An Innovative Approach of Economic Smart Aquaponics System

Abstract

Introduction

1. Background & Motivation

Due to rapid population growth, urbanization, and environmental concerns, there is a growing demand for sustainable agricultural practices. Traditional farming is resource-intensive and labor-heavy, prompting the adoption of innovative methods like aquaponics—a closed-loop system combining aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soilless plant cultivation). While efficient, aquaponics requires constant monitoring, which can be optimized using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

2. Proposed System

The project presents an IoT-enabled smart aquaponics system that:

• Uses NodeMCU (ESP8266) as the central controller.

• Employs DHT11 sensor to monitor ambient temperature and humidity.

• Uses a water level sensor to detect water levels in the plant bed.

• Automatically activates a water pump when moisture drops below a threshold, ensuring proper hydration and nutrient flow.

• Sends real-time data to the Ubidots cloud platform, enabling remote monitoring through a dashboard.

3. Literature Review Highlights

• Studies confirm IoT’s effectiveness in real-time monitoring, automation, and predictive control in aquaponics and aquaculture.

• Past work has explored Arduino-based setups, machine learning models, solar integration, and AI-enhanced systems for efficient resource use and improved yields.

4. System Architecture & Design

• NodeMCU collects data from sensors and controls the pump via a relay module.

• The fish tank supplies nutrient-rich water to the plant bed.

• Data is pushed to Ubidots via Wi-Fi, providing real-time visualization and alerts.

• The system is compact, low-cost, and suitable for small-to-medium scale applications.

5. Implementation & Results

• Implemented in a real aquaponics setup, the system:

  • Efficiently circulated water from the fish tank to the plant bed.

  • Prevented overwatering by activating the pump only when needed.

  • Provided stable real-time data on environmental conditions.

• The automated control and monitoring reduced manual intervention and optimized water use, supporting a sustainable, self-regulating ecosystem.

6. Future Enhancements

Potential upgrades include:

• Adding pH, ammonia, and nutrient sensors for better water quality management.

• Automatic fish feeder to further reduce labor.

• AI-based predictive models for smarter automation.

• Solar power integration for energy efficiency.

• Mobile app for alerts, remote control, and user interaction.

Conclusion

The proposed IoT-based aquaponics system successfully integrates smart technology to support sustainable farming practices. By using a water level sensor in the plant bed, the system ensures timely water delivery from the fish tank through an automatically controlled pump, maintaining optimal conditions for plant growth. Additionally, the DHT11 sensor effectively monitors ambient temperature and humidity, providing critical environmental data. The real-time monitoring capability via Ubidots enhances system reliability and allows users to track and manage conditions remotely. Overall, this automated and data-driven approach simplifies aquaponics management, improves resource efficiency, and promotes a more sustainable and productive method of cultivation. This system not only reduces the need for constant manual supervision but also minimizes water waste and energy usage through intelligent automation. The seamless integration of sensors and IoT platforms creates a scalable solution that can be adapted for both small-scale urban farming and larger agricultural setups. By combining aquaculture and hydroponics with modern IoT tools, this project demonstrates how technology can be leveraged to support eco-friendly food production systems. With further enhancements, such as nutrient monitoring or automated feeding, this model holds great potential for future development in smart agriculture.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Nandhini S., Muthu Saravanan G., Vidya P., Harsha Vardhan R. S., Ranjith S.. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.