Welcome to Aquino’s documentation!

Aquino (which is a development name) is an opensource tool directed to measure and control freshwater aquariums. Fork it on github

Warning

Aquino is currently in very early stage. We are working on measurements and web parts (REST API and WebApp client). There is no device which is running.

Note

If you’d like to contact us, please do it via IRC. Find zalun or dwarder on freenode #arduino or #jsfiddle channels

Aquino is measuring at least one of the parameters important for the ecosystem.

One of the major feature of Aquino is alarming the user if any of the measured parameters will change its value away from defined range.

Aquino is also able to control the tank. Following features are considered:

  • feeder
  • switch the filter onoff while feeding
  • manipulate lights
  • apply chemicals

Contents:

Architecture

_images/architecture.jpg

Arduino(s) and PC are forming an “Aquino device”

Arduino is providing measurements over the serial interface in JSON format. It is also using the same way of communication to receive orders to control aquarium system.

Note

There is an idea to allow for more than one Arduino connected to the PC. Each Arduino (with the set of sensors) is used to measure and control a different tank. This would lower the cost of potential multitank installation

PC is a Linux box. It is temporarily collecting the data in database (redis) and storing them on the server when web is available. PC might be configured using web interface. Configuration is stored in database.

Note

Typical Aquino device will use Raspberry Pi

There is also an LCD display to show measurements next to the tank.

REST API server will work as an invisible layer between client applications and the device. It is providing the way to save measurements, serving data to the clients, passing orders from client to device.

Everything which is displaying collected data is considered a Client. Be it mobile app (Mozilla WebApp will be written as a part of ths project) website or desktop app.

WebApp. Part of the Aquino is an Open WebApp to receive notifications and control the devices and notifications on all possible clients (mobile/tablet/desktop)

Note

Why mozilla webApp? As it will work on any device

By any, do you imply any device that could run mozilla browser? i.e. not iphone? Almost every smartphone is (or will be at the time this project will see daylight) able to run this type of webapps. It’s already possible on iOS, Android. Also, there will be an open REST API which will allow to write apps for any system.


Measuring aquarium parameters

Every installation has to measure at least one of the following parameters:

Temperature

Note

Check if sensor needs to be submerged or how accurate would it be to glue it on the glass

pH

There are few options:

Note

Check the innards of http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-PH-Meter-Tester-Water-LCD-Monitor-Pen-Aquarium-/160562316004?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25624282e4 ($9) Althugh the best is to use off the shelf parts it might be useful to check if its possible to easily build one.

Dissolved Oxygen

Note

Something cheaper than http://www.sensorex.com/docs/SpecsDO1200.pdf would be cool ‘cause this one cost $139

Water Level

Simple too low / too high sensors - water level should be between two sensors checking if there is an electrical connection or not

Take Picture

Taken on demand. USB camera should be the cheapest, but there is one coming for rPi http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/1254

If one wants a live camera there are other projects to support it.

Indices and tables