Easiest/cheapest way to computerize and automate a grow?

Hey man im interested in this. I myself am pretty knowledgeable with php html javascript java Also c++,you would need a very good(expensive) meter but i think something could happen. Look into it man

Not sure, I bought an Agrowtek Controller after checking it and the iPonic 600 out. It controls both 5 ton air handlers and their dehumidification separetly; my lights, fans, nutrient reservoir feeding pumps and schedules; and Co2 generators for 3 different grow rooms (flower, clones, moms/veg). The software is great. I then installed a VPN and can dial in anytime and get real time readings and also change any presets or schedules. Also have 4 cameras which I can check via the network as well. The only thing I can't do is mix nutrient solutions with it. I've been looking into the Easy Feed and the Argus Controls units but they are just way to expensive and I'm not yet sold on the reliability of their units. Anyway, just thought I would share.

AGrowtek controller are the best.. If your looking for cheaper internet based monitoring for temp/humidity/soil dryness we use WEATHER DIRECT units, lets me log data throughout my day every 30 mins so I can make sure my systems are operating perfectly... Has really helped me see how my humidity in my rooms was functioning.

Originally Posted by ganjagoddess

AGrowtek controller are the best.. If your looking for cheaper internet based monitoring for temp/humidity/soil dryness we use WEATHER DIRECT units, lets me log data throughout my day every 30 mins so I can make sure my systems are operating perfectly... Has really helped me see how my humidity in my rooms was functioning.

Been testing out their new GC-PRO and it is fantastic. Allows for multiple enviroment control.

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Wow, those are some amazing looking systems. If I had a large grow op I would definitely consider forking over the cash for something like that. However, I think those might be overkill for my needs. I really just want to control the water sprayers, and to be able to log and view data from sensors for temperature, humidity, and soil moisture.

So really I guess I have two questions: (1) What's the easiest way to control a pump (turn it on/off) using a computer? (2) What options are there for temperature/humidity/soil moisture sensors that can be connected to a computer?

ganjagoddess: Can you explain a little better how to use the Weather Direct units? It looks from their website that they are designed to connect through the internet to their servers, which is not something I would want. Will they function without an internet connection? Right now my plan is to use an old wireless router I have just for this purpose and not allow that router to access the internet, for security reasons. I would then switch my laptop from my usual wifi network to the dedicated network whenever I wanted to log into the grow server.

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Now that, tome, is my kind of internet porn! GREEN PORN!!!
I love this thread!
I read about a tech guy, back in the 90's, in Parade magazine of all places,who set up numersous grow houses across the east coast. He used PC's toremotely monitor and control everything inside the grow, and used the internet,likely a dial-up connection at the time, to alert him of any emergencies eithergrow room functions or or unexpected security breaches. If I remeber correctlyhe did it for a while, then split for Amsterdam, where he was being intereiwedfor the article.
I was always surprised at Parade for running the article and amazed by the geekingenuity of the project. I love it!

Check out http://gardenbot.org/howTo/
"GardenBot is an open source garden monitoring system. This site is a collection of tutorials for how to build things (like a soil moisture sensor), software for running GardenBot, resources, links, and more.

To get started, you will want to browse the How-To section to see what is required to build the various modules."

edit:The about page has link to a bunch of other similar projects
http://gardenbot.org/about/

Originally Posted by ourkansaw

So really I guess I have two questions: (1) What's the easiest way to control a pump (turn it on/off) using a computer? (2) What options are there for temperature/humidity/soil moisture sensors that can be connected to a computer?

(1) Microcontroller + Relay = WIN

http://www.glacialwanderer.com/hobbyrobotics/?p=9

(2) Plenty of OTC temp, and humidity sensors to choose from. Soil moisture should just be a measure of electrical conductivity so I'd say just DIY it. OTC soil moisture probes do exist.
For example
OTC temp/humidity
http://www.parallax.com/Store/Sensor...0/Default.aspx
DIY probes
http://gardenbot.org/howTo/soilMoisture/
OTC probes
http://www.vegetronix.com/Products/VG400/

If you want a quick and dirty DIY. Look at the webcontrol board on ebay. Other webserver remote controlboards can be adapted easily. this one does 1wire temp, humidity can accept 0-10v from a co2 controller and has 8 relay outputs.