DIY Arduino controller

[Daeron]

Starting this thread to track my progress...

The idea - Arduino based aquarium controller that has a touch screen interface as well as uploading data to a database and a remote web interface for access to alerts and such. The idea would then further be extrapolated so that multiple controllers can be monitored through a single web interface.

I'll be helped with this project by my kiddos (well, the 2 oldest boys). It's a great learning experience for them as well (learning during summer break, whoda thunk it!!!).

The plan - Because of the help that I'll be getting, I'm going to set each item up in pieces. The boys, I will have concentrating specifically on each of the probes (temp, salinity, pH), dosing pumps. I will be setting up the TFT touch screen (looking at a 7", not sure if I want to do a Mega or Due at this point), power outlet relays, integration of everything, and the network/web/database stuffs.

I know that there are already items out there that can do this, but nothing beats DIY with the kiddos during the summer

Item list - TBD

Code - TBD

Config stuff - TBD

 

[DanDaMan]

Nice! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

[Rob's Reef]

Good luck!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Following!

 

[badd]

Pretty sure there is a arduino thread here somewhere ..but want to follow.. I have made our christmas light control by arduino with 64 channels of lights

 

[Daeron]

Been doing a lot of work gathering information and working with the kids on their learning pieces in the past few days (they got a thermistor temp to display on a 2 line LCD with red/green LED notification and then proceeded to run around "testing" everything)!

I've starting the "shopping list", of which I'm sure is no where complete, but whenever I purchase something for this project, I'll add it to a running list somewhere (not seeing where I can update the original post, so I'll have to stash it somewhere). My current Amazon cart (trying to make it simple for myself...I'm sure I can save a dollar or two by going to different places, but the effort is a bit much) is currently at $215, but the biggest item on it is the Mega/TFT.

I have decided to go with the Mega instead of the Due, solely because it seems everything that I would need to interface with can do 5V, but not everything can do 3.3V. Along those same lines, I've also thought about (and probably because I have 2 Uno's lying about) doing sort of a master/slave setup using I2C. What this would allow is to have the Uno's doing the work with the probes and such, and the mega would primarily be used for a tethered display and uplink for data going to a database via an IP network (which would also allow for data to go back from the IP network as well, such as for settings changes...ya, big plans from the getgo!).

Right now, I'm looking at temperature, pH, and salinity probes, power outlet controls (turn things on and off based on parameters, such as feeding time, can turn off the pumps for 10 minutes, or turn off the heater if the water gets too hot, etc.), light controls, and ATO. I'll probably add dosing pumps as well, now that I think about it.

 

[p7willm]

The reef angel, http://www.reefangel.com/, is open source and uses arduino so they might have some insights.

 

[Daeron]

The reef angel, http://www.reefangel.com/, is open source and uses arduino so they might have some insights.

I've been gleaning from there amongst many other sites to compile things

 

[Schreiber]

Any update?

 

[Daeron]

Purchased pieces/parts...summer in Alaska is pretty busy with all the outdoors stuff...things are starting to calm down and will be getting to work on it

Things I've gotten so far:

Arduino Mega
7" TFT touchscreen w/shield
Ethernet shield
pH probe (testing buffer solutions as well, 7 and 10 pH)
waterproof temp probes
8 way octocoupled relay

I'm still working on sourcing the part for the salinity probe (harder than I thought it would be).

 

[Schreiber]

Purchased pieces/parts...summer in Alaska is pretty busy with all the outdoors stuff...things are starting to calm down and will be getting to work on it

Things I've gotten so far:

Arduino Mega
7" TFT touchscreen w/shield
Ethernet shield
pH probe (testing buffer solutions as well, 7 and 10 pH)
waterproof temp probes
8 way octocoupled relay

I'm still working on sourcing the part for the salinity probe (harder than I thought it would be).

Ah dang, I'm looking into doing something similar & I'm having an awfully hard time finding a salinity probe as well. I've found YT tutorials on how to build your own, but it wouldn't be nearly accurate enough for the purposes of controlling a tank.

 

[Daeron]

I found a website with a pretty good explanation of how to use an electrical plug and cord to make one, but I was pretty specific no the type of plug (which makes sense) that I'm having a hard time sourcing. I may have to go a different direction in regards to that if I can't find one soon.