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FA info icon.svg Angle down icon.svg Project data
Authors Courtney Oto
Status Deployed
Made Yes
Replicated No
Cost USD 190.59
Instance of Hydroponic garden
OKH Manifest Download

Background[edit | edit source]

The Waterpod was created to demonstrate a possible way of future living through water based communities. These communities would be self sustaining and nomadic; allowing for growing populations to thrive in a highly innovative and more sustainable manner. As a way of inspiring innovation, the WaterPod contacted the Environmental Resources Engineering Department at Cal Poly Humboldt in order to have their Engr205 students design highly sustainable tools to be utilized on the pod.

Abstract[edit | edit source]

The Waterpod was created to demonstrate alternative living models for future living through water based communities. These communities would be self-sustaining and nomadic; allowing for growing populations to thrive in an innovative and more sustainable manner. As a way of inspiring innovation through sustainability, the Waterpod contacted our team, Green Apple, to design and build a simple hydroponics system that would be utilized on the pod for the six month period of their demonstration of self-sustainability. What resulted was the Hang Thyme hydroponics system; a hydroponic living wall that doesn't require electrical energy. The living wall design is easy to build, implement, and maintain sustainable agriculture.

Greenapple1.jpg

Objective & Criteria[edit | edit source]

The Waterpod project "embodies self-sufficiency and resourcefulness, learning and curiosity, human expression, and creative exploration. It intends to prepare, inform and provide current alternative future living sustainable space."

Objective[edit | edit source]

To design and build a specific, yet cost effective component for the Waterpod to help educate the community of New York move towards self-sustainability.

  • Uses no electricity
  • Demonstrates a "Do-It-Yourself" design project
  • Conserves space
  • Uses renewable/recyclable materials
  • Effective healthy plant growth using no pesticides or chemicals

The Simple Hydroponic Living Wall system demonstrates an easy Do-It-Yourself project that shows the community/society to move towards a self-sustainable future. The system is easy and safe to use for an individual and prepares him/her for a futuristic ecology.

Criteria[edit | edit source]

Criteria Description Weight
Cost Cannot exceed the fixed budget of $300 10
High Energy Efficiency Cannot exceed the maximum energy allotment of 1 kW 9
Easy To Build/Maintain A design that the average person could understand, implement, and maintain 8
Safety A solid foundation and free of toxic materials 7
Durability Must meet or exceed six months of use 6
Portability Must be easily moved and maneuvered by a person 5
Maximize Growth Space Must effectively grow produce in minimal space 4
Aesthetics Must be visually attractive 3

Final Solution[edit | edit source]

Our final design, as seen in Figure 2, is titled the Hang Thyme. The Hang Thyme is a hydroponic green wall that is used to grow herbs in minimal amounts of space; utilizing energy readily available in the natural world. Such energies include gravity (drip irrigation system), sunlight, and heat from the sun. The green wall can either be left free standing or can be hung.

The Frame[edit | edit source]

The frame that supports the nutrient reservoirs and growth medium are essentially two bookshelves constructed with 1x4in pieces of wood. The dimensions of the box frames are 4ft in height and 2ft in length. As shown in Figure 3, the frames are connected by hinges that allow the unit to fold into itself, providing an easier means of transporting or shipping the model. All wood used in construction is first finished with shellac and later lined with plastic to prevent wood rot from constant exposure to moisture; also displayed in Figure 4.

The Growth Medium[edit | edit source]

The Hang Thyme utilizes Rockwool (also known as mineral wool) as its growth medium. Rockwool is constructed with fibers made from natural or synthetic minerals. However, due to its high alkaline content, the Rockwool tends to turn the nutrient solution basic and can alter the pH. For this reason it is essential that the Rockwool is allowed to soak at least 24 hours in water with a low pH to neutralize its basic qualities. Rockwool also has the capacity to retain both air and water for hours up to days, allowing healthy root growth. Spacing between the fibers will enable the roots to spread and grow, increasing plant stability. Another quality of Rockwool is that it will not absorb the nutrients in the solution and therefore allows the nutrient solution to be recycled through the living wall.

Nutrient Reservoirs[edit | edit source]

Two buckets are attached to the frame with fitted structures to hold them in place. The top reservoir has 1/16" holes drilled on the bottom center to allow drip irrigation. The holes are spaced 4" apart, regulating water flow, which in turn, keeps the growth medium constantly moist (please refer to Figure 5). The top reservoir is attached to the frame by two wooden tabs, one of which is hinged, allowing easy setting and removal. The bottom reservoir collects excess nutrient solution runoff that can be recycled back into the top reservoir.

External Support[edit | edit source]

As previously mentioned, the Waterpod Hang Thyme can either be left free standing or hanging. If one would prefer to leave the device free standing, we have included a support constructed from a 4"x4" beam that attaches to the back. As shown in Figure 6 the Waterpod Hang Thyme can be opened to a 90 degree angle with the support in back creating an x like shape. This shape provides sufficient support to both the front and back ends of the device.

