failed to initialize controller. Error:remote I/O error
Jul 15 12:44:19 reeftank systemd[1]: reef-pi.service: Main process exited, code=exited, status=1/FAILURE
Jul 15 12:44:19 reeftank systemd[1]: reef-pi.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.

Why are you rebooting and not reloading?

 

[Coolhack]

Hey everyone, me again. I just got these bomb leds for my tank and the power supply for them is 48 volts and 5.2amps out, is there a way to control these with reefpi?

 

[Sral]

Hey everyone, me again. I just got these bomb leds for my tank and the power supply for them is 48 volts and 5.2amps out, is there a way to control these with reefpi?

Absolutely, you just need the right power supply and a n-channel MOSFET that can handle a least 48V and 5.2A. So Maybe one with 60V and 10A.

Depending if you want to dimm them, you should also use an Optocoupled Gate driver to switch those MOSFETs with a PWM signal and maybe a DC/DC converter to bring the 48V down to 5V to run the gate-driver and a few capacitors to protect the power supply from the PWM frequency / fats MOSFET switching.

You could also just run the MOSFET Gate directly from the PI or the PCA9685 PWM chip, but I'm paranoid about that so I wouldn't recommend it ^^

BTW, there are also people that keep more to Meanwell LDD drivers (constant current drivers). There are ups and downs to both. I personally opted for MOSFETs for the constant voltage drive in order to not change the LED color with the dimming, downside is, of course, that you need more kit to drive it.

Here is my DIY LED control thread. Still WIP, but I can quickly draw up a circuit for my project to give you some info. Just ask

You can also use the advanced search, just go for "thread Search", enter the DIY Subforum and look for "LED driver".
That gives this thread for example. Might have some info. You can find another few threads linked in my DIY LED control thread.

 

[Coolhack]

Absolutely, you just need the right power supply and a n-channel MOSFET that can handle a least 48V and 5.2A. So Maybe one with 60V and 10A.

Depending if you want to dimm them, you should also use an Optocoupled Gate driver to switch those MOSFETs with a PWM signal and maybe a DC/DC converter to bring the 48V down to 5V to run the gate-driver and a few capacitors to protect the power supply from the PWM frequency / fats MOSFET switching.

You could also just run the MOSFET Gate directly from the PI or the PCA9685 PWM chip, but I'm paranoid about that so I wouldn't recommend it ^^

BTW, there are also people that keep more to Meanwell LDD drivers (constant current drivers). There are ups and downs to both. I personally opted for MOSFETs for the constant voltage drive in order to not change the LED color with the dimming, downside is, of course, that you need more kit to drive it.

Here is my DIY LED control thread. Still WIP, but I can quickly draw up a circuit for my project to give you some info. Just ask

You can also use the advanced search, just go for "thread Search", enter the DIY Subforum and look for "LED driver".
That gives this thread for example. Might have some info. You can find another few threads linked in my DIY LED control thread.

I have the 48 inch reefbreeders photon v2 leds w/o internet control. Can i use the power supply provided? I just opened the light up and see that it is 12 volt based.

 

[Coolhack]

Ok, so i took the light apart and have pictures of the inside. I also made a video as well, see if i can't upload it to.

 

[Coolhack]

See if the video uploads. Is there a way to do this without the nexus app upgrade from Reef Breeders?

 

[Sral]

See if the video uploads. Is there a way to do this without the nexus app upgrade from Reef Breeders?

Sadly the video did not upload. I guess it'seither too big or there is a general block on videos.

So just to be sure: you have a Reefbreeders Photon 48-V2 Pro ? That's the only 48 inch v2 version without wifi I could find on their website.
[Edit]: just read through the text, the pro has a WiFi chip inside, the older v2 does not.

So judging from their website, there is for example an Apex VDM integration Kit. I'm pretty sure that this is only a 0-10V PWM input, so that should definitely be an option to integrate with Reef-Pi. Problem is, of course, that it's quite pricey @100$ ^^

Judging from the fact that this is possible and that there is a installation video, you can probably DIY it as well. You could also try to contact the manufacturer and ask if that's possible, just to be sure (as currently for example, the APex VDM modules are out of stock).

I would recommend starting a separate thread for this project, where we can go over the details.

 

[Sral]

Just for reference, there is a dedicated thread to this ^^

 

[Ranjib]

Sadly the video did not upload. I guess it'seither too big or there is a general block on videos.

