DIY Tank Monitor --> Tank Controller chat

OK time seems to be getting away from me however have progressed into assembly and got the I/O boards mounted on a back plate. I am currently writing a simple script that will control the fill drain solenoids. You can see the float switch attached. This has been hooked up to my controller now for 2 weeks and seems very stable. This unit will be fitted into my new tank which I am saving for and hope to get in the next month...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...001_edited.jpg

I have also updated my web site....and can now see via a pull down on each trend 1 week, 1 month and 2 month trends.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3.../Aqua-rev2.gif

This is the tank
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/rjconway/450.gif

Nice work BI!

I had just finished installing my two T5 QTi 2x54 Watt Dimmable ballasts on my tank. (I still have to purchase another one but that wont be for another month or two)

I am waiting on a microcontroller board and PSU from Futurlec :wink: to complete my lighting controller. I have already done a proof of concept and had a prototype working (both hardware and coding now complete and bug free) so I'm just waiting for these dedicated parts to turn up.

The controller has an LCD and Real Time Clock to display time, date and temp. When the switch on time is reached, the controller begins to bring the T5's up to full brightness over a 15 minute sunrise period. Obviouisly at night, the reverse happens. The T5's are dimmed over a 15 minute period to 1% birghtness.

The controller can be easily modified to control heating which will be done at a later date along with adding a keypad to enable user entry of time, date, switch-on/off time and a temperature set point. (The algorithm I use for the time and date has been coded to adjust for daylight savings automatically depending on which state it is set for)

I'll try to get some pictures posted soon as my tank is now up and running.

Hi Guys,

havent been on the forum much for a while but it's great to see some interest in this area. I started playing with PIC micros for this some time ago, my original intention was PH monitoring, temp control/monitor then w/c control. I got sidetracked with other hobbies so didn't get further than a prototype temp control (ended up on my coffee machine!)

I also started thinking that owfs might be a more flexible way to go, you can even get free "sample" sensors sent to you direct from maxim/dallas if you register. Obviously these are raw chips so boardmaking soldering etc are required.

My preference is for pc based monitoring and probably owfs based sensors since I have an old laptop laying around that would be perfect, and some sample sensors.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by diveboy

What do you think ? I like it!

what features would you like? PH monitoring, possible ph control, Temp control, temp monitoring, possible advanced features like water level monitor (assist with W/C too), W/C control.

how much would you spend ? whatever I can hide from the wife!

how technical minded are you ? Reasonable - self taught mostly

can you solder ? enough to complete the circuit

can you program ? not really

would you prefer to just plug sensors in ? DIY is cool

Would you trust such a system to control your tank ? after testing yes

or would you use it only as a monitoring system that would email/sms/Beep ? thats good too

Would you want to use the one system to monitor more than one tank ? probably, but not essential to start with

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By the way - really nice work Rob!

Lindsay

DIY-J

Checkout owfs for NSLU2...NSLU2 aka "SLUG" only costs 140.00...Plus the cost of a usb hard disk. It will host a web server, owfs and rrdtool for trending. I have been working with the owfs group for some time now and there latest build is very stable...1wire is the way to go. As you know getting digital precision temperature for <5.00 each is better than anything else.

i need to pull my finger out and do it - this setup now rob is very impressive!

Thanks Rob, I'll do some reading.

How much linux / programming knowledge is needed? I assume your website needed some skills to create or was it fairly simple stuff?

Is there a forum for owfs/nslu2?

btw - my brother is still using that tank we got from you, it's being setup as a small planted tank now :lol:

the One Wire Project site has a heap of info on it - related to hardware etc - check it out http://www.owfs.org/

DIY-J

You don't need to know a lot about LINUX. A handful of commands.

I am not a programmer...I have got some simple script files that gets 1wire data and pushes it into a trend application.

I am not a web designer..this is my first web page, however when your looking at it all there really is is a couple of trends and some buttons. The NSLU2 is actually a web server so use frontpage, dreamweaver any type of web page creator. I'm happy to share my html code if you agree to develop further :) I just got a pretty cool picture album running on the server as well.

I have written a couple of DOS batch files before however you will need to generate a couple of simple "plain text" script files and schedule them to run.

The NSLU2 (which becomes your cheap web server, 1wire host, trend generator) is very easy to install. Each piece is documented its just up to us to put it together for aqua usage.

I am more than happy to share my simple scripts to get you running. If you have cable or ADSL (continuous web connection) it's easy to see your Aquarium data over the internet. That was my main driver.


Hardware / Applications
NSLU2 (Linksys NAS) with a USB hard disk.
1wire USB adapter

Install Unslung 6.8 on the NSLU2
Install owfs (i.e. just type #ipkg install owfs)
Install rrdtool
get simple home web site working
Ask me for a script file to push data into rrdtool

Only thing you really need to know is how to use "vi" which is a text editor. It's quite simple but thats the hardest thing in terms of Linux.


I am currently documenting the water change and 1wire digital I/O boards when this is done I will document how to setup the NSLU2...you wouldn't really need it documented by me though as its all there in pieces.

PM me if you get stuck more than happy to assist.
rob

This is the water change solenoids built about 2 years ago, although under manual switch control at present. This is what the 1wire outputs will switch on / off automatically. Solenoids and pump are low power 24VDC

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...y/IMG_0025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...y/IMG_0022.jpg

OK, I'm in :lol:

I'll order the USB adapter, get myself an NSLU2 and start playing.

Actually I've done some scripting before (dos batch files & a couple of simple vbscripts) so I'm sure I'll cope. I've even used VI a few times for work about 5 years ago, from memory once you get a few basic commands memorised it's not that bad.

I can only find one place in OZ so far that sell the USB adapter (thermodata.com.au) is that where you got yours?