Computerized Tank

[Rod Bacon]

I am considering combining a couple of my hobbies, and installing a PC
under my tank to assist with the management of the tank. I am planning
the following;

1. ph sensor (frequent readings over time, stored in database, etc.
etc.)
2. temperature sensor (as above)
3. ability to enter data of other readings (kh, gh, ammonia, nitrate,
etc. etc)
4. graphs of all figures
5. light timer/controller
6. web camera
7. automatic feeder with manual override
8. web interface to the whole lot

Has anyone here done anything like this? Are there any other features
that could potentially be of use?

[Logic316]

Rod Bacon wrote:
> I am considering combining a couple of my hobbies, and installing a PC
> under my tank to assist with the management of the tank. I am planning
> the following;
>
> 1. ph sensor (frequent readings over time, stored in database, etc.
> etc.)
> 2. temperature sensor (as above)
> 3. ability to enter data of other readings (kh, gh, ammonia, nitrate,
> etc. etc)
> 4. graphs of all figures
> 5. light timer/controller
> 6. web camera
> 7. automatic feeder with manual override
> 8. web interface to the whole lot
>
> Has anyone here done anything like this? Are there any other features
> that could potentially be of use?

Sounds like an AWESOME plan. I might be wary about placing any
electronics *under* a tank though, in the off chance you happen to spill
any water or run into a leak.

- Logic316




"A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring
one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their
own pursuits of industry and improvement."
-- Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural address - 1801

[Nikki Casali]

Rod Bacon wrote:

> I am considering combining a couple of my hobbies, and installing a PC
> under my tank to assist with the management of the tank. I am planning
> the following;
>
> 1. ph sensor (frequent readings over time, stored in database, etc.
> etc.)
> 2. temperature sensor (as above)
> 3. ability to enter data of other readings (kh, gh, ammonia, nitrate,
> etc. etc)
> 4. graphs of all figures
> 5. light timer/controller
> 6. web camera
> 7. automatic feeder with manual override
> 8. web interface to the whole lot
>
> Has anyone here done anything like this? Are there any other features
> that could potentially be of use?
>

A filter flow sensor? I'd love one of these with a low flow alarm. I bet
they're expensive. DIY?

Nikki

[Bill Stock]

"Nikki Casali" > wrote in message
...
> Rod Bacon wrote:
>
>> I am considering combining a couple of my hobbies, and installing a PC
>> under my tank to assist with the management of the tank. I am planning
>> the following;
>>
>> 1. ph sensor (frequent readings over time, stored in database, etc.
>> etc.)
>> 2. temperature sensor (as above)
>> 3. ability to enter data of other readings (kh, gh, ammonia, nitrate,
>> etc. etc)
>> 4. graphs of all figures
>> 5. light timer/controller
>> 6. web camera
>> 7. automatic feeder with manual override
>> 8. web interface to the whole lot
>>
>> Has anyone here done anything like this? Are there any other features
>> that could potentially be of use?
>>
>
> A filter flow sensor? I'd love one of these with a low flow alarm. I bet
> they're expensive. DIY?
>
> Nikki
>

You could use one of these in parallel with your flow
http://www.highspeedpc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Flow1&Category_Code=FanTempFlow

or build your own like this http://www.overclockers.com/tips1114/


Funny how hobbies collide. I've even heard of some enthusiasts using large
aquariums as a heat sink (reservoir) for their water cooled PCs. Of course
warm fish and Algae present a problem.

[Logic316]

Bill Stock wrote:
> "Nikki Casali" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Rod Bacon wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I am considering combining a couple of my hobbies, and installing a PC
>>>under my tank to assist with the management of the tank. I am planning
>>>the following;
>>>
>>>1. ph sensor (frequent readings over time, stored in database, etc.
>>>etc.)
>>>2. temperature sensor (as above)
>>>3. ability to enter data of other readings (kh, gh, ammonia, nitrate,
>>>etc. etc)
>>>4. graphs of all figures
>>>5. light timer/controller
>>>6. web camera
>>>7. automatic feeder with manual override
>>>8. web interface to the whole lot
>>>
>>>Has anyone here done anything like this? Are there any other features
>>>that could potentially be of use?
>>>
>>
>>A filter flow sensor? I'd love one of these with a low flow alarm. I bet
>>they're expensive. DIY?
>>
>>Nikki
>>
>
>
> You could use one of these in parallel with your flow
> http://www.highspeedpc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Flow1&Category_Code=FanTempFlow
>
> or build your own like this http://www.overclockers.com/tips1114/
>
>
> Funny how hobbies collide. I've even heard of some enthusiasts using large
> aquariums as a heat sink (reservoir) for their water cooled PCs. Of course
> warm fish and Algae present a problem.


Yikes! I could imagine an algae culture growing inside the PC. But if
you have tropical fish, you won't need to use any aquarium heaters. Cool
way to kill two birds with one stone :-P

- Logic316


"Don't get excited about a tax cut. It's like a mugger giving you back
fare for a taxi."
-- Arnold Glasow

[Bill Stock]

"Nikki Casali" > wrote in message
...
> Bill Stock wrote:
>
>> "Nikki Casali" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>>Rod Bacon wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>I am considering combining a couple of my hobbies, and installing a PC
>>>>under my tank to assist with the management of the tank. I am planning
>>>>the following;
>>>>
>>>>1. ph sensor (frequent readings over time, stored in database, etc.
>>>>etc.)
>>>>2. temperature sensor (as above)
>>>>3. ability to enter data of other readings (kh, gh, ammonia, nitrate,
>>>>etc. etc)
>>>>4. graphs of all figures
>>>>5. light timer/controller
>>>>6. web camera
>>>>7. automatic feeder with manual override
>>>>8. web interface to the whole lot
>>>>
>>>>Has anyone here done anything like this? Are there any other features
>>>>that could potentially be of use?
>>>>
>>>
>>>A filter flow sensor? I'd love one of these with a low flow alarm. I bet
>>>they're expensive. DIY?
>>>
>>>Nikki
>>>
>>
>>
>> You could use one of these in parallel with your flow
>> http://www.highspeedpc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Flow1&Category_Code=FanTempFlow
>
> Now that's interesting. I wonder how quickly muck builds up inside that
> unit and whether it can be opened for cleaning?

Given the small size, it would likely muck up fairly quickly. I imagine they
are a sealed unit, so maintenance would not be possible.




> Nikki
>

[A Man]

On 22 Aug 2005 23:24:29 -0700 in article <1124778269.437067.103620
@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com>, spoke thusly...
> Has anyone here done anything like this? Are there any other features
> that could potentially be of use?
>
I thought I saw an ammonia monitor/probe at www.thatfishplace.com but I'm not
sure. You might want to scan their website (they also have a free catalog).

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