AquaPi - An open-souce Aquarium Controller

[robinm]

Interesting, I've been working on something very similar I wanted to achieve a distributed system that could simple be extended by adding new capable devices. To keep things as open as possible I opted for MQTT as a messaging protocol and Node Red to handle integration of devices and dashboarding. I have a working PH sensor using the EZO ph board and an ESP8266 as the requirements for the PH sensor are minimal. I also wanted a highly accurate peristaltic pump capable of continuous duty. It's ESP32 based with a stepper for accuracy and is currently accurate to 0.05 ml. I haven't gotten around to building a case for it yet but the essentials are there and working. I'll spend some time looking through what you've done as it seems our thinking / requirements are very similar.

 

[TheFalseReality]

Interesting, I've been working on something very similar I wanted to achieve a distributed system that could simple be extended by adding new capable devices. To keep things as open as possible I opted for MQTT as a messaging protocol and Node Red to handle integration of devices and dashboarding. I have a working PH sensor using the EZO ph board and an ESP8266 as the requirements for the PH sensor are minimal. I also wanted a highly accurate peristaltic pump capable of continuous duty. It's ESP32 based with a stepper for accuracy and is currently accurate to 0.05 ml. I haven't gotten around to building a case for it yet but the essentials are there and working. I'll spend some time looking through what you've done as it seems our thinking / requirements are very similar.

look into Atlas Scientific peristaltic pump. Using EZO board and commands. I added the code to my AquaPi project and been using two for daily water changes. Using ESPHome for communication with Home Assistant, but can use the web server as well. Also using blueprints for easy programming for users.
Let me know what you think!

 

[Lukes Saltwater Tank]

This is really cool, I have just finished making my own conversion for my Evergrow Reef Led and one thing that was always sort of obvious is that reef-pi looks very dated and isnt that user friendly.
I made sure to document everything this time so if anyone wants to copy me its all well documented on video, Done projects before and then forgot exactly how I did things months after and thats annoying!

Would it be able to comunicate via i2c to a PCA9685 board to create the PWM signals for each channel of the light?
Is this server based? meaning can i use the app when im out and about to check on the tank or do i need to be connected localy to the same network?

Here is a link to what ive just finished, would be cool to see if the same could be done with your hardware!

 

[TheFalseReality]

This is really cool, I have just finished making my own conversion for my Evergrow Reef Led and one thing that was always sort of obvious is that reef-pi looks very dated and isnt that user friendly.
I made sure to document everything this time so if anyone wants to copy me its all well documented on video, Done projects before and then forgot exactly how I did things months after and thats annoying!

Would it be able to comunicate via i2c to a PCA9685 board to create the PWM signals for each channel of the light?
Is this server based? meaning can i use the app when im out and about to check on the tank or do i need to be connected localy to the same network?

Here is a link to what ive just finished, would be cool to see if the same could be done with your hardware!

Neat! I'll take a look. If the AquaPi is paired with Home Assistant (HA), it can be accessed remotely if the HA instance is set up for https, via HA cloud (easy) or DuckDNS (advanced). AquaPi uses ESPHome api to communicate with HA, but could also be used via MQTT (which I don't currently have setup since the api is better). It communicated with the probes via I2C. The RGB LED via I2C, I just haven't yet purchased it to start testing. I think I finished my testing phase for the pumps, so I want to get this started asap, which may end up using the pumps as well to pull samples, not sure yet how to implement....
For actual aquarium lights, each brand has their own api and app, and I just find it easier to use whatever they use, I don't think I'll be able to get into an api to control aquarium lights via HA, but that would be amazing! I seen some people do it with Aqua Illumination lights but it stalled.

 

[TheFalseReality]

This is really cool, I have just finished making my own conversion for my Evergrow Reef Led and one thing that was always sort of obvious is that reef-pi looks very dated and isnt that user friendly.
I made sure to document everything this time so if anyone wants to copy me its all well documented on video, Done projects before and then forgot exactly how I did things months after and thats annoying!

Would it be able to comunicate via i2c to a PCA9685 board to create the PWM signals for each channel of the light?
Is this server based? meaning can i use the app when im out and about to check on the tank or do i need to be connected localy to the same network?

Here is a link to what ive just finished, would be cool to see if the same could be done with your hardware!

I like what you did in the video! Very advance stuff! One of my clients actually have that same light! It would be nice to be able to communicate with some of these lights via the RPi Bluetooth and control them from that, but I do not know how to do that.

 

[Wolfw28]

true, I'm gonna take a look. I also think my next project is to get a RGB 'reader' to be able to auto test parameters and toxins!

AS7341 Spectral Color Sensor​

Been thinking about using something like this for making an automatic water tester.

