$1000 Question: What electronic tools would you buy?

rrperazza

1) I have gotten a grant for $2,500 dollars to build one aquaponics and one hydroponic system. :cheers:

2) After design, I have spent less than $1000 dollars on direct building materials (containers, pumps, filters, pipes, etc.)
:headbang:

2.1) Aquaponic: 4 50-gal Fish Tanks and 8 30 Gal Media-Based Grow Beds (All Sterlites), 500 GPH pumped 8ft to a bio-filter were it gravity feeds (4) 6ft 4" PVC tubes and the (8) 30-Gal.
2.2) Hydropnic: 5 18-gal DWC, 60 GPH Pump connected to Solar
2.3) Ill post some pics of the designs when I complete them tomorrow and real pictures when the system is up and running.

3) I have decided that all of the testing (pH, DO, etc.) should be done by the children and because of this we must use electronic testing devices (students cant be around most chemicals.) I got spooked when I looked at dissolved oxygen meters and they cost +$250. I know that they are not all that expensive but I just wanted to know which ones would be the most important/useful.

So I have a couple questions for you guys:

a) What electronic testing equipment would you buy - with the kids in mind? I have +$1000
b) What should I be testing for? (If I wanted to build a database with the kids and try to include as many parameters as possible.)
c) Has anyone had experience with using uni-seals on thin walled containers? I am afraid of the thin walled plastic totes bending (and/or tearing) or becoming too weak after the larger, than bulkhead, hole is made.

coachchris

rrperazza. I would get PH, ammonia, temp, Nitrites, and Nitrates. I've had good luck with uniseals on my IBC's. No leaks after 1 year...knock on wood. If budget allowed, add D.O.

Stuart Chignell

You might be able to get a multiprobe with DO pH and a couple of other things for under $1k

Charlie

Buy a simple test kit like Chris mentioned, probably $40 then spend the rest on beer, you could take the missus out for dinner to soften the amount of money you spent on beer but that optional depending on your relationship.

Stuart Chignell

What Charlie said except buy a DO meter and use the balance to buy a home brew kit. Better beer and you get a DO meter :thumbright:

rrperazza

Good suggestions about the beer setup

Thats my next project.

I can find many multi-tools that are photometers that auto test reagents, and from my understanding, that means that you still have to add chemicals.

What would the tool that does not use chemicals called? (Probe?)

Stuart Chignell

This is the first one I found with google no idea how good or expensive it is :dontknow:

http://www.globalw.com/products/6820.html

If you google water quality instruments sensors you might have more luck.

bluefin

go to your local police dept. they are very helpful and will willing donate seized items to schools. Hydoponic equipment especially. I would definitely make them a first point of call.

coachchris

bluefin wrote:

go to your local police dept. they are very helpful and will willing donate seized items to schools. Hydoponic equipment especially. I would definitely make them a first point of call.

Great idea!

krozbolt

This might be a bit of a sideroad but i would hang on to a bit for contingency and also, i would wait to see what you really need after the system is set up and running.
Realising a problem and sourcing a solution could be educational in itself.

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk

dlf_perth

Stuart Chignell wrote:

This is the first one I found with google no idea how good or expensive it is :dontknow:

http://www.globalw.com/products/6820.html

Sonde series shown are a good brand widely used in water science and engineering professions but typically expensive (ie. $1000's rather than $100's). Cost varies pretty quickly with options. Similarly the good European and US products (that meet scientific standards).

even a basic scientific quality temp / EC / pH setup would set you back $500-$800.
DO is usually bit more.

TPS http://www.tps.com.au/ is a good brand also (ones I use for work) but also cost a bit more than most people would want to pay.

Their gear has lower end options for aquaculture/wineries etc. and higher end for water science and engineering professions. Handheld WP & Aqua series products are pretty good. Better priced but most likely just outside the price range.

smatthew

A standard aquarium test kit is pretty safe to use. Check with your school's science or chemistry teacher, they're best equipped to let you know if there would be any safety issues.

dlf_perth

If you want to go down probe route then try this.... http://smartaquameter.com/s2900c-sam.html
(various probes, work with android or iOS - http://smartaquameter.com/smart-meters/sam1-2900.html).

This would allow science with basic chemistry acid-base and water treatment if you have acidic pH.
You can also look at thermal inertia of water (air versus water temp cycling)
For students means you could take readings multiple times per day.

You would still need the API kit for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

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