Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

@markb

"...They are very good about sharing info." Yes I have heard this for another as well.

For others interested, here is a link to Clemson Aquaponics' Facebook photos:
https://www.facebook.com/ClemsonAquaponics/photos/

So, also upstate SC, ...I sent you a PM.

Arduino WiFi to the clouds - ThingSpeak.com

Started a simple Arduino monitoring system this weekend. As I asked earlier: "...Any simple Arduino setup w/ WiFi to monitor these temperatures available around here [the forum]? I am new here and could use advice.”

Well, it's not yet connected with the aquaponics system for I need to order some specific sensors first. Simple ones like inside/outside temperature sensors and fish tank submersible temperature probes as well. Then many others too like PH, flow, levels and water quality I suspect.

But I did get an Arduino Uno WiFi connected to a small breadboard with a kit’s raw temperature probe and a couple other miscellaneous test items. This setup is stand alone in our "garden room" using my in-house WiFi to access the internet. The endpoint is a cloud service called ThingSpeak (ThingSpeak.com) although it could just as well be a site of mine own. ThingSpeak is a free cloud service for the Internet-of-things (Iot) applications offered by Matlab providing many data processing and data visualization services as well as notification, alarming and controlling services. (Why reinvent the wheel, no!?)


(Click to see the raw data streams collected at ThingSpeak.com.)

Of course, this is just a test using ThingSpeak defaults. But it is a start!

Data field #1 is a simple on board manual potentiometer - I occasionally change it when out there.
Data field #2 is a digital LED on/off signal set and read from the Arduino in a read/write loop.
Data fields #3 and #4 are also read in the loop from thermometer’s analog output and converted to Celsius and Fahrenheit respectively on the Arduino.

With these read while looping every 30 seconds, the Arduino formats and sends the data samples in a single call to the ThingSpeak cloud there the four samples are posted, saved and processed although simply for display just now. Data is stored for, well virtually for ever less I occasionally clear it myself I think.

Yeah, just a beginner here but not bad for an old man’s first try. And if anyone else following that needs help getting that far, just ask. Perhaps I can help.

Congratulations! That is super cool!

Some day when you have the time, a detailed write-up of your monitoring system and sensors would be great to see!

--
Sam

Thanks Sam. I’d write this up as is but seems so trivial when compared to the reads I find on the Arduino. When I'm “done” seems over my horizon as yet. And truly, is one really ever done with such projects? LOL

But yes I plan multiple write-ups as I go. But now I need help with sensors, what works and what does not starting with the temperature probes. Then wiring advice: pulling them all together; multiple separate Arduinos with some sensors each communicating; etc. … for this is my first breadboard hookup ever.

So the temp sensor selections are next followed by a design layout (schematic like?) of the system elements planned. Then an incremental build plan as a guide. Well you know the dance.

Thanks again. Much more to come.

greg

tagging along. Looks like a nice start to the greenhouse and indoor tank/sump. Should help to control the temps a bit having the tank and sump in a climate controlled environment.

I'm still in the process of building my greenhouse, shooting for passive solar in a cold climate. I have it pretty much enclosed and insulated the outside and about 1/3 of the inside. Still need to finish insulating it before winter and get my water barrels installed for heat-sinks, but it is already a pretty noticeable difference going from outside the greenhouse to inside the greenhouse, and an even bigger noticeable difference after being in the greenhouse a few minutes to walk back outside... I have not set my arduino project out in the greenhouse yet to start collecting data on my temps, but it's enough to feel the difference, so hopefully once I finish insulating I'll be able to keep some plants growing throughout the winter.

I'm starting with temps as well - fish room, greenhouse (shed really), and outside ambient temperatures. Also, fish tank, sump tank (not really needed) and grow beds. Collecting these for annual records and insights for improvements.

are you living in the old schoolhouse or just housing the AP system there? One of my co-workers bought and remodeled an old one room schoolhouse here in town a few years back. Nice piece of history to preserve while giving it a spin of modern too.

My dad bought this property, the old Flat Rock Schoolhouse which was originally one room. He divided up some as a place to live and an antique museum. It burnt down in the early 80's. He build it back basically as was but updated. The fish room is in part of an addition to the school in the 50's maybe. Three times or more the space of the original one room schoolhouse. The school was decommissioned and fenced up by the county before my pop bought it. Many locals started school here and occasionally stop by.