   }
 }
 
+//read input via serial
 void GetInput(){
   if (Serial.available() > 0) {
     incomingByte = Serial.read();

  return fahrenheit;
}

//im sure there is a better way, consider a timeout? 
//we'll need to check for missed or overwritten data 
//because this might take to long
void SendData(){
  if(bufferCounter >= 64){
    SendBuffer(plantLightBuffer);

  pinMode(aquaLed, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(turbLed, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(tempLed, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(lightButton, INPUT);
  digitalWrite(lightButton, HIGH);
}

//main program loop.
void loop() {
  LogData();
  SendData();
  SendCommands();
  GetManual();
  if(onAuto){
    GetInput();
  } else {
    if(millis() > autoTimer + autoTime*3600*1000){
      onAuto = false;
    }
  }
}

/* Any kind of manual control will go here. Currently a button 
 * is hooked up and will turn the lights either on or off. 
 * After an hour has passed, auto mode will turn back on.
 */
void GetManual(){
  if(digitalRead(lightButton)){
    digitalWrite(RELAY1, powerIsOn);
    powerIsOn = !powerIsOn;
    autoTimer = millis();
  }
}

/*these will be raw readings, converting from voltage to 
