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

Fish Fan · Jun 28, 2018

So I did look at the Blue Acro website, and I think you're talking about the pucks. They look interesting for sure, do they work well with ReefPi? What do you need besides the puck to wire them up?

Thank you once again!

-FF

Ranjib · Jun 28, 2018

Fish Fan said:
Ranjib, I'm a noob, so I may not be explaining myself well, but maybe I could just ask this question instead: I want to start a small 6.6 gallon build, and I'm really trying to use it as a way to learn ReefPi; that's a big part of my goal. I'd also like this tank to be as frugal as possible, which I know was always an underlying theme in your ReefPi project. I have everything I need to start the tank, with the exception of a light. I am ideally looking for something inexpensive, and I'd like it to be controlled as easily as possible with ReefPi. Is there a light you could suggest for this tank? Again, just easy going softies, nothing crazy. I am in no way sold on the PAR bulbs (or any lighting). And if I have to, I would go with a Kessil A80 because I'm pretty sure this light "plays nicely" with ReefPi, but ideally I hope to spend a little less on this tank. I hope that makes sense! Anything you could reccomend would be very helpful! For example, how would you personally light a 6.6 gallon tank? Would you just get a Kessil A80, or is there an alternative?

Thank you very, very much for your help!

-FishFan

If you are just getting started, then you can get the ABI bulb for the time being and just turn it on/off with timers using reef-pi. I ran my pico tanks like that for the first 6-8 minths before going with A80s.

Fish Fan · Jun 28, 2018

But the easiest way to get full control, with day/night dimming, would just be to get an A80? If so, I'd rather do that if it's the best option for the future; I could grow more too. Is the Kessil A80 easy to setup and use with ReefPi?

Thanks again!

-FF

philshel · Jun 28, 2018

Ranjib said:
Uln2803 is a sync type ic. So, you just pass the 12 v (wired to gnd of db9 connector), and each output of uln2803 to One data pin of the db9 connector

You don't need to pass a common ground as well?

Ranjib · Jun 28, 2018

Fish Fan said:
So I did look at the Blue Acro website, and I think you're talking about the pucks. They look interesting for sure, do they work well with ReefPi? What do you need besides the puck to wire them up?

Thank you once again!

-FF

yeah. I have never used them, but from what I understand you need a puck, a driver and a power source. Altogether around 60$

Ranjib · Jun 28, 2018

philshel said:
You don't need to pass a common ground as well?

Nope. Thats how I am running it. If you notice how the LEDs are powered with uln2803, it does not require a common ground, in fact you cant have a common ground. Because uln2803 is a sync type driver, it acts as ground.

It took me some time when I got started with these ICs. I cant say that I understand them fully, but overall, i think I wrapped my head around how to build circuits with them

Ranjib · Jun 28, 2018

Fish Fan said:
But the easiest way to get full control, with day/night dimming, would just be to get an A80? If so, I'd rather do that if it's the best option for the future; I could grow more too. Is the Kessil A80 easy to setup and use with ReefPi?

Thanks again!

-FF

Yes.

Des Westcott · Jun 29, 2018

Ranjib said:
You have changed 1.5 to 2.0 beta, this is a major breaking change hence your ato is not working. You have to create an inlet in settings-> connectors (with the same PIN number that u used for ato in 1.5). And then associate that ato with the new inlet. In 2.0 reef-pi support multiple ato, and they are connected to inlet (same as equipment are connected to outlet)

Ignore the pink block on top, it’s a benign ui bug that’s in the beta release, will be gone in next release.
The dashboard loading issue is another known bug , if you click on the other tabs and then come back to the dashboard tab, it will be alright. I have fixed this bug already, and will be released this weekend

Aaaah! OK. I'm trying that as described, but I'm still battling to get the setup to save. I use the "+" down at the bottom of the ATO screen, but when I hit save, nothing updates.

I also don't get the opportunity to add control.

Ranjib · Jun 29, 2018

Des Westcott said:
Aaaah! OK. I'm trying that as described, but I'm still battling to get the setup to save. I use the "+" down at the bottom of the ATO screen, but when I hit save, nothing updates.

I also don't get the opportunity to add control.

That should not happen. Can you share screen shot and logs if possible?
You said when you hit save nothing happens. You should check the logs right during that time. I think for some reason API call is failing. Did you remove the old data base?

Des Westcott · Jun 29, 2018

Ranjib said:
That should not happen. Can you share screen shot and logs if possible?
You said when you hit save nothing happens. You should check the logs right during that time. I think for some reason API call is failing. Did you remove the old data base?

No I didn't remove the old database. How do I do that?

Ranjib · Jun 29, 2018

Des Westcott said:
No I didn't remove the old database. How do I do that?

Warning: you'll reset your reef-pi and have to re-declare everything

Code:

sudo systemctl stop reef-pi.service
sudo mv /var/lib/reef-pi/reef-pi.db .
sudo systemctl start reef-pi.service

Des Westcott · Jun 29, 2018

Ranjib said:
Warning: you'll reset your reef-pi and have to re-declare everything

Code:

sudo systemctl stop reef-pi.service sudo mv /var/lib/reef-pi/reef-pi.db . sudo systemctl start reef-pi.service

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you

I'm giving that a try right now. Sorry for all the silly questions. I'm getting this.... slowly

Des Westcott · Jun 29, 2018

Ranjib said:
Warning: you'll reset your reef-pi and have to re-declare everything

Code:

sudo systemctl stop reef-pi.service sudo mv /var/lib/reef-pi/reef-pi.db . sudo systemctl start reef-pi.service

Now I've screwed the pooch properly. I copied and pasted those commands into putty, now when I try log into Reef-Pi, I just get a blank screen with the pink block and a line underneath - no tabs at all.

Des Westcott · Jun 29, 2018

The same on my iPhone

Ranjib · Jun 29, 2018

What is the output of
sudo systemctl status reef-pi.service

Des Westcott · Jun 29, 2018

Ranjib said:
What is the output of
sudo systemctl status reef-pi.service

I'm doing a full reload from scratch at the moment. I'll let you know how that works out.

Des Westcott · Jun 29, 2018

OK

After much stressing, I managed to reload Raspbian, and reload Reef-Pi.

I tried to go straight to 2.0 beta3, but it gave me the same result - pink box and no tabs to choose from. So I downgraded to 1.5. Now I seem to have a hybrid of 1.5 and 2.0 beta3 in that I have inlets as well as a slightly different dashboard. The good news is that I am up and running again.