ESP8266 mini Aquarium Controller: part1 - Arduino code and website interfacing

[@elricho72]

Very nice project, I connect my ESP8266 with the Internet and use a library to have the time without using rtc, an expense less to do. Cheers

[@BlueBladeFish]

yea, that absolutely does work. i'm updating mine with the internet time off the Pi also . however, with the RTC, it will keep its own time for a long time in offline mode if need be. but to be honest, the RTC isnt needed.. i just like to use it.

[@2112user]

Cool project, Was looking for something like this for the kids Beta tanks (control lights on/off and temperature) So the lights get on schedule, even when the kids DON'T and so those small haters don't make fish sticks (ya, had that happen....) My question is this, can this be used without a Pi, as just an ESP8266 or ESP32 to control 2 relays or is the Pi necessary to adjust light times and temp set point via wifi or buttons and screen? Don't know how to code much more than basic if temp=x, relay high/low..... so when I say "can it", is it caveman compatible to do so..... ya, 3D design I'm good at, coding..... not so much.

[@BlueBladeFish]

well, i had considered a stand alone version. it definitely can be done. but, it would be a bit of coding. i see tow paths: 1) - easiest - comment out the sync lines that get data from the PI web-server. hard code the settings, and just update over USB (re-flash the esp) to change settings. 2) - more complex - upgrade to ESP 32, add a web-server to the code on the ESP, and code in a web interface for the device. reconfigure sync lines that get data from the PI web-server to instead be part of the local web server content.

[@2112user]

@@BlueBladeFish Thank you for the reply. I think 2 would be the best option, but being new to coding.... I think I'm gonna look into doing option 1. I don't mind re-flashing to change setting (opposed to reworking all the code, above my skill level at the moment) because once dialed in, I wouldn't think it's something that would need to be done often. Or maybe as I'd be using it in fresh water thanks, it wouldn't need to be adjusted after lighting and temp are dialed in (never done a salt water tank, so IDK, imagine there's more at play there).

[@drumminjeff71]

I like this project. I would love to see you do a Blynk aquarium controller project. I have created a heater control Blynk project but I’m sure it is subpar. It does work though. And I just figured out how to make it work even when I lose Wi-Fi at my house, like during an outage. I actually used a Sonoff Basic for it.

[@BlueBladeFish]

Thank you! looking into Blynk, I might give it a try. I have some reservations about the security aspect of having these simple IOT devices connect to public internet sites like that though - they just don't have the power to do much encryption. as long as you keep it local behind your firewall that is less of a concern. then again i suppose in many cases, even if it is accessed by an unauthorized party, it might not really be any big deal. its a topic that i have on my radar.

[@drumminjeff71]

You can also use Blynk to create your own Web server so you don’t have to use their online server I believe. I haven’t figured all that out yet though.

[@drumminjeff71]

I have never worked with a raspberry pi, can I use the same sketch using and a Arduino for a server?

[@BlueBladeFish]

@@drumminjeff71 if you refer to the standard Uno/Mega style Arduino, probably not - or at least not in the same way. The Pi is running the Apache webserver and MySql database server here. you could use any old PC or laptop, or anything that runs linux or windows OS (probably many other OS's also). The Raspberry Pi is essentially a cheap, small, low power (consumption) computer that i am using as a server.