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

[denierlexiese]

Great thank you!!! @Ranjib Do you know of a good way to put min / max straight lines on the adafruit graphs? I'm thinking of just curl posting a static value to two new feeds at the checkInterval. It also looks like to get email notifications of Out of Spec [below / above min /max] I will have to create a IFTTT account. Is that true?

 

[Ranjib]

Great thank you!!! @Ranjib Do you know of a good way to put min / max straight lines on the adafruit graphs? I'm thinking of just curl posting a static value to two new feeds at the checkInterval. It also looks like to get email notifications of Out of Spec [below / above min /max] I will have to create a IFTTT account. Is that true?

Yeah, I didnt find a way to do that . You can send alerts from adafruit.io if the values are off beyond a threshold. But I would test it before relying on it.
There are bunch of other free charting services for IoT devices, like freeboard that we can use, something I might explore later. Same goes for alerting, dweet.io.
I have actually tried out twilio API also, so if need be I can implement a direct call/sms from reef-pi controller ... I was not sure if this is something that will interest everyone or not...

 

[denierlexiese]

I couldn't get the built in adafruit triggers to work, to email me. I found some forum references that adafruit shut them down, but it seemed inconclusive.

 

[Aaron Smith]

@Ranjib Do you have a recommended float switch for the ato and a recommended relay [I believe I will go with an 8 channel]? Solid state or electromechanical?

Here is a link to the float switches I use for my ato 12v solenoid valve. I also use this for my ato resevoir low water signal.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HLPGJTC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[denierlexiese]

Thank you. I just bought the 6 pack of float switches now. I can't tell whether I will need a resistor in the circuit for the noise. Do you have any ideas? It looks like I will be building my own lexan or acrylic mounts as they appear expensive on ebay / amazon.

I also bought the solid state 8 channel relay that Ranjib recommended

I wonder if we could rig up a leak detector too. They appear to be very expensive for any wifi version.


I wonder if I could cut the cord on this one, would I be able to read the signal through a rasberry pi somehow?
https://www.amazon.com/Glentronics-...TF8&qid=1501537933&sr=8-4&keywords=leak+alarm

 

[njtiger aquariums]

Here is a link to the float switches I use for my ato 12v solenoid valve. I also use this for my ato resevoir low water signal.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HLPGJTC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I need to start looking into adding float switch to my pi cause my ato isn't cutting it right now. Will need to check these out. Do you mind sharing your wiring diagram?

 

[Aaron Smith]

I need to start looking into adding float switch to my pi cause my ato isn't cutting it right now. Will need to check these out. Do you mind sharing your wiring diagram?

My ato is not wired to reef-pi. I am running a gravity feed system through a 12v solenoid valve that is powered through a low float in series with a high float. I also have another float in my ato water jug that sends a closed signal to my apex to send out an alert. Currently only running reef-pi for my lighting.

 

[njtiger aquariums]

My ato is not wired to reef-pi. I am running a gravity feed system through a 12v solenoid valve that is powered through a low float in series with a high float. I also have another float in my ato water jug that sends a closed signal to my apex to send out an alert. Currently only running reef-pi for my lighting.

ok gotcha thanks

 

[HM3105]

Hi all, got my Pi 3 up and running (and Reef-pi does work on Pi B+ but that whole thing is super slow). I was wondering if I could get a basic walk through on how to set up an outlet in Reef-pi.

I know from an earlier post I need to set up a board first, just wanted to ask if the Pin on the board = the GPIO pins on the Pi?

 

[Ranjib]

I need to start looking into adding float switch to my pi cause my ato isn't cutting it right now. Will need to check these out. Do you mind sharing your wiring diagram?

You can hook up float switch straight with any GPIO. Connect the other end with a 3.3 v output (pi itself has one). You can add a 1K resistor for safety. Read the GPIO as input. Thats all I had to do when I tested reef-pi with float switch.
I dont think we have float switch support in reef-pi as of now, I had punt on the idea in lieu of photo electric sensor. I was worried about salt creep impacting float switch. But if theres enough interest, I dont see why not add the support for it, given its trivial and very popular in the hobby ... and the logic is fairly similar to photo sensor , so not really any additional coding is required...

