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

[Ranjib]

In term of events, it can be either water level sensor, or leak detectors, or mechanical switches (like door switch).. pretty much anything that gives a digital (aka boolean, on/off) style input

 

[cheeseclock]

there are total 22 GPIOs we can use. Each outlet or inlet (like ato sensor) requires one. So, if you are just sensing water level, you can go max at 22 water level sensors, but then you dont have any GPIO to control outlets.
I think a common scenario will be to use 8-12 outlets, 2-4 water level sensors, 3-4 temperature sensor.

If I can address I/O expansion, will Reef-Pi use it?

 

[Ranjib]

Not right now. We have to add code to let reef-pi use the expander ic (like mcp2307) , also add the ability to specify that this pin belongs to expansion ic, not gpio etc etc

 

[cheeseclock]

Not right now. We have to add code to let reef-pi use the expander ic (like mcp2307) , also add the ability to specify that this pin belongs to expansion ic, not gpio etc etc

Understood. To be honest, it already does a lot. I was simply contemplating controlling multiple aquariums from the same unit.

 

[James Golden]

I know this might be asking a lot of Ranjib, but what about the MCP23017? 16 inputs or output over i2c, I have to see it before with the pi and it worked rather well. This would open up the reef pi to almost unlimited output and inputs!

 

[cheeseclock]

I know this might be asking a lot of Ranjib, but what about the MCP23017? 16 inputs or output over i2c, I have to see it before with the pi and it worked rather well. This would open up the reef pi to almost unlimited output and inputs!

That's what I bought! Well, two of them on a board.

I've started on the power supply for mine.

 

[cheeseclock]

Double post.

 

[James Golden]

@cheeseclock where did you get that board from?

 

[cheeseclock]

@cheeseclock where did you get that board from?

Raspberry Pi HAT - 32 I/O Port Expander - MCP23017 - I2C - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYD2QTP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Ypv0Ab7SA5KDB

 

[cheeseclock]

I forgot to add these.

 

[Ranjib]

Just merged multiple ATO support. So, thats gonna be there in 1.6 release. Next is support for multiple temperature sensors. But I want to focus on finishing off the ph monitoring build first. The code and prototype electronics was done a month back, but I didnt get time to finalize the build. Last night my probe holder arrived and the ato code is also done . Pics for ph monitor build coming soon. This will be exciting , ph and doser is couple features slated for 2.0 release that should ease sps growers. Me being one of them

 

[James Golden]

A few questions @Ranjib, have half of the system on the tank(4 outlets ) with the temp probe and ago sensor. So far everything is great! The temp sensor and heater control is working great! Ato, I am having issues with. It’s nothing bad but it is backwards from what you logic wants. Not 100 % sure but when it is submerged relay come on. Out of the water relay is off. I could re-wire the relay to the opposite state but would prefer to keep the relay on the NO state in case power to board fails to shut it off. Also on the temp screen, is there a way to set the default range? I have the min and max set to 77 and 79 and the current temp is always at the very bottom of the scrolling graphs

Thanks

 

[jcmental]

Just merged multiple ATO support. So, thats gonna be there in 1.6 release. Next is support for multiple temperature sensors. But I want to focus on finishing off the ph monitoring build first. The code and prototype electronics was done a month back, but I didnt get time to finalize the build. Last night my probe holder arrived and the ato code is also done . Pics for ph monitor build coming soon. This will be exciting , ph and doser is couple features slated for 2.0 release that should ease sps growers. Me being one of them

I've got a question.
I dont have a sump on my tank, but want to fit an optical level sensor to see the water level in the tank, my problem is that I use wave makers to the water surface is never still but the level does drop. is there away of something this wave action using some sore of delay from the switch output so it wont try to top up the water because it seeing the wave?

 

[Erica-Renee]

A few questions @Ranjib, have half of the system on the tank(4 outlets ) with the temp probe and ago sensor. So far everything is great! The temp sensor and heater control is working great! Ato, I am having issues with. It’s nothing bad but it is backwards from what you logic wants. Not 100 % sure but when it is submerged relay come on. Out of the water relay is off. I could re-wire the relay to the opposite state but would prefer to keep the relay on the NO state in case power to board fails to shut it off. Also on the temp screen, is there a way to set the default range? I have the min and max set to 77 and 79 and the current temp is always at the very bottom of the scrolling graphs

Thanks

I can help you with a fix for the temp graphs... The graph will show the whole range of the probe...
1 Hold the probe tight in your hand and let the temp go up to say 85 ...
once it reacts then put the probe in ice water and let it drop to say 60 . This will be its new range. I also have my relays on the normally open side . but will switch the heater to the other side.. If the relay dies or pi shuts down unless you have redundancy the heater will stay ON ...

I am only running my reef-pi when i am home right now.. its not in permanent housing and not complete yet..

Good Luck

 

[Erica-Renee]

I've got a question.
I dont have a sump on my tank, but want to fit an optical level sensor to see the water level in the tank, my problem is that I use wave makers to the water surface is never still but the level does drop. is there away of something this wave action using some sore of delay from the switch output so it wont try to top up the water because it seeing the wave?

I think unless you have a huge tank where you can put the sensor in a place with no wave and behind some type of wave breaker you cant do this..
My other thought is maybe putting the wave makers on a timer..

Shut down or put wave makers in a sleep state at 12.oo
Start ato sensor and 12.10 Leaving it on enough time to run its cycle and top off the tank .
restart wave pump or take out of sleep state.... Depending on your wave pumps you might be above to do this with equipment and timers..

there would need to be timers built into the ato for this to work i suspect maybe some logic to get the two talking to each other . taking turns working

 

[jcmental]

I think unless you have a huge tank where you can put the sensor in a place with no wave and behind some type of wave breaker you cant do this..
My other thought is maybe putting the wave makers on a timer..

Shut down or put wave makers in a sleep state at 12.oo
Start ato sensor and 12.10 Leaving it on enough time to run its cycle and top off the tank .
restart wave pump or take out of sleep state.... Depending on your wave pumps you might be above to do this with equipment and timers..

there would need to be timers built into the ato for this to work i suspect maybe some logic to get the two talking to each other . taking turns working

Awesome do it! do it now! LOL
Yes I did think about this idea, I was going to wait until you integrated a PWM control for wave makers into the reef pi program. I could set my wave makes to turn off using the power bar, but when they start up again they don't start in master and slave so would just be randomly pushing water around.
The other way I was thinking of doing it was to use the 0-10v of one of the spare light outputs and just run a dosing pump during the night setting it so it only ran long enough and fast enough to put in 3 ltrs of RO water. thats what I seam to have to top up most days. A bit crude but at least it would be automated.

 

[James Golden]

Then put probe in it. Might help

 

[Ranjib]

Then put probe in it. Might help

So much better

 

[Marc Kruithof]

Hi, Back again.
Did not do much due to circumstances, but have my schematics build up and working now.

 

[Ranjib]

Hi, Back again.
Did not do much due to circumstances, but have my schematics build up and working now.

Very nice. You find ribbon cable easier to deal with than directly attaching the pi using female header ? I always by passed the ribbon cables.
None the less, its looking good.
So, you are using triacs instead of relays for AC controls ?