Arduino Reef Controller - Build Thread (Well Maybe)

So a few months ago I broke down and bought an Arduino Uno and an Ethernet shield that will go sit on top that has a built in web server for reporting and even web based controls of the controller.
I am trying to configure the controller to maintain water temp, hood temp, room temp, pH, and salinity.  Not sure I really need the salinity checker, if I do run it that would be a once a week test probably before and then after the water change.   Speaking of water change, I also want the controller to handle it for me.  I might add in feed later but I may keep that as a job for me to handle.   And lastly, I'd like it to control my lighting.  Looking to go with the LED fixtures JB is building for his 120g tank.  I may later on add in dosing of Calcium but right now I don't for see needing that option.  
Then once the Arduino can do all of that I want to be able to see the "postings" of data collected on a web page.  I'd also like to set up controls for the web interface so I can say turn on the lights to the tank if I'm at work and my colleagues want to see my reef.
To sum this up I am looking more for help getting circuits designed and maybe some pointers on code.  I'm game if we want to work on a GIRS Controller Kit.  I mention that as I was reading a 24 page thread on RC about this $80 Arduino Kit that got scraped and all ya get is a crummy Eagle file on the 23rd page to try and figure out on your own.
I tend to be in chat from 7PM CDT til around midnight Wednesday thru Friday while I am bored at work since I work over nights so feel free to join me there.  Or I am also on PingChat as thyraven, YIM as cha0s_elemental, and on MSN as raven_tech@hotmail.com.

 

oops not on RC, they're on nano-reef.

here is the big one:

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=196161&hl=Arduino

I'm also following:

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=180805

and

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=269952

 

yea i've looked thru that site as well but cant seem to follow it. My big issue is finding the probes. I have temp sensors. cant remember where i got them right this second but i got them as samples so they were free! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/biggrin.gif

 

Sounds good Turbo.

I'm having an issue finding a pH Probe right now. Anyone have a pH probe for sale? Just the probe don't need the controller.

LED control is done easily. Just set the PWM pin to control it. With the programming it'll increase the voltage on that pin up to 10v which will control the dimming power supply for the LEDs. If I find the site that has the code for it, I'll pass it along.

 

must not have re read what I posted. Off of the PWM pin you need to build a voltage doubler as the PWN pin only does 5 volts, but then again I've read / seen a lot of people only using 80% of the LEDs power so you may not need the doubler. Still working on more getting accurate readings than controlling lights right now but they are on the build table once everything else is done

Is salinity a big thing to monitor? If so at what frequency? I've heard that to measure it accurately you pass electricity thru the water. Not sure I want to shock my tank every hour.

Also still looking for the pH probe. Anyone seen one for cheap?

 

I've read that post like 8 times now and still havent figured out half of the stuff they were talking about lol.

I wish they gave more info on it where a person such as myself wouldnt be going bald trying to figure out what parts they used and where they got them from. Almost makes me wish I bought a Reef Angel

 

Most LED dimmers I've seen, the dimmer needs a full 10v for it to max the output power to the LEDs. I might be misreading things but that's how I understood the dimmer controls on the dimmers JB is using in his LED thread.

 

Found these sites to assist me in building my temp sensors. You can get samples from www.maxim.com - samples = FREE! You get 2 that way also. So I have 1 for my tank and 1 for either my sump or hood haven't decided where I want the second one yet. May order 1 or 2 more so I have sensors in the tank, sump, hood, and room air temp as well. Not that I think I really need to keep track of all those locations but hey I like to go above and beyond /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/biggrin.gif

next project the pH probe. anyone see anything on salinity yet? Would a float weight system work for measuring salinity / specific gravity?

 

Sorry no half naked girls.  I got the temp sensors from www.maxim-ic.com as samples not to be confused with www.maxim.com where you wont get free components.

 

So I am trying to figure out what I need for 1 wire devices to my Arduino. I am looking at getting this: http://www.maxim-ic.com/datasheet/index.mvp/id/4382 but not sure if I need something in between it and the Arduino itself. I know I can plug my temp sensors (DS18S20) into the DS2482-100. On reefprojects.com he uses a RTC (DS1307) so I am grabbing a couple of them as well. Not sure I need the RTC but I better have one on hand just in case. Also anyone know where I can get a LCD and this http://www.web4robot.com/LCDCtrl.html? Looks like the webroot site is having issues where I can't order them.

Now if anyone else is looking for these components just go to www.maxim-ic.com and register with a company email address, sorry public servers wont work - yahoo, hotmail, aol are all public). If there is a big interest in a specific part I could order them but I think we'd have to have a minimum order of 1000. If you just need two, you can get free samples.