What would you guys like to see in an aquarium controller

[cbfreder]

I am thinking of looking into building an aquarium controller, and I wanted to see if there is anything special that you guys would like.

Probable Features:
Day/Night controller. A little bit ago I figured out how to calculate sunrise and set times, moonrise and set times wouldn't be much more. Dawn/Dusk so the fish don't freak when the lights come on (maybe). You could configure it with a latitude and it would automatically adjust for the seasons. If we combine this with the next feature, we could theoretically stumble upon a bunch of breeding triggers. I'd like to see about 8 timer controlled plugs.

Thermostat. I could easily get it to control within about 0.1 degree

pH and controller. Off the top of my head I think pH might be expensive for me to develop on a small scale, so this would be the nicest and first to go. But i'll have to look into it more.

Power failure. Integrated lead-acid battery charger and 12VDC pump or inverter with timing to reduce duty cycle for long outages

SMS warnings. If we leave it connected to a comp, you could get vacation updates and warnings.

Ammonia Spike sensors. I am not up on my electrochemistry, but I know people who are and I'll ask them about the feasibility of this one. Should detect fish death.

Service reminders. Just like that cheap one in all the magazines.

That's about all I can think of that would be cheap and easy to build, but, like maybe of my projects, I tend to plan them out in exquisite detail and then never complete them. Hopefully that won't happen this time.

Brandon

 

[jsodwi]

That would be awsome I would buy one if it was affordable!

 

[ewurm]

How about an electronic nitrate eliminator and drip management system, and a remote control?

 

[rottbo]

I would rather setup one up off of an old laptop that would run it at all times and program it so that when there is a major spike of anykind to text my phone... but I would want all the bells and whistles ph temp salinity amonia nitrites nitrates all those test probes.. plus the ability to get ont to a com anywhere and control the system.....

 

[cbfreder]

How about an electronic nitrate eliminator and drip management system, and a remote control?

I'm confused. Why do you need a nitrate eliminator and a drip management system? Just turn up the flow.

I would rather setup one up off of an old laptop that would run it at all times and program it so that when there is a major spike of anykind to text my phone... but I would want all the bells and whistles ph temp salinity amonia nitrites nitrates all those test probes.. plus the ability to get ont to a com anywhere and control the system.....

Yeah, that would be pretty sweet but one's ability to do that is limited by reality. There aren't simple sensors for all of these parameters. You need reagents and photometers and stuff. It would be simpler and cheaper to pay someone to test your water every hour and fix the problems that arise

 

[Euge]

was going to start a similar thread. Keep those ideas rolling

 

[milkman407]

Ph,Nitrate,nitrite,amonia,how hard the water is, saltanity. etc..

 

[messiner]

how about a robot that does waterchanges for you, cleans the filters, scrapes the glass, monitors all perams. id spend like a k for one........that is the future of fishkeeping. like 2020 future.

 

[Dr Joe]

I would rather setup one up off of an old laptop that would run it at all times and program it so that when there is a major spike of anykind to text my phone... but I would want all the bells and whistles ph temp salinity amonia nitrites nitrates all those test probes.. plus the ability to get ont to a com anywhere and control the system.....

I would rather have a dedicated cpu (there's a reason we consider them old laptops) that I can interface with to change parameters if problems arise, hooked into your home network...now your global. Don't forget the web cam(s).

I'm confused. Why do you need a nitrate eliminator and a drip management system? Just turn up the flow.


We want the machine to turn up the flow...whole purpose of 'automation'.



Yeah, that would be pretty sweet but one's ability to do that is limited by reality. There aren't simple sensors for all of these parameters. You need reagents and photometers and stuff. It would be simpler and cheaper to pay someone to test your water every hour and fix the problems that arise

Reality is not a limiting factor, the imagination is.

Sensors aren't that bad in price, I don't know anyone I would trust to adjust the param's of my tanks but me. Biggest prob is keeping sensors clean, but that can be accomplished thru automation too.

What's your experience level...Electronics / Programing?

how about a robot that does waterchanges for you, cleans the filters, scrapes the glass, monitors all perams. id spend like a k for one........that is the future of fishkeeping. like 2020 future.

Didn't you learn anything from I,Robot ?

And are you saying it will only take cbfreder 14 years to complete this? (2020)

The future is clear algae that eats all other algae / waste / absorbs Ammonia and excretes oxygen / co2 and trace elements (and remembers your birthday)...Just around the corner (and down the street).

I think I just made Brandon's project obsolete, Sorry.


Dr Joe

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[cbfreder]

I would rather have a dedicated cpu (there's a reason we consider them old laptops) that I can interface with to change parameters if problems arise, hooked into your home network...now your global. Don't forget the web cam(s).

I forgot entirely about the webcam! But it might be cheaper just to buy one of those network ones for like $100.

Reality is not a limiting factor, the imagination is.

Sensors aren't that bad in price, I don't know anyone I would trust to adjust the param's of my tanks but me. Biggest prob is keeping sensors clean, but that can be accomplished thru automation too.

What's your experience level...Electronics / Programing?

You're right imagination is the only limiting factor, but as I understand big ion (like NH4, NO3) selective electrodes, they select for the ions by size. Ammonia sensors tend to get interference from K+, eliminating their use in planted tanks. http://www.nico2000.net/analytical/Qammonium.htm says that there needs to be greater than a 5:1 K:NH4 ratio and water with 1M MgSO4 buffer. My water is softer than this and I hate building mechanical stuff (too many little parts to make).

I am an engineering graduate student focusing on medical instrumentation, so companies usually send me their products for free. I'd like to include generic sensor interfaces so that you could have a full-time pH sensor and an interface for whatever other sensors you need. Sounds like fun

Didn't you learn anything from I,Robot ?

And are you saying it will only take cbfreder 14 years to complete this? (2020)

I dunno. I can be pretty lazy...

The future is clear algae that eats all other algae / waste / absorbs Ammonia and excretes oxygen / co2 and trace elements (and remembers your birthday)...Just around the corner (and down the street).

I think I just made Brandon's project obsolete, Sorry.
Dr Joe

Let's get right on that...
Brandon