Hydroponics Apparatus: Difference between revisions

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== Design considerations ==
= Design Rationale =
There are several design considerations and trade-offs to take into account:
The purpose of the Hydroponics Apparatus is to create  structure that has a large amount of thermal mass, is sourced from local materials, and allows the root zone of all plants being cultivated to be exposed to the nutrients it needs to maximize growth, while minimizing risk factors posed by disease, pest infestation, and prolonged removal from the fluid interface. Additionally, it should be as handicap-accessible as possible.
* Space (maximize number of plants per volume unit)
* Parts (minimize number of parts)
* Power consumption
* Water consumption
* Nutrient requirements
* Yield (maximize yield and minimize time between harvests)
* Usability (simplify installation, use and maintenance)
* Risk mitigation (see corresponding chapter below)


=== Use of space ===
= Function =
Ideally, you want to grow as many plants as possible per unit of volume. Different systems, i.e. combinations of Hydroponics methods and System Designs, allows for different number of plants per cubic meter.
This greenhouse module will be tied in to the Spirulina/Crayfish/Aquaponics pools recursively; the waste cycles of the Spirulina/Crayfish/Aquaponics pools will not flow directly into the hydroponics apparatus, but the fertigation fluid in the hydroponics apparatus will flow into a biofilter assembly and then, via a 12 inch drop to reoxygenate the fluid, into the spirulina/crayfish and Trout/Perch. The vast majority of the hydroponics apparatus will be an "aquaduct" style floating raft system for cultivation of leafy vegetables, 3 compressed earth bricks wide, 2 deep approximately 32 inches above the floor. Another significant part of the aquaponics assembly will dutch bucket systems for cultivation of taller fruiting plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, and the like.


{| class="wikitable"
= Inputs =
|+ Number of plants per cubic meter for various example systems
LED lighting (Red and Blue spectrums)
|-
Compost Tea Fertigation mixture
! Plants / m3 !! Method !! Design !! Calculation (plants / m3) !! Example product link !!
Seedlings
|-
Vermiculite
| 49.6  || NFT || Rack || n/V = 96/(1.3*0.85*1.75) = 96/1.934=49.6 || https://cityfarm.my/products/city-vertical-farm-xl-indoor-nft-system
Rockwool
|-
Diatomacious Earth
| 104.8 || NFT || Tower || n/V = 80/(0.67*0.67*1.7) = 80/0.763 = 104.8 || https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Tower-Hydroponic-Grow-Systems-Complete-Vertical_1600065843280.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.normal_offer.d_image.4a745dd9wib41C&s=p
Ladybugs
|-
Praying Mantis
| 214.3  || NFT || Rack || n/V = 108/(0.96*0.5*1.05) = 108/0.504=214 || https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Hydroponics-Nft-System-with-108-Holes_60827073175.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.topad_classic.10.44e86ededHBbuX
Bumblebees
|-
Cat (Rodent control)
|}
Vinegar
 
Garlic
=== Parts ===
Ideally, you want to minimize the number of parts. Typically a hydroponic systems include the following parts:
 
'''NFT System (Nutrient Film Techinique)'''
* Water reservoir
* Submersible electric pump
* Pipes (to fit net pots into)
* Net pots (to put substrate into)
* Substrate (to put seeds or seedlings into)
* Tubes (to connect pipes)
 
'''Kratky system'''
* Water reservoir
* Lid (with holes to fit net pots into)
* Net pots (to put substrate into)
* Substrate (to put seeds or seedlings into)
 
 
==== Rectangular vs. round pipes ====
In an NFT system where pipes are positioned horizontally (although at a slight angle to facilitate water flow), consider the shape of cross section of the pipe.
 
* Space for roots
- With a round pipe of a certain width (diameter), the space for the roots is going to decrease towards the bottom of the pipe.
+ With a square pipe of the same width, the space for the roots is going to remain constant from the top and the bottom of the pipe.
 
* Balancing of plants
- With a round pipe, net pots only have their brim in contact with the center of the top of the pipe and may start leaning more and more to one side, making the plant grow lopsided.
+ With a square pipe, net pots have their entire brim in contact with the flat top of the pipe which can prevent the net pot from leaning more and more when a plant grows a bit more to one side.
 
* Spacing of seedlings
In order to save space, it is possible to have square pipes dedicated for seedlings.
+ Before a plant has grown to a certain size, they can be placed right next to each other on a square pipe.
- With a round pipe, even if it's quite wide, this isn't possible; net pots can only be positioned at the center of the pipe so that the plants don't lean.


=== Energy ===
= Nutrient requirements =
Ideally, you want to minimize the energy consumption required to run the system. However, trade-offs can be made to maximize yield; a system with a pump, grow lights, fans, etc. may produce more food of higher quality in less time than a passive (non-electric) hydroponic system.
 
