HYDRA Presentation 2

8/2/2019 HYDRA Presentation 2

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Hydroponics

ProductBy Group Awesomponics

Julie Sole

David Siembida

Greg Hillard

Paul Sujka

Marian Ankomah

Colin Hoelzel

Christian Riley


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What Is Hydroponics?

Hydro = water

Ponics = labor Soil-Free Growing

Uses water and a medium to grow plants

Has been around for centuries

(Perez, 2008)

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History

Does anyone know any historicalexamples?

Hanging gardens of Babylon

Egyptian hieroglyphs

Aztecs Floating Gardens

(Roberto, 2003)

http://www.personal.psu.edu/amp5364/HangingGardens.html


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Essential PartsWater

A method of water circulation

Proper nutrients

Lighting

Plants

Type of design to contain all the above

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Problem

Build complete working system

Must be mobile Educational Purposes

Base must be smaller than 2 ft by 4 ft

Entire system must be under 6 ft


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Project Constraints Contd Self-contained

Lights and pumps inclusive

Able to support multiple types of plant life Red and green leaf lettuces

Budget of $200

Set up initial budget

Many materials donated by Harvest MoonHydroponics


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Advantages Soil-free growing

No mess

Allows plants to be grown where qualitysoil is poor

Eliminates the diseases found in soil

Decreases the amount of time needed for

growing(Perez, 2008)

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Advantages Cont.Decreased growing period = Increased

crop output

Increased crop output = increased profit Pesticides are not needed

Can grow indoors regardless of weather

(Jones, 2005)

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Disadvantages Up front costs are more

Must build apparatus

New growers must research methods of

growing pH levels and nutrients must be monitored

Happens naturally in soil.

Grower must maintain this is hydroponics system

(Jones, 2005)


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Nutrients

Must be added because no naturally occurringnutrients are present

Nutrient chosen was FloraMato

Powder nutrient

Added to the reservoir each time the system isflushed

(Harris, 1992)


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Nutrients (Contd)

Provides the three essentials

of growing Nitrogen

Phosphorus

Potassium

Will effect the pH in the system

http://sugarcreekgardens.wordpress.com/2009/03/

28/npk-demystified/


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Nutrients used in the system


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pH LevelsWhat is pH?

Potential Hydrogen levels

Measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution

Measured on a scale of 1 to 14

Neutral pH is 7 (Low, 2002)

http://www.ssc.education.ed.ac.uk/bsl/chemistry/phscaled.html


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pH Levels (Contd)

pH levels affect plants ability to absorbnutrients

If proper pH is not met, maximum plant outputis not achieved (Alexander, T., et al., 2000)

Monitoring pH is as simple as using a basicpH testing kit

Recommended Levels for growing are 6.26.3 (Taylor, 2010)


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AerationAir is needed in cultivating a hydroponics

garden

Allows respiration to occur withoutdrowning the plants

98% of oxygen is absorbed through theroots

(Taylor, 2010)

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Bacteria and Stagnation Stagnation occurs when water and nutrients

arent properly circulated

Can result in bacteria growth

Leads to disease

Results in decreased plant survival rate

Some bacteria is good for a system

Naturally found in nutrients and water

Just as in humans, can increase plants immunityto disease

(Winterborne, 2005)


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Bacteria

How do we avoid controlling good andbad bacteria?

Flush the system each week with fresh waterto prevent disease

Valve at bottom of bucket reservoir

Fresh nutrients added

Root Rot

http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/adams/gh/drootrot.htm


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Variety of Designs Hanging Window Garden

Multiple columns connected by thintubes

Vertical Tower Garden

Utilizes a reservoir at the bottom of the

main pipe


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Hanging Window GardenA frame supports hanging greenhouse-

like bottles

Water is pumped to the top of the frame

Water drips through the bottles

It is recirculated through pump at bottom

and back to the topCan be fitted to windows for natural light


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http://inhabitat.com/windowfarms-grow-an-edible-hanging-indoor-garden-this-winter/


