16. Applications & implications
This week is directly related to the planning and preparation for the final project.
What will it do?:
The plan is for it to be an automatic mosquito larva raising system that will ensure they never reach adulthood by feeding them to endler guppies. The objective is to make reducing mosquito populations a bit more fun and interesting than it usually is.
The way it works is, you put mosquito eggs in a small container above the aquarium and click a button to start a timer. After 8 days, which is enough time for the larva to develop but not enough for them to reach adulthood, a small solenoid valve is activated and drains the water along with the larva into the aquarium. The endler guppies will enthusiastically devour the larva, preventing them from ever reaching adulthood and transmiting diseases.
Why will it do this?:
Mosquitoes are a vector species, meaning they transmit diseases such as dengue fever and malaria. This characteristic makes them the deadliest animals in the world in terms of human lives lost each year. They are also very annoying. However, mosquito larvae are an important food source for fish, providing both nutritional value and enrichment. In nature, Endler guppies hunt mosquito larvae and forage for algae and bacterial film, so promoting these natural behaviors will make them healthier and more interesting to observe.
Who has done what beforehand?:
Many projects aim to reduce mosquito populations, including using fish to control mosquito larvae. In fact, many states will provide free mosquito fish for your water bodies upon request. In countries like Thailand, it is common to keep fish in small plant pots to consume mosquito larvae. However, this approach only works if the entire community makes an effort to set these up and reduce other potential habitats for mosquito larvae, such as rain-filled buckets, plastic containers, and tires.
The main difference between these projects and mine is that my approach is more visible and entertaining to watch. Knowing the lifespan of these mosquitoes and being able to observe their growth before feeding them to the fish makes the whole experience more engaging. Additionally, in other methods, mosquitoes are consumed much earlier, providing fewer nutrients to the fish.
What will I design?:
I will design two things, one will be a controller made using 3d printing and custom PCBs and the other is the compartment for the mosquito larva which will be made out of glass and 3d printed stands for the solenoid valve.
What materials and components will be used?:
Materials for aquarium and 3d printed parts:
| Qty | Description | Source | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 10x14cm | 3mm glass | Local glass shop | 1.41 $ | 1 10x9.4cm | 3mm glass | Local glass shop | 0.47 $ | 2 10x24cm | 3mm glass | Local glass shop | 2.36 $ | 1 10x24cm | 6mm glass | Local glass shop | 2.36 $ | 20cm | 6mm airline tubing | Local aquarium shop | 0.2$ | 1 | DC 3-5V Micro Submersible Mini Water Pump | Amazon | 2.50$ | 1 | 6mm DC 12V Normally Closed Solenoid Valve | Amazon | 4.90$ | Total | 14.20$ |
Electronic components:
| Qty | Description | Source | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | NPN 1.5A 25V SS8050 Transistor | Unit Electronics | 0.22 $ | 4 | Schottky 20V 1A SMD MBR120LSF Diode | Unit Electronics | 0.44 $ | 3 | 2.5mm Female DC Jack connector SMD | Unit Electronics | 2.48 $ | 10 | 10ft 1m Pitch cable for 1.27mm dupont cables | Unit Electronics | 1.10 $ | 2 | SMD LED 1206 NCD1206R1 | Unit Electronics | 0.11 $ | 6 | Resistors 1/4w SMD 1206 CRCW1206100RFKEA | Unit Electronics | 0.33 $ | 1 | ATtiny 44A-SSU | RYSPE (Local electronics supplier) | 3.58 $ | 2 | Female USB-A port USB-302S-T | Unit Electronics | 0.98 $ | 1 | Male Header Pins L20 40 Pins 2.54 mm | Unit Electronics | 0.60 $ | 2 | Electrolitic Capacitor 100uF 16V SMD | RYSPE (Local electronics supplier) | 0.44 $ | 1 | Voltage Regulator 7805 SMD TO-252 | RYSPE (Local electronics supplier) | 0.38 $ | 2 | Copper Clad Sheet | RYSPE (Local electronics supplier) | 1.65 $ |
These are the prices for all the electronic components, this does not account for loosing or damaging any of the components. I actually bought more than what is on the list since I bought spares but I never ended up needing them. Therefore if you have a good local electronics supplyer close by I recommend not buying spares. On the other hand, if you will be sourcing your components online I do, because the shipping costs, both financial and enviornmentally speaking, are higher if you order your components separately. Even if a component is only 0.04 $ you will still need to pay several dollars for shipping so it's more cost effective to order several spares. I recommend you save and organize your spares so that you will have a clear idea of what components you have for your next project.
What parts and systems will be made?:
I will make the small aquarium that holds the mosquito larva, a stand for the solenoid pump, a 3D printed adapter for the airline tubing to connect the water reservoir with the solenoid valve, a housing for the electronics and the electronics themselves.
What processes will be used?:
I will use 3d printing, glass cutting, electronics design and production and making my own dupont wires to be the exact length I want.
What questions need to be answered?:
The first quesiton is, how long does it take for mosquitos to reach adulthood from the day the eggs hatch? How long will it take the fish to eath the mosquito larva once they are dropped into the aquarium? How many fish are needed to eat the mosquitos from 1-4 batches of eggs? How will the electronics be protected from the water? Where will the final aquarium be placed? How will I guarantee no mosquitos are ever born in this system? How will I power a solenoid and pump that require more voltage than my ATtiny can supply?
How will it be evaluated?:
It should accomplish several goals:
- Never allow adult mosquitos to leave the aquarium
- Allow mosquito larvae to grow in size
- Effectively supply the fish with live food
- Allow empty container to dry for at least 24 hours to dry out any mosquitos that stayed behind
- Fully drain mosquito container
- Prevent water from reaching electronic components
- Make the Aquarium sightly