System/Tank monitoring device

[caryb]

I'm toying with the idea of setting up a linux pc with some basic monitoring software, the things I would like to monitor are water temp, level, ammonia etc. Is there anyone else doing such things? I was going to output the info to an old nokia phone via sms (gnokii software)

I would be interested in hearing from people who are interested in such a project.



Cary

[fishfingers]

Hi,

To give you a perspective, have a look at this product which is wintel based.

http://www.draquarium.com/

Pretty much what you are proposing, but you could make yours free.

Hi there,

I have been thinking about doing it for along time, Crappy old p2 to run slackware with an old monitor in the fish room, that would be kinda cool, not only could you adjust and get early warnings of possible problems, but you could also plot your day to day ORP, temp, ph and if possible nitrate/nitrite levels, cant see the point of ammonia levels, if you have any you need to cycle your filter better.

Then you could also plot the days that breeders got mouthfuls, agreesion and whatnot, and after 6-12 months would have a pretty good idea of the ideal temp and ph for your fish to breed in.

Not only that, you can hook up x10 modules and run for instance two sump pumps, if one should die or the flow meter detected low flow rates through it, the second could kick in, Can control all your lights, with the right setup you can even automate water changes completely.

Generators in case of power loss, automatic and different schedules of feeding for different tanks, Its pretty much endless, the only thing it wont do its strip the fry for you.

I was going to say clean your filters aswell, but there is no reason you couldnt build an old washing machine basket and motor into your sump, once a month isolate the sump camber and then put it onto spin and rinse with tank water.

If we get enough poeple keen on the idea I would be happy to help out with any software or setup to get it up and running. I dont have a system atm but am planning on trying it once i get some space for a fish shed.

http://www.automatedaquariums.com/starter.htm

Check that one out.

[GTR73]

Friend's of mine had an off-the-shelf program like Dr Aquarium on their marine tank (can't remember if it was Dr Aquarium but sounds familiar). They had it to more so to run light timers, wave makers, currents etc, all to recreate a reef environment, as well as have it monitoring the water conditions. Which is what a lot of those off-the-shelf programs would be for I guess, recreating marine environments.
All I do remember is they were constantly fiddling with the thing, but then again, for them that was a part of the fun of having one. :?

[caryb]

Ouch that is expensive :evil:  I was thinking about a off the shelf PLC with some monitoring probes. I found some float switches on ebay for $4.50 they can be configured for n/o & n/c I guess the only thing is to interface it to the PLC & upload to pc. I am looking into nitrate/ph etc sensors then comes the "fun" stuff interfacing it to some form of software. I was thinking of mysql for hostorical referencing.


Cary

[neyund]

Hi Guys,
  I'd be interested too.  I have seen commercial recirculation systems with computer monitoring but the costs will outweigh what we are looking at for a hobby setup.  I know how an automatic mechanical filter (wrt to Grumpys reponse) is set up.  It is a cylindrical barrel like a washing machine barrel on it's side with a very find filter (6 microns) and water flows through it.  When the filter gets clogged up, the water level rises and sets off a float switch which then rotates the filter barrel 180 degrees.  As it turns, a high pressure spray jet (like that from a karcher) sprays onto the filter knocking the crap out of it.  There is a catcher on the other side so that the crap does not go back into the water again.

I hope that helps.

Cheers,
dan

You would need to build a custom board for your sensors and to provide input into the computer, There are several projects on www.sourceforge.com just search aquarium and you will get a list of results. Ill have a look into the data logging side of things.

[Cichlidkeeper]

I would look into it from a Hydroponics perspective. People who setup there fish tanks on this kind of system do so on massive budgets, people doing it for their crops do so cheaper. Just a thought

I guess it depends on what your growing depending on your budget.

[mjscookie]

Grum - so you've got a hydro setup in your fish shed huh

 :lol:  :wink:  :lol:

Mitch

Purerly to remove nitrates from the water mate.

[mjscookie]

From JAYCAR website....

USB Experimenter's Interface Kit

Interface your computer to the real world with this sophisticated USB Kit. There are five digital inputs to monitor the state of external switches or controls and two variable gain analogue inputs that can be connected to sensors and used for measuring temperature, humidity, voltage, current, & other variable parameters. Eight digital and two analogue outputs are available for controlling external equipment. The kit is supplied with all components, silk screened PCB, assembly manual, and software. PCB measures 145 x 87mm.
Specifications:
* 5 Digital inputs
* 2 Analogue inputs with variable gain and integrated counters
* Analogue input range 0 to 5VDC
* 8 Open collector digital outputs
* 2 Analogue outputs PWM or 0 to 5VDC
* On-board test buttons for inputs and LED
* USB powered
* Win98SE or above (Not NT)    
     QTY    
     1+    $69.95
     5+    $62.95

How much are the probes each?

Mitch

[caryb]

Looked on sourceforge but any app that looked 1/2 good had no packages defined yet :cry:

[AvJohnny]

Cary,
Great thread you started.
DEFINEATLY worth looking into.
Talk to you soon,
John.
 :D