Automatic Monitoring and Adjustment of pH Balance in Aquaponic and Hydroponic Systems

Modern agricultural techniques such as vertical farming, hydroponics (soilless farming), and aquaponics (the combination of fish and plant cultivation) systems are revolutionizing food production. Compared to traditional agriculture, these methods offer up to 90% water savings and maximum yield with minimum space usage. However, the success of these closed-loop systems depends on one critical factor: Water quality and nutrient balance. Especially monitoring pH and EC (electrical conductivity) levels instantaneously is vital for the sustainability of the system.

Providing this balance manually with traditional methods is both challenging and risky. Esular provides time, cost, and yield advantages to producers by fully automating this sensitive process with its developed wireless sensor technologies and automatic fertigation (fertilization) machines.

Why are pH and EC So Critical in Aquaponic and Hydroponic Systems?

Unlike soil-based agriculture, in hydroponic and aquaponic systems, plant roots are in direct contact with the water and nutrient solution. The buffering (balancing) capability that soil possesses does not exist in these systems. Therefore, even the slightest fluctuation in pH and EC levels has an immediate effect on plants (and fish in aquaponic systems).

1. pH: The Key to the Nutrient Door

pH measures the degree of acidity or alkalinity of your water. Plants can only absorb the different nutrient elements they need (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Iron, Calcium, etc.) within certain pH ranges.

• Ideal Range: For most hydroponic plants, the ideal pH range is between 5.5 and 6.5.
• Nutrient Lockout: If the pH goes outside this range (for example, above 7.0), plant roots become unable to take in critical nutrients such as iron or phosphorus. Even if there are enough nutrients in your water tank, your plants will start showing signs of nutritional deficiency.
• Aquaponics Difference: In aquaponic systems, pH balance is twice as important. pH levels must be kept stable not only for plants but also for the health of fish and beneficial bacteria (nitrification) that convert ammonia into nitrate that plants can use.

2. EC: Nutrient Density Indicator

EC (Electrical Conductivity) measures the total amount of dissolved nutrients and salts in the water.

• Low EC: Indicates that plants are undernourished, which causes growth to slow down.
• High EC: Indicates that the nutrient solution is too concentrated ("salinity stress"). This situation can damage plant roots ("root burn") and prevent water uptake.

The Challenge: Manual Monitoring and Risks

In traditional vertical farming and hydroponic systems, producers have to manually measure pH and EC levels several times a day. Based on these measurements, they manually add "pH Down" (acid) or "pH Up" (base) solutions. This method contains many risks:

• Time Loss: Constant measurement and intervention require significant labor.
• Human Error: Incorrect measurement or faulty dosing can cause the loss of the entire crop or fish population within hours.
• Delayed Intervention: pH levels can change very quickly. A lack of intervention during the night or weekend can lead to damages that are difficult to compensate for.

Esular Solution: Fully Automatic pH and EC Automation

Esular offers a fully integrated automation system that works with the principle of "Monitor, Learn, Manage" to ensure this sensitive balance. This system consists of two main components: Wireless Sensors and Smart Fertigation Machines.

Step 1: Instant Monitoring (Wireless pH-EC Sensor)

The "eyes" of the system, the Esular Wireless pH-EC Sensor, monitors the quality of the water in your hydroponic tank or aquaponic system 24/7 instantaneously.

• Precise Measurement: Measures pH (0.00–14.00) and EC (0.00–19.99 mS/cm) values with high accuracy using laboratory-quality probes.
• Wireless Technology: Transmits data wirelessly to the central control unit thanks to LoRaWAN technology. No cable clutter or installation difficulty is experienced.
• Energy Independent: Continues to perform measurements for up to 7 days even during power outages thanks to its internal rechargeable battery.
• Instant Alarms: Sends an instant alarm via your mobile application when the ideal pH and EC ranges you have set are exceeded.

Step 2: Automatic Management (Smart Agro Fertigation Machines)

The "brain and arms" of the system, Esular Smart Agro Series Automatic Fertilization Machines, process the data coming from the sensors and perform the necessary intervention automatically.

• Automatic Dosing: When the wireless pH-EC sensor detects that the water values have deteriorated, the Smart Agro machine steps in. By dosing with milliliter precision from the designated tanks (e.g., Acid tank, Base tank, A-B nutrient tanks), it brings the water back to the ideal level.
• Multi-Tank Management: With Smart Agro Mini (2 tanks), Max (4 tanks), and Maxi (4+ tanks) models, you can manage both pH balancers and A-B nutrient solutions at the same time.
• Smart Recipes: You can create different pH and EC recipes for different growth stages of the plant (seedling, growth, fruiting). The system applies these recipes automatically.
• Full Integration: The system can manage not only nutrient balance but also irrigation valves and climate (humidity, temperature).

Benefits of Esular Automation for Vertical Farming

1. Error-Free Production: Reduces the risk of human error in manual measurement and dosing to zero.
2. Labor Savings: Eliminates the necessity for personnel to perform constant measurements, reducing costs.
3. Maximum Yield: Plants never experience nutrient stress. This situation directly increases growth rate and harvest quality.
4. Input Savings: Since nutrients and pH balancers are used only as needed, up to 25% savings in fertilizer and chemical costs are achieved.
5. Remote Management: Even if you are not at your facility, you can monitor all water values instantaneously from the Esular mobile application and intervene in the system.

Esular Smart Agro Series Products

Esular offers modular fertigation solutions for facilities of different scales:

1. Smart Agro Mini: Ideal for small and medium-scale greenhouses, vertical farming startup projects, and R&D facilities. It performs basic pH and EC control fully automatically with 2 fertilizer tanks.

2. Smart Agro Max / Maxi: Designed for medium and large-scale industrial facilities. It can manage complex nutrient recipes and multiple irrigation zones with a capacity of 4 or more tanks.

Conclusion: Secure the Future of Food

Vertical farming and hydroponic systems are the key to producing more food with fewer resources. However, the efficiency of these systems depends on the precise control of water quality. Manual pH and EC monitoring can no longer respond to the speed and precision needs of modern agriculture.

Esular’s wireless pH-EC sensors and Smart Agro automatic fertigation machines eliminate risks and maximize profitability by automating this critical process. Thanks to the system monitoring water values instantaneously, learning the ideal levels, and managing automatically, producers achieve not only healthier plants but also higher yields with lower costs.

Do not risk your vertical farming or hydroponic facility investment. Invest in the future of food with confidence with Esular’s proven automation technologies.

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• Phone: 0850 303 49 91
• Email: info@esular.com
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