Building a off the wall idea grow room

Has anyone here built a computer controlled grow room? Been thinking about using Hydrohomesoft software to control a set of Phidgets for room control of lighting, fans, and Nute control anything else I would need to control..

I have setup this type of thing for coral based aquariums before, they are quite common (popular brands would be neptune systems and reefkeeper). I'm not familiar with hydro based systems, but taking a look at the website for Hydrohomesoft, they are basically the same thing for your PC (instead of being a standalone controller that networks with your PC, like the ones I am familiar with). This could have some disadvantages. Any probes are going to have to be wired to where your PC is, and you'll want to see about what hardware would be required, as well as whether you have sufficient space in your PC to put it all. This includes power modules. Typically these systems function fairly basically, for most functions you will have a probe/sensor which monitors in real time, which in turn can activate or deactivate outlets based on the sensors readings. For things like nutrient levels or PH, you will need dosing pumps, so factor in those costs as well. The ones for aquariums (and I'd surprised if the hydro ones didn't) also have their own programming/scripting language, which is very easy to learn (and you can also download programs other people have written), so you can really customize everything. Another thing to keep in mind, if it's 100% PC based, a PC crash would bring your system down, so dedicated systems running a robust OS is the way to go. This might be another advantage to a self contained unit with networking support so you can still talk to your PC.

There is a networked controller. All the other controllers, Switches and Probes would hook up through them. The software is the only thing that is PC based. With the networked version of the Phidget you could upload a program that would take over and control certain ports if it loses contact with the PC. The two main controllers would be able to accept all needed inputs from any form of sampling device you would like to hookup to them. There are both digital and analog inputs and outputs. You can either control direct off the phidgets or connect a sub to them to control or switch a input. And your right if a PC locks you could have some problems. The Software has been writen to sample PH and EC and correct for changes. Even can control a CO2 device plus any Evro devices need to control temps or RH. You can set timer or Nutes control to three different channels monitoring different grows

I've been wondering about the HydroHomeSoft as well. I think it really could work well. My only concern is the auto TDS feature, does it work?

I've been all over the internet and this is about the easiest DIY computer automated hydroponic systems I've seen and possibly the most reasonably priced. It sure beats paying $3000 for the Intellidose.

Only way i see this being more useful than a standard controller is if you use it on a laptop or tablet PC, otherwise you have to go to your desktop and its just as big of a pain in the ass.

Also seems like it would end up being more expensive than just buying a Sentinel or something along those lines. There's also so many more ways it can fail working remotely, not to mention digital ballasts might cause some interference and god knows what other problems could pop up.

Simple is usually better when it comes to growing.

i messed around with PLC's in an electronics class in high school. i think they would be cool to use for your data stuff

Luger187 said:

i messed around with PLC's in an electronics class in high school. i think they would be cool to use for your data stuff

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For tracking yield, pH, nute concentrations, humidity, CO2, temps and everything, this would be invaluable for improving your yields or at least creating a consistent grow environment, but as for giving it control instead of a simple set of timers or a Sentinel controller, i'd say its over kill.

you would spend more time checking, adjusting, correcting and tweeking everything trying to make it run smoothly

dont over complicate a simple task just cause it sounds cool

ExDex1x1 said:

For tracking yield, pH, nute concentrations, humidity, CO2, temps and everything, this would be invaluable for improving your yields or at least creating a consistent grow environment, but as for giving it control instead of a simple set of timers or a Sentinel controller, i'd say its over kill.

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simple things like light schedules would still be on timers. if u wanted to increase ppm's it would be relatively easy to change the values on the PLC