Robo-Tank Basic User manual

User Manual
(V4.05 Nov 2017)
*Major Update and Edited by Iain Bonnes

Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................................3
Version Comparison Chart..........................................................................................................................................................4
Robo-Tanks Features...................................................................................................................................................................5
Setting Up the Controller & Display .........................................................................................................................................10
Where Do I Connect It?.........................................................................................................................................................10
Pin Outs for Connecting Devices –4 Pin & RJ45 Connectors...............................................................................................12
Start Up Screen .....................................................................................................................................................................12
Understanding the Home Screen..............................................................................................................................................13
Home Screen Hidden Features.............................................................................................................................................14
Status Screens Only Accessible from the Home Screen ......................................................................................................15
Customized Home Screen Examples:...............................................................................................................................15
Settings Menu ........................................................................................................................................................................16
Hardware Menu .....................................................................................................................................................................17
Heaters ..................................................................................................................................................................................18
Controlling Three Water Heaters Independently............................................................................................................18
Temperature Sensors............................................................................................................................................................18
Calibrating Temperature Sensors –Water, Air & Light...................................................................................................18
Dosing Pumps .......................................................................................................................................................................19
Changing Dose Amount and Manual Dosing ...................................................................................................................19
Calibrating Dosing Pumps and Reservoir Capacity..........................................................................................................19
Scheduling the Dosing Pumps..........................................................................................................................................20
Magnetic Stirrers..............................................................................................................................................................21
Custom Rules.............................................................................................................................................................................22
Port Assignment - Assigning Hardware Ports to Sensors/Equipment.....................................................................................24
Flow Meters...............................................................................................................................................................................25
Calibrating Flow meters........................................................................................................................................................25
LED Light Control.......................................................................................................................................................................26
Setting the LED Intensity for Each Daily Light Mode................................................................................................................26
Customizing the LED Slider Colors ..........................................................................................................................................26
Switching to the Temporary Light Mode.................................................................................................................................27
View the Schedule for Each Daily Light Mode.........................................................................................................................27
Editing the Schedule for Each Daily Light Mode......................................................................................................................28
Schedules Sub-Menu Screen ..................................................................................................................................................28
Feeding the Fish ........................................................................................................................................................................29
Feeding Cycle Settings............................................................................................................................................................29
Scheduling the Feeding Cycle .................................................................................................................................................30

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Manual Feeding......................................................................................................................................................................30
Controlling the AC Power Outlets.............................................................................................................................................31
Customizing AC Power Outlet Icons........................................................................................................................................31
Scheduling the AC Power Outlets ...........................................................................................................................................32
Manual AC Power Outlet Control ...........................................................................................................................................33
Storm Mode with Lightning Effects ..........................................................................................................................................34
Setting Up the Storm Mode....................................................................................................................................................34
Adjusting the LED Intensity for the Storm...............................................................................................................................35
Customizing the Lightning Storm............................................................................................................................................35
Customizing the Controller .......................................................................................................................................................36
Using the Customize Controller Sub-Menus ...........................................................................................................................36
Customizing the Home Screen .........................................................................................................................................36
Customizing the Home Dock............................................................................................................................................37
Customizing the Display...................................................................................................................................................37
Customizing the LED Slider Colors ...................................................................................................................................38
Customizing the AC Power Outlet Icons ..........................................................................................................................38
Setting Custom Labels ......................................................................................................................................................39
Setting the Date and Time on the Controller ..........................................................................................................................40
Setting up Local Weather Sync with OpenWeatherMap .........................................................................................................41
Setting up the OpenWeatherMap API Key......................................................................................................................41
Setting up the Local Weather on the Controller..............................................................................................................44
Controller Alerts........................................................................................................................................................................45
Audio and Visual Alerts...........................................................................................................................................................45
Web Alerts .............................................................................................................................................................................45
Automatic Top-off (ATO) System..............................................................................................................................................46
Setting up the Automatic Top-off (ATO) System .....................................................................................................................46
Running the Automatic Top-off (ATO) System ........................................................................................................................46
Sensors and Probes for Controller............................................................................................................................................47
Sensor Parameters Screen......................................................................................................................................................47
Atlas-Scientific Probes ..............................................................................................................................................................48
Connecting Atlas Circuits......................................................................................................................................................48
Adding a Probe......................................................................................................................................................................48
Calculating CO2using pH and KH values ..............................................................................................................................48
Calibrating a Circuit to a Probe ...............................................................................................................................................49
Calibrating a pH Probe –PH1 & PH2................................................................................................................................50
Calibrating an ORP (Oxidation/Reduction Potential) Probe ...........................................................................................52
Calibrating a Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Probe.....................................................................................................................53
Important - Calibrating a DO probe using a 0mg/L Calibration Solution........................................................................54

