Quick Start Guide

Getting Started with OpenReef

Quick Start Guide

Prerequisites

Before running your first test, ensure you have:

  • OpenReef system fully assembled and powered
  • RO (reverse osmosis) water reservoir filled
  • Reagent bottles filled (API Phosphate or Nitrate test kit)
  • Waste container connected
  • Colorimeter calibrated for your assay type
  • PyBadge firmware loaded

First Time Setup

  1. Power On
    • Connect power to PyBadge
    • System will boot and display OpenReef logo
    • Main menu will appear
  2. Prime the System
    • Select System > Prime Pumps
    • Follow on-screen prompts to prime water and reagent lines
    • Ensure no air bubbles in tubing
  3. Install Cuvette
    • Insert clean cuvette into holder
    • Ensure proper alignment with light path
  4. Load Calibration
    • Select Settings > Load Calibration
    • Choose phosphate or nitrate calibration file
    • Confirm calibration loaded successfully

Running Your First Test

Phosphate Test

  1. Select Assay
    • From main menu: Run Test > Phosphate
  2. Prepare Sample
    • Connect test water input
    • System will prompt when ready
  3. Start Test
    • Press Start button
    • System will automatically:
      • Clean cuvette with RO water
      • Load test sample
      • Zero colorimeter
      • Add reagents with stirring
      • Wait 5-10 minutes
      • Read absorbance
      • Calculate concentration
  4. View Results
    • Results displayed on PyBadge screen
    • Data logged to SD card (if installed)
  5. Cleanup
    • System automatically flushes with RO water
    • Remove waste when prompted

Total Test Time: ~15 minutes

Nitrate Test

  1. Select Assay
    • From main menu: Run Test > Nitrate
  2. Prepare Sample
    • Connect test water input
    • System will prompt when ready
  3. Start Test
    • Press Start button
    • System will automatically:
      • Clean cuvette with RO water
      • Load test sample
      • Zero colorimeter
      • Add reagents with stirring
      • Wait 5+ minutes
      • Read absorbance
      • Calculate concentration
  4. View Results
    • Results displayed on PyBadge screen
    • Data logged to SD card (if installed)
  5. Cleanup
    • System automatically flushes with RO water
    • Remove waste when prompted

Total Test Time: ~12 minutes

Understanding the PyBadge Menu

OpenReef Main Menu
├── Run Test
│   ├── Phosphate
│   └── Nitrate
├── Calibration
│   ├── Run Calibration
│   ├── View Curves
│   └── Load Calibration
├── System
│   ├── Prime Pumps
│   ├── Clean System
│   └── Diagnostics
└── Settings
    ├── Pump Calibration
    ├── Timing Settings
    └── About
  • D-Pad: Navigate menu items (up/down/left/right)
  • A Button: Select/Confirm
  • B Button: Back/Cancel
  • Start Button: Main menu (from anywhere)
  • Select Button: Quick start last test

Status Icons

Icon Meaning
💧 Water system active
🧪 Reagent dispensing
⏱️ Timing/waiting
📊 Measuring
✓ Test complete
⚠️ Warning/Error

Understanding Results

Display Format

Phosphate Result
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Concentration: 0.25 ppm
Absorbance: 0.142
Status: ✓ Valid
Time: 14:23:45
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
[A] Save  [B] Discard

Result Interpretation

Phosphate (PO₄)

Concentration Interpretation Reef Tank Action
0.00-0.03 ppm Ultra-low Ideal for SPS corals
0.03-0.10 ppm Low Good for most reef tanks
0.10-0.25 ppm Moderate Acceptable, monitor
0.25-1.00 ppm Elevated Increase water changes
> 1.00 ppm High Use phosphate remover

Nitrate (NO₃)

Concentration Interpretation Reef Tank Action
0-5 ppm Very low Ideal for SPS corals
5-10 ppm Low Good for mixed reefs
10-20 ppm Moderate Acceptable for most tanks
20-40 ppm Elevated Increase water changes
> 40 ppm High Check bioload/feeding

Data Logging

If an SD card is installed, all test results are saved to:

/data/YYYY-MM-DD_tests.csv

CSV format:

timestamp,assay_type,concentration,absorbance,status
2025-11-14 14:23:45,phosphate,0.25,0.142,valid

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Issue Possible Cause Solution
No color development Expired reagents Replace API test kit
Weak/faint color Low concentration Normal - check calibration curve
Cloudy solution Phosphate read too late Re-run test, read at 5-10 min
Error: Pump timeout Air in lines Prime pumps again
Error: Absorbance out of range Concentration too high Dilute sample and re-test
Inconsistent results Cuvette dirty Clean cuvette with RO water

System Diagnostics

  1. Check Pump Function
    • System > Diagnostics > Test Pumps
    • Verify both FeW and FeR pumps working
    • Check flow rate matches calibration
  2. Check Valve Operation
    • System > Diagnostics > Test Valves
    • Cycle each valve (ReV, WtV, WaV)
    • Listen for click, verify flow path
  3. Check Colorimeter
    • System > Diagnostics > Light Test
    • Verify LED illumination
    • Check sensor readings
  4. View Logs
    • System > Diagnostics > View Logs
    • Check for error messages
    • Note any warnings

Maintenance

Daily (if running multiple tests)

  • Empty waste container
  • Refill RO water reservoir
  • Check reagent levels

Weekly

  • Clean cuvette with dilute acid, rinse thoroughly
  • Wipe colorimeter optical surfaces
  • Check tubing for wear/cracks

Monthly

  • Replace tubing
  • Clean all valves
  • Run calibration verification
  • Update firmware (if available)

As Needed

  • Replace reagents when expired
  • Replace cuvette if scratched
  • Recalibrate system

Next Steps