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  • COMMAIK
    • Contact Form
    • Imprint
    • Privacy Policy
  • The Villa
    • The top floor
    • The upper floor
    • The first floor
    • The cellar
    • The garden
  • Stories from the construction
    • irrigation
    • Photovoltaics
    • Pool and terrace
    • SmartHome
    • The planning
    • The demolition
    • The installation
    • Machinery
    • Restoration and working techniques
    • This and that
  • Videos
    • Build & Renovate
    • Irrigation
    • Carport
    • Gabions
    • Garden
    • Garden kitchen
    • Pool
    • Smart Home
    • Drying
    • Tutorials
  • TESTED & RATED
    • Heating solutions & energy
    • Outdoor & Garten
    • Pool & garden kitchen
    • Security & Smart Home
    • Tools & DIY
  • Commaik Music
  • Privacy Policy
  • Imprint
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  • Optimize balcony power plant – New modules and 220V battery storage for maximum efficiency

    A person stands on a rooftop with solar panels and a balcony power plant, pointing toward a graphic showing a Zendure SuperBase energy storage unit. A modern house and trees are visible in the background. www.commaik.de

    In this blog post, I describe how I optimized my balcony power plant to maximize self-consumption and reduce dependence on grid power. I have installed new modules, improved the alignment and will integrate a battery storage system that supports bidirectional AC charging. I go into detail about setting up the EasyPower app and integrating the new APSystem EZ1 inverter into my Home Assistant for monitoring, as well as the results achieved and future plans to further increase efficiency. The aim is to maximize the efficiency of my system and make optimum use of the solar power generated.

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    A black Reolink NVR device is shown against a gray background. A large text in German reads "Hard disk retrofitting". The Reolink logo appears in the bottom left corner. www.commaik.de

    Expand Reolink NVR storage space – Installing and configuring hard disks correctly

    26. February 2026
    Open trench in a paved area with exposed cables, pipes, and a water pipe in the garden, surrounded by loose soil, bricks, and paving stones—signs of ongoing underground utility or lawn irrigation work. www.commaik.de

    Laying the water pipe in the garden: tips for connecting the water supply to the garden irrigation system

    10. March 2025
    Lawn care equipment, including a lawn mower, fertilizer spreader, and a bag of fertilizer, is arranged on a lush lawn near a palm tree and garden bed with white stones. Stacked firewood sits in the background. www.commaik.de

    The 5 best tips for a healthy lawn – lawn care in spring

    2. February 2025
  • Reolink TrackMix PoE – 4K dual lens surveillance camera review

    A man stands beside images of a backyard with a pool. A Reolink Trackmix PoE security camera is shown on the left, with the Reolink logo at the top right and smart home icons above the garden scene. www.commaik.de

    The Reolink TrackMix PoE is one of the newest and most promising smart 4K surveillance cameras on the market. In my detailed test, I put the camera through its paces to discover its strengths and weaknesses. From the easy installation and impressive image quality to the intelligent tracking options, the Reolink TrackMix PoE offers numerous features that I have tested extensively. Find out in this article how the camera performs in practice and why it could be an excellent choice for monitoring your home.

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    A black Reolink NVR device is shown against a gray background. A large text in German reads "Hard disk retrofitting". The Reolink logo appears in the bottom left corner. www.commaik.de

    Expand Reolink NVR storage space – Installing and configuring hard disks correctly

    26. February 2026
    A man stands in front of a backyard with a pool, thinking. Two Reolink Duo 3 security cameras—PoE and WiFi—are displayed, showcasing the latest in Reolink surveillance. The Reolink logo appears at the top right. www.commaik.de

    Reolink Duo 3 WiFi & PoE review: Smart UHD surveillance camera with 180° field of view

    29. January 2025
    A Lymow One robotic lawnmower with tank-like tracks sits on a well-manicured lawn, surrounded by green grass and some fuzzy bushes in the background. www.commaik.de

    Lymow One in test: Robot mower without boundary wire with RTK navigation and chain drive

    16. November 2025
  • Reolink Argus 4 Pro review: The wireless surveillance camera with 4K and ColorX technology

    A man stands on the left, fist raised, next to a large Reolink Argus security camera and solar panel. In the background, a modern backyard with a swimming pool is visible, with the Reolink logo in the top right. www.commaik.de

    The Reolink Argus 4 Pro is one of the newest and most advanced surveillance cameras on the market. With its impressive 180° field of view in 4K UHD resolution and innovative ColorX technology, it sets new standards in home and business security. In this blog entry, I will go into detail about the installation and setup of the Reolink Argus 4 Pro surveillance camera, explain its technical specifications and examine the advantages and disadvantages of this camera in a test.   I will also point out possible solutions for any disadvantages and provide information on the various sources of supply. This article will help you better understand the Reolink Argus…

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    A modern backyard with a rectangular pool, surrounded by gray tiles. There’s a covered terrace with bar stools, a small palm tree, and a blue shed in the background. www.commaik.de

    Build your own pool terrace with stone slabs on a slope

    8. June 2025
    An Anthbot Genie robot mower with a white and gray body rides on a green lawn near a stone house and a rock wall in a landscaped yard, showcasing its versatile purpose. www.commaik.de

    Anthbot Genie robotic lawnmower in test: Perfect lawn mowing without cables?

