The Aquaponics Control Box?
Yesterday we had a visit from our good friend Wolfgang Seemann, who happens to also be an electrical engineer and computer systems builder.
Wolfgang had seen our Aquaponics s
ystem before and had been thinking independently of a way to automate the whole process a lot more efficiently. His idea was to build a prototype smart box for us that could monitor our aquaponics system completely and notify us electronically when something needed attention.
Could such a thing be built?
Wolfgang wanted to see our system and he asked a lot of questions about the efficiency of the pump, the backup power system and what other regular tests an aquaponics system required?
We explained that our power to the pump ran constantly but he felt that this was an inefficient way to run your pump 24/7 and a waste of energy.
Wouldn’t an inbuilt timer be a more efficient solution he asked? We replied that some people do run their aquaponic system quite successfully with a 15 minute on cycle and 45 minute off cycle on their timer already. A variable timer could be of some advantage. But what is the optimal time span to run your system before it reaches a crisis level?
How will the fish, plants and bacteria cope if the timer delay is too long?
In order to build an Ultimate Aquaponics Master Controller Wolfgang wanted to know what features were the most important?
This got our heads scratching.
For most people in a backyard situation, such a system may not be necessary. Most people enjoy testing their system on a weekly basis for pH but for others running a small commercial enterprise, a gadget like this could be an ideal way to run their systems automatically. A way to also monitor your system remotely, if you were away on holidays and alert you via SMS or email could also be a very useful gadget.
Aquaponics Master Control Box
Our checklist may be different from yours but here’s our list.
- Main Power / Timer Switch
Optimizing your power efficiently and eliminating waste is a good idea.
- Backup Power System
This system would also have to monitor the health of you battery and alert you to problems.
- pH Monitor
Being able to monitor the pH and also the option of automatically dosing the system with either acid or base substance should the pH rise or fall could be very useful.
- Oxygen Level Monitor
Knowing exactly the amount of dissolved oxygen in your system would be great to know if you are running increased fish load.
- Water Clarity Meter
Wolfgang felt this could be implemented with an electronic sensor that could shine a reflective beam into your fish tank.
- Auto Fish Feeder
Keeping your fish on a scientific diet for optimal growth rate.
- Temperature Gauge/Bacteria Health Monitor
Keeping your system functioning at an optimal 20 degrees C would be nice.
- Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate Monitor
Always good to know how much feed is available to the plants.
Such a system may not need so many monitoring features built in and an Oxygen level monitor might make such a kit horribly expensive. Such a system may also never be built. But its a general list and perhaps not all the items on the wish list may be necessary. What are your thoughts on such a monitor like this? What monitoring features you would like to see built into your Aquaponics master control box if you had an electrical engineer like Wolfgang ready to build your dream kit?
So, are you saying this HASN’T been built yet? I want one!
Excellent idea – I’m sure it will be built in the not to distant future. For me, being away from home for a few consecutive days and nights is an issue. I will be using a backup system and have been considering a web cam as well so that at least I can see what is happening. But a unit like this would be far superior.
This would be awesome. I was fiddling with some thoughts like this using an Arduino or similar device.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU9x_W9X-tM
This is pretty close to such a system [above link]… I think that the future of aquaponics will be just as much about technology as it is about biology.
I think this kind of control box is a great idea but likely it would be expensive for the average backyard user. I streamlined version would be better depending on the target user.
Ph probes are cheap.
Ammonia/Nitrate probes are not cheap for the average hobbyist.
Backup power supply with online notification of remaining supply would essential and then send an SMS or email saying how much power is remaining.
I plan on having something like that but not so advanced and not so expensive also, just to control: 1. water temperature, 2. pH and ammonia and 3. having an electric backup as well as having every device running 24/7 on solar panels.
1. Water Temperature
Knowing that i need the water at 20ºC i will have a simple aquarium heater ($10 to $20) that will turn on at 19ºC and stop at 20ºC, wen the water goes to more that 20ºC i plan on having a simple setup with an arduino ($1 to $20), a temperature probe ($?) and 2 fans ($10) that i will configure to turn on the fans at 21ºC and stop at 20ºC.
2. pH and Ammonia
I want to know (constantly) the pH and ammonia on the water at a low cost, for that i found a “device” that give me constant information about this both stats on the water. Just search ebay with the words “pH alert” ($10).
3. Electric Backup
I want to use solar panels to power my pumps 24/7 and use the grid only for backup. For that i will use some car batteries, some solar panels, a solar controller, an inverter and to switch automatically from batteries to the grid ill use a relay. Prices for those will depend on what energy you need and if you can make or not your own solar panels, if you can you know it will be much cheaper.
The fish feeder and the time switch for the pump are also cheap, about $10 each.
All of these will need some testing but i think will solve most of those problems at a LOW COST and with SIMPLE KNOWLEDGE. The prices are always for ebay items (excluding shipping) just because its the place were i can find the best prices in my case.
Best Regards and be Creative 😉