Cost & Materials[edit | edit source]

Quantity Material Source Cost ($) Total ($)
2 Hinge Narrow 2" ZN CD/2 Ace Hardware Store 3.99 7.98
18 Screw Ace hardware Store 0.10 1.80
2 Corner Brace 2 x 5/8" Ace Hardware Store 3.99 7.98
1 Film Poly Blk3mil 10 x 25' Ace Hardware Store 11.99 11.99
1 Gutter Guard 6" x 20' Vinyl Ace Hardware Store 4.29 4.29
2 Shellac Spray Clear 13 oz. Ace Hardware Store 9.49 18.98
1 Catch Draw Lock 2- 1/2" zn Ace Hardware Store 5.99 5.99
1 Staple 3/8" HD 1000 Ace Hardware Store 3.99 3.99
1 Hinge Narrow NRP 3" zn Ace Hardware Store 4.99 4.99
4 12" Grodan Rockwool Slab Local Hydroponics Store 12.30 49.20
1 Bath Caulk Silicon Rubb White Ace Hardware Store 5.99 5.99
1 Box of Wood Screws 6 x 1-1/2 Ace Hardware Store 5.49 5.49
2 Plastic 18 qt Container Target 4.99 9.98
2 Terra-Plastic 20 in Flower Box Target 12.99 25.98
2 Herb Seed Package Target 4.97 9.94
16 ft 1' x 4" Douglas Fir Wood Arcata Lumber 6.93 6.93
1 L Brackets 3 x 3/4 Cor Iron Ace Hardware Store 4.29 4.29
6 ft 4 x 4 Douglas Fir Wood Ace Hardware Store 4.80 4.80
Total Cost $190.59

See this example of a cost table for more on tables.

Time Cost[edit | edit source]

The total time spent on this project between four people was 321 hours.

Estimated Time Of Construction[edit | edit source]

The total time of construction came to approximately 30 hours.

Tools[edit | edit source]

Tools used were:

  • A power drill
  • A box cutter
  • A pair of wire cutters
  • A staple gun
  • A table saw

Specifications[edit | edit source]

Technical specifications including a schematic (CAD, pictures of the device). Here is some help uploading files.

Operation Instructions[edit | edit source]

  1. Remove the Rockwool slabs from the system and allow them to soak in the nutrient solution for 24 hours.
  2. With the unit flat on its back, the black mesh strips are on the ground reinsert the slabs into their original formation shown in Figure 7.
  3. When the slabs are in place, pull the unit upright and open it up until it's approximately at a 90-degree angle and place the external support in the slot as seen in Figure 8.
  4. Insert the two nutrient reservoirs and the nutrient catchment systems as shown in Figure 9. The two top reservoirs can be inserted by lifting up on the wooden tab and sliding them into place.
  5. To plant seeds holes need to be drilled such that the seeds can be deposited. The depths will vary based on the choice of plant.
  6. Once the plants are in place the growth medium must be kept moist. This can be done by filling the two clear containers at the top with the nutrient solution. Pre-drilled holes will allow for the nutrient solution to trickle down onto the medium where it will be absorbed and transported throughout the medium via gravity.
  7. When the two lower containers become filled they can be removed and the nutrient solution can be recycled into the top containers.
  8. The watering schedule will vary based on climate conditions, however, the medium should be kept moist at all times.

Next steps[edit | edit source]

The Hang Thyme hydroponics system will be touring with The Waterpod in New York for six months starting in the summer of 2009.

Contact[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Books[edit | edit source]

  • Sholto,J. (1920) Hydroponics: The Bengal System With Notes On Other Methods Of Soilless Cultivation, R. Dayal, New Dehli.
  • Resh, M. (1978) Hydroponic Food Production, Woodbridge Press, Santa Barbara.
  • Watt, S.B. (1975). A Manual on the Hydraulic Ram for Pumping Water. London: Russel Press Ltd.
  • DeKorne, James B. (1992). The Hydroponic Hot House. Port Townsend: Loompanics Unlimited.
  • Kingsbury, N., Dunnet N. (2004). Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls. Portland: Timber Press Inc.
  • Tacke, J.H. (1988). Hydraulic Rams, A Comparitive Investigation. Delft, The Netherlands: Delft University of technology.
  • International Society for Pharmeceutical Engineering. (2000). Specifying Peristaltic Pumps. Wilmington: Watson-Marlow

Journals[edit | edit source]

  • Al-Jousi, Odeh R. (2003). "Greywater Reuse: towards sustainable water management." Elsevier Science., 156(2003), 181-192.
  • Anslow, Mark. (2008). "Horticultural Capital." Ecologist, The 38:4:12-12.

Websites[edit | edit source]

Categories[edit | edit source]

FA info icon.svg Angle down icon.svg Page data
Keywords vertical garden, hydroponics, gardening, herbs
SDG SDG02 Zero hunger, SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities
Authors Courtney Oto, Carolina Perez, Dane Noland
License CC-BY-SA-3.0
Language English (en)
Related 0 subpages, 15 pages link here
Aliases WaterPod Simple Hydroponics System, WaterPod Hang Thyme
Impact 707 page views
Created April 9, 2009 by Courtney Oto
Modified December 10, 2023 by Felipe Schenone
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