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

[Matevz Savarin]

Hi all, first I wanted to put all colors of black box leds to diffrent pwm , but that would need more power supplies, so now I desited to put 2 channels on pwm. I have ordered 3 philzzone boxes. Do I need this:
[4,86€]Voltage To PWM Converter Module 0-5V 0-10V To 0-100% Module Board from Electronics on banggood.com https://banggood.app.link/0se2YCuDG4
Or regular mosfet relay is ok. I could hook it to analog potenciometer of the lights where voltage goes from 0-10v I think. Any sugestions?

 

[Freccialata]

I haven't so much time to test stuffs, but... 2 temperature sensors successfully tested!!!.
Thank you everyone for the help.

Next step is to setup a ph sensor.
On the adafruit site it's suggested the EZO ph module.
Is it the only module available for reef-pi?

I have a PH-4502C module... is it compatible with the reef-pi system?

 

[crusso1993]

I haven't so much time to test stuffs, but... 2 temperature sensors successfully tested!!!.
Thank you everyone for the help.

Next step is to setup a ph sensor.
On the adafruit site it's suggested the EZO ph module.
Is it the only module available for reef-pi?

I have a PH-4502C module... is it compatible with the reef-pi system?

I believe there are a couple of different modules people have used with the EZO being the most used.

The PH-4502C you have will work. However, I believe the PH-4502C is more designed for use with an Arduino because the Arduino has an onboard analog to digital pin. Technically, you could use it but it would require you also have an external module to make the conversion from analog to digital. Then again, I'm not 100% sure and maybe should have simply kept my mouth shut!

Nevertheless, my friend, @Bigtrout , or someone else will hopefully chime in to advise.

 

[Bigtrout]

I believe there are a couple of different modules people have used with the EZO being the most used.

The PH-4502C you have will work. However, I believe the PH-4502C is more designed for use with an Arduino because the Arduino has an onboard analog to digital pin. Technically, you could use it but it would require you also have an external module to make the conversion from analog to digital. Then again, I'm not 100% sure and maybe should have simply kept my mouth shut!

Nevertheless, my friend, @Bigtrout , or someone else will hopefully chime in to advise.

It could technically be used but you would have to code an arduino in between or run thru an ADC. But this may prove difficult because the code would have to be compatible with the reef pi ph driver. Or you would have to write ypur own driver.
It would be much easier to get a compatible ph board. Reef pi can use one of three boards.
1. The EZO board
2. The reef-pi ph board designed by @Roberto_b
3. The ph board that is a redesign of the roberto_b board using easier and cheaper to get parts. @Michael Lane did the redesign and sells them on his tindie site

Isolated pH Probe Interface for reef-pi by ML Reefkeeping on Tindie

Read pH over I2C with Arduino or Raspberry Pi

www.tindie.com

 

[Freccialata]

1. The EZO board
2. The reef-pi ph board designed by @Roberto_b
3. The ph board that is a redesign of the roberto_b board using easier and cheaper to get parts. @Michael Lane did the redesign and sells them on his tindie site

Isolated pH Probe Interface for reef-pi by ML Reefkeeping on Tindie

Read pH over I2C with Arduino or Raspberry Pi

www.tindie.com

I live in Rome (Italy), so it is a little bit "complicated" to buy object from USA (shipping and txes costs)... I need to buy something that is easy to buy in Europe.

For example, I wish to buy the HS 300 power strip... but it will cost $ 79,89 + $ 17,36 (shipping cost) + 25,41$ (import taxes)... + 6 internation plugs to convert in EU plugs.

I will have a look on ebay.

Thank you for your suggestions.

 

[Simonv92]

@Ranjib first of all thank you for this amazing project! I'm building my own controller, I have a couple of question:
there's a way to run the ATO pump for n seconds and after that the system goes into a "failsafe" status? I'm trying with the alert but something doesn't work in right way. The first time I have the right trigger but after that I cannot make it work again.
Second question is about setting up the email alert. I've created a dedidacted gmail address to send email from reef-pi, generated the application password but I cannot send the test email... What I'm doing wrong?
Thank you very much!
Best regards
Simone

 

[robsworld78]

Hi all, first I wanted to put all colors of black box leds to diffrent pwm , but that would need more power supplies, so now I desited to put 2 channels on pwm. I have ordered 3 philzzone boxes. Do I need this:
[4,86€]Voltage To PWM Converter Module 0-5V 0-10V To 0-100% Module Board from Electronics on banggood.com https://banggood.app.link/0se2YCuDG4
Or regular mosfet relay is ok. I could hook it to analog potenciometer of the lights where voltage goes from 0-10v I think. Any sugestions?

