On a reef tank the temperature and lighting schedule are critical functions that can’t be left to a person to do manually. A completely automatic system isn’t good when you need to do maintenance on the tank or if something happens when you’re away. So an automatic controller like an arduino that can receive commands and send it’s status is an ideal setup. I saw the Mkr1000 and wanted to build this project on one. Luckily Arduino decided my project was good enough to warrant a free board!
Currently this project allows me to run 3 LED channels that fade in and out according to the time of day, set by the rtc. It also monitors the tank temp and turns on a cooling fan if the temp gets too high. Finally it allows me to shut off the pumps so that I can feed the fish without all the food being sucked into the overflow. All of this is controllable from a Universal Windows Platform app. Every time the arduino receives an http request it returns a json string with the status of the tank/controller. Simple get commands allow you to change the functions of the controller.
RGB LCD Shield Kit w/ 16×2 Character Display – Only 2 pins used! – NEGATIVE DISPLAY: This new Adafruit shield makes it easy to use a 16×2 Character LCD. We really like the RGB LCDs we stock in the shop both the RGB negative and RGB positive. Unfortunately, these LCDs do require quite a few digital pins, 6 to control the LCD and then another 3 to control the RGB backlight for a total of 9 pins. That’s half of the pins available on a classic Arduino! (read more)
4-channel I2C-safe Bi-directional Logic Level Converter – BSS138: Because the Arduino (and Basic Stamp) are 5V devices, and most modern sensors, displays, flash cards and modes are 3.3V-only, many makers find that they need to perform level shifting/conversion to protect the 3.3V device from 5V. (read more)
Each Monday is ArduinoMonday here at Adafruit! Be sure to check out our posts, tutorials and new Arduino related products. Adafruit manufactures the Arduino right here in the United States in cooperation with arduino.cc. We have a huge selection of Arduino accessories and all the code and tutorials to get you up and running in no time!
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Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.
Python for Microcontrollers — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: CircuitPython 8.1.0 and 8.2.0-beta0 out and so much more! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi
Each Monday is ArduinoMonday here at Adafruit! Be sure to check out our posts, tutorials and new Arduino related products. Adafruit manufactures the Arduino right here in the United States in cooperation with arduino.cc. We have a huge selection of Arduino accessories and all the code and tutorials to get you up and running in no time!