Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi

Being a tinkerer, no not tinkerbell, I was wondering if anyone had played around with automating the system by microprocessor or computer and monitoring and trending the results, noting to elaborate or in the commercial relms of cost, just simple computer or micro interfaces etc

Bridgette
(Bree)

I should say "nothing" to elaborate not "noting" like I had written, sorry

Bree

Don't you mean "too" elaborate

thanks for this topic, Bree, as it interests me immensely too

Siemens LOGO! is a small and affordable and easy to program PLC with built in screen that could do the job
counters and timers (simple timers, but also daily and weekly) and lots of other functions are all incorporated in the standard software
so you can program monitoring and regulation at will
and have warning text messages show up on the screen so you can immediately pinpoint the problem
and they exist in a 12/24 V DC version so can be incorporated in backup and solar systems
input and output points can be expanded
they are extremely reliable, I have been working with them for years
I am almost sure you can connect them to a PC to stock the data into charts too
never tried that though

temperature is easy and cheap to monitor, pH relatively easy and affordable I think, but DO sensors are horribly expensive
for temperature, flow and pressure you can choose between thermostats, flow switches and pressostats (analog and cheap) and temperature, flow and pressure sensors (digital and more expensive)

what else would you want to monitor?

frank

Once you have your system running you get a feel for how its going. Checking on a computer would not be as much fun as going out and having a look. But low water level warnings and power or pump failures could be handy.

agreed, Dufflight
but in commercial or semi commercial systems
in short in any system where some produce is going to anybody who doesn't live on the premises
and that includes your own family that has flown out of the nest
one will be required to prove that all possible measures have been taken not only to avoid all possible contamination but also that animal health is guaranteed.
that is a consequence the arrogant attitude of people who did not care about this, only about making big bucks

frank

Sorry I thought they were asking for nothing to elaborate or in the commercial relms.

last comment, Dufflight
let's get back to the wonderfully interesting subject of Automation and Monitoring of Systems

frank

Nope, I love checking the system every day

I like the idea of being able to log onto a website to check on certain crucial elements to do with my system if I am away from home for a couple of days. Water height sensors and also sensors to confirm that autosiphons are functioning as they should, in addition to temperature and stuff like that would be good. Once I have my greenhouse, I'd also be interested in monitoring air temp in greenhouse, humidity and maybe even light levels if possible.

I'm not good with electronics (or computers for that matter) - so I guess it's unlikely I'll be able to go this way.

BTW - this would not replace my going out to the system whenever I can - but would be great for when away and also to log some interesting stuff over time.

I've always been interested to know - for instance - whether my siphons work like clockwork, or whether they vary in terms of kick in and break times.

Beer + stopwatch = monitoring

I`d only monitor things that you have control over.
Knowing when the water is too warm might be a good thing, but if you have no way to cool it you`ll go grey with the worry.. you may be better off not knowing

Good point.

+1

Keep it simple St#?%d