Ok, so I have an Arduino Mega I want to read parameters within my saltwater aquarium. I want to get some input before I go out and buy something and find out it doesn't work the way I wanted...
I'm trying to find decent probes without breaking the bank. A good company I've been referred to and seen a couple times mentioned in these forums is Atlas:
But they seem a little pricey for my taste. I found reefangel probes instead: http://reefangel.com/order.aspx (( Sorry, have to scroll down to the bottom of the screen ))
I was thinking about going with the reefangel due to price, but I want to get some things clarified first.
Atlas has the embedded chips for their sensors. Do I need to go through a chip like this before the Arduino or can I simply plug a sensor into the arduino and use that?
Is there a way to use one sensor for multiple readings? Say, measure salinity and PH with one probe?
Is there anything else out there I should be looking at that may be cheaper and work better for my application?
After calibration, the pH Sensor can be immersed in a liquid and operate continuously for 12 months before recalibration is recommended.
So, with Atlas you are paying for lab-quality continuous monitoring with 2 significant digit accuracy. These are serious sensors.
Atlas has the embedded chips for their sensors. Do I need to go through a chip like this before the Arduino or can I simply plug a sensor into the arduino and use that?
I looked over the Atlas pH sensor, it requires an A/D and their recommended unit is $28. Buy theirs. The sensor works in millivolt values and their calibration procedure anticipates their hardware. But, yes, in theory you could build your own interface. But, if you have to ask, you shouldn't
It's been a lifetime ago when I worked in college maintaining and calibrating scientific measurement equipment, but the Atlas prices seem very inexpensive. But, the hardware is likely overkill. Have you checked with your saltwater fish suppliers to find out what they use? I understand that such a setup is a significant investment (already) so perhaps investing in similar equipment to your suppliers would be beneficial ?
To measure salinity alone a couple of probes which were used to measure the resistance would give a guide wouldn't they? There was a post recently about finding whether you needed to water plants by measuring resistance.
If I had unlimited funds I'd be all over the Atlas equipment... I still don't really want to spend that much for all those probes... On the other hand, I could just get what I need now and expand later on. Salinity is what I need to be able to demonstrate for my AI project for school. I don't think for my application that I need that accurate of a reading since I'll probably have the arduino making sure the parameter is in a certain range instead of a very specific number. Another thing I should probably think of is I'm thinking of changing to a chipKit MAX32, though I believe these are still compatible.
