Robo-Tank Controller Software - Open Source for DIY Enthusiast

[robsworld78]

Hello, I wanted to share the web app I've been working on for anyone who is interested. It's open source, feel free to modify it or contribute your ideas if you want, the only catch is you can't profit from it, it's for you are your reef buddy's.

The app is built for a Raspberry Pi, it runs on a Pi Zero 2 W, Pi 3 and Pi 4. Currently it's not compatible with the Pi 5 as that requires the latest Bookworm OS and sadly Raspberry Pi made a lot of changes to that. It will load but you can't switch anything on/off as the way it interacts with the GPIO's have changed. At some point I will be digging into this so it works but for now you'll have to use the Legacy Bullseye 32-bit version of the operating system. You can use the Raspberry Pi Imager program to install the OS.

Raspberry Pi OS – Raspberry Pi

From industries large and small, to the kitchen table tinkerer, to the classroom coder, we make computing accessible and affordable for everybody.

www.raspberrypi.com

Here's an install script to install it.

Installing Robo-Tank App​

NOTE: The Raspberry Pi username needs to be the default “pi”

Stable Version 6.6

1. Connected to your Raspberry Pi via SSH
2. Once connected type in the following command and press enter.

sudo wget -c https://www.robo-tank.ca/app/releases/Robo-Tank_v6_6.zip

1. Now type in the following command.

sudo unzip -o Robo-Tank_v6_6.zip -d /boot/

1. Now type in the following command.

sudo bash /boot/robotank/install_robotank.sh

Beta Version 6.7

1. Connected to your Raspberry Pi via SSH
2. Once connected type in the following command and press enter.

sudo wget -c https://www.robo-tank.ca/app/releases/Robo-Tank_v6_7.zip

1. Now type in the following command.

sudo unzip -o Robo-Tank_v6_7.zip -d /boot/

1. Now type in the following command.

sudo bash /boot/robotank/install_robotank.sh

This will start the installation, follow the on screen instructions.

After installing it you can go to "Settings" and then "Configure Ports" screen, at the top you'll see an "Custom" option, select that and you can configure the Pi GPIO's. By default a PCA9685 is enabled so you'll see pins for it, if you don't use you can ignore it.

The app is built on Apache server using MySQL database. The backend is a C++ program running on 4 threads with PHP and the frontend is JavaScript. You can access the database by running phpMyAdmin.

Add /phpmyadmin/ to your Pi IP address like the example below.

http://192.168.1.45/phpm

yadmin

Username = root
Password = robotank

Main Features

• Everything runs in real-time
• Advanced custom rules - Control equipment using up to 2 sensors with and/or logic (water sensors, temp, humidity, pH, flow)
• Dosing pumps with optional stirrer controls
• Full scheduling
• Advanced charts (Temp, humidity, flow, pH, dosing)
• Advanced logs
• pH monitoring and calibration
• Temperature monitoring and calibration, DS18B20 auto detect
• Flow meters
• Light modes
• Emails using SMTP
• Auto update
• Much more

Compatible Sensors and Equipment

• Optical sensor
• Non-contact sensors
• Float switches
• Toggle switches
• Flow meters
• pH
• Conductivity (coming soon)
• AC outlets
• DC accessories
• PCA9685 for PWM or Analog signals
• Anything you can wire up for an Arduino or Raspberry Pi

To connect sensors and equipment you can use the prebuilt controller I have or you can DIY everything. Simply search terms such as "connect DS18B20 to a Raspberry Pi" and you'll find tutorials. If you need AC outlets you can use Arduino relay modules. Anyone who wants to share how they connect things feel free. Happy reefing.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

This looks awesome!

 

[robsworld78]

This looks awesome!

Thanks Daniel

 

[AstroExoticReef]

This looks interesting, Im a devops definitely im going to give a try!!! Thank you for sharing.

 

[robsworld78]

This looks interesting, Im a devops definitely im going to give a try!!! Thank you for sharing.

Sounds good, let me know how it goes.

 

[Brad Cox]

So this will work over my reefpi install? Or is this the replacement for reefpi?

 

[robsworld78]

So this will work over my reefpi install? Or is this the replacement for reefpi?

This is an alternative, I've been slowly working on it for around 5 years. It's not perfect yet but many are using it with no problems while some have experienced various issues. Reef-pi and this can't be installed the same system as they use different web servers. If you want to try, it's best to install on different SD card so you can easily go back to reef-pi if you do don't like it or have issues.

 

[Brad Cox]

This is an alternative, I've been slowly working on it for around 5 years. It's not perfect yet but many are using it with no problems while some have experienced various issues. Reef-pi and this can't be installed the same system as they use different web servers. If you want to try, it's best to install on different SD card so you can easily go back to reef-pi if you do don't like it or have issues.

