PLC Fish Tank Controller Project

[cinci]

sorry no extras. i know awhile back i was doing some work with rsview connected to a plc. it can do more than a panelview. if you used a usb touch screen (ebay) i think you could have some cool looking control panel. a problem with some of the old plc stuff is the comunication to the processor. we are starting to switch over to control logix its nice it uses ip for everything. are you planning on using a analog input card for you probes?

[Midknight]

And when are you coming over to Vancouver to run a DIY seminar on how to do all this?
I'd be there in a heart beat (or 2, getting slow in my old age)

[Squiddy]

cinci: Aww too bad about the displays. I'm sure I can find something. This PLC actually has a number of analog in's already so I'll just use those. Haven't got that part worked out yet though. I actually have a pressure transducer that I might use somewhere. The sensor I have is 0-5psi which is about 0-12ft. I think the analog in's are 12 bit which means 341 counts per foot. If I use one in my sump, 1 foot would be all that the level would change anyways so I would still have 341 points of resolution. I think it would be kinda fun to have a graph showing sump level. Then I could graph it next to humidity and temperature and get a good idea of where the water's going or the moisture is coming from . I'll get the rest sorted out first though . I could also stick a pressure transducer in my mixing bin to show how much water I have left. Too many ideas. I need my own house...

Midknight: Ha, yea right. Don't know about a seminar. If you're over this way you could come take a look. I'm sure if you wanted to do something like this I could point you in the right direction. I like doing this over buying a predesigned controller because I can make this one do whatever I want it to.

Here I am spending all this time on what controls the tank and what I really need to be doing is stocking the tank with more corals. My rocks are looking a little bare.

[cinci]

i started working on lighting program to simulate the lenght of day light at the great barrier reef. never did finish it. there is alot you can do
i picked up a bunch of float switches and planned to use them in series in case one failed. two for high and two for low.
both would shut the pumps down or sound an alarm. my master plan was to have an automated water change. just push a button.
i haven't really found a cost effective way of doing ph or orp. i wanted to graph as well. i see some of the newer controlers now offer some of these features. i just like the fact that you can program the inputs and outputs yourself you can add alot of safety. i always get as kick out of people who post stories about how there auto topoff float switch stuck and nuked their tank, with a plc you could program the lenght of time the pump runs before the float switch should make if it didn't shut if off set an alarm.

[banditpowdercoat]

Just picked up a SLC 5/02 processor and chassis. couple of I/O cards and a Analog module. just tryint to gather software. Damn Rockwell for changing the licencing protocols.

[Delphinus]

Sweet find. I'd love to one day go scrounging for a slick-5. Fun little units!

I could sell you a SCADA system for it.

[brizzo]

I've been working on a low-cost controller system using the arduino platform. In the next couple months when I have time to polish the software I'll share it

So far I've implemented pH, Temperature, and X10 outlet controls. Lots of work to do still, and I would also like to find a more solid solution for controlling outlets.

[Fenix]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Sweet find. I'd love to one day go scrounging for a slick-5. Fun little units!

I could sell you a SCADA system for it.

haha SCADA exactly what i was thinking. Delphinus do you work in SCADA?

THe only thing missing is flow rate, which can be easily added with your analog points.

I always wanted to do someting like this but my tank is just way to small to even begin to automate.