 

[TheFalseReality]

AS7341 Spectral Color Sensor​

Been thinking about using something like this for making an automatic water tester.

yea, i've been looking at the Apex Trident to see how it actually works. i wanna make something like it but more

 

[yury88]

Hi, yesterday I tried to dig into HA first time. I'm thinking to switch from reef-pi(RIP).
I was able to setup it, but as I understand I installed just "core" version that are luck of a lot of feature and kinda useless.
I saw option to install OS, but it's looks kinda harsh, I don't want to totally sacrifice my raspberry pi just to run one application. I have other stuff to run on it like github builder etc.

Can someone explain - is it ok to run HA in kvm/proxmox aarch64 virtual machine to get all benefits of platform?

 

[TheFalseReality]

Hi, yesterday I tried to dig into HA first time. I'm thinking to switch from reef-pi(RIP).
I was able to setup it, but as I understand I installed just "core" version that are luck of a lot of feature and kinda useless.
I saw option to install OS, but it's looks kinda harsh, I don't want to totally sacrifice my raspberry pi just to run one application. I have other stuff to run on it like github builder etc.

Can someone explain - is it ok to run HA in kvm/proxmox aarch64 virtual machine to get all benefits of platform?

Use OS if you can, recommend to have it on an RPi 4 or above. There are a lot of 'Add-ons' you can use, essentially just docker containers. Or if you have another computer, set up a VM, it can be a little tricky to get going though, OS is the best option.

 

[yury88]

Use OS if you can, recommend to have it on an RPi 4 or above. There are a lot of 'Add-ons' you can use, essentially just docker containers. Or if you have another computer, set up a VM, it can be a little tricky to get going though, OS is the best option.

I dont like idea to install it on raspberry pi host. Raspberry can run other stuff same time, but HA OS is very limited OS.

I tried VMware x86 VM today. Looks fully functional for me. All features like add-on etc available.
I will try to install arm64 VM on raspberry on weekend, hope it will work fine.

 

[TheFalseReality]

I dont like idea to install it on raspberry pi host. Raspberry can run other stuff same time, but HA OS is very limited OS.

I tried VMware x86 VM today. Looks fully functional for me. All features like add-on etc available.
I will try to install arm64 VM on raspberry on weekend, hope it will work fine.

I've used VM once, had a lot more fixable issues that I'd like, plus the performance was about the same, plus I had a few extra RPis sitting around, so I went back to using one just for HA, and I use my extra AMD PC for docker containers, and to offload my NVR for my cameras to feed back in HA.

 

[TheFalseReality]

This is my device all set up on my Marine tank. I have it on a mount that I could attach to a wall via screws, or I can hang it on my sump with a small attachment. The wires come out at top, with 4 openable 'ports' on the side and bottom. I attached my pumps to the bottom. I can attach more accessories to the sides as I expand on it! Love how this can be veritable and modular. Next addition is an ORP probe then a Dissolved Oxygen probe. Starting with the ORP probe as it is much more affordable.

It currently supports and monitors Temperature, Water Level, pH, Salinity, 2 Peristaltic Pumps, 2 additional custom optical (IR) sensors for skimmer container and RO reservoir water levels, and another custom float switch. The custom sensors and switch is wired directly to the optional AUX ports I added to the PCB for custom expansions.

 

[Moder10]

with which sensor you read PO4 NO3 and other parameters

 

[TheFalseReality]

with which sensor you read PO4 NO3 and other parameters

Those are just input_number helpers created to record the reading from a test kit. I want to make something but its complicated, plus Apex and Maven created something good at a decent cost so I haven't explored making my own.

 

[tuananh7193]

Awesome @TheFalseReality! Snap!

I've been using HA and esphome for around 4 years.

Still only scratching the surface of what's possible.

I agree that this solution is potentially more powerful than the orange and grey gear, way more extensible, and affordable.

A neat pattern is to share the framework freely but with the option of commercialising hardware solutions for those people that don't want to put the hardware solutions together.

Your solution looks really good.

I see the key as documenting the hardware options and esphome yaml so users can just copy templates and no need for soldering esp32 pins.

Here is a dashboard (Lovelace) of what I've been running for the last few years:

Same Home Assistant dashboard on mobile:

Switches:
In Australia, Tuya based devices are pervasive and relatively cheap. Yes, ziggbee, zwave, thread/matter is preferable but Bunnings (our Walmart) sells mainly Tuya wifi. I also use Kasa/tp-link power boards. For smart plugs and power boards I use the localtuya and tp-link integrations.

