Design and Implementation of a Real-Time Aquaponics Automation System for Water Quality Management

¹ Department of Physics, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Jl. Rawamangun Muka, Jakarta 13220, Indonesia
² Center of Excellence Artificial Intelligence for Learning and Optimization, Telkom University, Bandung, Indonesia, 40252
³ Physics Departement, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Academic Belt Road, Dhahran 31261, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 2 July 2026

Abstract

Rapid population growth in cities like Jakarta has led to a decline in green open spaces and environmental quality. Aquaponics serves as a viable solution that can be implemented within the community. However, this system requires accurate water quality monitoring to ensure optimal plant growth and fish health. This study aims to develop an automated aquaponics system for real-time water quality control and fish maintenance. The system integrates temperature, pH, and gas sensors to monitor critical environmental parameters, utilizing actuators such as water pumps, peristaltic pumps, and compressors to maintain ecosystem stability. The main components include an Arduino Uno microcontroller, a DS18B20 temperature sensor, a pH-4502C sensor, an MQ-135 gas sensor, and a Nextion HMI LCD for real-time data display. The system's algorithm is designed to activate the cooling mechanism when the temperature exceeds the ideal threshold and initiate water circulation when the pH falls outside the 6.0–7.0 range. The system was developed using the ADDIE model, and the sensors were validated through calibration and statistical analysis. Test results indicate that the sensors operate accurately, and the MQ-135 sensor successfully detects ammonia gas concentrations at three different points. The system has proven to be stable for long-term operation and can serve as an efficient prototype for a small-scale automated aquaponics system.