Welcome! The Aqua Grow Control is an advanced monitoring system is designed to automate and enhance your aquaponics or hydroponics setup by providing continuous, real-time monitoring and control of key environmental parameters. Here’s an overview of how it works and the benefits it brings to your operation:
Key Features and Functions:
- Comprehensive Monitoring:
- Water Levels: The system continuously monitors the water levels in both your primary (55-gallon) tank and the Sub Pump3 tank. It ensures that water levels are maintained at optimal levels by automatically activating pumps to balance or refill the tanks, providing a stable environment for your plants and aquatic life.
- Temperature Monitoring: Temperature sensors are installed in both tanks and an additional sensor monitors the temperature of the main control board. If the control board temperature exceeds safe limits, the system activates a cooling fan to prevent overheating. For water temperature, the system sends alerts if the temperature is too high or too low. Heaters can also be integrated to maintain optimal temperatures during winter.
- pH Levels: The system monitors the pH levels of the water and can automatically dispense a dry powder, such as citric acid, to adjust and maintain the pH within a desirable range. This is crucial for ensuring that your plants can efficiently absorb nutrients and your aquatic life remains healthy.
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): Monitoring TDS levels helps to ensure that the water quality is maintained, which is vital for both plant growth and fish health.
- Humidity and Light Levels: Humidity and light sensors provide additional data to help you maintain the ideal conditions for plant growth. The system can adjust the lighting and provide alerts for any significant changes in humidity.
- Automated Control:
- Power Supply: The system needs a 110V AC power supply. The 110VAC is converted to 12V DC with 720W or 6Amps of power to charge the battery and run the entire system. Purchase each item or it is included in the Kit.
- Pump Management: The system controls various pumps including the main pond pump, submersible pumps, and an air pump. It activates these pumps based on real-time sensor data to manage water circulation, aeration, and nutrient delivery, ensuring that your plants receive the necessary resources while maintaining a healthy environment for your aquatic life.
- Lighting: The system controls pond lights based on ambient light levels. It turns them on or off to simulate natural daylight cycles or provide additional light when needed, promoting healthy plant growth.
- Sensor Power Management: To conserve energy, the system powers on the sensors only during measurement cycles, turning them off afterward. This ensures efficient energy use and extends the lifespan of the sensors.
- Battery Backup: If you loose power, you have the option to keep everything running by connecting a 12v battery to the system. When the power goes out a 300W 120V AC Power inverter kicks in and continues running without missing a beat! 12v Battery not included. *
- 120V AC Backup Power: Optional*
- User-Friendly Operation:
- Cycle Management: The system operates in cycles, running pumps and checking sensors for 15 minutes, followed by a 45-minute rest period. This cycle ensures continuous monitoring and control while being energy efficient.
- Real-Time Data: The system provides real-time feedback via serial output, which can be monitored through a web dashboard or a connected computer. This allows you to keep an eye on key parameters such as water levels, temperature, pH, and more, providing peace of mind that your system is functioning correctly.
- Safety and Efficiency:
- Automatic Adjustments: The system automatically makes adjustments when any parameter falls outside the optimal range. For example, it activates cooling fans or pumps to bring conditions back to normal. This minimizes the risk of damage to your plants and aquatic life, ensuring a healthy and productive system.
- Energy Efficiency: By controlling when sensors and pumps are active, the system reduces power consumption, making it both effective and economical to run.