AQUA-TRACK: Arduino-based Water Monitoring System for Aquaponics Farming

Using RFID

By:
Ante, Blesserie Joy O.
Caringal, Janrick Kayne M.
Casado, Jozeia Mizpah D.
Diamante, Zeus Ehrvin C.
Ebora, Mark Jie S.
Lacsaman, Miguel Joaquin B.
Nario, Bryan Christian B.
Tinamisan, Jerome F.

Dr. Mark Paulo D. San Juan

Adviser
 RESEARCH PAPER
Title : AQUA-TRACK: Arduino-based Water Monitoring System for
Aquaponics Farming Using RFID
Category : MCS
Students Name : Ante, Blesserie Joy O.
Caringal, Janrick Kayne M.
Casado, Jozeia Mizpah D.
Diamante, Zeus Ehrvin C.
Ebora, Mark Jie S.
Lacsaman, Miguel Joaquin B.
Nario, Bryan Christian B.
Tinamisan, Jerome F.

INTRODUCTION
The current water monitoring systems for aquaponics farming focus primarily on

parameter tracking without addressing active water temperature regulation, thus

lessening the full potential of plant growth. Furthermore, in modern agriculture, the

demand for efficient and sustainable farming practices is constantly increasing.

However, monitoring and managing water parameters in aquaponics systems can be

challenging, requiring constant attention and manual measurements; consequently,

inconsistent water quality can lead to reduced yields.

Moreover, according to (Samikannu et. al 2023), aquaponics' effective development

could ensure a significant portion of a more sustainable world food supply. If it spreads

widely as a commercial alternative, it will successfully assist in addressing food

insecurity and promoting global sustainability. Nevertheless, an aquaponics system's

design and administration are challenging tasks. It is a greenhouse and a symbiotic

habitat, a variety of characteristics and elements (such as light, temperature, pH,

moisture, etc.) must be managed. In addition, due to their many parts and

requirements, such as disease prevention and water purity, these systems are highly

complex.

Therefore, the researcher introduces AQUA-TRACK, an Arduino-based water

monitoring system designed to address these challenges. Specifically, AQUA-TRACK

utilizes RFID technology for efficient tracking and monitoring of water temperature within

aquaponics systems, enabling automated data collection. The system continuously

monitors the water temperature; this real-time data is then transmitted wirelessly to a

central interface, improving farmers' understanding of their system's condition.

As a result, the decision-making processes related to the setup of sensors in

aquaponics are simplified. The intended purpose of this paper is to create a bridge to

contribute to the development of aquaponics. In essence, this work helps aquaponics

operators and experts learn about automation technologies and smart systems. This

system not only streamlines the process of tracking water temperatures but also

empowers farmers with real-time data, helping them make informed decisions and

maximize their yields, thereby promoting sustainable farming techniques for a more

sustainable future.

Similarly, as recited by Chandramenon P., Aggoun A., Tchuenbou-Magadia F.

(2024), water plays a vital role in maintaining the equilibrium between fish life, plant life,

and living microorganisms in an aquaponics system. Water temperature should be

constantly monitored, since any accumulation above their critical values will be

detrimental to fish and vegetable growth. In other words, aquaponics systems prioritize
water conservation, minimizing replenishment and exchange. This approach, while

efficient, requires careful management of water temperature to ensure optimal

conditions for plant and fish health. Maintaining consistent temperature is crucial for

successful aquaponic food production.

By utilizing AQUA-TRACK's precise monitoring allows for effective temperature

control, addressing a key challenge in sustainable aquaponics and bridging the gap

between technology and practical application. Further research into innovative

temperature regulation technologies will be vital for advancing aquaponics as a scalable

and resilient urban farming solution. These systems establish a reliable framework for

the preservation of water quality, a critical component of the success of aquaponics

ecosystems, through the utilization of RFID. Such innovations not only improve

efficiency and productivity but also contribute to the scalability and environmental

sustainability of urban farming.

FRAMEWORK OF THE STUDY

Research Questions

This study aimed to develop an RFID-based water monitoring system with heating

and cooling features, AQUA TRACKER, that helps the aquaponics farmers to control

the temperature of water.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. How responsive is the AQUA TRACKER in terms of its functionalities?

 1.1. How accurately does the system record water temperature upon tapping an

RFID card?

1.2. How efficient is the system in regulating water temperature for heating and

cooling processes?

2. To what extent does the implementation of the AQUA TRACKER improve the

consistency of maintaining optimal water temperatures compared to manual

interventions?

