Final Project: Smart Reptile Habitat System
Project Overview
I want to make an automatic environment control system for reptile cages.
My pet reptiles (geckos and snakes) need very specific temperature and humidity. But it's difficult to keep the perfect environment all the time by hand.
So I will make a smart system that can monitor and control the habitat automatically!
What I Will Make
Main Components
Control Box (Lid) - I will make a special lid for the reptile cage - This lid is also a box that contains all electronic parts - Inside: control board, sensor terminals, and control devices
Sensors in the Cage - Temperature sensors (for monitoring) - Humidity sensors (for monitoring) - These sensors check the environment all the time
Control Devices - Lighting (for day/night cycle) - Heater (for temperature control) - Ultrasonic humidifier (for humidity control) - Fan (for air circulation)
How It Works
- Sensors measure temperature and humidity in the cage
- Control board receives the data from sensors
- System gives feedback to make good environment
- If too cold → turn on heater
- If too dry → turn on humidifier
- Repeat this automatically!
Why I Want to Make This
I want my pets to live in comfortable environment without stress.
But we humans cannot fully understand what is the best environment for reptiles. We cannot feel what they feel.
So, my first goal is to provide stable environment continuously. Then I can watch my pets and see if they are happy. This will be the base for making better improvements.
I think this kind of environment control system can also be used for livestock farming and agriculture in the future.
Who Will Use This?
First Stage: Me and my pets - I will build and test the system with my own geckos and snakes - I will learn what works well and what doesn't work
Future Stage: Other people - Other reptile keepers (hobby) - Small farms (agriculture) - Livestock farmers
I believe this can become a cheap and good system for monitoring and controlling environment in many situations!
Technical Elements
Hardware
- Microcontroller (ESP32 or similar)
- Temperature & Humidity sensors (DHT11)
- Relay modules (for high power devices)
- Heater control
- Lighting control
- Humidifier control
Software
- Sensor data reading
- Automatic control algorithm
- Data logging
- WiFi communication
- Mobile app or web dashboard (maybe!)
Fabrication
- 3D printed parts (sensor mounts, control box)
- Laser cut parts (cage lid structure)
- PCB design (custom control board)
- Electronics assembly
Future Possibilities
This technology can expand to:
- Agriculture: Greenhouse environment control
- Livestock: Farm animal environment monitoring
- Aquarium: Fish tank management
- Food Storage: Temperature control for preservation
The basic idea is same: monitor environment and give automatic feedback to keep it stable and good.
Project Progress
Week 1: Planning & Documentation ✅
- Created project website
- Outlined project concept
- Created initial sketches
Week 2: CAD Design ✅
- 3D modeled glass terrarium (Fusion 360)
- Designed upper control box (Fusion 360)
- Designed lower control box (Fusion 360)
- Created technical drawings (JW-CAD)
- Designed gecko mascot (Inkscape)
- See Week 2 Documentation
Week 3: Fabrication Begins 🚧
- Designing press-fit construction kit
- Laser cutting base platform components
- Creating mounting plates for sensors
- Making labels and branding elements
- See Week 3 Documentation
Week 4: Electronics Production 📝
- Learning PCB milling and fabrication
- Making in-circuit programmer (ISP)
- SMD soldering techniques
- Electronics testing and debugging
- See Week 4 Documentation
Upcoming Weeks
- Week 5: 3D printing sensor mounts
- Week 6: PCB design for control board
- Week 7: CNC machining enclosure
- And more...
This project idea will grow and change as I learn more in Fab Academy!