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Calibrating a Conductivity (EC) Probe..............................................................................................................................55
Warning Message When Updating Calibration Data ......................................................................................................56
General System & Internet Settings .........................................................................................................................................57
Synchronizing the Display with the Controller ........................................................................................................................57
Restoring the Controller to Default Settings ...........................................................................................................................58
Auto-Dim Level & Auto-Dim after Last Touch .........................................................................................................................58
Internet Settings.....................................................................................................................................................................59
Graphs & Logs............................................................................................................................................................................60
Graph Features.......................................................................................................................................................................60
Viewing Graphs & Logs...........................................................................................................................................................60
Sensor Graphs...................................................................................................................................................................61
Equipment Log..................................................................................................................................................................61
Setting Up Robo-Tank Email Alerts...........................................................................................................................................62
Setting up a Free Email Account...........................................................................................................................................62
Set Up Email Alerts on the Controller ..................................................................................................................................64
The Web Page............................................................................................................................................................................66
Setting up Access to Your Web Cam ....................................................................................................................................66
Updates .....................................................................................................................................................................................67
Acronyms & Abbreviations in this Manual ..........................................................................................................................68

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Robo-Tank Basic Preassembled Kit –Controller, 7” Touch Screen and an 8 Outlet Power Board.
* This picture shows the US/Canadian power board. (Available with International outlets that accept multiple outlet types, EU, Australian, Chinese, etc.).
Introduction
This manual covers all the software features in Robo-Tank and how to use them.
Robo-Tank has the features to control all the equipment on your freshwater or saltwater aquarium. You can control 16 AC
power outlets, 16 channels for LED's using 12-bit resolution, 8 dosing pumps, 8 dosing pump stirrers, 7 temperature
sensors, an automatic fish fisher, basic Internet control, 4 flow meters, email alerts, an automatic top off system, DC
accessories, Atlas Scientific circuits, powerheads/circulation pumps and much, much more.

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*Deluxe & Basic Versions
Version Comparison Chart
Equipment
Deluxe Version
Basic Version
5V PWM Dimmable LED Channels
16
8
Dosing Pumps
8
4
Switchable AC Power Outlets
16
16
Temperature (Humidity) Sensors
7
7
Atlas Scientific Circuits
5
5
LED Channels for Cooling Fan
1
1
Automatic Top Off System (ATO)
1
1
Automatic Fish Feeder
1
1
Internet Connection
1
1
Digital and Analogue Sensors
5
0
Digital Powerheads / Circulation Pumps
4
0
DC Accessories
4
0
Flow meters
4
0