What is a philzzone?

 

[robsworld78]

It could technically be used but you would have to code an arduino in between or run thru an ADC. But this may prove difficult because the code would have to be compatible with the reef pi ph driver. Or you would have to write ypur own driver.
It would be much easier to get a compatible ph board. Reef pi can use one of three boards.
1. The EZO board
2. The reef-pi ph board designed by @Roberto_b
3. The ph board that is a redesign of the roberto_b board using easier and cheaper to get parts. @Michael Lane did the redesign and sells them on his tindie site

Isolated pH Probe Interface for reef-pi by ML Reefkeeping on Tindie

Read pH over I2C with Arduino or Raspberry Pi

www.tindie.com

Don't forget there's a 4th option now lol.

 

[Bigtrout]

Don't forget there's a 4th option now lol.

Yes...i apologize for that I forgot that you have ph options too.
When someone goes to the work of making a board to make all our reef pi lives easier I try to promote it a bit. I need to add you to my mention list. Especially when you are.making a great viable alternative to the ADJ power board.

 

[robsworld78]

Yes...i apologize for that I forgot that you have ph options too.
When someone goes to the work of making a board to make all our reef pi lives easier I try to promote it a bit. I need to add you to my mention list. Especially when you are.making a great viable alternative to the ADJ power board.

Oh no need to apologize, I just had to through that in there. @Michael Lane should be first, he's done a lot more than I have.

 

[b1llvance]

Hi everyone. I'm trying to plan my reefpi build and would like a little help if possible. First thing to note is I've never worked with wiring or electronics other than to build a dimmable led array for a DIY turf scrubber.
I have a 93 gallon cube plumbed to a 100 gollon trough sump. My lights are Corona (poor name choice at the current time) leds and have their own app that I'm actually really happy with so I don't need to worry about controlling them. Also my heaters are on a rainbird, so heater control isn't an issue other than temp as a notification and fail safe to shut the rainbird off if it failed on.
Here's what I would like to be able to control:
-2 jebao cp 120 gyres- I'd like to be able to ramp these up and down
-jebao dcq3500 return pump... I really like to be able to slow this one down as well but isn't a deal breaker
-High water level sensor for shutting down the return pump in the event that the overflow clogged
-ATO
-Dosing, which I have the jebao 3 head doing pump but it isn't the slave unit, its the programmable one
-Ph monitoring
-Multiple other on/off outlets.
I purchased Mike's hat with the led status lights on it a couple months ago, and have a Pi3b+. I know I still need to buy a Ph board and was thinking of buying the wireless controlled outlet strip to make that wiring part easier, and I can 3d print the project box.
I'm guess I'm just not sure where to start and what connectors to buy for things like jebao and how to connect them to the hat.
Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

[Ranjib]

Just realized that this is my 1,000th post and thought it fitting that it should be here in this monster 14,000 post thread!

Cheers for the 1000 more to come. we are so lucky to have you with us , in this thread. You are one of our gurdian angel

 

[Ranjib]

I haven't so much time to test stuffs, but... 2 temperature sensors successfully tested!!!.
Thank you everyone for the help.

Next step is to setup a ph sensor.
On the adafruit site it's suggested the EZO ph module.
Is it the only module available for reef-pi?

I have a PH-4502C module... is it compatible with the reef-pi system?

I dont know about the ph-4592c module, it unlikely to work with reef-pi. The opensource reef-pi ph module , designed by @Roberto_b is the cheapest option. @Michael Lane sells it in his tindie store. There might be couple others who is producing it. The standalone ph module is cheapest if you are planning to add to an existing build.

 

[Ranjib]

I live in Rome (Italy), so it is a little bit "complicated" to buy object from USA (shipping and txes costs)... I need to buy something that is easy to buy in Europe.

For example, I wish to buy the HS 300 power strip... but it will cost $ 79,89 + $ 17,36 (shipping cost) + 25,41$ (import taxes)... + 6 internation plugs to convert in EU plugs.

