Arduino Controlled Grow and PC Program - Work In Progress

haha... No worries, I also expected it to be a lot simpler.

hi, I am moving to Tampa at the end of the month, when I get there and setup I am going to start my grow op just like this one. I already bought a arduino mega 2560, I am going to do all the programming myself with MATLAB (i have a degree in comp sci and have did some summer research at Duke with a robotic breadboard, the research I did was actually the basis for a new course in the EECS dept), I am putting together a spreadsheet of what I will need to get started and I am lost on setting up an ebb and flood system. From what I could tell I will be putting together my own system instead of buying one, I already found a pump to get but I have no clue what to get for the tray and tubing, any suggestions?

I'm going to setup my stuff again, most likely later today. Maybe I'll take some pictures of it 'bare-bones' to give you an idea. I take pics of all the fittings I used and how I cut the holes in the table. I use a simple 60L rubbermaid container as my nute res. But you'll see in the pics. I think it will be easier than typing everything out

Also AdvancedNewbie, instead of using timers why don't you just write a bash script (similar to a CRON job) to execute a script/file at certain times?

You could run the bash script on your desktop, at certain times run a script that sends the Arudino a command to turn on/off outlets and even control the ebb and flow schedule (pumps).

This is what I am going to do unless you know that this is not possible.

That's very possible. You could have bash output html code for you based on the settings of the arduino server if you really wanted to. There's lots of ways to do this. It's just how independent you want the unit to be (ie. fully running on the arduino). That's what I'm going for here; a fully independent solution that can serve a webpage. Waiting on another ethernet shield now. Didn't have much luck with the ones I have now. I've been playing the the raspberry pi as well, and am able to receive serial messages on it, so a little bash script on that wouldn't been too shabbs.

ok AdvancedNewbie, I had a spinal cord injury last June so I am currently in a wheel chair, my plan is to write bash scripts to control everything that the timers control, I do not work and do not have a lot of money so that would save me about a $100.

What ethernet shield do you recommend I get and what hardware do I need to get so I can send and receive messages on the Arduino?

I'll test some shit out today, we'll see how it goes. I'm thinking the rasp pi would be a good asset. I'm going to start there. Maybe I'll have an answer to your question soon.

ok thanks AdvancedNewbie, I already bought the Mega 2560, a solid state relay and a 4 Channel DC30V.

Now I am looking to buy a raspberry pi before I move, where can I get one at? I found a bunch on ebay, anything I should keep in mind?

This one is buy it now but it says it is made for the Gertboard should I avoid getting this one?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Raspberry-Pi-26-Pin-GPIO-Cable-Made-for-Gertboard-/280944977212?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4169a0253c

I read this post on controlling the arduino with a rasp pi (using python), now if I wanted to have my desktop communicate with the arduino and run certain commands on a schedule or triggers, what will I need? Sorry for all the questions, I am not new to coding I am just confused by the hardware setup.

I got my Raspberry Pi from Element14. I have had some success using python to receive serial messages, but cannot get repeatable results; yet. I'm going to work on the programming tomorrow. I think I'm going to try your post above. I just got everything setup again, so I'll take some pics.

Here's some pics of some of the fittings I used and a basic wood frame (which still needs the 45 degree cross members). The drains/intakes all have a small rubber gasket that's in contact with the table (you can see them if you look close). They provide all the seal needed. The hose on the new setup has a 1in inner diam. for the drain and a 1/2in for the intake. I used a drill with a 1in bit (commonly used for making holes when wiring through studs) and finished it up with a rotary tool (dremel will work). I also start my babies off in a 'Jump Start' (kinda of expensive for what you get [~$75] - but not shitty either, worth it to have something work).

Wow. Great work. I have been thinking/dreaming this up in my head lately and it is good to see an entire community of fellow nerds (no offense) working on this. I don't really have too much experience with arduino's but I learn very fast. As far as coding I'm definitely a newbie but I am going to college for it right now. Hopefully I can get something as elaborate as this set up within the next six months and hope I will be able to contribute. Thank you for all of your effort in this.

xscottrox said:

Wow. Great work. I have been thinking/dreaming this up in my head lately and it is good to see an entire community of fellow nerds (no offense) working on this. I don't really have too much experience with arduino's but I learn very fast. As far as coding I'm definitely a newbie but I am going to college for it right now. Hopefully I can get something as elaborate as this set up within the next six months and hope I will be able to contribute. Thank you for all of your effort in this.

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Hey, no problem; and no offense taken... Nerds can make some cool shit happen, and there's nothing nerdy about cool shit.

AdvancedNewbie said:

pH pen: ~$30
pH sensor: $20, and Adapter: $15 - a little over the price of the pen here, but does the pen log the data? Can it turn on and off anything? Tested: I got it to match the value of my pH pen +/- 0.03

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This is awesome!... im actually in the early stages of planning an automated grow system also... what ph pen did you get? ive been looking at one by Atlas Scientific that runs about 100, but 35 is much better lol...

keep up the good work dude!

arrozkongandulez said:

This is awesome!... im actually in the early stages of planning an automated grow system also... what ph pen did you get? ive been looking at one by Atlas Scientific that runs about 100, but 35 is much better lol...

keep up the good work dude!

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For the pH Sensor I use a phidgets pH/ORP Adapter: http://www.phidgets.com/products.php...duct_id=1130_0

I bought a cheap pH probe off eBay - connects up using the BNC connector.

I found some good info on using the pi and how to make a webpage with graphs from the information received off the arduino onto the raspberry pi.

Here's that info: http://www.benk.ca/node/10

I hope to have it all setup in the next couple of days. Just got my room all setup and am running everything manually for now.

I finally forked out a few bucks for a cool tube. Holy shit what a difference. I didn't want to fight with heat stress this time 'round. No more 27 to 32 degree temperatures; but I didn't think I'd be down to 23 steady now. I'm idiot for not buying one earlier - so if this is 'you' reading this now - learn from me! ( I know it's a common-sense kinda thing, but if your thinking you can get by without spending the dollars; don't be retarded. )

This was so helpful I have to post it now (for the sake of documenting):

GnuPlot Multiplot Tutorial (Putting multiple graphs on one image)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upitol8A0yQ

Thumbs up!
looks great and i like the idea to continue with raspberry pi.

Anybody have any suggestions for an AC dimmer controlled by the arduino? I was going to do a triac / transistor - but I think maybe I can modify a regular 120V wall dimmer switch. Anybody?

Here's some info I've been looking at:
http://arduino.cc/playground/Code/ACPhaseControl

AdvancedNewbie said:

I finally forked out a few bucks for a cool tube. Holy shit what a difference. I didn't want to fight with heat stress this time 'round. No more 27 to 32 degree temperatures; but I didn't think I'd be down to 23 steady now. I'm idiot for not buying one earlier - so if this is 'you' reading this now - learn from me! ( I know it's a common-sense kinda thing, but if your thinking you can get by without spending the dollars; don't be retarded. )

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There is no price short cut when it comes to equipment. I am about to do a run with a 16 site 180 gallon Rdwc system with 6kw lights in vented hoods, 2 ac units, nute chiller, 2 950gph pumps, 200lpm air pump, etc. I don't want to think of the prices involved all at once because it is about double the price of the car I currently drive, but there is no arguing with the results.

I am super excited about the pi direction. I really want to add data logging to this cycle especially web accessible.

keep up the great work! I will be back to trying to solve fun problems after I solve some other big important ones this week.