DIY Aqua Controller, what would YOU want it to control?

F

Firewolf4

I'm currently in process of engineering an aqua controller. it will be based on a PIC microcontroller (or 2 depending) I'd like ideas of what others would like to see as far as capabilities, Bells, Whistles, etc. the basic controls will monitor and control, Lighting, water levels, Pumps, temp, PH, and salinity; But what other items would you like to see it be able to control. Please keep in mind, I only have so many I/O ports to work with.

Thanks,
 
How about built in related timers to run a kalk reactor with. You know one timer to mix it every so often and another to wait to start dosing again.
 
Is this something u are designing for just your own personal use or are you going to patent it?

Just wondering because if it is just for you, and you are running a calcium reactor, then dis-regard my recommendation above.

Another must is a back lit display, though thats pretty standard

also what about the auto top off -- you could build in the relay and float switch inputs and have the sump level monitored an logged at all times, could also tie in with the kalk reactor run times and be available on aqua notes or web page html real time monitoring
 
It'll eventually go for Patent/manufacturing. Right now, I want to design and build one that not only caters to the needs and wants of the Saltwater enthusist, but is one they can afford. My target price for this will be sub 250 (depending on probe configuration) and I want it to outperform the ones that cost over a grand.

thanks for the feedback,
 
If you want to keep it simple with a flair, this is what I would hope to get from the price range you described:

Measure pH & temp. (ORP would be nice, but I really don't care personally)
Time & Date.
Based on the above information, be able to turn on/off:

Lighting (run when scheduled, turn off when tank too hot)
Heater (activate when tank too cold)
Fans (activate when tank too hot)
Alarm / Flashing light (sound / light up when something is out of range badly)

The flair would be an easy way to transmit pH & temp to our computer or hosting site. Something that can talk to our wireless routers would be the easiest - I'd hope.
 
LOL @ Gravit...

I guess I'd say start by looking at the specs for some of the cheaper controllers... The Lighthouse controller from Premium Aquatics started just like this from what I've read, a guy wanted an inexpensive controller, and couldn't find one, so he made it...

Start there, and work up from there...

Off the top of my head some things that should be in there:

Ethernet and/or WiFi
Built in web server and configuration. Preferebly supporting telnet as well for us old-school types.
Obviously the basics - Temp, pH, ORP.
Maybe some extras like conductivity (Salinity)

Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, the ability to turn outlets on and/or off at certain pH and ORP and Temp settings.

Nice display. Preferably make the display detachable so the main guts can be in the cabinet, and the display could be mounted on your stand.
Choose what control mechanism you'll use now... Basically, X-10 or use a hacked up power strip.

Advantage of X-10 - Easily expandable to control 256 devices.
Advantage of the hacked up power strip - More reliable, simpler.

Or some combination of the two... I.E. X-10 for devices that aren't frequently turned on/off (Lights, for instance) and power strip for devices that will be frequently switched on/off (Power heads for waves)

Wave making functionality would be nice.

Ability to control multiple lights, and not just 1 "Daylight" 1 "Actinic" and 1 "Refuguim"... Few people have a single 1 daylight bulb...

Battery Back up and/or flash memory for all settings

Ability to calculate the lunar cycles and fire different sets of moon lights to simulate the real lunar cycle is an interesting feature...



Well, I'm sure I'll think of more, but that's a start at least... (Hey, you DID ask!)

Of course, since people will be trusting their precious reefs to this thing, thorough testing will be required... I'd be willing to beta test as well, to help you make a better controller of course... :wink:
 
If you can figure out a way to control DC type pumps (tunze) for cheap that would be wonderful. I know that Neptune will soon release an update to the aquacontrollers that will be able to control tunze pumps.
 
Some other things.. paging / email / alarm for out of bounds conditions (configurable).. Delayed startup of lights after power outage. How about some raw digital inputs that can be used for float switches, water on floor sensors, or just buttons / switches.
 
Sorry, I had to rush out of town for couple of days for store repairs.
I do want the imput from people as I can build one for myself solely for my use but that doesn't help others.
I will be avoiding X10 as it's an outdated technology with no I/O capacity.
I may however devise a method of being backwards compatible with X10.
Since the Control outputs will be relays, these will be capable of controlling Tunze style powerheads (besides that, relays cost about 25 bucks per 50 relays, Solid state switching costs about 17 bucks EACH :shock: ).
Gravit. Yes I will need beta testers and Coders and a showcase tank that the rest of the world can see. I do however expect to be in Alpha testing within a year. I'm just Kinda praying that the technology I'm using wont be antequated by the time I roll it out. :wink:

The Basic setup of this controller will process input signals from multiple devices and will output to standard 120V lines through relay control and also to a PC/Web server for system control and monitoring.
The Basic controls will be:
1. Sump Low level switch to shut down Return pump
2. Sump High level to send an alert
3. Overcurrent sensing to shut down effected circuits and send alert
4. Temperature sense to control Heater in system with Hysteresis loop
5. PH Low level controller to activate Dosing
6. Salinity level Sensor – Monitor only at this point
7. Blue Fluorescent Power control – Based on Microcode
8. White Fluorescent Power control –Based on microcode
9. Metal Halide Power control – Based on Microcode
10. Powerhead Channel 1 Control – Wavemaker control
11. Powerhead Channel 2 Control - wavemaker control
12. Refugium light Control – Based on microcode
13. Calcium Level sensor with control of reactor or Dosing
14. Moonlight control with Potential Fade effect for Moonphase – Microcoded
15. Kalkwasser reactor mix and dose timer- Allows reactor time to mix between dosing cycles.
16.

The Digital sensed inputs will be:
1. High Level switch with debounce
2. Low Level Switch with debounce
The Analog sensed inputs will be:
1. Current sense
2. Temp
3. PH level
4. Calcium Level
5. Salinity
6. ORP
7. Optional Probe* -TBD

Outputs will be Driver controlled for:
1. Relays controlling Pumps
2. Relays controlling Ballasts
3. Solenoids for Dosing
4. Alarm triggers
5. I/O for PC or Web monitoring, Design around either USB or Bluetooth with integrated webserver*

Mains Power Control for I/O but will leave Controller in monitor mode
Display Must be detachable with remote capacity of 2 meters.
* allotments will be made in primary design but not expected to be integrated until 3rd Revision
 
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