| (16 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
*Check the nutrient level using the truncheon nutrient meter. If necessary adjust nutrients using equal parts of bottle A & B solution.(WEEKLY) | *Check the nutrient level using the truncheon nutrient meter. If necessary adjust nutrients using equal parts of bottle A & B solution.(WEEKLY) | ||
*Check pH and adjust if necessary depending on plants needs.(WEEKLY) | *Check pH and adjust if necessary depending on plants needs.(WEEKLY) | ||
*Record water temperature in the morning if possible, and record daily max and minimum ambient air temperatures in the yellow temp log hanging on the rain shelter. | |||
*As often as once a week, the nutrient solution can be used in the garden, and the reservoirs should be cleaned by running a 2:1 solution of 35% hydrogen peroxide and water | *As often as once a week, the nutrient solution can be used in the garden, and the reservoirs should be cleaned by running a 2:1 solution of 35% hydrogen peroxide and water | ||
<!-- Here is a sample gallery. --> | <!-- Here is a sample gallery. --> | ||
<gallery caption="Maintenance photos"> | <gallery caption="Maintenance photos"> | ||
File:CCAT_HYDRO_TOOL_LOC.jpg|Everything you will need for regular maintenance of the hydroponic system can be found in the gardening closet. | |||
File:CCAT_HYDRO_TOOLS.jpg|The tools for the job. | |||
File:CCAT_LIGHT_TIMER.jpg|This is the light timer. If the power shuts off the timer may be incorrect. | File:CCAT_LIGHT_TIMER.jpg|This is the light timer. If the power shuts off the timer may be incorrect. | ||
File:CCAT_LIGHT_RESET.jpg|If the power in the greenhouse goes out, it can be reset by pressing this button. The plug is located behind the greenhouse, on the wall of the main building. | File:CCAT_LIGHT_RESET.jpg|If the power in the greenhouse goes out, it can be reset by pressing this button. The plug is located behind the greenhouse, on the wall of the main building. | ||
| Line 50: | Line 53: | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
=== | === Current Issues === | ||
There has been an ongoing problem related to power. The system has been drawing to much power causing the outlet to stop supplying power to the circuit. To remedy this temporarily, the system is being ran on two separate outlets. The current vent system in the greenhouse is temperature dependent. So if it is hot enough, and raining, the vents can be open allowing rainfall in on top of the lights and other electrical equipment. This has been fixed by using a rain shelter over the system that will later be modified to utilize for seed propagation and storage. | |||
== Discussion == | == Discussion == | ||
In the first waves of testing no nutrients were being supplied to seedlings, leaving them malnourished. In a side by side comparison, starting seeds in hydroponics, and in soil, the seeds started in soil outgrew the seeds growing hydroponically. Another issue was that there was no source for water heating, and the seeds were being exposed to cold water. Currently water and air temperatures are monitored daily. | |||
=== Next steps === | === Next steps === | ||
Make the Hydroponic system off the grid. | |||
== Conclusions == | == Conclusions == | ||
| Line 73: | Line 76: | ||
== Contact details == | == Contact details == | ||
Contact Jacob Gellatly for questions: jdg584@humboldt.edu | |||
Contact American Hydroponics for questions about the NFT 48 system | |||
Refer to American Hydroponics webinars for details on starting seeds, and utilization of system. | |||
file:CCATlogo.png|thumb|center|alt=main image|CCAT's logo | |||
<!-- Don't change the next line unless you intend to change the categorization --> | <!-- Don't change the next line unless you intend to change the categorization --> | ||
<!-- Do add additional, appropriate categories. See http://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:CategoryTree for ideas. --> | <!-- Do add additional, appropriate categories. See http://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:CategoryTree for ideas. --> | ||
[[Category:CCAT|H]] | |||
[[Category:Projects]] | [[Category:Projects]] | ||
[[Category:CCAT active project|H]] | |||
Revision as of 20:57, 18 March 2018
The System
CCAT is utilizing the American Hydroponics NFT 48 hydroponics system. American Hydroponics is a local hydroponics company in Arcata, CA. The installation manual for the NFT 48 system can be found in the bag marked hydroponics equipment in the gardening closet. American Hydroponics has been a great resource for getting started, and has a series of webinars on youtube for a variety of topics. The system is capable of producing 20 plants per week, and can hold 48 plants at once. The system uses two tiers of four channels that deliver nutrient rich water to plants. Alongside that there are two propagation trays that can be used for starting new seeds, as well as growing microgreens.
