Introduction
Aquaponics requires us to monitor certain factors for the system to run well. This can be done by human work, but it can also be automated by using Arduino Uno.
What to do
I would like to explain what the system is and what the benefits are.
I intend to use an Arduino Uno, most likely connected to a laptop, to power a number of sensors and controls. Arduino Uno is a microcontroller board with 14 digital input and output pins. A laptop or another device is accompanied so that data can be memorized, and a code can be given. I intend to control light levels, water temperature, air temperature, humidity, wind, and pH levels. The lights and water temperature are simple and do not require IoT because lights can be on timer-switches and there are many water heaters available designed to keep water at a constant temperature. Those tools can be bought online for cheap. For air temperature, a temperature sensor will be linked to the Arduino, constantly collecting temperature data. When the temperature gets too hot, the Arduino will instruct a servo to open a ventilation hatch and a fan to turn on. When the temperature reduces back to optimal levels, the hatch will close and the fan will turn off. In a small system, the air can be heated through the water heater. In a big system, the air can be heated through a separate air heater operated when temperatures are low. For humidity levels, if the humidity gets too high, again, the vent can be opened and the fan turned on. If the humidity drops too low, the vent can be closed and an electric mist sprayer can be instructed to spray into the air. In a large system, air heating can be turned up. The wind would be controlled more on a timer system other than when temperature and humidity are trying to be controlled. The Arduino Uno can instruct the fan or fans to turn on and off periodically to mimic natural wind. Finally, a pH sensor can constantly measure the pH of the water and two small pumps can be instructed by the Arduino Uno to microdose pH up or down to optimize the pH level. There can be other sensors added; water level sensors, for example. However, these are inputs that don’t change much over short periods of time. People can also control water levels. It can be necessary in a large farm where many factors are important and versatile.
Benefits
I believe that automation through IoT is beneficial because it can collect data more frequently. When people take care of plants on their own, they would only be able to do so a few times a day, and they are limited in their control of the environment, which makes data collection complicated. IoT can track data every few seconds. This gives us vast amounts of information about the growth of plants, allowing us to tweak minor details one by one and track what effect these adjustments have on crop yields and health. This in turn will allow us to further optimize the growing conditions for all species of plants and even specific seeds to enable a larger crop yield. This also means IoT allows more consistency. When conditions are not optimal for plants, IoT can immediately amend certain factors for the growth of the plants. In traditional growing or farming environments, the conditions may not have been optimal for several hours before a laborer noticed. It is also helpful because it decreases the required labor. Checking the status of plants and using simpler tools, such as thermometers, pH kits, and hygrometers, would take a lot more effort than using IoT. It’s more economically viable for farming as it costs less.
There are however conditions in which an automated system would not be optimal, so it’s not the perfect strategy in all cases. While over time, the reduced labor required would make the system cost-effective, the initial system setup costs can get expensive, therefore poorer communities may not be able to afford to implement this system. Additionally, there are more power requirements so in areas with disrupted or costly power supply, this may not be feasible. Again this could be overcome with solar or wind power, for example, but once again this increases the set-up costs.
Conceptual Design
This doesn’t go into C++ coding, but rather a guide on what should happen. I plan to learn it in the near future, but I haven’t yet. Please note that all numbers vary by the type of plants and fish and other circumstances, and these numbers are just examples.
This is the hardware environment.
Air Temperature Control
Humidity Control
pH Level Control
Conclusion
Researching this topic, I was able to find an easier way to use aquaponics. In the future, I am planning to learn how to code and use this for my next aquaponics experiment.
References
https://www.joiv.org/index.php/joiv/article/viewFile/925/441
Other post gives sources that I used to learn what factors I need to control in aquaponics.