So just to be sure: you have a Reefbreeders Photon 48-V2 Pro ? That's the only 48 inch v2 version without wifi I could find on their website.
[Edit]: just read through the text, the pro has a WiFi chip inside, the older v2 does not.

So judging from their website, there is for example an Apex VDM integration Kit. I'm pretty sure that this is only a 0-10V PWM input, so that should definitely be an option to integrate with Reef-Pi. Problem is, of course, that it's quite pricey @100$ ^^

Judging from the fact that this is possible and that there is a installation video, you can probably DIY it as well. You could also try to contact the manufacturer and ask if that's possible, just to be sure (as currently for example, the APex VDM modules are out of stock).

I would recommend starting a separate thread for this project, where we can go over the details.

Use YouTube for video, and link it in your thread. Use the dedicated thread to continue the discussion .

 

[Ranjib]

last week I revisited my dosing setup. For long I wanted the dc pumps to be controllable manually . Both speed and direction. This is useful in initial setup (direction ) and calibration . But rarely required once things are dialed in. The manual off also provides some safety and convenience during maintenance.
here is the new design , with a dc motor controller inside the peristaltic pump housing. This allows direction and speed control without any external input .

Side view

Front view

So far , happy with the outcome . For ato this does not matter since the flow rate (100ml/min) is fairly small , even for pico tanks . But for dosing this can be handy , as I can tune in the speed to match /calibrate a required rate . Direction control is handy too.
I have published the 3D designs in thingiverse if any of you are interested , https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5508550
And here is the controller I’m using in this build , 3$ a piece , https://a.co/d/ejsbYMu

 

[geekengineer]

Its going to be hard to figure out what I missed the last 4 years or so. How is reef-pi doing these days? lol Any new exciting things, hardware, etc. or would that be hard to explain? I also was curious if it would work on an older ras-pi like a rasberry pi B+ 512MB for instance? Since can't hardly get the new ones.

 

[Sral]

Here are a two threads about this:
- Raspberry-pi-Alternatives
- Alternatives to Raspberry Pi Zero for Reef-Pi

In the second one @Ranjib mentioned that any Model B would work, that is every Pi with a 40 Pin header

 

[geekengineer]

Cool thanks for the info.

 

[geekengineer]

I ended up finding I had two Pi Zero W's V1.1 and I found my old Pi B+. Amazon said I bought like 5 total pi B+ over the years I wish I could find them all. I honestly didn't realze I bought that many.

 

[eggi55]

Hallo
ich heiße Heiko und komme aus Deutschland mein Englisch ist nicht gut und arbeite mit einem Übersetzer.
sowas wie reef-pi habe ich schon lange gesucht. ich besitze ein Serra Bio Cube 130.
reef-pi läuft bei mir erstmal zum testen habe mir die Beleuchtung mir powerLEDs gebaut mit je 7 kaltweiß weiß warmweiß und blau für mondlicht habe ich 3. ich lasse die Beleuchtung nicht mit 100% laufen wollte noch Reserve haben. mein Frage ist kann ich über den I2C PWM und Ph laufen lassen?
Schöne Grüße aus Deutschland.

Translation:
Hi
My name is Heiko and I come from Germany, my English is not good and I work with a translator.
I've been looking for something like reef-pi for a long time. I own a Serra Bio Cube 130.
reef-pi is running for me first of all for testing, I built the lighting for myself with powerLEDs, each with 7 cold white, warm white and blue for moonlight, I have 3. I don't let the lighting run at 100% and wanted to have a reserve. my question is can i run pwm and ph over the i2c?
Nice greetings from Germany.

 

[geekengineer]

Mein deutsch ist nicht gut, das macht uns beide aus.

I'm not a ton familiar with what reef-pi supports as I never got a chance to dive into it a ton yet. I believe the raspberry pi has some build in PWM outputs at least the later ones. I don't know how well they work or if you would want to get an external I2C based PWM chip. I usually run the ph circuit over I2C but I use the atlas-scientific module. Others modules might work differently etc. Anyways I am sure Ranjab can tell you more.

I would be curious tho if there is a list somewhere of what reef-pi supports?

 

[geekengineer]

OK I guess it would help to look at the manual. lol That has some drivers listed in there if that helps.

manual

 

[eggi55]

hallo erstmal danke für die antwort ich habe mir auch atlas-scientific module besorgt.ich werde mir das manual mal durchlesen.