Good Idea PLEASE READ!!!

[CDN-Cresties]

Hey everyone, Im not sure if this is a new idea or even a good one, can someone tell me if this is possible. So i was thinking about having a large scale breeding project for any herp. How do you go about making sure the temps and humidity are at the right levels? Here is my idea. Would it be possible to have some sort of device that records these things and transfers them to a labtop? Once on the labtop you can monitor whats going on such as temp changes and so forth and for some reason if the temps or humidity is too high or low an alert message would be given. Something along the lines of "Cage 23 low temperature."

What do you guys think? good idea or bad? Is there a way of doing something like this?

Thanks

-Steve-

[Phox]

Interesting idea. Also, have it hooked to all your lights, heating pads, misters, etc so that it automatically adjusts the voltage to keep the proper temps and humidity. This sort of settup may not be for the average herp collector, but I feel it's definately doable!

I did a quick search and found this: http://www.thermoworks.com/products/logger/

[CDN-Cresties]

For some reason the link is dead.

-Steve-

[gfisher2002]

Not for me.

[mark129er]

a system like that would make things much easier. would probably be too costly/complex for the average keeper (definitely me) but would be great for large scale collections and breeding projects.

[varanuskomodoen]

That idea sucks!































no just kidding-it's actually pretty good!hehe:)!

[Wuntu Menny]

I can't recall the name of it, but I know that the software and hardware already exist. I read an article about it a couple of years ago. You setup a series of sensors for a variety of environmental factors, program your desired parameters, and the PC does the rest. Misters or humidifiers are triggered when its too dry, heat goes on/off etc.

Its a great idea but the price tag was a little on the high side. I've got an idea that goes a step further, but I'm a stumbling idiot with the computer, so it'll have to wait until I can brainstorm with a qualified programmer.

WM

[varanuskomodoen]

really?

[varanuskomodoen]

wow.

[TannimBP]

sounds get I remember finding something along those lines from a link in one of the areas HERE I think But it was preprogrammed and everything on/off for most if not all of the stuff BUT it was a little pricey But if you are doing a large scale thing it would probaly pay for itself in the long run ( time of having to check on the animals making sure temps and everything correct)

[Wuntu Menny]

There was one sorry SOB on queensnake's chameleon forum that had the whole apparatus for a single veiled cham. I think he'd spent somewhere around $2000 on the whole thing. Apparently its not dummy proof, because his animal suffered from one ailment after another until it finally died. The guy had more $$ than brains and thought the system would look after his cham and he'd never have to be around.

WM

[C.m.pyrrhus]

I would assume that it would help monitor your basic set-up, but all in all your still going to have to do the same work yourself. For folks with the funds and equipment, as well as having delicate herps does not sound like a bad idea. Although, I still vouch for the good ol' traditional sence of monitoring with my own eyes.

[Smilts]

its good to keep a eye on it it yourself, but it would help while you where out to work or had business outside of town.k.

[varanuskomodoen]

But we can dream, can't we?

[chas*e]

I am sure there is a control program out there somewhere , most likely for large computer rooms and such, so you could adapt it for herps..but how much money do you want to spend...control systems and monitors cost plenty.....

[Mark]

It sounds like you would need something like a PLC panel. We have used them in school and you can run temps and lighting on many cages. There is probably a way to get an alert if temps are too high or low. Your looking at a good bit of cash for something like this.

[CDN-Cresties]

I wasnt planning on getting anything like this, I was just wondering if the idea existed.

-Steve-

[Jeff Hathaway]

Yes, the technology definitely exists. I used to do monitoring and control systems for commercial swimming pools, and sometimes during installations I would chat with technicians from other companies doing the building control systems. Johnson Controls and Honeywell both make equipment and software to do this. You could conceivably control temp, humidity, lighting times, misting, water pH & ORP (for aquatic species), and probably other parameters as well, for as many separate enclosures as you want.

The only barrier is COST...

And, of course, as in the chameleon story above, these systems cannot monitor animals, they can only monitor the environmental conditions!

There are computerized fish tank controllers on the market (Neptune & Octopus used to be 2 brands, not sure if they're still around) which can control light times, temperature, pH and ORP. These could be adapted for herp use with some effort but they're still a couple of thousand bucks.

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!