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Vertical Tower GardenConsists of a main pipe at the top of the

reservoir

Pipe is drilled with columns of holes whereplants are inserted

Nutrients are injected into the reservoir

Pumped up a central tube within the pipe

(Roberto, 2003)


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Benefits of Tower System

Durability

PVC vs. recycled bottles

Aeration

obtained by pump splashing water back toreservoir; no extra pump needed

Bacteria

Easily maintained by emptying reservoir weekly


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Building the System:

Tower design was chosen for easy mobilityand durability

Could grow more plants with this design

than hanging garden

Selected one main tower and reservoirbased on cost


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Deciding materials How we calculated pump size

How we calculated reservoir size

6 inch diameter allowed for 2 columns ofplants (roots decided that)


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Self-ContainedDesigned to be entirely mobile

Thus, must be self-contained

One electrical outlet

Everything connects to one power strip


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The Reservoir

5 gallon black bucket

Opaque to avoid nutrient degradation

Plywood enclosure around bucketAsthetics

To ensure light-tight reservoir


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The Reservoir

Reservoir is entry point for nutrition

Hinged door allows for easy monitoring ofpH

Is simple for draining and adding newwater

Valve


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Bucket reservoir and valve


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Pump 550 gallon per hourGives proper circulation of water and

nutrients

Provides enough head to splash water onthe towers cap

Allows for plants to absorb water that

trickles down the pipe sides


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The Mobile BaseConsists of 2 x 4s

Plywood

Caster Wheels

Screws, washers nuts and bolts


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Plant Media Chosen For Use

Rockwool

Artificial (doesnt rot)Allows water/air to flow through

Two 5 foot T-5 80 watt lights


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Net cups and rockwool media that hold plant roots

https://images.nonexiste.net/image/241010


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Plants Red Oak Lettuce and Black-Seeded

Simpson Green Lettuce

FloraMato Nutrients

Nutrients are added after each flushing ofsystem

Will Check pH after each nutritionaddition


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Plants and Nutrients ContinuedAdd pH Lower solution if too basic

If too acidic, add pH Up Solution

pH will affect how the plant absorbs thenutrients in the system

Doboski, T. (2012)

Red Oak Lettuce

http://www.alibaba.com/product-free/11193799/Red_Oak_Lettuce.html


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How it works: Pump moves the water through a 0.75

tube to the top of the pipe.

Water reaches the top of the tube, it exitsas a free jet.

Strikes the top of the rounded pipe cap sothat water is directed to the sides of thepipe in all directions.


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How it works continuedWater runs down the inside of the main

tower pipe

Wets rockwool

The roots absorb nutrients mixed into thewater.

Excess liquid continues down the pipe untilit drains back into the reservoir,

Causes aeration and mixing.

Collected and recirculated throughthe system.


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Future Evaluation of System:

Hydro plants vs. soil plants

Size of plants

Appearance Taste

Compared to soil-grown plants

Black-Seeded Simpson Green Lettuce

http://www.podponics.com/content/black-seeded-simpson


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Evaluation of System:Apparatus

Ease of Use

MaintenanceDurability

Complications


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Factors Not Accounted ForCleaning and replanting

Electricity Draw

Continued use of nutrients, lights, medium

http://www.energyrefuge.com/blog/company-launches-widget-to-help-consumers-save-electricity/


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Possible Future ModificationAdded supports

Angled supports for increased stability

Additional atheistics

Add YSU logo

Add Moon Harvest logo

Adjust light mountings

Cost


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Item Description/Use Estimated Price Quantity Total Cost

