Climate Smart
Soil Intelligence FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of services and technology does AquaSpy offer?

AquaSpy offers intelligent soil moisture and crop monitoring technology that comprises cloud-based software, proprietary algorithms and underground sensors.

What is Pay as you Grow?

Pay as you Grow is a new way of bundling and delivering AgTech software and hardware that makes it easy for the grower to remotely monitoring what’s happening below the ground in their field. Pay as you Grow means simplifying payment, installation and management.

What is Crophesy?

Crophesy is AquaSpy’s next generation, offering a completely wireless, battery-operated suite of 3, 6, and 12 sensor probes. The mobile app delivers a unique, grower-focused experience that allows wide distribution across a field or farm, with convenient, easy to move hardware for seasonal crop rotation.

What is included in the Pay as you Grow VIP subscription service?

Each subscription bundles our AgSpy software, one wireless battery-powered or solar-powered underground multi–sensor soil moisture probe, wireless data plan, analytics and reporting.

Is shipping included in my order?

Shipping is additional, FOB San Diego. Contact our sales team or your regional partner for bulk orders.

How do I create a Crophesy account?

Growers can sign up for services online via the AquaSpy website. Once you receive your hardware, simply download the mobile app from the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and follow the steps in the app.  You will need to activate the ap and sign up for an account before installing your hardware in the field.

Do I need to purchase a cellular connection for my wireless soil moisture sensors?

Included in the price is the cellular plan that we have negotiated in bulk.

How does the wireless soil moisture probe connect to the internet?

Wireless services are included in your subscription. AquaSpy probes connect to the Cloud via cellular.

We utilize NB-IOT (narrow band IoT) designed to work well in challenging environments such as below ground. Since they are low power, they offer extended battery life for IoT sensors to work for 5+ years without replacing battery.

How has AquaSpy solved the rural AgTech connectivity challenge?

AquaSpy has built-in programmable SIM technology that allows seamless switching between multiple cellular networks within a given geography, which makes rural connectivity easier. This cutting edge eSIM technology allows AquaSpy probes to connect with more than 3,500 different cellular networks around the globe.

How many wireless soil moisture sensor probes will I need?

The number of probes depends on your management practices and your irrigation capabilities. In general, you will need minimum one install per uniform irrigation area. However, if you are able to apply varying amounts throughout the field, you should consider placing strategic installs where you want to verify certain conditions. Say you want to make sure that the water application is uniform along a drip system, place one in the beginning, one in the middle and one at the end. It could also be advantageous to place installs in varying soil conditions.

How do I install the 3 sensor battery operated soil moisture sensor probes?

The soil moisture sensor probes are tapered with an average diameter of about 1.5” when placed in the soil. If you have loose soil from recent cultivation, you may press the probe into the ground simply by applying pressure from the top. If the soil is set, you may use our custom 1.5” tapered auger in a standard battery powered drill to auger a hole.

Once you have installed the soil moisture probe in the ground to the desired Zone indicator or depth marked on the probe, its recommended to apply 1 gallon of water around the probe and use a metal poker or rod to loosen and resettle the soil around the probe. For best performance of the sensors, there should not be any air pockets around the probe.

Do I need to apply a Slurry?

It is not mandatory to apply a slurry to install the 3 sensor probe. However, if the soil is particularly hard or you do not want to disturb the soil next to a plant, it is recommended to take some soil and mix with water into a muddy slurry, fill about half of the augured hole with slurry and press the probe into the soil to the desired zone marker. This guarantees an air pocket free install.

We recommend a slurry when installing the 6 and 12 sensor Crophesy wireless soil moisture probes.

Do I need to calibrate the wireless soil moisture probe?

The probe is calibrated during manufacturing and will not need re-calibration. The Crophesy data algorithms are capable of handling data from many different situations (and are soil independent) including poor installations.

How do I calibrate the probe to a specific crop?

When you install the probe, select the crop type from the install menu. The Crophesy algorithms will handle the rest for the entire season; the only fully self-calibrating and self-adjusting system available.

Do I need to recharge the battery?

Crophesy wireless soil moisture probes never need recharging. We have built them with a long-lasting internal battery that never needs recharged or replaced. Estimated battery life is 5 years.

Can the data be exported to other systems?

Yes, our AgSpy software has an open API which allows you to integrate with other popular crop monitoring and weather systems.

What kind of maintenance does the probe need?

The Crophesy probes require no special maintenance. At the end of the season, remove from the field, wipe them off with a cloth, turn arrow to off and “end season” in the app.

How does the wireless soil moisture sensor work?

The AquaSpy multi-sensor probes contain an array of wireless soil moisture sensors, placed 4 inches (12 cm) apart. The sensors gather information about the soil and active root zones which the algorithm interprets and delivers in an easy to read graph. The probes are completely wireless so don’t you have to worry about equipment getting caught or critters chewing the wires.

What do the wireless soil moisture sensors measure?

The wireless soil moisture probes are placed in the field and transmit detailed soil and crop information to our analysis engine. You will see active root depth, soil moisture at the root level, EC/Salinity, and soil temperature.

How do I receive data from my probes?

Your soil moisture and a variety of other data such as infiltration and consumption is sent wirelessly to the cloud and can be viewed on AqSpy. If you have purchased a Crophesy 3 sensor probe via credit card, you may view your data on the mobile app found in the Google Play or Apple store. If you purchased through a dealer, you may log directly into the AgSpy app and view data on your desktop, tablet, or mobile.

How often is data uploaded?

Data is uploaded from the sensors to the app multiple times per day.

Will I receive alerts about issues?

Yes, the app has been designed prioritize issues that need your attention first.

What types of irrigation are supported?

AquaSpy probes work with drip, pivot, or dryland.

What types of soil are supported?

AquaSpy probes work with all soil types.

What is the sensor temperature operating range?

The sensor will work from 0 F to 140 F.

How do I purchase Pay as you Grow VIP services?

There are several ways to purchase our VIP services: you can purchase directly via credit card on our website; through your favorite regional retail partner or dealer; or for larger size orders or for PO orders contact our sales team directly.

How many months is the commitment?

Our typical subscription runs 36 months. We also offer 48 and 60 month subscriptions.

How much is the Hardware?

There are no Hardware fees; long lasting wireless soil moisture probes are included in the monthly subscription.

Is there a cancellation fee?

You can cancel at any point in the contract. A cancellation fee of $500 will be charged to your account. However, no cancellation fee applies if or when the contractual months have been utilized.

What if my probe stops working?

We stand by our probes. If a probe stops working, simply scan or enter the serial number into the RMA tab to confirm it’s under warranty. We’ll ship you a new one!

What is the return policy for the hardware?

If the hardware breaks or quits functioning within the term of the service, just send it back to us and we’ll replace it. See the RMA tab in the mobile app.

There is unlimited warranty so long as the service contract is current you are under warranty.

What do I do if my probe is lost or stolen?

Report it to us and we will replace under live valid contracts.

Ideal crop types for Crophesy battery operated 3 sensor probe.

Crops and vegetables best suited for Crophesy 3-tier sensors include shallow rooted plants with active root zones between 4 and 18 inches. But you can use Crophesy for crop with deeper roots as long as the plant is only utilizing the layers below 18” to a minor degree. We also offer 6- and 12-sensor options for deeper rooted crops and trees.

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