computer controlled tank?

[red devil]

I have a ...ok, nobody laugh...a '386 notebook computer that will works like a charm. I think the case is made of cast iron - it is not lite by any means but it is sturdy. Is there any way to use this to capture data about my tank or to control lights, temperature, pumps, etc? OK...now that you have stopped laughing....how about a more modern computer - something that runs 98 or 2000 or xp? The reason why I choose the 386 is because it requires very little power, takes up very little room and right now has no other use.

I tried searhing in this forum and got so many hits - not related at all to this topic - that I had to scrap the searching idea.

[J double R]

try searching on google or something.. there are programs out there that you can use.

[WeeNe858]

i dont get the quetion....... i do know your looking to have a computer give you readings on your tanks... and you cant decide on what computer to use?


i say use a cheap comp :]

[loaches r cool]

Congrats on having a still usable 386. I still use a celeron 366 everyday (still a huge jump from a 386 though!). Its running a webserver and if you check out my webpage link at the bottom youll actually be accessing my 366 computer. It currently runs Linux but I can boot it into Windows also if I wanted. Its also been overclocked by 50% for several years and still runs great (not overclocked anymore since its been running webserver duty).

I think your problem is unless your righting software code yourself its going to be difficult to get any software to run on your 386. As I recall, the newest OS that will work is Win95 yes? And I think that will only work with the DX series 386. However, if you just want to view from the computer you can try something like the Aquacontroller by Neptune Systems. Of course they are ridiculously expensive but just letting you know the option does exist. However on their cheaper Aquacontroller Jr you will still have to run software on the computer like Aquanotes, and depending on your OS I am guessing thats still going to be a problem. The full blown Aquacontroller has a webserver built in and an ethernet port, so as long as your machine could get on the net you should be able to view/program the Aquacontroller via a web interface. These units are awesome (although pricey) and I'll probably be setting one up soon to automate my tank.

[kryptic4l]

It would be cool if it was completely computer controlled... and could feed and deal with tank problems if they go beyond user specified ranges :)
better yet if you could feed and monitor your tank via wifi :)

[loaches r cool]

better yet if you could feed and monitor your tank via wifi :)

Like I said they do make stuff to automate just about anything. removing algae from the glass and trimming plants though you'll have to do manually. And the product I mentioned has built in webserver so use a wireless router and there you go - wifi. Throw up a webcam and you can watch to see that all the automation is happening. It will even send you an email message if your power goes out - sweeet! If you check your email on a pda then you’ll get that message anywhere.

X10 is another automation option if all you want is a bunch of on/off events. It wont read pH or tank temp but you can use it to sequence your lights, turn extra pumps on and off, turn things like CO2 and plant fertilizers on and off... and you can interface to the computer and through the web with it, and they also have a camera interface so you can watch it all remotely as well. The X10 can be finicky I've heard, and thats why I am probably opting for the Aquacontroller.

I was actually going to build my own controller from the chip up, but that was years ago and I have since lost most my programming and micro electronics skills. I built a microcontroller based on an Intel 80-188 microprocessor back in college and was going to do the automated aquarium as a senior project but that didnt happen. I cant remember much anything about assembly language - my lab partners did most the programming anyhow. But using some more modern chips you could build a controller for a lot less than what Neptune sells.

BTW some links for those interested:
The Aquacontroller: http://www.neptunesys.com/
X10 automation: http://activehomepro.com/

[jehrbear]

http://www.x10.com
Can't say if a 386 will run their basic systems, but i'm sure you could pick up a very cheap computer on craigslist or ebay.

[markgill]

I have also been looking at automation and to get anything that can look after the tank from a monitoring piont of view is very expensive. Anything specialised costs. Ihave wondered if the hydroponics world has anything to offer?

[Rbishop]

Why would you want a computer controlled tank? Might as well put on a DVD or Video of an aquarium. Kind of like the fireplace scene.

[loaches r cool]

I think thats the point - so one can just sit back and enjoy it instead of having to deal with it all the time. Some actually like to do water changing or dosing nutrients daily, some of us dont even have the time to keep up with once a week maintanence. I know MY FISH will be better off when I automate my tank and do daily water changes as compared to my once weekly water change that I dont get around to about every other week:( .

[OgreMkV]

Get a Flinn Scientific catalog (or any science supply center) and they have a whole bunch of computer controlled sensors THey have temp, CO2, O2, pH, (not sure about ammonia), but almost everything you could wish for.

They sensors are expensive (about $65 each), but I think you can find software to do what you want.

[red devil]

Thanks! Computer control...i have 2 reasons. One is simply basic control of lights, pumps, etc. I know there are timers but I would like to have one "gadget" that would allow me to control all of them at one time. Plus after the tank is thriving - is that wishful thinking or what? - I am going to plant a webcam in a strategic area and stream onto my website. Computer control would allow me to turn lights, etc on and off as I need from remote places, especially when I am traveling (which I do pretty often) and can check up on my babies. I am not so interested in ph and other kinds of sensors. I have found that after a tank gets established those things don't change very much - unless you have a catastrophe. I am more interested in something to help me get plants started and help me keep a close eye on them so maybe a CO2 sensor would be what I want.

[loaches r cool]

Usually CO2 is controlled by the use of a pH sensor since the addition of CO2 causes the pH to decrease and the removal of CO2 causes pH to rise. I'd be more curious about the 'CO2 sensor' though... I've seen dissolved oxygen sensors as an option for the AquaController but that like a $600 option :eek:

Excellent point about vacations. That is one of my main problems too. My folks and my wifes folks are not from around here and we travel almost any free weekend we have. Combine that with my rotating shift schedule and the tank maintenance suffers. But a controller that could handle water changes and co2 and auto fert dosing would keep the tank running just fine. Right now if I am gone for more than 2-3 days I have to shut half my lights off or more and crank the co2 way down basically turning my plant tank into a low tech tank.

But dont forget you can do most of it without an actual controller, just a bunch of timers setup right (this can be a much cheaper alternative), at least when it comes to lights, water changing, and dosing for example. Monitoring tank conditions would require some kind of controller, at least something to log data to or something to be able to watch conditions from remote.

And there are other features of controllers that I just think are awesome. I'm mostly familiar with the Aquacontroller and it can do things like send you an email at work if a tank parameter goes over a limit, or if the power goes out. I think thats just awesome. And since it has a built in webserver I could check out the tank at work and perhaps override and shut off the co2 solenoid for example, turn on extra pumps, or even initiate a water change.

[kasslloyd]

two companies that could help ya ;-) (but i think a 386 isn't capable of running their controlling software)

http://www.automatedaquariums.com/
http://www.growtronix.com/

both should probably have equipment and software that will let you control LARGE amounts of your aquarium setup with a computer and capture and plot things like temperature, ph, etc...

Of course these things are very expensive ;-)

[Slappy*McFish]

I'm sure the computer would keep daily log readings, as well. That would be be kind of handy to have access to. Set up a web cam and it would be complete.