I will have a look on ebay.

Thank you for your suggestions.

We need to find some one one the EU side who can build it. Or at least get it manufactured in bulk from other place and resell locally. Its some work, but not impossible.

 

[Ranjib]

Hi everyone. I'm trying to plan my reefpi build and would like a little help if possible. First thing to note is I've never worked with wiring or electronics other than to build a dimmable led array for a DIY turf scrubber.
I have a 93 gallon cube plumbed to a 100 gollon trough sump. My lights are Corona (poor name choice at the current time) leds and have their own app that I'm actually really happy with so I don't need to worry about controlling them. Also my heaters are on a rainbird, so heater control isn't an issue other than temp as a notification and fail safe to shut the rainbird off if it failed on.
Here's what I would like to be able to control:
-2 jebao cp 120 gyres- I'd like to be able to ramp these up and down
-jebao dcq3500 return pump... I really like to be able to slow this one down as well but isn't a deal breaker
-High water level sensor for shutting down the return pump in the event that the overflow clogged
-ATO
-Dosing, which I have the jebao 3 head doing pump but it isn't the slave unit, its the programmable one
-Ph monitoring
-Multiple other on/off outlets.
I purchased Mike's hat with the led status lights on it a couple months ago, and have a Pi3b+. I know I still need to buy a Ph board and was thinking of buying the wireless controlled outlet strip to make that wiring part easier, and I can 3d print the project box.
I'm guess I'm just not sure where to start and what connectors to buy for things like jebao and how to connect them to the hat.
Any suggestions would be welcome.

Take small baby step and have measured expectations. Start with ATP module first, and then make ph monitor followed by doser. Though its not in your list, i think you should get a power controller going with smart plugs or smart strip. They are easy and gives you a first useful thing.

 

[Ranjib]

Take small baby step and have measured expectations. Start with ATP module first, and then make ph monitor followed by doser. Though its not in your list, i think you should get a power controller going with smart plugs or smart strip. They are easy and gives you a first useful thing.

Wave maker electronics are not yet sorted. Because most of them ships with their own controller and very few allows external control, we have been mostly delayes the support for the wavemaker. With 3.0 we shipped pwm profiles that will make things easy, and probably from software side we have the bare minimal things, but the electronics needs to be sorted out. My gut feeling is we can take the pwm output from pca9685 or pi and then use a BLDC/BEMF controller for 24V (drok has one) and then test some pumps (mp10s, gyres etc).

 

[Ranjib]

I live in Rome (Italy), so it is a little bit "complicated" to buy object from USA (shipping and txes costs)... I need to buy something that is easy to buy in Europe.

For example, I wish to buy the HS 300 power strip... but it will cost $ 79,89 + $ 17,36 (shipping cost) + 25,41$ (import taxes)... + 6 internation plugs to convert in EU plugs.

I will have a look on ebay.

Thank you for your suggestions.

how about this: https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/smart-plug/hs100/ ?

 

[Ranjib]

@Ranjib first of all thank you for this amazing project! I'm building my own controller, I have a couple of question:
there's a way to run the ATO pump for n seconds and after that the system goes into a "failsafe" status? I'm trying with the alert but something doesn't work in right way. The first time I have the right trigger but after that I cannot make it work again.
Second question is about setting up the email alert. I've created a dedidacted gmail address to send email from reef-pi, generated the application password but I cannot send the test email... What I'm doing wrong?
Thank you very much!
Best regards
Simone

Theres an ATO max usage failsafe setting, that will disable ato if the pump usage goes above a certain value in an hour

 

[Ranjib]

Don't forget there's a 4th option now lol.

You have standalone ph board?

 

[Matevz Savarin]

I live in Rome (Italy), so it is a little bit "complicated" to buy object from USA (shipping and txes costs)... I need to buy something that is easy to buy in Europe.

For example, I wish to buy the HS 300 power strip... but it will cost $ 79,89 + $ 17,36 (shipping cost) + 25,41$ (import taxes)... + 6 internation plugs to convert in EU plugs.

I will have a look on ebay.

Thank you for your suggestions.

I live in Slovenia, I have both ph boards, for arduino one you need converter, for ph bord from Roberto its plug and play, buy that one on tindie. Shipping is not so much. I paid 15$, but board is 45$., compared to 15$ board for arduino is expensive.., but it works..