Computer Controlled Grow Op

Are you interested in a automated garden. If yes, how much would you be willing to pay?

  • No, I like to get my own hands dirty!

    Votes: 5 62.5%
  • Yes, Please take my money!!

    Votes: 1 12.5%
  • Sensors are expensive and I want the deluxe version. $1500 final offer!!

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • $1500 Your crazy. I'd give you $500

    Votes: 2 25.0%
  • $5 /month web hosting fee? WTF??? Drop dead.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • $5 /month web hosting fee? Ok, the information provided is worth it.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • $100 bucks for the box, and sensors priced individually...

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    8

ByteChanger

Active Member
This is a poll to see if there is an interest in a computer controlled grow op? Also, I'd be interested in knowing how much you would be willing to pay if you don't mind.

Thank you so much in advance!!!!

FWIW. I am a unemployed person trying to earn some money and get off the system...

What is it?
A small, network attached micro computer monitors several sensors and depending on what they read, performs certain actions. I have been using it personally for several years now and I love it. It has been incorporated into a prototype box smaller than 8 inch x 8 inch x 5 inch. Lots of soldering, relays, computer components, and 100's of hours have gone into it.

What sensors currently monitored?

Water Temperature, Air Temperature, Humidity, Light, PH, EC. Others sensors can be used, like CO2, but I don't have any in my inventory.

How does it work?
Plug up to 7 sensors into it, plus 3 switches, and control up to 8 power outlets. All this data gets sent to my web server for processing and is displayed in easy to read graphs.

Examples
  • Your PH is too high? A PH Down pump is switched on for a brief duration and another PH test is done until it gets it just right!
  • The room too cold? A heater can be switched on until its the temperature you want.
  • etc, etc

I'd like to include some screen shots, but there seems to be a problem w/ uploading and displaying them currently.



or maybe




Thanks appreciate your feedback.
 

theslipperbandit

Well-Known Member
Sms fan speed controller,for temps
ph pen,dehumidifier auto shutoff and on and a heater that turns on when temps reach a certain point all the concepts you cover are already easily covered.
Try building something that logs what the plants need based on a sensor thaat reads the defs that show on each particular plants down to micro defs and your in for money otherwise everything u want to offer is far too costly and is already easily achieved.
Also itd be easy to build a data monitor without needing ro pay for ur server and different ph at different points and ration of nutrients as not all plants take the same and also will it auto clean ur system when slime is detected?
Growing requires alot of attention and it may work in a hudro system with all the same clones youve ran before but again far too many variables and sounds like it can easily malfunction.
 

ByteChanger

Active Member
Hi theslipperbandit...

Lots of valid points. I'll try to address each of them.

Sms fan speed controller,for temps
ph pen,dehumidifier auto shutoff and on and a heater that turns on when temps reach a certain point all the concepts you cover are already easily covered.
Yeah, PH Pens, EC Probes, etc are available. But this ties them all together for easy monitoring and helps to automate all those tasks.

Try building something that logs what the plants need based on a sensor
It does log what a plant needs; PH, TDS, Light, Humidity, Air Temperature, Water Temperature. All based on sensor readings.

Then you can make informed & educated decisions about what is happening in the grow room and what your plants are actually being fed and what changes to make if necessary.

thaat reads the defs that show on each particular plants down to micro defs and your in for money
What do you mean by DEF's? Deficiencies? There are lots of diagnostic tools out there already, it is pretty easy to diagnose your plant problems on the internet nowadays. Especially with forums like rollitup... :)

Anway, If your plants are being fed the proper Nutrients, at the right dosage, at the proper PH levels, you shouldn't get deficiencies.

I like to think I could feed my plants the proper EC levels at the perfect PH levels everyday, 24/7/365, but I couldn't. I'm human. I miss days. Forget to water them sometimes. Almost kill them sometimes. Etc, Etc...

This was built to help me, and it does.

otherwise everything u want to offer is far too costly and is already easily achieved.
It's not really that expensive when you consider what you are getting from it. The cost is basically the sensors. And if you don't want a CO2 or Light sensor, don't get one. lol.

Plus, like you mentioned. You already buy PH pens, EC pens, etc..

Besides, I've spent thousands of dollars on my grow room already, and that doesn't even factor in any of my automated system.
Lights/Ballast/Tubes/Ducting/Bulbs/Room/Hydro/Pails/Buckets/Hose/Pumps/AC Unit/Heater/Grow Media/etc/etc

A few hundred bucks extra for bigger, healthier, lusher plants and buds was well worth it for me.

Also itd be easy to build a data monitor without needing ro pay for ur server
Easy!? LMFAO. By all means, build your own data monitor and share it with everyone for free on your server...

I'm just trying to make a honest buck and share some software I spent years designing and find very useful I might add. I thought maybe others might find it useful too. Doesn't mean I have to give it to you or anyone else for free & I don't think I was being greedy asking $5/month to host it... I'm not Bill Gates afterall..