6''x10' Sch40 PVC Main tower 42.48 1 42.48 Bought

2"x10' Sch40 PVC Plant holders 6.53 1 6.53 Donated

PVC Flange Mounting for main tower 19.84 1 19.84 Bought

PVC Cement Make plant holders stay in place 6.95 1 6.95 Bought

6" PVC Cap Disperse water on plants 11.00 1 11.00 Bought

Pump, 8' Head Pump 25.00 1 25.00 Donated

2" Net Cups Plant holders 0.15 30 4.50 Donated

Rockwool Plant holders 0.15 30 4.50 Donated

Caster Wheels Base 6.00 4 24.00 Donated

Tank 5 gallon bucket 7.95 1 7.95 Donated

Lumber - 2''x4''x8' SPF Cart 3.00 6 18.00 Donated

Lumber - Plywood 1/2'x4'x8' Cart - Base/Box 22.26 1 22.26 Donated

Misc. Fasteners/Screws (1 Box) Put the cart together 12.00 1 12.00 Donated

Bolt 1/4''x1.5'' w/ 2 nuts, 2 washers each Hold flange & pipe in place/Stainless 2.00 4 8.00 Bought

Stainless Eye Bolt 5/8''x8''w/2nut,2wash Hold hose & pipe in place at top 4.00 1 4.00 Bought

12' clear tubing, 1/2" dia. Feeding tube, (price per foot) 0.75 8 6.00 Donated

Seeds Plants! 1.35 2 2.70 Donated

pH lower Measure pH of plants 8.95 1 8.95 Donated

Pro pH Test Kit pH test kit 5.95 1 5.95 Donated

5' Single T5 Fixture w/ Bulb Flourescent Light Fixture 24.97 2 49.94 Donated

Timer Set times the tights & pump will run 15.00 1 15.00 Bought

5 Gal. Bucket Water Reservoir 3.00 1 3.00 Donated

FloraMato 1.5lb Dry Nutrients 15.34 1 15.34 DonatedHumidity Dome Used to grow seeds 2.50 1 2.50 Donated

Cut Kit Tray 10" x 20' Used to grow seeds 2.00 1 2.00 Donated

Power Strip Supply power to pump and lights 4.00 1 4.00 Donated

Total Cost = 332.39

Actual Amount Paid = 107.27

Cost


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MarketingCan marketing the design and system

Healthy choices

Via the internet Larger audience

Marketing Produce

Could be sold to local markets or grocers

Organic and pesticide free


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References Alexander, T., et al. (2000). The best of growing edge. (2 ed., pp. 47-51). Corvallis,

OR: New Moon Publishing, Inc Doboski, T. (2012). Personal Communication. February 5, 2012. Harris, D. (1992). Hydroponics: the complete guide to gardening without soil. (pp.

18-22). London: New Holland Publishing. Jones, J. (2005). Hydroponics: a practical guide for the soilless grower. (2 ed., Vol.

1, pp. 4-5). CRC Press: United States of America. Low, G. (2002). Integral hydroponics: Indoor growing principles for beginners and

intermediates. (3 ed., p. 6). North Charleston: BookSurge Publishing.

Munson. B. (2009). Fundamentals of fluid mechanics. (6 ed.). Hoboken: JohnWiley & Sons, Inc. Perez, L. (2008). Hydroponics for the home. (pp. 5-12). San Jose: Inter-American

Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture. Resh, H. (2003). Hobby hydroponics. (pp. 9-16). Mahway: Newconcept Press.

Roberto, K. (2003). How to hydroponics. (4 ed.). Farmingdale: The FuturegardenPress.

Smith, D. (1987). Rockwool in horticulture. (pp. 10-15). London: Grower Books.

Taylor, A. (2010). Flairform growers guide. (1 ed.). Kardinya, Western Australia:Flairform Growers. Venter, G. (2010). Successful hydroponics. (pp. 116-118). Bloomington: Xlibris

Corporation Winterborne, J. (2005). Hydroponics: Indoor horticulture. (pp. 198-204). Guildford:

Pukka Press Ltd.


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Day 2


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Day 3

Day 4


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Day 6


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Day 8


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Day 9


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HYDRA Presentation 2

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Transcript of HYDRA Presentation 2