Low-Cost Automated Aquarium Water Quality Monitoring System Using Isolated Sampling
Session Number
1
Advisor(s)
Mark Carlson, IMSA
Location
A131
Discipline
Engineering
Start Date
15-4-2026 10:15 AM
End Date
15-4-2026 11:00 AM
Abstract
Automated aquarium monitors are expensive. Hobbyists may test manually on occasion, while researchers choose between high costs or reduced accuracy. In addition, potential tank contamination with substances such as Hg or KCl is a concern. As an alternative, our design uses a hands-free brief submersion of water for external analysis. A 3D-printed structure was attached to a stepper motor. The structure allows a test strip (pH and more) to travel through a clear chamber, enabling an adjacent sensor to read and decode the colors. Test strips are read by a color sensor, where they are interpreted with over 90% accuracy at a distance of 3 cm. Work is ongoing to assemble the device and ensure accurate interpretation of the test strip. All values collected by the color sensor will be displayed to the user using a local webpage, providing immediate alerts at dangerous levels. This system could be constructed for approximately $75, giving hobbyists an accurate, low-cost automated aquarium monitor. Although this current prototype is solely diagnostic, future models may have the remediation automated as well.
Low-Cost Automated Aquarium Water Quality Monitoring System Using Isolated Sampling
A131
Automated aquarium monitors are expensive. Hobbyists may test manually on occasion, while researchers choose between high costs or reduced accuracy. In addition, potential tank contamination with substances such as Hg or KCl is a concern. As an alternative, our design uses a hands-free brief submersion of water for external analysis. A 3D-printed structure was attached to a stepper motor. The structure allows a test strip (pH and more) to travel through a clear chamber, enabling an adjacent sensor to read and decode the colors. Test strips are read by a color sensor, where they are interpreted with over 90% accuracy at a distance of 3 cm. Work is ongoing to assemble the device and ensure accurate interpretation of the test strip. All values collected by the color sensor will be displayed to the user using a local webpage, providing immediate alerts at dangerous levels. This system could be constructed for approximately $75, giving hobbyists an accurate, low-cost automated aquarium monitor. Although this current prototype is solely diagnostic, future models may have the remediation automated as well.