Chapter 5

RESULT, DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Monitor the Water Level and the Plants Height through Ultrasonic Sensor

Ultrasonic Sensor measures the distance of a target object by emitting ultrasonic sound

waves, and converts the reflected sound into an electrical signal as shown in Figure 5.1,

ultrasonic waves travel faster than the speed of audible sound (i.e. the sound that humans can

hear). Ultrasonic sensors have two main components: the transmitter (which emits the sound

using piezoelectric crystals) and the receiver (which encounters the sound after it has travelled to

and from the target). Thus, this sensor is appropriate to be used in monitoring the water level and

height of the plants. The distance is calculated using the formula Distance L=1/2 * T * C. Where

the L is the distance, T is the time between the emission and reception and C is the sonic speed.

(The value is multiplied by ½ because T is the time for go and return the distance)

Since ultrasonic waves can reflect off a glass or liquid surface and return to the sensor

head, even transparent can be detected, it is Resistant to mist and dirt the Detection is not

affected by accumulation of dust and dirt. The presence detection is stable even for targets shown

in figure 5.1
 Figure 5.1 Outline and Detection principle of the ultrasonic sensor

To monitor the water level of the fish tank accurately, the height of the tank is used as the

basis in measuring the water level. The tank height is exactly 25 centimeters. As shown in table

5.1 if the water level in the fish tank is below 20 centimeters the monitor status is low then water

pump will pump the water into the fish tank. If the water level measures 21 up to 24 centimeters

the status is normal and the water pump will refill water until it reached to 25 centimeters. If the

water level is above 25 water level with high status, and the water pump is turned off. The status

of the water level on the fish tank as well as the height of the plants are displayed on the LCD as

shown Figure 5.2. Consequently, all data gathered by the ultrasonic sensors like the water level

and plant’s height were also visible and can be monitored on the webpage. Figures 5.3 and 5.4

showed the graph and meter gauge readings of both water level and plant height. The monitoring

graph showed the real time data from the sensors forwarded to ThingSpeak.com

Water Level
Monitor Status Pump Status
(Centimeters)

Above 25 cm High Water Level Water pump off

Between 21cm to 24 Water pump refilling until

Normal Water Level
cm reach to 25

Water pump on (pumping

Below 20 cm Low Water Level
water in)

Table 5.1 Water Level Monitoring

 Figure 5.2
Levels of
the water

Figure 5.3

Graph and

a meter

gauge

readings showing the water level of the fish tank

Figure 5.4
Graph
showing
plants
height

Monitor the Acidity and Basicity of Water using pH level Sensor

The pH of water is measured on a scale that ranges from 0 to 14. A pH level of 7.0 is said

to be neutral while values below 7.0 are acidic and values above 7.0 are alkaline as shown in

Figure 5.5. The pH level of a body water varies according to a variety of factors including

chemical concentration, the present of trace minerals, even the type of substrate. This being the

case, different species of fish are adapted to different pH levels – the level that works for one fish

might not

work for
another species of fish. This is why it is incredibly important that you do some research before

you add any fish to your tank – you need to be sure that you know what pH levels they require

and that the different species in your tank are compatible in this way. If you do not provide your

fish with the right pH level, they may become stressed and could fall ill as a result.

Figure 5.5 pH value of water

The ph value of the water inside the fish tank is measured with the use of Arduino ph

tester. The ph tester was tested and calibrated to ensure accurately readings of the water ph value.

To determine whether the water is acidic or not, the scale presented on Table 5.2 was used. If the

ph value is from0-5, the water on the fish tank is acidic and it would harm the fish. Thus the

water pump will turned on and pump out water from the fish tank and replace the water in the

tank. If the pH value is 5-8, the status is neutral and then pump status is on standby. If pH value

is 9 and above the water is high in alkaline, then the water pump is turned on pumping water out

from the fish tank and replace it with a clean water. This data is also transmitted to

ThingSpeak.com and can be viewed on the webpage. Figure 5.6 shows the graph of the ph value

readings of the water.

Water pH Value
Monitor Status Pump Status
Readings

Water pump on
0-5 below Acidic Water
(pumping water out)
5-8 Neutral Water pump standby
Water pump on
9- above High Alkaline
(pumping water out)
 Table 5.2 shows the water pH value of the fish tank

Figure 5.6
Graph and
a gauge
showing
the pH
value
reading of
the water

Send data readings to ThingSpeak.com using the Wi-Fi module.

In this figure 5.7 shows the graph of the acquired data from the sensor of the prototype

data sent online by the Wi-Fi module then through Thingspeak.com. The graph is viewed in the

webpage using iframe and the link from Thingspeak.com

Figure 5.7 Graphical data of the sensors

Create a Webpage where Data from the Monitoring System are Displayed and Viewed
 A webpage is also created to store and display all readings from the sensors. Searching

data related to monitoring the status of the aquaponics is also possible. In addition, other

information like the diagrams and other components used in the prototype could be seen in the

webpage. Figure 5.8 shows the homepage of the webpage created.

Figure 5.8 Web Page

Generate Report on the Water Level, Plant Height and pH Value

Relevant reports could be generated and printed in the webpage. As shown in Figure 5.9,

a detailed report as to id entry, timestamp, water level, plant height and status are displayed.

Hard copy could be produce by clicking the print button on the right as shown in Figure 5.10
 Figure 5.9 Reports

Figure 5.10 Printing reports

Conclusion

The project was finally developed, where it realizes its objectives. An integrated system

of Wi-Fi module, ultrasonic sensor, pH sensor is implemented for reliable and sustainable smart

aquaponics system. The water level threshold is successfully monitored by the ultrasonic sensor

that when the water level drops into twenty centimeters the system automatically turn on the

pump to refill water into the fish tank and if the level threshold reach to twenty five centimeters

high the pump is turned off. The pH sensor has successfully reads the pH value, when the pH

value is in the threshold from five to eight the LCD display text that the water pH value is

normal. When the pH reading is less than equal five the system automatically turn the pump on

to pump out the acidic water in the fish tank, and when the pH value reading is greater than equal
nine the pump automatically turn on to pump out the alkaline water until the value readings

returned to normal then the pump turn off. Data is successfully displayed in the Thingspeak.com

send by the Wi-Fi module from the micro controller and the data graph is viewed in the

webpage.

Recommendation

The researchers would like to recommend that the local government unit consider the

study Smart Aquaponics System a medium of information as one of the way for having a

sustainable food source. For the future researchers to gradually improve and enhance the project.

Solar Power Energy is suggested for the remote areas that are far or doesn’t have power lines. It

is also suggested to have a monitoring device for the fish growth. GSM module is also suggested

which can notify the farmers through text message.

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Sean Tagle1,* , Hans Benoza1 , Rica Pena1 , and Aleeza Oblea1 1Department of Mechanical
Engineering, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila, Philippines *Corresponding
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