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A series focusing on the technical aspects of optimizing aquaponics and hydroponics systems, with a strong emphasis on DIY solutions, sensor technology, automation, and data analysis. Each episode offers concrete instructions and project ideas.

This series aims to enable readers to gradually build a state-of-the-art and automated system that can be precisely controlled. Each topic is technical enough to be interesting but with sufficient practical guidance to be implemented directly.

 

Here's the overview

 

Article 1: Laying the Foundation – Sensors and Data Acquisition for Smart Gardens

  • Topic: Introduction to key parameters (pH, EC, temperature, water level, light intensity) and their measurement.
  • Practical Ideas:
    • DIY pH and EC Sensor Module: Instructions for building a cost-effective measurement module with Arduino/ESP32 and common sensors.
    • Automatic Data Acquisition and Visualization: How to collect sensor data (e.g., on an SD card or via Wi-Fi to a dashboard like Grafana/InfluxDB) and visualize it.
    • Sensor Calibration: A step-by-step guide to proper calibration to ensure accurate measurement results.
  • Why it's interesting: Shows readers how to install the "eyes and ears" of their system and lay the groundwork for any further automation.
 

Article 2: Smart Irrigation and Nutrient Dosing: Automation Made Easy

  • Topic: Controlling pumps and dosing devices based on sensor data.
  • Practical Ideas:
    • Automatic Refill System: Project to control a solenoid valve or pump based on water level sensors.
    • Nutrient Dosing Pump for Hydroponics: Building a system with small peristaltic pumps that automatically dose pH regulators or nutrient concentrates based on measured values.
    • Timer-controlled Aquaponics Flood and Drain Systems: Programming a microcontroller for precise control of irrigation cycles.
  • Why it's interesting: Significantly reduces daily maintenance and improves plant care.
 

Article 3: Light Control in the Smart Greenhouse: Energy Efficiency and Growth

  • Topic: Optimizing lighting for plant growth and energy saving.
  • Practical Ideas:
    • Daylight Simulation with LEDs: Building dimmable LED lighting (e.g., with full-spectrum LEDs) that simulates the daily cycle (sunrise/sunset) and adjusts light intensity.
    • Photoperiod Control: Automatic switching on and off of lighting based on predefined cycles for various plant species.
    • Light Sensor-based Supplemental Lighting: Using an ambient light sensor that only switches on or ramps up artificial lighting when natural light is insufficient.
  • Why it's interesting: Maximizes plant growth with optimized energy consumption.
 

Article 4: Monitoring and Controlling the Environment: Temperature, Humidity, and CO2

  • Topic: Creating optimal environmental conditions for plants and fish (in aquaponics).
  • Practical Ideas:
    • Automatic Fan/Heater Controller: Controlling an exhaust fan or a heating mat based on temperature and humidity sensors.
    • CO2 Enrichment (for Hydroponics): A simple controller for a CO2 valve that measures CO2 concentration in an enclosed space and supplies additional CO2 as needed.
    • Small Weather Station for the Indoor Garden: Integration of temperature, humidity, and air pressure sensors for comprehensive monitoring.
  • Why it's interesting: Allows control over important external factors that influence growth.
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Articles 5, 6 & 7: Alerting and Remote Access: Your Garden in Your Pocket

  • Topic: How to receive notifications and monitor/control the system remotely.
  • Practical Ideas:
    • Email/Push Notifications: Implementing an alarm system that sends a message for critical values (e.g., pH too low, water temperature too high, water level critical).
    • Web Interface for Remote Control: Building a simple web server on the ESP32 to read measurement values and manually control actuators (e.g., pumps, lights).
    • Integration with Smart Home Systems: Options for integrating the DIY system into existing smart home platforms (e.g., Home Assistant, OpenHAB).
  • Why it's interesting: Provides security and convenience, as you are always informed about the system's status.
 

Article 8: Data Analysis and Optimization: The Path to the Perfect System

  • Topic: Using collected data for continuous improvement.
  • Practical Ideas:
    • Correlation of Data: How to relate sensor data (e.g., pH, EC, light) to plant growth and yield.
    • Trend Analysis: Recognizing patterns and early identification of problems (e.g., creeping pH drop).
    • Simple Machine Learning Approaches: An introduction to how collected data could be used for simple predictive models (e.g., predicting the next pH adjustment need).
    • A/B Testing in Your Own System: How to make targeted changes and measure the effects using data.
  • Why it's interesting: Transforms the gardener into a "system optimizer" and helps continuously increase productivity.
 

 

 
Context:
   ID: 814
Category: Selfmade
Also available: German (Hochdeutsch)

Selfmade | DIY