See ''Automation and climate control optimization'' for the electrical components that can be included in a hydroponics system and controlled via a hydroponics control system.
 
=== Water ===
Ideally, you want to minimize water consumption. Hydroponics is already an effective way to conserve water compared with growing plants in soil.
 
Be aware that grey water (water from doing dishes, taking showers, etc.) cannot be used in hydroponics. It can be harmful to eat plants from grey water, therefore only white water should be used for hydroponics (clean water free from soap, fat or oil from cooking, human skin particles, etc.) Grey water is only an option if you are growing is soil, but even then it has to be done the right way with regards to selection of soap, etc. Black water (containing human waste) should never be used.
 
=== Nutrient requirements ===
A complete hydroponic nutrient solution contains the following elements:
A complete hydroponic nutrient solution contains the following elements:
* Nitrogen (N)
* Nitrogen (N)
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* Graduated cylinders or measuring spoons to measure out premixed, commercial hydroponic solutions.
* Graduated cylinders or measuring spoons to measure out premixed, commercial hydroponic solutions.


=== Yield ===
= Outputs =
Ideally, you want to maximize yield; the amount of food produced in a given time period. Yield can be maximized through the following factors:
Year-round vegetables, including Tomatoes, Kale, Celery, Swiss Chard, Lettuce, Peppers, Ashitaba, Spinach, Basil, etc.
* Growing method
* Light; grow lights with the optimal frequency and distance from plants
* Temperature; sensors for measuring temperature in water and air, heaters
* Nutrients; sensors measuring nutrient levels in water
* Humidity; humidifiers
* Air flow; fans
 
Grow tents can be used for to create a controlled mini-environment for plants.
 
=== Usability ===
'''Installation'''
 
The number of parts and their design is a factor.
 
 
'''Maintenance'''
 
Maintenance may include
* cleaning of pipes
* replacing parts
 
 
'''Use'''
 
Use involves
* putting seeds into substrate (typically a rock wool cube) for germination (the stage where plants break out of their seed shells and become seedlings.)
* transferring seedlings into net pots with substrate and putting them into hydroponics system 
* dosing (managing nutrient levels in water)
* room control (managing temperature, humidity and other factors shown under automation)
* harvesting
* refilling water reservoir
 
Ideally, the system shall be designed to be used with ease and good ergonomics.
 
 
=== Automation and climate control optimization ===
 
Among the activities listed under Use (above), the most complicated, labor-intensive and most commonly automated is the control of nutrient levels and grow room control.
 
A hydroponic control system can measure and manage the grow factors listed below.
* pH (pH sensor)
* Nutrient levels (automatic dosing components)
* EC; electrical conductivity of nutrient solution (EC-sensor)
* Water flow (pump)
* Water temperature (thermometer)
* Air temperature (thermometer)
* Humidity (humidity sensor)
* Light cycles (LED lights and timer)
* Air circulation (fans)
 
Open source examples of hydroponic control systems
* [https://hydro.bot/ HydroBot]
* [https://github.com/Cribstone/OpenHydro OpenHydro]
* [http://yieldbuddy.com/ yieldbuddy]
* [https://www.instructables.com/Hyduino-Automated-Hydroponics-with-an-Arduino/ Hyduino]
 
=== Risks ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Risks and mitigations
|-
! Risk !! Symptom !! Consequence !! Mitigation !! Comment!!
|-
| Algae and microbe growth inside system  ||
Green colored water or visible clusters of green particles
|| Reduced yield; damage to plants or plant death
||
* Use dark colors and make the system very opaque to sunlight.
* Use a pump to circulate water to minimize Stratification and Stagnation.
* Clean grow room or use grow tent; algae spores spread easily in the air.
|| Algae requires light to grow and can be combated by limiting the amount of light that reaches inside the system.
|-
| Plastic contamination  || Detection is not possible without lab equipment || Harm to person || If plastic is used in the hydroponic system, use food graded plastic || PVC is a common plastic used in hydroponics. If no plasticizers are added, it is known as uPVC or Rigid PVC (Food Safe PVC). uPVC or Rigid PVC does not contain any phthalates or BPA and is safe and stable.||
|-
| Clogged pipes  || Limited water flow and plant growth || Reduced yield || Use pipes with a wide enough diameter to fit the plants' root systems || Small leafy greens such as lettuce, can grow easily with pipes as narrow as 6 cm in diameter, but tomatoes have larger root systems that require larger pipes. Grow tower designs that have been used for tomatoes often have a diameter of 30 cm or wider.||
|}
 
== Design Rationale ==
The purpose of the Hydroponics Apparatus is to create  structure that has a large amount of thermal mass, is sourced from local materials, and allows the root zone of all plants being cultivated to be exposed to the nutrients it needs to maximize growth, while minimizing risk factors posed by disease, pest infestation, and prolonged removal from the fluid interface. Additionally, it should be as handicap-accessible as possible.


