Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
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- Posts: 38
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 4:47 am
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Also sense my lights seem to be not controllable does it matter if I choose PMW or analog? How many expansions can you do or is it endless?
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Tony;
If you want to monitor the tank while you are away, you will need something like a Reef Angel to do it.
What you want to monitor will dictate what expansions you will need.
If the only things you want to dim or control the speed of are your lights and Jebao pumps then it doesn't matter since it seems like we are ruling out your lights right now. The Jebao pumps can run on PWM or Analog control.
The PWM is usually a little less expensive.
LED lights are typically connected to a driver.
The driver will get some amount of DC voltage (mine is 48v DC) that has been converted from 110-120v AC wall power.
The driver will take that 48v DC and adjust the amount going out the the LED's according to the signal it is getting along the dimming channel from the controller.
Think of it as an programmable potentiometer or like the dimmer on your Dinning room chandeller, but the dimming channel is telling the potentiometer what percentage it should be at at a certain time of the day.
If you are looking to make thing easier on your wife while you are gong the controller will help do that, especially an automated water change would help her a lot.
A denitrification chamber that isolates a portion of the water and then through a chemical process removes the Nitrates from the water.
This is the one I have http://natureef.com/products/denitrifiers/
It had it's own timer and controller, but with some modification and coding (from Lee) I have it running off the RA now.
If you want to monitor the tank while you are away, you will need something like a Reef Angel to do it.
What you want to monitor will dictate what expansions you will need.
If the only things you want to dim or control the speed of are your lights and Jebao pumps then it doesn't matter since it seems like we are ruling out your lights right now. The Jebao pumps can run on PWM or Analog control.
The PWM is usually a little less expensive.
LED lights are typically connected to a driver.
The driver will get some amount of DC voltage (mine is 48v DC) that has been converted from 110-120v AC wall power.
The driver will take that 48v DC and adjust the amount going out the the LED's according to the signal it is getting along the dimming channel from the controller.
Think of it as an programmable potentiometer or like the dimmer on your Dinning room chandeller, but the dimming channel is telling the potentiometer what percentage it should be at at a certain time of the day.
If you are looking to make thing easier on your wife while you are gong the controller will help do that, especially an automated water change would help her a lot.
A denitrification chamber that isolates a portion of the water and then through a chemical process removes the Nitrates from the water.
This is the one I have http://natureef.com/products/denitrifiers/
It had it's own timer and controller, but with some modification and coding (from Lee) I have it running off the RA now.
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Don't let the size and breadth of my code overwhelm you. It's pretty advanced and there are simpler ways to do everything. You can start off with the wizard and slowly add features over time. We're here to help you sort through and figure out what needs to be done. If you have any programming experience it will help but otherwise, the first times through it's like reading another language.
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Yeah Lee's code is over the top I think it will do everything except change the babies diaper.
Mine is probably below average. I really don't have to much going on in it yet.
I'm not the best at coding, but I'm glad to help as much as I can.
Mine is probably below average. I really don't have to much going on in it yet.
I'm not the best at coding, but I'm glad to help as much as I can.
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Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Lee, your code is a little over whelming but also inspiring on just how much you can do. I want to thank you for all the help and quick responses you give.
Steve, Thanks for all the info you have also been so informative. I like how much help the people on this site are and it makes this product better for it. What selinoid valve do you use?
I do want to get one of these as soon as I can the wife just had an issue with the tank and it was so hard to figure out what was wrong. I am in Afghanistan right now and the time difference combined with her not knowing certain details made it hard. Can you hook up a web cam to the Reef Angel? How do you run a water change system? If you could give pictures with it I would appreciate it.
Thanks Tony
Steve, Thanks for all the info you have also been so informative. I like how much help the people on this site are and it makes this product better for it. What selinoid valve do you use?
I do want to get one of these as soon as I can the wife just had an issue with the tank and it was so hard to figure out what was wrong. I am in Afghanistan right now and the time difference combined with her not knowing certain details made it hard. Can you hook up a web cam to the Reef Angel? How do you run a water change system? If you could give pictures with it I would appreciate it.
Thanks Tony
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
No problem Tony. Thank you for you service over in Afghanistan and keeping our country safe.
My Water change system is not hooked up yet, but the solenoid I got to start and stop the automation for the R/o unit is this one,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111122910537?ss ... 1423.l2649
The Automatic water change is being done by using a dual heal peristaltic pump that will remove and replace the same amount of water at the same time.
There is a whole thread on it on RC and R2R.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showt ... ?t=2349824
http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/do-your ... -then.html
My local club it doing a presentation on it this week.
I'll try to get a copy of the presentation or video tape it for you.
Yes you can setup a webcam and have it displayed inside the Reef Angel Web Portal or just view it on any web page. it is not really connected to the Reef Angel and the Reef Angel doesn't control it or anything.
I used to have one, but I replaced my router and I cold not set it up again correctly on the new router.