PH & Rationing of nutrients is still controlled by the operator.

will it auto clean ur system when slime is detected?
SLIME!?!? LOL. It will not auto clean your system!! No "SLIME detectors" included. You have to clean and maintain your own equipment I afraid. H202 does wonders for cleaning! If it's algae, block the light.

Just like with PH Pens, and EC Pens, you have to clean/maintain/use and store them properly. Otherwise, yeah you will have problems with any type of equipment I'm afraid. Automated or not.

Growing requires alot of attention and it may work in a hudro system with all the same clones youve ran before but again far too many variables and sounds like it can easily malfunction.
I'm not claiming to have invented a super AI Robot. It just a tool to help people like me get better results with their grow with less back breaking work. You will still have to pay attention to your grow man and clean your own equipment.

Yeah, I admit. It was designed for my use. Flood & Drain. I'm working on making the software more flexible, but as of now. Think automated version of CAP's EBB & FLOW. Currently, it is perfect for that system. And pretty much identical to what I built. But, it is still early and lots of room for improvements. :)

I wish I could paste in some images of the website showing the details. It would help the discussion somewhat...

Anyway, thanks again for the feedback.

Cheers,
 

theslipperbandit

Well-Known Member
Again I admire you're thinking id love to see the code but obviously thats your baby I just wouldn't like my grow being monitored on someones server when I can so most that work quick snap n like you'd mentioned "Whatdo you mean by DEF's? Deficiencies? There are lots of diagnostic tools out there already, it is pretty easy to diagnosdeficiencies" problems on the internet nowadays. Especially with forums like rollitup... :)

Anway, If your plants are being fed the proper Nutrients, at the right dosage, at theproperPH levels, you shouldn't get deficiencies"
 

theslipperbandit

Well-Known Member
Geez, I even broke it down for you in little paragraphs...

Mind if I ask how old you are? Am I debating a 20 year old or an adult?
Half and half just constructibe criticism dude I know iys ur baby n all but I cant see it taking off but who knows, bill started in his shed
 

ByteChanger

Active Member
Half and half just constructibe criticism dude I know iys ur baby n all but I cant see it taking off but who knows, bill started in his shed
Sorry, I did ask for it. Sometimes truth hurts I guess. lol

People who see it in action love it and say they want it. Maybe they are just being kind to me. I'd like to get some pictures uploaded, but it doesn't seem to be working.

I also agree, I hated '<censored>' because it is online. But, it is 2018 now. Everything is online. And nothing stored is really incriminating... temperature, etc... Besides, in a few months, it is going to be legal to grow your own in Canada and that is my intended market.
 

Indacouch

Well-Known Member
Bottle or can?
Lol..... I'm not computer/tech savy at all. I just don't trust or or have the patience for it. I still write checks for all my bills each month....lol... I just don't like the whole automated idea when it comes to personal info and my money. This is the only site I belong to. I've been around here for years reading info etc etc....but I didn't join until a few years ago. Mostly because I didn't wana sign up ...lol.... Luckily,I do have a very very knowledgeable friend who gets paid massive for computer shit. He helped me assume the Alias I've used for years to come on here. I actually forget my actual name from time to time...lol

However, your system would be cool if it actually could work. I'm obviously a doubter of it in all aspects....but it's good to have people doubt you when your passionate about something.....if your really passionate it should make you wana prove them wrong.....i use to do it with race cars back in the day....... I think your biggest obstacles will be ......differences between strains and their needs...... There is already lots and lots of automated systems for grows..... Let's be honest, thermostats and timers have been around forever..... The only thing I haven't seen is something that can predict/fix plants issues...water,food,etc etc.

Of course there will always be a need for the human hand in growing. I don't see any hobby growers needing anything like this at any point. I do however think a system like this could have it's place........ But then it would come down to cost.


If you had a prototype that worked perfectly and did everything you wanted it to..... How much do you think that would cost, honestly?
 

907cannabis

Well-Known Member
It's been discussed before, add weight sensors under pots for soil grows, moisture monitors in the soil for backup, program a tare function and auto watering system ect.

It would be great but imagine if one thing fails bad while you are gone, you could flood shit or burn it down for sure, not that you couldn't do that anyway but the risk is a lot bigger.
 

theslipperbandit

Well-Known Member
Sorry, I did ask for it. Sometimes truth hurts I guess. lol

People who see it in action love it and say they want it. Maybe they are just being kind to me. I'd like to get some pictures uploaded, but it doesn't seem to be working.

I also agree, I hated '<censored>' because it is online. But, it is 2018 now. Everything is online. And nothing stored is really incriminating... temperature, etc... Besides, in a few months, it is going to be legal to grow your own in Canada and that is my intended market.
Well not here in Ireland mate and kep at it dont gove up do a YouTube vid showing a clipped full run using the gear so people get an idea. Ppl are lazy n this is a great concept so ill follow this thread mate
 
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