DIY Aquarium Monitor
- Thread starter Cichlas
- Start date
Sorry guys, no update at the moment as I haven't had the time to fiddle. I've started messing with the program side of things but only as far as building an ftp client into the application to place logs onto my webserver.
The thermometer has edge connectors for high and low temp alarm triggers but I have decided that I would prefer to take the actual readings on the PC which means I can set multiple jobs to happen at any amount of temperature triggers and not just the two. This has proved trickier than I thought as the instructions that came with the thermometer are c**p and trying to figure out what the serial data is and the timings of it is not as straight forward as it could be. Plus the output voltages aren't high enough so I need to rig up a little amplifier for it, which is simple enough fortunately.
Funny that someone should mention dimable lighting. I have been looking at rigging up a set of LED lights (the ultra bright white ones) to see what kind of output they can give. If they work out anywhere usefull then my plan is to ramp them up over an hour or so and then switch the remaining flourescents on. Although if I can get good enough light then maybe bin the flourescents all together, or atleast the majority of them. Should be cheaper to run, but not neccesarily cheaper to set up. LEDS would be much simpler to control via the PC also which would be the biggest bonus.
OrnatipinnisBichir, I haven't done any courses. All just self taught and has been my job now for the last 12 years. If you need any specific info or pointers just give me a shout.
Anyways, enough rambling. Apologies for the poor progress. Will try and get my arse into gear and get things moving
The thermometer has edge connectors for high and low temp alarm triggers but I have decided that I would prefer to take the actual readings on the PC which means I can set multiple jobs to happen at any amount of temperature triggers and not just the two. This has proved trickier than I thought as the instructions that came with the thermometer are c**p and trying to figure out what the serial data is and the timings of it is not as straight forward as it could be. Plus the output voltages aren't high enough so I need to rig up a little amplifier for it, which is simple enough fortunately.
Funny that someone should mention dimable lighting. I have been looking at rigging up a set of LED lights (the ultra bright white ones) to see what kind of output they can give. If they work out anywhere usefull then my plan is to ramp them up over an hour or so and then switch the remaining flourescents on. Although if I can get good enough light then maybe bin the flourescents all together, or atleast the majority of them. Should be cheaper to run, but not neccesarily cheaper to set up. LEDS would be much simpler to control via the PC also which would be the biggest bonus.
OrnatipinnisBichir, I haven't done any courses. All just self taught and has been my job now for the last 12 years. If you need any specific info or pointers just give me a shout.
Anyways, enough rambling. Apologies for the poor progress. Will try and get my arse into gear and get things moving
Do it man, it sounds awsome. If only there was a way you could electronically monitor ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to signal a problem in the water or the need for a water change. Better yet have it do a water change when the nitrates get to a certain point. Lol, all you would need to do is a make a mass feeding system and you could market is as a package including lights and a heater and have it sit on top of aquariums style deal. Lazy ppl would pay alot of money for a system like that so the only maintence they would have to do is water changes and filling up a container with a bunch of commercial and freeze dryed foods.
I wouldnt buy it though cause I like feeding my fish but a nitrate monitor would be awsome. The API test tube tests annoy me.
I wouldnt buy it though cause I like feeding my fish but a nitrate monitor would be awsome. The API test tube tests annoy me.
Eric L said:
There is a way, but it's just not affordable yet. Real time Ammonia and Nitrate censors cost about $200 each, but these censors are perishable and need to be replaced atleast every 6 months. Because they are perishable, you can't buy them too far in advance for when they need to replaced.
Electronic noses and tongues have alot of potential to monitor water quality. At the present they cost about $10,000 each. When this technology becomes more affordable we'll be able to monitor anything in the aquarium. Including bacterial and disease problems.