Sensors:
Apart from those sensors exposed through integrations, the key sensors are all esp32 based boards with plug in sensors and running esphome. My current sensors include:

• Water Level
  • I've experimented with optical, thin film pressure, infra red, and ultrasonic sensors.
  • For reliably measuring level of a liquid in a container in the range of around 10mm-500mm I've found ultrasonic to be the best solution. Use case example is level in the sump or RODI top off.
  • For other use cases, optical binary sensors may be the choice
  • For measuring the volume of small containers (e.g. dosing containers) thin pressure sensors
• Temperature
  • These are super cheap and reliable. You can use two wire thermistor or three wire probes using the dallas esphome platform.
  • I typically run one in the return and one where the chiller returns so you can see the difference and active cooling/heating cycles
• pH
  • There are plenty of cheap and middle range pH probes that will integrate. Calibration is reasonable straight forward.
  • I have two installed to identify drift and when to calibrate.
  • I don't have a calcium reactor but should do with the cost of 3 part. pH probe and Home Assistant automation ideal for pegging co2 to pH.
• Conductivity
  • I'm yet to find a perfect proxy for salinity but conductivity probes definitely demonstrate trend that can create alerts to investigate with a refractometer or quality salinity kit.
• CO2/VOC
  • Easy and cheap sensors for CO2 and volatile organic compounds. Definitely shows trends for airflow and more VOC when plastic components are heated.
• Flow
  • Can use wheel or Hall Effect sensors. I've not found anything for reasonable price for above 3/4" tube.
• Current draw
  • These are super useful. Try to find power boards or plugs with embedded power meters. If a device stops drawing current it can trigger an automation for alert. I use them on return pumps.
• Water leaks
  • binary sensors to detect water leaks. Cheap Tuya based are available or easy to make a conductivity / resistance based sensor on esp32.

Integrations:

• We have developed an integration to the ReefBot to automatically dashboard any test results and automate dosing based on critical sensor values.
• I have reviewed the fantastic work that @mard and @fendanto have done on MobiusBLE. I have started work on adapting to esphome that will allow wireless control of these devices from anywhere. I have it compiled but it's not finding my Mobius devices. Would appreciate some help in getting this one going and ported to esphome. An MQTT integration may also work but esphome allows easier control from Home Assistant.
• 0-10v integrations via esphome and esp32 boards is pretty straight forward. Both as a controller and device.

Feeding:

• We have developed an automated solution called Yumi for feeding frozen food. It keeps the food as a liquid slurry just above freezing and automates the feeding based on a schedule you define in a Home Assistant calendar. It stirs the slurry just before feeding and transports the food to the tank using a peristaltic pump with larger diameter medical grade tube. This is all controlled wirelessly from anywhere in the world. There is 2L of food in the glass container that lasts me about 4 weeks.
• Yumi also works for coral feeding with chilled aminos or plankton.
• Dry pellet feeders are readily available and integrated to Home Assistant. I use the localtuya to automate dry food feeding from Home Assistant.

Cameras:

• Simple and powerful remote monitoring.
• Suggest anything that provides an RTSP or ONVIF stream. There are Home Assistant integrations for these. I use Tapo.
• Another cheap option is the esp32 boards that come with a tiny camera. They have poor dynamic range but are useful say in a sump to see the skimmer cup.

Automations:
The scope here is endless. Home Assistant has a powerful automation engine. You could use node-red as well or instead, but Home Assistant is plenty powerful. Some example automations I use include:

• Auto top off for RODI
• Auto water changes (I do 10l per day)
• Auto dosing
• Alerts:
  • Connectivity
  • Power
  • Power consumption abnormality
  • Sensor values out of range (e.g. temp, ph, conductivity, levels, flow)
• Feeding frozen and pellets
• Scheduled maintenance reminders
• Scenes (e.g. feed)
• ...

Keen to collaborate.

Amazing, can you show me its hardware? All DIY! Can you guide people how to do it? I don't know how much you spent on it?

 

[TheFalseReality]

Amazing, can you show me its hardware? All DIY! Can you guide people how to do it? I don't know how much you spent on it?

I sell the hardware and just the board itself. I actually sold one board already to someone from here I think! Anyway, take look at the GitHub for more details. There is also a store link there.

AquaPi for ESPHome

Powered by HomeAssistant & ESPHome

therealfalsereality.github.io

 

[theatrus]

Love seeing more things in the Home Assistant / ESPHome camp!

 

[TheFalseReality]

I got an ORP circuit and sensor added to the system! Dissolved Oxygen is next, should be easy once I got it. I also added some esp32 Cameras! I think I will call them AquaPi SnapCam.

 

[tuananh7193]

I saw the product on your website if full options would cost 1200 USD

 

[theatrus]

I saw the product on your website if full options would cost 1200 USD

While I'm not responsible for pricing, using the EZO circuits is not the most cost efficient method.