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  1. #1
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    Electronic PH, ammonia sensors.

    Has anyone found the like, or had anyexperience with them? (I don't know of any)

    It would be nice to get some sensors in a system that were reusable. (if I ever get to building a system )

  2. #2
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
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    Re: Electronic PH, ammonia sensors.

    For our purposes you are better off with test kits. The meters are expensive and fussy. You need calibration solutions, and they are a general pain.

    Once you are established, you will use your eyes and nose.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

  3. #3
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    Re: Electronic PH, ammonia sensors.

    Ok, thanks. But I was thinking more in the range of one that just gives off a certain voltage, to make a diy version.(and to maybe incorporate it into an automated monitering system, so if I left I could check up on it.)

    So, different PHs smell different? :P You learn something new every day...

  4. #4
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
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    Re: Electronic PH, ammonia sensors.

    A healthy system smells good.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

  5. #5
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    Re: Electronic PH, ammonia sensors.

    i agree, even with the better priced accurate meters, they arent really necessary, i know its time to buffer because the water becomes extremely murky. asides from the usual test youll be doing, things change rather slowly in ap and by the time they do you will have full realization of whats going on using nothing more than your eyes and nose.
    http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/s...nder vipar LED
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  6. #6
    Members dead_sled's Avatar
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    Re: Electronic PH, ammonia sensors.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Ninja
    Ok, thanks. But I was thinking more in the range of one that just gives off a certain voltage, to make a diy version.(and to maybe incorporate it into an automated monitering system, so if I left I could check up on it.)
    If you are electronically inclined and able to do some programming, there are diy options available. They are some Arduino based ph sensors. I am sure there are other micro-processor based ph sensors that you can do as well. Search it up.
    Less irritating avatar since 02/27/14.

  7. #7
    Moderator jackalope's Avatar
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    Re: Electronic PH, ammonia sensors.

    I'm kinda partial to the test kits

    Just my 2 centavos .......
    I use the Linux Operating System ...... Free as in beer!
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    Aquaponics - food'n'fish at your doorstep

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  8. #8
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    Re: Electronic PH, ammonia sensors.

    dead_sled: Thanks, it didn't occur to me to prep-end 'arduino' to the Google search.


    The reason I want to do this is to be able to remotely moniter the system, as we are often away.


    (e.g. be able to access it from a web server)

  9. #9
    Members David - WI's Avatar
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    Re: Electronic PH, ammonia sensors.

    The Neptune Apex can monitor dozens or hundreds of sensors including pH, temperature, DO, etc but from what I've seen ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, etc are either chemical/color tests where you have to take a sample, add a reagent, and look at the color or use a color meter - or fairly "exotic" monitoring systems:

    Continuous monitoring of ammonia in water and wastewater streams is becoming increasingly important for plant operations and process control. Unfortunately, on-line ammonia monitors are generally very expensive, complex, and labor intensive instruments. Most are automated versions of ammonia selective ion electrodes methods better suited to laboratory measurements. Others are automated colorimetric devices or instrumental methods that are difficult to justify on a cost basis.
    http://www.analyticaltechnology.com/...ProductID=1048

    The hard part (I think) about using something like the Arduino is getting the calibration and isolation of the sensor worked out in order to get accurate/repeatable readings... not the calculating or transmitting the results.
    It's all about the fish, dude.

  10. #10
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    Re: Electronic PH, ammonia sensors.

    You need calibration solutions, and they are a general pain.

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