-
Top tier of the NFT 48 with fresh transplants.
-
Using the propagation trays to start full plants and alfalfa microgreens. These greens were placed into one tray following this photo.
-
Alfalfa greens ready to harvest one week later.
Project goals
This is a placeholder for the project goals
Describe project goals here.
To make a numbered list use the pound sign:
- Like this
- and like this
- See Help:Contents for more formatting code.
Maintenance
The NFT 48 requires regular upkeep to ensure it is working properly and producing quality healthy food. There are a few easy steps to maintaining the system.
- Check that the lights are on when they should be, and that the light timer is showing the correct time.(DAILY)
- Check water level. (DAILY)
- Check that the water pumps are running when they should be, and that the pump timer is showing the correct time.(DAILY)
- Check that the water temperature is at an acceptable temperature, and that the water heater is running if necessary.(DAILY)
- Check the nutrient level using the truncheon nutrient meter. If necessary adjust nutrients using equal parts of bottle A & B solution.(WEEKLY)
- Check pH and adjust if necessary depending on plants needs.(WEEKLY)
- Record water temperature in the morning if possible, and record daily max and minimum ambient air temperatures in the yellow temp log hanging on the rain shelter.
- As often as once a week, the nutrient solution can be used in the garden, and the reservoirs should be cleaned by running a 2:1 solution of 35% hydrogen peroxide and water
- Maintenance photos
-
Everything you will need for regular maintenance of the hydroponic system can be found in the gardening closet.
-
The tools for the job.
-
This is the light timer. If the power shuts off the timer may be incorrect.
-
If the power in the greenhouse goes out, it can be reset by pressing this button. The plug is located behind the greenhouse, on the wall of the main building.
-
This is the pump timer. It currently controls the pump for the propagation tray, and the pump for the NFT 48 system.
-
This is the thermometer currently used to measure water temperature.
-
This photo shows the water heater with the red temperature ring, the thermometer, and the water pump. It is time to clean this reservoir.
-
This is the nutrient meter used to monitor nutrients. 2.0 is the suggested concentration.
-
These are the nutrients currently used. Use equal parts of part A and part B sparingly, Make sure to shake before using, and moniter the nutrient level frequently while adjusting. Make sure to stir with Truncheon while monitoring nutrients.
-
Use the gro line pH meter to measure pH in the reservoirs
-
Adjust pH by using pH up/down sparingly. Monitor frequently and stir before reading while adjusting.
Current Issues
There has been an ongoing problem related to power. The system has been drawing to much power causing the outlet to stop supplying power to the circuit. To remedy this temporarily, the system is being ran on two separate outlets. The current vent system in the greenhouse is temperature dependent. So if it is hot enough, and raining, the vents can be open allowing rainfall in on top of the lights and other electrical equipment. This has been fixed by using a rain shelter over the system that will later be modified to utilize for seed propagation and storage.
Discussion
In the first waves of testing no nutrients were being supplied to seedlings, leaving them malnourished. In a side by side comparison, starting seeds in hydroponics, and in soil, the seeds started in soil outgrew the seeds growing hydroponically. Another issue was that there was no source for water heating, and the seeds were being exposed to cold water. Currently water and air temperatures are monitored daily.
Next steps
Make the Hydroponic system off the grid.
Conclusions
Your conclusions.
References
Contact details
Contact Jacob Gellatly for questions: jdg584@humboldt.edu
Contact American Hydroponics for questions about the NFT 48 system
Refer to American Hydroponics webinars for details on starting seeds, and utilization of system. file:CCATlogo.png|thumb|center|alt=main image|CCAT's logo