Hello there, am new to this forum but I think its one of the best I've seen.
Am currently working on a low cost Ammonia level detector and water purity detector in a mini fish pond but my major problem is the technique and materials to use. Please drop your humble idea below. Thanks.

 

Your first task will be to find a sensor suitable for your application.
Are you trying to detect ammonia gas or ammonia dissolved in water?

 

Ammonia is an alkaline gas. Would checking the pH tell you want you want to know?

 

To learn more about ammonia gas sensors, see this application note (pdf).

 

Your first task will be to find a sensor suitable for your application.
Are you trying to detect ammonia gas or ammonia dissolved in water?

Ammonia dissolved in water, please I would love if you can help me out. Thank you in anticipation.

 

Ammonia is an alkaline gas. Would checking the pH tell you want you want to know?

Not really, just want to check the pH directly. Would so much love any help you can render.

 

Your first task will be to find a sensor suitable for your application.
Are you trying to detect ammonia gas or ammonia dissolved in water?

Ammonia dissolved in water.

 

Not really, just want to check the pH directly. Would so much love any help you can render.

I mean I would like to check the Ammonia level directly. I would appreciate any help you can render.

 

Tha

To learn more about ammonia gas sensors, see this application note (pdf).

Thanks alot

 

For ammonia dissolved in water, you will have to do some research:

https://community.particle.io/t/sensors-for-ammonia-nitrate-nitrite/6379

https://www.jumo.net/attachments/JUMO/attachmentdownload?id=5987

 

Use pH sensor with adc of micrcontroller.

or use an amplifier to amplify the PH sensor output and at desired output voltage for desired ammonia concentration turn on an led. Op Amp is used as Comparator.

You might need two opAMps.

Yes, one amplifier and another comparator.

Alternately you can power the circuit from a battery so that the device also shows ammonia level when there is no mains power.

You can also use LM3914 Dot/Bar Led VU Meter IC. Ofcourse with amplifiers to amplify pH sensor output.

MCP6002 will do.

 

This is the ammonia level indicator which I made. You can adjust the gain of the amplifier based on pH sensor's differential output. If you give the readings of pH sensor for min and max ammonia concentrations (dissolved in water) then I will fine tune the circuit.

But this is not low cost circuit. LTC2053 differential opamp costs more. You can use 9V DC supply from display circuit.

 

If you are interested then I can make a better Ammonia Level Indicator using PIC18F26K22 micocontroller with 8 leds or Lcd display. I will use adc of microcontroller with LTC2053. The ammonia level is displayed on led bargraph or LCD. It will also have a buzzer to make sound if ammonia level is high. The buzzer will play a tune.

 

If you are interested then I can make a better Ammonia Level Indicator using PIC18F26K22 micocontroller with 8 leds or Lcd display. I will use adc of microcontroller with LTC2053. The ammonia level is displayed on led bargraph or LCD. It will also have a buzzer to make sound if ammonia level is high. The buzzer will play a tune.

Thanks alot for the help.
How much will it cost to make the Ammonia level indicator using the LTC2053?

 

Thanks alot for the help.
How much will it cost to make the Ammonia level indicator using the LTC2053?

Check the price of LTC2053 differential opamp at linear.com website.

It is around 3 or 4 USD for it (LTC2053).

Maybe total cost of the circuit is around 10 USD including power supply and PCB.

Shipping charges not mentioned.


Can you go with PIC18F26K22 based ammonia level indicator for aquariums ? It will be better and almost same cost 10 to 12 USD.


I will build one for my fish tank using this.

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B01M6ZKTTG?psc=1


If you want me to design PCB layout for the circuit in post #12 or for PIC18F26K22 then I charge 50 USD. I don't do free PCB layout designing.

I can give you free circuit and c code.

 

Check the price of LTC2053 differential opamp at linear.com website.

It is around 3 or 4 USD for it (LTC2053).

Maybe total cost of the circuit is around 10 USD including power supply and PCB.

Shipping charges not mentioned.


Can you go with PIC18F26K22 based ammonia level indicator for aquariums ? It will be better and almost same cost 10 to 12 USD.


I will build one for my fish tank using this.

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B01M6ZKTTG?psc=1


If you want me to design PCB layout for the circuit in post #12 or for PIC18F26K22 then I charge 50 USD. I don't do free PCB layout designing.

I can give you free circuit and c code.

For the PIC18F26K22 based ammonia level for aquarium, will it be suitable for normal mini fish ponds?

 

For the PIC18F26K22 based ammonia level for aquarium, will it be suitable for normal mini fish ponds?

Yes, it will be suitable for small tanks or big. It doesn't make difference. Only 100k POT in LTC2053 circuit have to be adjusted so that for max ammonia concentration it displays 10 leds level or on LCD it displays 100%.

You decide and tell whether you will use 10 leds bargraph or LCD for the circuit.

I will provide a buzzer (5V) and it will play different tunes when certain ammonia levels are reached.

***** If you can use a speaker then I will provide circuit which announces the ammonia level like

"Ammonia concentration is 50%" but for that you have to use PIC18F46K22

For ***** I charge 200 USD to make C Code because it has a lot of work to make audio file data to array and then write code for it.


If you can use MP3 player to play voice messages then I can give you C Code for 100 USD. It will speak out the ammonia concentration value.

 

I will use this method which I made to speak out ammonia concentration value.

https://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/threads/btc-binary-time-constant-audio-player.139212/

 

Then I will settle for the LTC2053. How much will it be with the shipping?

 

Then I will settle for the LTC2053. How much will it be with the shipping?

LTC2053 is needed for all versions.

Will you go with non speaking PIC18F26K22 based or PIC16F18877 (replacing and cheaper then PIC16F877A in few months) for the project with 10 leds bargraph or LCD with free circuit and code but 50 USD for PCB layout designing project ?

You can get the PCB layout designed by any other person or you can design it yourself if you want to save 50 USD.