Arduino-based Automation of Water Quality Monitoring and Control for Optimizing

Aquaculture Product was the proposed project last semester but in a miniature form.
However, due to the demand of the panel to apply the system to the real pond for the
comparison of the production between automated one and the natural way, the proponents
agreed to find two ponds for the study, one is for the application of the system and one is for
the comparison (natural pond).
During the semestral break, the proponents try to find a pond that can be used for
the application of the system and conducted further study with the project. Unfortunately,
aside from the problem that the proponents cannot find a pond to be used, the proponents
also came up to the fact that the project must be really put into large scale aquaculture
production thats why miniature is less likely advisable to use for the presentation of the
system.
As a solution for this problem, the proponents are proposing another project, which is
still in line with the first project, and this is entitled as SOLAR POWERED AQUATRONICS.
This would be a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics that would be improved some
electronics parts.

SOLAR POWERED AQUATRONICS

The Problem:
Aquaculture and horticulture are two of the most common source of foods and living that
needs to be sustainable and must also meet bioeconomic demands. Unfortunately, because
of limited space, water supply and electricity in some places, these two source of living are
not advisable to be put separately and in a large scale. In principle, aquaponics, the
combination of aquaculture and horticulture within a single recirculating aquaponic system
(SRAPS), provides a sustainable approach; however, it has lower productivity of both fish and
plants in comparison to separate recirculating systems.
Aquaponics is an environmentally friendly food production technology that couples
aquaculture (e.g. production of fish) and horticulture as hydroponics (e.g. production of
vegetables) in one system. The nutrient-rich water from the fish unit is used as fertilizer for
hydroponically grown crops and so reduces the sewage of the fish unit as well. Compared to
a single fish or plant production, aquaponics saves water, energy and nutrients.
Classical aquaponic systems couple both units (aquaculture/hydroponics) through a single
water recirculating system. The wastewater from the aquaculture which is used to nourish
the plants is directly recirculated back into the fish tanks. However, aquaculture and
hydroponics have different requests, e.g. concerning pH values. Aquaponics pH
management is a bit tricky because there are three living constituencies to consider in an
aquaponics ecosystem: Plants, Fish and Bacteria. While the plants generally prefer a slightly
acidic pH (in the low sixes to upper fives), the fish and bacteria prefer a slightly alkaline pH
(in high sevens to low eights). Therefore, pH management in aquaponics is an exercise in
compromise between the two ranges. The ideal target is a pH of 6.8 7.0. Other things to
consider are the water level of the fish tank, and the continuous use of pump in the system.
Solutions and electronics parts that would be added in the system:

ph level sensor to monitor and control the required Ph for both aquaculture products
and plants,
gsm module (ph,water level,feeder)
water level sensor to manage the use of the pump used to flow the water throughout
the system,
solar energy that would be the source of energy of the system