Development of an IoT-Based Fish Pond Water Quality Monitoring System

Abstract

Aquaculture has remained a critical component of global food security, especially in developing countries where fish farming serves as a key source of nutrition and income. The productivity and sustainability of fish farms are largely dependent on maintaining optimal water quality. Traditional methods of monitoring pond water quality involve manual sampling and chemical test kits, which are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and often reactive rather than proactive. To address these challenges, this study presents the development of a low-cost Internet of Things (IoT)-based system designed to monitor essential water quality parameters in real time. The developed system integrates multiple sensors—namely, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC)—connected to a microcontroller (ESP32), which processes the data and displays it on a local LCD screen. This design eliminates the need for continuous manual testing and provides immediate, on-site access to water quality information. The device is enclosed in a waterproof housing and powered by a solar-rechargeable battery, ensuring its suitability for rural and remote aquaculture environments with limited infrastructure. Unlike many existing solutions that rely on internet connectivity for cloud-based dashboards and remote notifications, this system operates entirely offline. It is particularly beneficial for small- and medium-scale fish farmers who require affordable, standalone monitoring tools. The system enables timely intervention when parameters deviate from acceptable levels, improving fish health and farm efficiency. This work contributes a practical and scalable solution to water quality management in aquaculture and lays a foundation for future enhancements such as data logging and alert systems.