My Water change system is not hooked up yet, but the solenoid I got to start and stop the automation for the R/o unit is this one,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111122910537?ss ... 1423.l2649
The Automatic water change is being done by using a dual heal peristaltic pump that will remove and replace the same amount of water at the same time.
There is a whole thread on it on RC and R2R.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showt ... ?t=2349824
http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/do-your ... -then.html
My local club it doing a presentation on it this week.
I'll try to get a copy of the presentation or video tape it for you.
Yes you can setup a webcam and have it displayed inside the Reef Angel Web Portal or just view it on any web page. it is not really connected to the Reef Angel and the Reef Angel doesn't control it or anything.
I used to have one, but I replaced my router and I cold not set it up again correctly on the new router.
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- Posts: 38
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 4:47 am
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Steve that is an amazing idea on how to do a water change. The pump seems pricey but the time it would save would be awesome.
So my tank back home is having problems again so I think the Reef Angel is going to be a necessary add on to the new tank I'm building. It is just to much stress to deal with and my wife has enough other things to deal with that I don't want the tank to be a headache for her. Hopefully after this she will give the thumbs up to buy it.
Can I get text messages sent to my phone when there is a problem? Is there an App or something for a windows phone?
Tony
So my tank back home is having problems again so I think the Reef Angel is going to be a necessary add on to the new tank I'm building. It is just to much stress to deal with and my wife has enough other things to deal with that I don't want the tank to be a headache for her. Hopefully after this she will give the thumbs up to buy it.
Can I get text messages sent to my phone when there is a problem? Is there an App or something for a windows phone?
Tony
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Tony;
The Stenner pump is expensive, but if you read the whole thread other people have found used peristaltic pumps on E-Bay for a lot less.
I'm using ThermoFisher D3138-13 motor w/Masterflex 7024-20 Pump my whole setup was about $100.
Lee is using an AMETEK 3 Line Peristaltic Pump with I think is still using the MasterFlex- pumps.
They are both sold out right now, but if you keep looking I'm sure something will come up.
The Reef Angle hsa a Web Portal that can send text message alerts to your phone, but there is also an app for the Andriod and I-phone apps that will let you monitor the tank, turning things on and off and send alerts to your phone.
I think you said you had a Windows phone. I'm not sure if there is an app of the Windows phone so you might need to use the web portal.
Where do you live?
I figured if you were close to me maybe I could help out if there was a problem while you were out of town.
The Stenner pump is expensive, but if you read the whole thread other people have found used peristaltic pumps on E-Bay for a lot less.
I'm using ThermoFisher D3138-13 motor w/Masterflex 7024-20 Pump my whole setup was about $100.
Lee is using an AMETEK 3 Line Peristaltic Pump with I think is still using the MasterFlex- pumps.
They are both sold out right now, but if you keep looking I'm sure something will come up.
The Reef Angle hsa a Web Portal that can send text message alerts to your phone, but there is also an app for the Andriod and I-phone apps that will let you monitor the tank, turning things on and off and send alerts to your phone.
I think you said you had a Windows phone. I'm not sure if there is an app of the Windows phone so you might need to use the web portal.
Where do you live?
I figured if you were close to me maybe I could help out if there was a problem while you were out of town.
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- Posts: 38
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Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Steve;
You are always so quick with response I appreciate it. 100$ to do auto-mated water changes is not bad at all. I will keep my eye out for one.
Yea unfortunately I have a windows phone but if I can get text alerts I could use the web portal and that is awesome.
I appreciate the offer but we are almost as far as you can be away in the USA, we live in WA state.
You are always so quick with response I appreciate it. 100$ to do auto-mated water changes is not bad at all. I will keep my eye out for one.
Yea unfortunately I have a windows phone but if I can get text alerts I could use the web portal and that is awesome.
I appreciate the offer but we are almost as far as you can be away in the USA, we live in WA state.
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
No problem. Yeah WA is a bit far from Florida.
I was looking for the pumps and there are currently 2 pumps for $50 each. I can't find a motor though. I have a spare motor, but kind of wanted tovgang on to it for a spare, just in case. I'm sure 1 will come up.
The only other expense is to replace the tubing that comes in it (if there is any) and a power supply. After some experimentation I found that a 12v 2amp laptop ps worked in my setup.
The portal is capable of sending text messages.
Sent from my HTC One VX using Tapatalk
I was looking for the pumps and there are currently 2 pumps for $50 each. I can't find a motor though. I have a spare motor, but kind of wanted tovgang on to it for a spare, just in case. I'm sure 1 will come up.
The only other expense is to replace the tubing that comes in it (if there is any) and a power supply. After some experimentation I found that a 12v 2amp laptop ps worked in my setup.
The portal is capable of sending text messages.
Sent from my HTC One VX using Tapatalk
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Yes, there is an app for W8 phones. Check the download section
Roberto.
