Automated Hydroponics Garden
Lead Design - February 2008
Hydroponics are a low maintenance, no mess, small space answer to growing plants indoors or out. I developed this garden based on the successes of others using a rubbermaid storage bin as a collection tank for a drip hydroponics system. A fountain pump delivers fertilized water from base of the rubbermaid bin to a distribution manifold with tubes running to drip heads positioned at the base of each plant. Planters contain expanded clay balls that help keep the plant's root system moist, anchored, and aerated. Excess water drains directly into the bin and is recycled. Lighting is provided by two 27W CFL Bulbs in reflectors mounted above the garden on an adjustable riser. Both the pump and lighting systems are controlled by a custom designed SX28 microcontroller and real time clock circuit. Currently lighting duration and pumping on/off durations can be programmed over a USB interface. Plans are being drafted to track water levels, pH, temperature, pump and lighting failures, plant height and production, and many other important garden attributes. The next revision of the controller will feature a touch screen LCD and SD card interface for setup, stats tracking, and monitoring.