Nice! So i can use my raspberrypi and everything from reefpi?

It looks like reefpi maybe dieing off. And i like the alert smtp emails!

 

[robsworld78]

Nice! So i can use my raspberrypi and everything from reefpi?

It looks like reefpi maybe dieing off. And i like the alert smtp emails!

Yeah it'll work the same, if you have my controller you can select which version you have to setup the pinouts. If you don't you'll need to install the previous version as there's a problem I caused on the pinout configuration screen on the current version but I'll have an update out in the next few weeks with that fixed.

I like the SMTP as well however it no longer works with Gmail or Outlook email as they discontinued unsecure 3rd party apps from using it. I have to update to OAuth2 to get them working again. Some still work, I use my IONOS smtp email which still works.

 

[Brad Cox]

Yeah it'll work the same, if you have my controller you can select which version you have to setup the pinouts. If you don't you'll need to install the previous version as there's a problem I caused on the pinout configuration screen on the current version but I'll have an update out in the next few weeks with that fixed.

I like the SMTP as well however it no longer works with Gmail or Outlook email as they discontinued unsecure 3rd party apps from using it. I have to update to OAuth2 to get them working again. Some still work, I use my IONOS smtp email which still works.

In gmail you can setup app passwords. That will allow you to use gmail. Im not sure about outlook.

I think i will setup another controller for a backup. With a seperate ato and heater control. This will give me a good excuse to play with it!

 

[robsworld78]

In gmail you can setup app passwords. That will allow you to use gmail. Im not sure about outlook.

I think i will setup another controller for a backup. With a seperate ato and heater control. This will give me a good excuse to play with it!

Unfortunately that no longer works with Gmail but give it a try. Let me know how it goes.

 

[dfwjr1973]

After getting sick and tired of finding limitations or issues with my Apex, I may need to change. I am already moving over to redundant systems for ATO, dosing, and Arduino to do coordinated flow control... Two questions...

What about a web interface to see the status away from home?
Have you looked into interfacing to the Apex Trident testers at all (or any other automated testers)?

 

[robsworld78]

After getting sick and tired of finding limitations or issues with my Apex, I may need to change. I am already moving over to redundant systems for ATO, dosing, and Arduino to do coordinated flow control... Two questions...

What about a web interface to see the status away from home?
Have you looked into interfacing to the Apex Trident testers at all (or any other automated testers)?

I've heard this from a few people but don't expect too much as they have a professional team doing this, not a guy in his living room. With that said a few people have switched or used Apex in the past and kindly said this was better but I think they were just being nice. It's certainly not as polished but the hardware is very reliable. If you do decide to try it I'm sure in the app you'll come across something you want not available yet or possible a glitch setting it up, some have had zero issues while others nothing but issues. I'm always available to help but developing can be on the slow side as I need to do other things but always doing a little bit with it, one day soon I hope I can do this full time.

For remote access as this time it's best to setup a remote desktop viewer that you can use to access a computer on your local network. This does work well however depending on internet speed the connection can have some lag. If you're really good with network security you could also use port forwarding but if you don't know what you're doing best to avoid as it has security risks.

For a long time I've wanted a tester such as the Trident, maybe one day. Integrating another companies is usually quite difficult as they typically design to prevent that. These days it's getting difficult to find compatible lights that work with 0-10v, all the manufactures what users to use their controller. Kessel lights used to be but they've changed that for newest models along with Nicrew but they say they are actively working on a module to allow 0-10v control again so we'll have to see. The remaining that work are very expensive.

 

[dfwjr1973]

Thanks for the reply.

I am actually leaning towards now of using your system as a monitor/babysitter for the Apex. Monitor a few key things as it seems to go out to lunch at times and would love to have something monitor key things like temp, flows, and then send me a message if something is out of whack. I am using an Arduino now for this and even have a heartbeat signal from the Apex (0-10VDC) that alternates on/off every two seconds and I used a voltage divider and fed this signal into the Arduino R4 w/wifi and Arduino Cloud and can use it to send me a message if that signal does not change in 10 seconds.

Helped me a few weeks ago when my Apex went dark from the iPhone App and I was away from home... I could at least see that the Apex was still "alive and running" from the Arduino Cloud app and looking at the heartbeat input signal and could see it still changing...

I like redundant systems...like which is why I use a Inkbird with the Apex to control the heater... I have the thermostat on the heater set to 80...and the Inkbird setpoint is 78 and Apex temp sensor controlling the outlet to the Inkbird set to 81... All three need to fail on to get into an overheat situation...

I'm also kicking around an idea on a side project to create a universal 0-10VDC (or 0-5vdc) control signal to 0-12VDC power controller for low cost pumps, heaters, coolers, lights to create a nice platform of DIY devices that don't come with "extras" we don't need like their own stand-alone web app, etc...