3. How does the use of the AQUA TRACKER enhance time efficiency for farmers in

managing water temperature in aquaponics farming?

4. How reliable is the RFID-based recording system in ensuring accurate data logging

when RFID cards are used?

Methods

This study entitled "AQUA-TRACK: Arduino-based Water Monitoring System

for Aquaponics Farming Using RFID" aims to design and develop an Arduino-based

water monitoring system integrated with RFID technology to address the existing

limitations in the water monitoring systems of aquaponics farming. The system deals

with active temperature regulation and optimizes plant growth through the improvement

of water quality monitoring and empowering farmers through data-driven insights to

further improve the efficiency and sustainability of their aquaponics systems. The study
utilized an experimental research design where the AQUA-TRACK system was

implemented and monitored in an aquaponics farming setup over a specified period.

The experimental group consisted of aquaponics systems equipped with the

AQUA-TRACK system, while a control group used traditional manual monitoring

methods. Data on key metrics such as water temperature were collected from both

groups. Comparison of results between the experimental and control groups will help

determine the system's impact on plant growth, and overall system efficiency.

Research Procedure

A. Gathering of Materials

The first phase of the study involved acquiring the necessary hardware and software

components for the AQUA-TRACK system. The materials included an Arduino Uno R3

for programming, an RFID module, a DS18B20 water sensor, a 5V power supply, a

buzzer, and an LCD screen. The procurement of these components ensured the system

was equipped for efficient operation.

B. Designing the Prototype

In this phase, the design of the AQUA-TRACK prototype was carefully planned. This

included developing the system architecture and specifying how the RFID would identify

objects and record data. The Arduino Uno R3 was tasked with processing data and

controlling other components. The DS18B20 water sensor monitored water quality and

triggered alarms when the temperature exceeded specific thresholds. The 5V power
supply provided the required power for the entire system. The buzzer was used to

produce audible alerts, such as when water levels were too high or low. The LED

served as an indicator to represent various system states or conditions. Mockups and

prototypes of both the hardware setup and app design were reviewed and refined based

on feedback.

C. Assembling

The AQUA-TRACKER will be set up near the crops to monitor water quality and

trigger an alarm if any issues are detected. RFID scanners will be placed at key points

across the aquaponics farm, and RFID cards will be configured for the farmers to use.

The system will be developed and integrated to record and store data efficiently. RFID

readers will be connected to a computer, and a database will be created to track water

quality and generate useful reports. At this stage, thorough testing will be carried out to

ensure all hardware components and the mobile app work seamlessly together.

D. Testing

During the testing phase, the AQUA-TRACK system was implemented in a

controlled environment at FBC Aquaponics. RFID technology and temperature sensors

were activated to facilitate real-time monitoring. The system was observed to ensure

accurate data collection, transmission, and logging in the central interface. Tests were

also conducted to evaluate the efficiency of automated monitoring, data reliability, and

the system's response to changing water conditions. Potential technical issues, such as

sensor calibration errors, data transmission delays, or connectivity problems, were

identified and addressed.

 E. Assessing

In the final phase, the performance of the AQUA-TRACK system was evaluated

based on key metrics such as data accuracy, system reliability, and user satisfaction.

The researchers conducted observations to assess the system's usability and

effectiveness. Real-time temperature data and system performance logs were analyzed

to assess the impact of the monitoring system. The results of this evaluation guided

necessary improvements to optimize the system's performance and provided insights

for future developments or implementations.

Framework Diagrams
 Figure 1.

Research Procedure Flowchart

This figure shows the research procedure of the Aqua-Track

 Figure 2.

System Flow Diagram

This figure shows the Operational flow of the Aqua-Track

Statistical Treatment

The study used the following Statistical tools to evaluate the efficiency of the

product:

Paired t test. This test will be used to compare the mean water temperature recorded

by the AQUA TRACKER system with the actual water temperature measured using a

standard thermometer at different time points.

Independent Sample t-test. This will be used to compare the standard deviation of

water temperature fluctuations measured using the AQUA TRACKER system with the

standard deviation of fluctuations measured using manual methods utilizing an

independent sample t-test to compare the standard deviations of the two groups.
Standard deviation, Mean. Used to compare the standard deviation of readings within

a specific period with the standard deviation of readings in another period. This can help

in assessing if the system is maintaining a consistent temperature or if there's increased

variability.

Anova. Will be use to compare the mean water temperature in the aquaponics system

with and without the heating/cooling features activated.