Template:Waterpod header

Background

Figure 1: The WaterPod

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 Humboldt State University in order to have their Engr215 students design highly sustainable tools to be utilized on the pod.


Abstract

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Pic 1: Front View

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.

Objective & Criteria

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

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

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

Cost & Materials

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.

Possible alternative materials

Tools

Tools used were:

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


Project Requirements

The unique simple hydroponic design consisted of great ideas from each member as well as other countries that do not have the perfect weather, soil and resources for agricultural development. The though and motivation of the design implemented innovation and simple thinking. The aspect of creating and building the simple hydroponic design consisted of resources from books, world wide web, and from the help of the Water pod clients.

Our Goal of the design is to design a system that would use no electricity, use less water, and easy maintenance by using simple tools. In order to achieve our goal we communicated by collaborating with local hydroponic stores and system analysis through research. The design also focuses on changing the systems growth medium, and nutrient solutions based on the type of plants that will be used in the system.


Estimated time of construction

The total time of construction came to approximately 30 hours.


Specifications

Technical specifications including a schematic (CAD, pictures of the device).

sample photo caption

Here is some help uploading files.

Construction instructions

Next steps

Possible alternatives devices

Location

References

See Help:Footnotes for more.

Categories

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