A smart monitoring and observation framework for aquaponics ecosystem

Aquaponics is a sustainable and efficient agricultural system that integrates aquaculture with agriculture. This system integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technology in aquaponics systems with the potential to change sustainable agriculture by combining farming of fish (aquaculture) and soilless cultivation of plants (hydroponics) into a single, efficient ecosystem. This paper explores the design and development of a smart aquaponics system that allows aquaponic farming at commercial scale feasible, leveraging IoT to continuously gather data through various sensors, monitor environmental conditions, and automate control processes. The proposed system architecture is based on a three-tier model, ensuring scalability and maintainability. The proposed system consists of a three-layer architecture: the Perception Layer for measuring different environmental factors and controlling them, the Network Layer for data transmission, and the Application Layer for data storage, manipulation, and user interaction. The key components include sensors for monitoring pH, humidity, temperature, sunlight, oxygen levels, and water proximity; devices such as lights, water pumps, fans, and oxygen pumps for environmental control; and an ESP8266 microcontroller for system management. The system's software is developed using C# DOT NET CORE 8.0, React, MySQL, C, and Arduino. The system allows users the ability to maintain optimal conditions for fish and plant growth, notify users of irregularities, and allow remote control through a web application, proving it to be an intelligent, flexible, low-cost, and stable solution for large-scale aquaponics.