Since my aquarium is built, plants and livestock are flourishing and it requires very minimal intervention, I need a new project. I am a PhD student working in nanotechnology and am currently in the process of building some of my own custom deposition tools and control systems so I figured I would take a go at an aquarium controller. I have no experience in electronics, software, or computer programming so I still need to learn A LOT! I am hoping some who frequent this site are much more experienced and can lend a watchful eye and offer some insight as I work though this project. Like any good scientist, I did my literature review and found what appears to be a very thorough guide by d0ughb0y (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2332822) which I will be using as my starting point. I will be using much of what has been done and will be using some of the code from that project.
Many of my goals are the same as what was done in that thread, but to introduce the project I will reiterate and add those things that were not included in that project:
-web interface, email alerts
-data logging
-ATO
-Water temperature (2 probes)
-pH sensor
-auto feeder control
-light control (display, moonlights, and sump)
-ambient temperature and humidity monitoring (canopy, sump)
-fan control (canopy and sump)
-PWM pump control and power supply (1, but maybe 3 in case I add some powerheads)
-heater controller
-Dosing (micro and macro)
-leak detection (2 sensors)
-moonlight control
-ORP probe (maybe)
-conductivity probe (maybe)
-CO2 control (maybe)
-webcam (maybe)
-all incorporated into a single unit with a single power cable
Currently, this is being designed for a 120g planted, low tech aquarium with 55g sump. Being a graduate student, I am away from home a lot and being able to get email alerts if something goes awry would bring great piece of mind. There are many days where I am only home to sleep, so being able to monitor things remotely would be very helpful. I am also slightly anal when it comes to creating a self contained, efficient system. I do not want to see any wiring when I am done, only jacks that the probes and pumps plug into. This will also make installation easy and will make it easy to replace/remove components when necessary.
Some other probes I would like are nitrate and dissolved oxygen, but those seem to be significantly more expensive than the ones mentioned above.
If I missed anything that you have thought would be helpful, please chime in!
Stay tuned.
Many of my goals are the same as what was done in that thread, but to introduce the project I will reiterate and add those things that were not included in that project:
-web interface, email alerts
-data logging
-ATO
-Water temperature (2 probes)
-pH sensor
-auto feeder control
-light control (display, moonlights, and sump)
-ambient temperature and humidity monitoring (canopy, sump)
-fan control (canopy and sump)
-PWM pump control and power supply (1, but maybe 3 in case I add some powerheads)
-heater controller
-Dosing (micro and macro)
-leak detection (2 sensors)
-moonlight control
-ORP probe (maybe)
-conductivity probe (maybe)
-CO2 control (maybe)
-webcam (maybe)
-all incorporated into a single unit with a single power cable
Currently, this is being designed for a 120g planted, low tech aquarium with 55g sump. Being a graduate student, I am away from home a lot and being able to get email alerts if something goes awry would bring great piece of mind. There are many days where I am only home to sleep, so being able to monitor things remotely would be very helpful. I am also slightly anal when it comes to creating a self contained, efficient system. I do not want to see any wiring when I am done, only jacks that the probes and pumps plug into. This will also make installation easy and will make it easy to replace/remove components when necessary.
Some other probes I would like are nitrate and dissolved oxygen, but those seem to be significantly more expensive than the ones mentioned above.
If I missed anything that you have thought would be helpful, please chime in!
Stay tuned.