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Robo-Tanks Features
16 Channels For Controlling LED's
o12-Bit PWM signal 0-5v (0-100%)
o4095 steps for very smooth dimming
oControl all 16 channels independently
oDisplay adjustment sliders have a low setting so you can fine tune the low end of your LED's
oCustomize display adjustment slider colors to match your LED's, never forget what color is on any given
channel
oChannel 9 –16 can be used for dosing pump stirrers and other equipment in the future.
5 Lighting Modes
oLow sun, mid sun, high sun and moon modes are cycled through each day
oTemporary lighting mode for bypassing regular lighting schedule
oView current light mode on home screen and time remaining during transitions
oCycle 24 hour light schedules In 1 minute to view a full day
oTurn lunar mode on/off, It adjusts moon light to moon size
o6 different daily transitions
Moon to Low Sun
Low Sun to Mid Sun
Mid Sun to High Sun
High Sun to Mid Sun
Mid Sun to Low Sun
Low Sun to Moon
Control Eight 12v DC Dosing Pumps (any voltage dosing pump will work just need to adjust voltage to match
using DC-DC converter)
oAutomatic or manual control of each pump, mix and match
oSet dose amount in milliliters for each pump
oSet pump rate for each pump in milliseconds per milliliters, this allows easy calibration for each pump
oSet reservoir capacity for each pump
oView total doses remaining with each reservoir on home screen
oReservoirs on display are colored inside to reflect amount remaining in reservoir
oPumps won't run when reservoir is empty
oMaximum reservoir size: 2.5L or 250 doses per pump
oDose between 1ml - 250ml
oSchedule up to 10 doses per day for each pump
oEach scheduled can be set to run any or all days of the week
oDose with any pump using custom rules
oCustomize fertilizer name for each dosing pump, up to 13 characters long
Control 8 Magnetic Stirrers
oTurn 8 LED channels (9-16) into controls for magnetic stirrers
oAutomatically control stirrer before dosing pump runs
Control 16 AC Power Outlets
oAutomatic or manual control of each outlet, mix and match
oTurn on/off all AC outlets with single button
oManually change AC outlets and resume to regular schedule with single button
oView current status for each AC outlet on home screen
oChange icon for each outlet so you remember what's plugged In and where
oAny 3 outlets can be used to control water heaters/any AC equipment using the water temperature

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o10 schedules available for each outlet, can be set for specific days of the week.
oTurn AC outlet on with schedule and off with custom rule or vice versa
oTurn AC outlets on or off using custom rules
oControl AC outlets from the internet (phone or computer)
Monitor 4 Flow Meters
oView data in liters or gallons
oView flow per minute
oView flow per hour
oView total volume
oUse flow meters in custom rules to control equipment
Monitor Temperature and Humidity from 7 Sensors
o2 ports - DS18B20 temperature sensors (referred to as water and light temperature)
o1 port - DHT22 Air temperature / humidity sensor (referred to as air temperature)
o4 ports - optional DS18B20 or DHT22 sensors
oCustomize names for all 7 sensors
oView temperatures in Celsius or Fahrenheit
oView all Parameters in a central location
oView minimum and maximum temperature readings
oTurn heater on/off when temperature rises or falls
oOptional low and high-level audible/visual alarm for each parameter all set within UI
oOptional low and high-level email alerts for each parameter all set within UI
oAll parameters can be used with custom rules to control equipment
oFull data logging and graphs for all sensors
oView sensor data from the internet (phone or computer)
Works with PH, ORP, Dissolved Oxygen and Conductivity EZO Atlas-Scientific Circuits (2 pH circuits can be
connected)
oCalculate CO2using pH and KH value (KH value is manually set in UI)
oOptional low and high-level audible/visual alarm for each parameter all set within UI
oOptional low and high-level email alerts for each parameter
oHome screen scrolls through any of the 8 parameters or view only one (scroll time adjustable and touch to
view next parameter)
oConnect 2 pH circuits to use 2 pH probes
oAll parameters can be used with custom rules to control equipment
oView all parameters in a central location
oView up to 9 different parameters (pH, pH, ORP, Dissolved Oxygen, Saturation, Electrical Conductivity, Total
Dissolved Solids, Salinity and Specific Gravity)
oFull data logging and graphs for all 9 parameters
oView sensor data from the internet (phone or computer)
oStep by step full easy calibration for all circuits, 1, 2 or 3 point depending on circuit
Automatic Fish Feeding
oControl auto fish feeder using 2 daily schedules or manually
oSelect AC outlet status during feeding
oSet length of feeding
oEnable/disable auto fish feeder
oRun Auto Feeder from internet (phone or computer)
248 Different Schedules
oSchedule 6 different transitions for the LED's
oSchedule 16 AC outlets up to 10 times per day, each schedule can run for selected days of the week
oSchedule 8 dosing pumps up to 10 times per day, dose daily or select days of week to dose

