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Irrigation Caddy ($180): Hardware: - ethernet cable based - wire up to 10 valves (including master) UI: - browser based - allows user to create up to 4 programs that can then have up to 5 start times Above is my summary of irrigation caddy. It does seem to have some of the elements that we discussed, but it doesn't include sensors and it is all wired. EZ-VRC (with its own subscription and which isn't even accepting new subscribers) might fill that void but now you have two seperate user interfaces, one for irrigation control and one for sensors. How do you use the sensors to dictate your watering schedule? Build a layer on top of both UI? Not to mention that you're cloud-dependant with this EZ-VRC. Same deal with bringing in wireless - you'd have to hack a black-box and figure out how it works so that you could integrate an Xbee. The end-result is you've cobbled together a few proprietary devices to make the device you actually want. That solution isn't optimized and it's not scalable. It might work fine for one person and it might work especially fine for Andy since you have everything wired up already, but I am interested in developing an application that can easily be replicated and expanded upon.
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An Arduino could definitely be used to do something along these lines. The trick is figuring out how to sense the depth of your tank. Here's one of the first google results [I came across](http://www.practicalarduino.com/projects/water-tank-depth-sensor) which uses pressure sensors. Then you have to find a way to get the 5V Arduino to actuate your pumps... Relays and such will probably be needed. Sounds like you wouldn't require an SMS alarm system so you could make a cheaper and more simple system fairly easily. If you wanted to add an alarm though, following the Fido tutorial related to the phone may help. If you don't know much about Arduinos or electronics, don't worry - it's easy to get started. [Adafruit](http://www.adafruit.com/tutorials) has a great learning system.
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RJ and I will be getting in late (11pm or midnight) on Friday night. Two questions: 1) Anybody care to host us? We'll have sleeping pads and sleeping bags so a floor indoors would be fantastic! Email me: thiery.louis@gmail.com 2) If not, how does the Ecovillage camping work? Is there a contact person for that?