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Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Steve, You are all ways so helpful and I will be watching for a pump but I have decided to get the Reef Angel now and will have to wait for the pump. I am really excited to buy this controller and can't wait to play with it and work on my programming skills. I have taken one programming class but would be way more nervous if it wasn't for this great community that helps each other out so much.
Roberto, That is awesome that it has a windows app and I look forward to buying this controller.
Roberto, That is awesome that it has a windows app and I look forward to buying this controller.
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
The Reef Angle Wizard will do a lot of the basic programming for you.
One thing you might want to consider adding to your purchase is the Bluetooth attachment.
If you have remote access setup on your PC at home then maybe you can access your PC remotely from Afghanistan do some minor programming updates and then upload it to the Reef Angel wirelessly through the Bluetooth.
The only other way to program the RA is to connect your PC to it directly with the included TTL to USB cable.
I'm not really away from home that much, but I seem to have more time at work to make updates and changes then when I;m at home so I can make them and then just upload them to the RA thru the bluetooth.
One thing you might want to consider adding to your purchase is the Bluetooth attachment.
If you have remote access setup on your PC at home then maybe you can access your PC remotely from Afghanistan do some minor programming updates and then upload it to the Reef Angel wirelessly through the Bluetooth.
The only other way to program the RA is to connect your PC to it directly with the included TTL to USB cable.
I'm not really away from home that much, but I seem to have more time at work to make updates and changes then when I;m at home so I can make them and then just upload them to the RA thru the bluetooth.
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- Posts: 38
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 4:47 am
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
I haven't seen the attachment for a blue tooth. Is it the WIFI attachment that you are talking about?
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
No there is an additional Bluetooth adapter. I don't think Roberto has it on the store yet.
If you are interested in it too PM him about it.
If you are interested in it too PM him about it.
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- Posts: 38
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 4:47 am
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
So even with the WIFI I would have to plug in my computer to upload code to the Reef Angel?
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Yes. The Wifi is only for getting data out of the RA to the portal or apps.
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
I got my webcam set up again.
This is what it looks like inside the RA Portal.
Here is a link to it.
http://sacohen.no-ip.biz:2010
UID = Fish
No Password
This is what it looks like inside the RA Portal.
Here is a link to it.
http://sacohen.no-ip.biz:2010
UID = Fish
No Password
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- Posts: 38
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 4:47 am
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Thanks Steve for getting that video up. Wow that would be cool to see from wherever you are. Sorry it took so long the internet has been down out here and have been busy.
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
No problem. I just got the video this weeekend anyway.
Sent from my HTC One VX using Tapatalk
Sent from my HTC One VX using Tapatalk
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- Posts: 38
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 4:47 am
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Okay so I found a Reef Angel Controller on Ebay and I'm not sure if it is the plus or not. What would I loose if the controller is not the plus?
Tony
Tony
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
The standard RA has less memory, so you can not store that much code on it.
The current libraries are getting to large to put on the standard RA.
Basically what you will lose depends on what you want to program.
For example the the library code for the DC (Jebao) pumps is very large and does not fit on the standard RA.
The current libraries are getting to large to put on the standard RA.
Basically what you will lose depends on what you want to program.
For example the the library code for the DC (Jebao) pumps is very large and does not fit on the standard RA.
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Ask the seller to clarify. I would assume most likely that it is not. I believe the upgrade cost is $50 so you can take that into consideration if it is not.
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Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Thanks Guys,
I have sent a email to the seller to see. I just got back home yesterday and am trying to get everything set up and going for the new tank.
I have sent a email to the seller to see. I just got back home yesterday and am trying to get everything set up and going for the new tank.
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
There is only one full system on Ebay right now and it's up to $300.
It does not say if it is RA or +.
The price of the upgrade board is $75.
It looks like it might be the +, because it has the USB to TTL included. Didn't that only come with the +?
The RA+ and Relay Expansion Module + Relay Box are $388 new,with warranty, so keep that in mind if bidding on this.
It does not say if it is RA or +.
The price of the upgrade board is $75.
It looks like it might be the +, because it has the USB to TTL included. Didn't that only come with the +?
The RA+ and Relay Expansion Module + Relay Box are $388 new,with warranty, so keep that in mind if bidding on this.
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Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Well an hour ago it was 220$
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
They should all come with the USB-TTL cable. The + comes with the USB power cable.
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Yeah. When I looked at it earlier this morning when I first saw your e-mail it was $208 I think.
Thanks Lee I knew there was something that the + had that the RA doesn't.
I forgot it was the USB Power cable.
Thanks Lee I knew there was something that the + had that the RA doesn't.
I forgot it was the USB Power cable.
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Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
So I finally pulled the trigger and orderer one yesterday. I am so excited I can't wait. I guess I better start reading up On the manual.
Re: Trying to see if a reef angel is right for me
Best thing is to install the software and start playing with the wizard!