 

[Ranjib]

Hi all, got my Pi 3 up and running (and Reef-pi does work on Pi B+ but that whole thing is super slow). I was wondering if I could get a basic walk through on how to set up an outlet in Reef-pi.

I know from an earlier post I need to set up a board first, just wanted to ask if the Pin on the board = the GPIO pins on the Pi?

I was just working on writing up the powerstrip guide, can you explain a little bit more about your setup or what you are trying to accomplish? I can then provide the step by step guide & wiring diagram.

 

[Ranjib]

My ato is not wired to reef-pi. I am running a gravity feed system through a 12v solenoid valve that is powered through a low float in series with a high float. I also have another float in my ato water jug that sends a closed signal to my apex to send out an alert. Currently only running reef-pi for my lighting.

I was wondering about the exact same thing, reef-pi does not have any explicit support for float switch, specially the version aaron is using, predates ATO , i think. I recently added ATO code. I have done the initial testing based on photo electric sensor, but float switch should work as well, without any changes..

 

[Aaron Smith]

I was wondering about the exact same thing, reef-pi does not have any explicit support for float switch, specially the version aaron is using, predates ATO , i think. I recently added ATO code. I have done the initial testing based on photo electric sensor, but float switch should work as well, without any changes..

I didn't want to run yet another pump, plus the fact that I am running a sump makes the gravity feed attractive. Here is the 12v valve

And water tanks

 

[Ranjib]

I didn't want to run yet another pump, plus the fact that I am running a sump makes the gravity feed attractive. Here is the 12v valve

And water tanks

Sweet setup you got there , DIY for the win

 

[Aaron Smith]

The left tank is ro/di. The right is salt mix if the specific gravity gets out of wack![emoji2]. I just shut one or the other off based on the need.

 

[Ranjib]

The left tank is ro/di. The right is salt mix if the specific gravity gets out of wack![emoji2]. I just shut one or the other off based on the need.

Nice... I was looking at the Condutivity board + probe.. which in turn can be used to measure salinity, its pretty similar to the ph probe/circuit. Yesterday, one of the local reefer got the ezo (ph probe) code working , so we might have that support in reef-pi soon
I just find the price point a big bummer :-(

 

[Ranjib]

Found a water sensor that can be used for building affordable leak detectors,
https://ha.privateeyepi.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=102

 

[Aaron Smith]

Nice... I was looking at the Condutivity board + probe.. which in turn can be used to measure salinity, its pretty similar to the ph probe/circuit. Yesterday, one of the local reefer got the ezo (ph probe) code working , so we might have that support in reef-pi soon
I just find the price point a big bummer :-(

Yes price is expensive. Conductivity measurement to control an ato valve could help keep SG in check. If parameters were in check ato would fill with ro/di. If parameters are out of spec, reef-pi could top with salt mix.

 

[Aaron Smith]

Found a water sensor that can be used for building affordable leak detectors,
https://ha.privateeyepi.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=102

Nice find! I am using a simple 2wire one off eBay. I think mine was like 15 bucks!

 

[HM3105]

I was just working on writing up the powerstrip guide, can you explain a little bit more about your setup or what you are trying to accomplish? I can then provide the step by step guide & wiring diagram.

Sure, my first goal is simply to set up 8 outlets and use Reef-pi to control them instead of timers. I already have a 6 relay board and a 2 relay board both of which are the sainsmart brand.

My ultimate goal is to replace the 2 DJ powerstrips I have now with Reef Pi, the DJ strips don't work very well for plugging in wall warts. =/

Also, is there somewhere we're all keeping the write-ups? I'd like to contribute if that would be helpful. Having followed the instructions in this thread there were a couple of things I Googled to figure out and since they're fresh on my mind I'd be happy to add them to the existing documentation.