Diving into aquarium keeping can be complex and time-intensive for hobbyists and small-scale aquaculture setups alike. In response, a team of Johns Hopkins chemical and biomolecular engineering students is developing Aquamatic, an automated, all-in-one system that uses affordable sensors and a compact microcontroller to monitor and adjust aquarium water conditions in real time. By tracking parameters like salinity, pH, water hardness, and temperature and dispensing nutrients as needed, the device aims to simplify maintenance and improve fish health.
The students will present their prototype on April 29 at the Whiting School of Engineering’s Design Day, an annual event showcasing students’ solutions to real-world problems.
Aquamatic originated from a project on farmland soil management, but the students quickly shifted direction to tackle a more accessible challenge: aquarium water maintenance. Vivek Booshan, a dedicated fish keeper and Aquamatic team member, recognized the gap in water chemistry management tools for aquarium hobbyists.
“Maintaining healthy water conditions shouldn’t be this complicated,” Booshan said. “Aquarium owners deserve tools that are accurate, easy to use, and stress-free—for both them and their fish.”
With demand rising for specialized aquariums, the team’s goal was to create an easy-to-use tool that takes the guesswork out of fish tank care. Their system incorporates affordable DIY sensors and a compact microcontroller, such as the ESP32 or Raspberry Pi Zero, to continuously monitor key water parameters and dispense nutrients. Powered by Internet of Things technology, the device offers real-time tracking and remote control, making precise water management accessible from anywhere.
Mockup of Aquamatic’s product.
The foundation of Aquamatic is its proprietary software designed to intelligently manage the entire aquarium ecosystem. The hardware pairs premade aquatic probes with precision dispensing pumps, a microcontroller, and a sleek display integrated into a custom 3D-printed casing.
“Modularity was key,” said team member Daniel Naiman. “We wanted users to tweak and scale the system to fit their specific needs.” This adaptable design empowers hobbyists to easily personalize their setups: no special expertise required.
“We designed it to be plug-and-play. You don’t need to be an engineer to use it,” said team member Joshua Hubbard.
Team members say that Aquamatic sets itself apart with two additional major advantages: affordability and ease of use. While most automated water management systems cost between $500 and $1,000, and often demand technical expertise or professional installation, Aquamatic is expected to retail around $200.
“We wanted to build something smart, scalable, and affordable, and we succeeded,” said team member Chase Kocian.
The Aquamatic team plans to continue developing the project. If the product garners strong interest during HopStart and Design Day, the team will focus on scaling up. Their long-term vision includes partnerships with public aquariums, fish breeding facilities, research labs, and other high-demand environments where precise, reliable tank management is crucial. These professional settings require consistent water quality control on a larger scale, and the team aims to adapt Aquamatic’s design to meet those demands.