Monitoring and Controlling Overfeeding Ammonia in Smart Lobster Ponds based on Internet of Things Technology

The high mortality rate due to overfeeding is one of the problems in cultivating Red Claw Lobsters (Cherax quadricarinatus). Lobsters overfed tend to eat more feed than in normal conditions. The protein compounds in the feed will be secreted through the faeces as ammonia, and the remaining feed will also decompose in water into ammonia, resulting in the accumulation of ammonia in the lobster pond. Ammonia is toxic at levels above 0.5 ppm and that can kill lobsters, which lowers productivity and reduces the profit of lobster farmers. Regularly monitoring and controlling the water quality is necessary to avoid this. Traditional farmers face a challenge because it costs more money to monitor the quality of the water. In this study, a smart lobster pond system based on the Internet of Things was developed by monitoring and controlling ammonia concentrations in ponds to improve the efficiency and profitability of lobster farmers and minimize labour, without sacrificing profit. This system can monitor ammonia concentration along with other key water quality parameters such as temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen, and control these parameters to fulfil the needs of the lobster. Monitoring and control can be done directly on-site or using a smartphone. In order to increase productivity and profitability, this system is expected to improve the operating conditions of lobster ponds, reduce labor requirements, and simplify the process for farmers to monitor and control the water quality of the ponds without being limited by time or space.