== Function ==
= Materials =
This greenhouse module will be tied in to the Spirulina/Crayfish/Aquaponics pools recursively; the waste cycles of the Spirulina/Crayfish/Aquaponics pools will not flow directly into the hydroponics apparatus, but the fertigation fluid in the hydroponics apparatus will flow into a biofilter assembly and then, via a 12 inch drop to reoxygenate the fluid, into the spirulina/crayfish and Trout/Perch. The vast majority of the hydroponics apparatus will be an "aquaduct" style floating raft system for cultivation of leafy vegetables, 3 compressed earth bricks wide, 2 deep approximately 32 inches above the floor. Another significant part of the aquaponics assembly will dutch bucket systems for cultivation of taller fruiting plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, and the like.


== Inputs ==
= Design Documentation =
LED lighting (Red and Blue spectrums)
Compost Tea Fertigation mixture
Seedlings
Vermiculite
Rockwool
Diatomacious Earth
Ladybugs
Praying Mantis
Bumblebees
Cat (Rodent control)
Vinegar
Garlic


= External links =


== Outputs ==
= Next iteration features =
Year-round vegetables, including Tomatoes, Kale, Celery, Swiss Chard, Lettuce, Peppers, Ashitaba, Spinach, Basil, etc.
== Materials ==
 
== Design Documentation ==


== External links ==


== Next iteration features ==
[[Category: Holistic Aquaponics Greenhouse Toolkit]] [[Category: Hydroponics]]
[[Category: Holistic Aquaponics Greenhouse Toolkit]]

Latest revision as of 23:26, 25 April 2024

Design Rationale

The purpose of the Hydroponics Apparatus is to create structure that has a large amount of thermal mass, is sourced from local materials, and allows the root zone of all plants being cultivated to be exposed to the nutrients it needs to maximize growth, while minimizing risk factors posed by disease, pest infestation, and prolonged removal from the fluid interface. Additionally, it should be as handicap-accessible as possible.

Function

This greenhouse module will be tied in to the Spirulina/Crayfish/Aquaponics pools recursively; the waste cycles of the Spirulina/Crayfish/Aquaponics pools will not flow directly into the hydroponics apparatus, but the fertigation fluid in the hydroponics apparatus will flow into a biofilter assembly and then, via a 12 inch drop to reoxygenate the fluid, into the spirulina/crayfish and Trout/Perch. The vast majority of the hydroponics apparatus will be an "aquaduct" style floating raft system for cultivation of leafy vegetables, 3 compressed earth bricks wide, 2 deep approximately 32 inches above the floor. Another significant part of the aquaponics assembly will dutch bucket systems for cultivation of taller fruiting plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, and the like.

Inputs

LED lighting (Red and Blue spectrums) Compost Tea Fertigation mixture Seedlings Vermiculite Rockwool Diatomacious Earth Ladybugs Praying Mantis Bumblebees Cat (Rodent control) Vinegar Garlic

Nutrient requirements

A complete hydroponic nutrient solution contains the following elements:

  • Nitrogen (N)
  • Potassium (K)
  • Phosphorus (P)
  • Calcium (Ca)
  • Magnesium (Mg)
  • Sulphur (S)
  • Iron (Fe)
  • Manganese (Mn)
  • Copper (Cu)
  • Zinc (Zn)
  • Molybdate (Mo)
  • Boron (B)
  • Chlorine (Cl)

Some beneficial but non-essential elements include:

  • Nickel (Ni)
  • Cobalt (Co)
  • Silica (Si)
  • Selenium (Se)

Managing nutrient concentrations and pH values within acceptable ranges is essential for successful hydroponic horticulture. Common tools used to manage hydroponic solutions include:

  • Electrical conductivity meters, a tool which estimates nutrient ppm by measuring how well a solution transmits an electric current.
  • pH meter, a tool that uses an electric current to determine the concentration of hydrogen ions in solution.
  • Litmus paper, disposable pH indicator strips that determine hydrogen ion concentrations by color changing chemical reaction.
  • Graduated cylinders or measuring spoons to measure out premixed, commercial hydroponic solutions.

Outputs

Year-round vegetables, including Tomatoes, Kale, Celery, Swiss Chard, Lettuce, Peppers, Ashitaba, Spinach, Basil, etc.

Materials

Design Documentation

External links

Next iteration features

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