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oSchedule 2 automatic feedings per day for your fish any days of the week
Data Logging / Graphs
oData stored on SD card
oEach parameter has its own folder and new file created every day
oFiles names use date
oView daily, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly graphs for each parameter
oSwitch between bar graph or line chart
oTurn vertical grid on or off
oView live sensor reading on graph
oStore years of data on a 2Gb SD card (card size determines limit of data stored)
oLog and view data for 22 parameters
Water Temperature
Air Temperature
Humidity
Light Temperature
Temperature One
Humidity One
Temperature Two
Humidity Two
Temperature Three
Humidity Three
Temperature Four
Humidity Four
CO2
pH
pH Two
ORP
Dissolved Oxygen
Saturation
Conductivity
TDS
Salinity
Specific Gravity
oLog and view data for equipment and actions
AC Outlets
Dosing Pumps
Lights
Fish Feeder
Controller Startup
Set Light in Temporary Mode
Resume Controller to Auto Mode
Screensaver Mode
oUse display for a photo album
oScroll through images
oAdjust image scrolling speed
oTurn off screensaver and have screen dim to off instead
oView clock instead of images
oSet how long the display is idle before screensaver starts
oUse your own images for the screensaver
oComes pre-loaded with 17 images
Custom Rules
oCreate rules using 22 different parameters

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oCreate rules using up to 5 optical sensors, switches or any analog/digital Arduino sensor
oCreate rules using the 4 flow meters
oSet level for parameter to activate rule
oTurn any outlet on or off using any sensor or parameter
oTurn any water pump or DC accessory on or off using any sensor or parameter
oDose your aquarium using any sensor or parameter
oBackup timer so dosing pump doesn't activate more than once in set time frame
oOptions to skip rule If AC outlet schedule Is on or off
Automatic Top Off (ATO) System (sensors required)
oFlood proof
oFloat switch to monitor water levels
oBackup float switch
oSelect maximum time ATO pump can run in case float switches malfunction
oCheck water level every 1-24 hours
oFloat switch must sense low water level for 30 minutes before ATO pump is activated
oTest mode to bypass delays
oReceive email alerts when ATO pump starts and stops
oReceive email alert if ATO System malfunctions
oATO Requires resetting if ATO malfunctions
Other Features
oAdjustable display brightness
oAuto-dim feature adjusts the screen brightness based on ambient light conditions
oIndependent temperature control for 3 water heaters
oHeader status icons for ATO, webpage open, internet connection, screen lock and controller connection
oAll settings stored in an eeprom so you never loss your settings
oSmart startup routine resumes controller on power outages base on schedules and custom rules
oDisplay all times in 24 hour or 12 hour format
oOne touch to sync display and controller
oAssign equipment to ports
oCustom pin code to lock screen
oCustom home screen dock
oMultiple home screen docks
Internet Access
oMonitor all sensors and probes
oFeed fish
oControl AC power outlets
oReceive real-time email alerts
oMonitors external IP address for changes and emails new address when it changes, you'll always be able to
connect away from home
oAuto generate strong username and password for web access or customize to your liking
oView local and external IP address, username and password on display so you never forget your login
information
Email Alerts
oEmail alerts can individually be turned on or off
o26 different alerts (more coming soon)
oReceive emails if water or light temperature goes over or under a set value
oReceive emails if PH, ORP, Dissolved Oxygen, Saturation, Conductivity, TDS, Salinity or Specific Gravity goes
over or under a set value
oReceive email if controller restarts
oReceive email if external IP address changes