RESOURCES & REFERENCES
This page will be used to list out Resources and References that I use daily in regards to my development of learning more about aquaponics and controlled agriculture environments (CAE). It will also be the page that will be referenced for my presentation at the World Wide Aquaponics Conference.
INSERTS TO TOWER:
Been a lot of requests as to the plastic inserts that I have shown on the “Internet of Farming” video. Here is what they are the link to where I purchased them. I have heard that they can be purchased on Amazon, but have not done it myself as yet. (click on basket for link connection)
GORW SPONGES: (click on picture for the link to the site)
REFERENCE BOOK:
Environmental Monitoring with Arduino:
Building Simple Devices to Collect Data About the World Around Us Paperback
by Emily Gertz (Author) , Patrick Di Justo (Author)
Aquaponic DIY Automation Blog 
in regards to the video Internet of Farming: Arduino-based, backyard aquaponics i am doing this project also using 3 aquariums i would be grateful if you could link me to the guy who has the program it looks much easier than the arduino sketch ? my email is aquaponics@gardener.com thanks for the vid
aquaponics@gardener.com — Thanks for the request – you are right about development of your own arduino sketch. GOOD LUCK with that, if you are not a software engineer. I will email you as requested as well, but here is the link and let me know how you like it.
http://www.apduino.com
Hello I am fascinated by this system, it seems like a revolution and the direction farming in general (at least small, urban farming) will go. I am interested in purchasing a small-scale aquaponics/tower system please email me back! At the following facebook page or my email which is stilesrdl@hotmail.com Thank you so much!
@ Ryan – got your comment and I will email you to determine where you are located and next steps in a purchase.
Hi thanks for the link looks like what ive been searching for i have 3 Uno r3 so i will need to get a mega for this
do you know if i can have a master and 3 slaves with this? also Does it have if statements for instance switching relays for ball valves if a float switch is high or low or turn a fan on depending on dht11 reading ?
also does this have to be connected to the net 24/7 for my Arduino Aquaponics system to run or will it load the sketch to my board and it will run as normal?
sorry for the questions i looked on the site for these answers but it seems i need to invest in a mega before i can goto step 2
again thanks for the link
@aquaponics gardener
Here are answers to your questions:
You will need a mega2560 and Ethernet shield for it and will need to Flash the total unit with APduino. They have instructions about it and I wrote an instuctable on this aspect of the process. http://www.instructables.com/id/APDuinOS-Flashing-arduino-IoT-internet-of-th/
> do you know if i can have a master and 3 slaves with this?
networking is supported, but currently all nodes are equivalent. more in next releases of APduino
> Does it have if statements for instance switching relays for ball valves if a float switch is high or low or turn a fan on depending on dht11 reading ?
yes, local logics supported, via simple conditions, expressions, accessing Sensors (R), Actuators (RW), Variables (RW).
You will need electric valves that are “gravity feed” if you have no pressure on your system and using gravity flow. Most lawn valves need 3 to 5 pounds pressure to open.
> does this have to be connected to the net 24/7 for my Arduino Aquaponics system to run or will it load the sketch to my board and it will run as normal?
depends on the logics required. island mode is supported. IoT features require Internet connectivity as of now…
Are you selling a system? Let me know how much.
Virginia – up to the time of the “Internet of Farming” video I did not have any plans to sell products. Now I get so many requests I will be establishing a page on my blog and list the price for items that I will sell. If I get enough orders I will step up my efforts with a web store. My plan is to start selling individual tower pipes and the tower pocket tool. Between now and the end of the year I will be finishing off and optimizing my tower design. At this point I think I will sell tower kits without fish tanks but connections for them. There would be a internet enabled and non-internet version. After the first of next year I plan to offer an Educational Tower Unit fully functioning with fish tank and internet enabled. So check this blog next week and let me know what you think.
Are you going to share your arduino DASHBOARD?
Glenn – yes I will share my dashboard on this blog as Xively provides this type function – and Xively uses the text function to alert as well. APdunio is working on this aspect of the process and should have a release early next year that will address this functionality. Hope this helps and keep the questions coming and hope to stop in and visit next time I am in your area. Will be in Maui over Christmas visiting my daughter. Might make it Oahu. take care rik
I am in the process of developing an indoor grow control-unit out of a Teensy 2.0 micro controller. It seems you have beat me to the heart of the project (Teensy is Arduino based)…
@anthony – keep after your project we all can learn from each other. Good luck! rik
Hey there, ran across your blog on google and thought we might be able to help each other out. I’ve got an aquaponics Kickstarter that might be interesting for your readers to see and if you write about it I’ll post a link to your page in our description. What do you think? You can check us out here: http://bit.ly/LiveLocalOrganic
Hi – I checked out your project and will be glad to seen people your way. The more we all help out in aquaponics the more the word will get out. I will put it up over this coming weekend as I have a number of projects that need attention right now. Stay tuned because I will be adding a lot of content on some very interesting projects shortly.
Hey thanks a lot! I will definitely stay tuned and looking forward to what’s coming 🙂
Hello Rik
I commend you on your work. I am Health and Organics Plus from Canada.
I know your a busy man, but if there is anyway we can chat by phone or e-mail, it will help me in the organization of the future of our communities in Agriculture Food Production. I have many farmers on board and your my next step. Do you make calls out to people like myself if so, I will be forever grateful.
Thank you so much, hope to hear from you!
Project coordinator HCF Canada
Hello Rik,
I want to order one of the balcony garden kits,but all of them show as sold out.
Do you have any estimate when they woulld be back for sale?
Thanks
Jerry
Jerry – have backed off on selling units and focused on finishing off my builds and working on better grows. Sorry about that. rik