    25. April 2025
    A man thoughtfully poses in front of images of the Argus Eco Ultra cameras, a solar panel, and a backyard pool. The Reolink logo is at the top right, with "Argus Eco Ultra" displayed prominently in bold text. www.commaik.de

    Reolink Argus Eco Ultra review: 4K rechargeable surveillance camera without subscription

    17. February 2025
  • Build your own garden kitchen – worktop and jamb for the outdoor kitchen

    Partially completed garden kitchen with unfinished wooden cabinets, a dark worktop, an open window, and power tools on the counter. Trees and buildings can be seen outside. www.commaik.de

    After completing the electrics and water supply in my outdoor garden kitchen, it was now time to install the worktop. I wanted to build the work area of the outdoor kitchen in such a way that I would have individual zones to work in for the barbecue, the bar and also the washbasin area. In this post, I describe in a step-by-step guide how I used OSB boards and Fermacell boards to create a stable and moisture-resistant base for the vinyl tiles. These measures were necessary to make the worktop robust, scratch-resistant and easy to clean, so that it meets the requirements of an outdoor kitchen.

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    Modern garden kitchen with a built-in grill, stovetop, drawers, and cabinets against a textured gray concrete look wall. Dark countertops and light concrete floors complete the style. A lantern and small appliances sit on the counter. www.commaik.de

    Designing a garden kitchen with a concrete look: Instructions for robust walls in the outdoor kitchen

    25. October 2024
    The dreame a1 pro, a modern robotic lawn mower with a sleek grey design, operates on a grassy lawn, with a building and potted plants visible in the background. www.commaik.de

    Dreame A1 Pro in test – Cordless robotic lawnmower without boundary wire & RTK

    24. May 2025
    An empty, bright blue swimming pool with a smooth pool liner, gray steps in one corner, and a circular drain on the wall. The outdoor pool is surrounded by unfinished ground and scattered greenery. www.commaik.de

    Laying, gluing and welding pool liners correctly

    10. February 2024
  • Reolink Duo 3 PoE surveillance camera tested against 2 RLC 810A

    A man stands thoughtfully next to a large question mark, with three Reolink security cameras and the Reolink logo displayed on a gray background, highlighting Reolink’s commitment to smart security solutions. www.commaik.de

    In my latest smart home project, I replaced my two Reolink RLC-810A cameras with the Reolink Duo 3 PoE surveillance camera with dual lens. I was particularly interested in whether the 180° detection of the Duo 3 PoE could actually improve the monitoring of my driveway and carport. With its 16-megapixel resolution and 2-way communication capability, the Duo 3 PoE promised superior technology and more comprehensive security. But would all the effort and financial investment really be worth it or were the two old camera models better? I would like to explore these questions in this blog post.

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    A photo showing construction tools and materials: two yellow buckets with gravel, an orange bucket, a red pump sump for drainage, a circular saw blade, a power drill, and a spirit level, all placed on a rough concrete floor. www.commaik.de

    Drying basement – pump sump | build septic tank yourself

    10. January 2021
    Several green plants grow in a gravel garden with purple flower spikes. Some are surrounded by black landscaping fabric and gray rocks arranged in wire mesh grids, forming a modern raised bed. A stone wall completes the background. www.commaik.de

    Secure raised bed on a slope with gabions and honeycomb fleece

    2. August 2020
    A sprinkler provides irrigation to a lush green lawn in front of a stone building with a barred window and garden tools hanging on the wall in the background. www.commaik.de

    Winterizing and frost-proofing the lawn irrigation system

    27. October 2019
  • Designing a smart and efficient garden kitchen – installing lights, sockets and water connections

    Modern garden kitchen with a wooden roof, barbecue grill, counters, and bar area illuminated by soft yellow and purple LED lights, set against a twilight sky for an inviting light-filled outdoor retreat. www.commaik.de

    The development of my garden kitchen has made significant progress, particularly in the areas of electrical installation, water installation and the integration of smart technologies for lighting and control. I’d like to give you some insight and practical tips on how I overcame these challenges, from carefully planning the lighting to installing smart sockets and light switches that enable flexible and efficient use.

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    Concrete blocks are laid in a straight line to form a shuttering stone wall foundation, with a spirit level, wooden plank, and hammer on top; yellow guide lines ensure alignment. Soil and rocks can be seen in the background along the gentle slope. www.commaik.de

    Build your own carport – secure slope with shuttering blocks

    26. August 2020
    Close-up of a partially constructed wooden deck, ideal for a garden terrace renovation, with a drill, screws, hammer, and metal brackets on top of the decking boards; metal framing and groundwork visible underneath. www.commaik.de

    Renovating the garden terrace: switching from wood to WPC and aluminum profiles

    17. March 2024
    Exposed wooden beams and metal pipes of a building under construction or renovation, with a partially demolished wall near the future terrace and scattered debris on the ground. Sunlight casts shadows across the scene. www.commaik.de

    Building a new pool – dismantling BPC decking and pool technology

    12. March 2021
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Autor & Blogger

In this construction diary, we share our experience in the renovation and modernization of our Art Nouveau villa and hope to give a few suggestions and tips to some of you.

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