Aquaponic system ph level and nutrients

[kr3t3n]

Thanks for the points! It is very likely you are right and I will play with the arrangement and the floor plan to make more room for light to reach all plants.

The sizes of containers have been adjusted according to plant foliage and root system average max dimensions (from the Internet). My initial plans were to use high and low pressure aeroponic irrigation depending on the type of root systems I am looking to grow. Today I found out about upside-down growing of plants (tomato as a prime example) and am wondering if this is also an option I should look into (for plants that do not grow too heavy).

Could it also be an option for potatoes, where the root system will be on top in a light-protected container and the foliage grows downwards from it?

And yes, I have never grown these plants and have zero experience. I am planning how to build my future house and the greenhouse in front of it (towards South). I still have tons to read and learn. Right now I'm trying to find out what area, water, and power I will need to grow these plants (according to my calculations, that is the approximate number of containers my family would need for year-round produce) so I can then calculate the energy/water supply and construction costs, etc.

[GpsFrontier]

Hello kr3t3n,
The main reason I stated I don't think you have grown these crops before is because it looks as though you haven't spaced things out to account for the size of the plants when they get full size. The greenhouse may be far bigger that I think, or the spacing is way off. Even if so everything is so close together it wont allow for light to get to the plants. The other main reason I didn't think you had any experience growing the plants is because they all have different types of foliage and I don't see that accounted for. Not just in size, but in how they grow as well. It appears like you plan to build 96 different boxes, all similar in shape and size. Not only is that unnecessary and a waste of money, but wind up being a lot more maintenance too.

You can do what you want, but what I do is design and build the hydroponic system to grow the plants I plan to grow in them. I make it as productive as I can using as little resources as I can, while keeping in mind the plants size and needs. As well as keeping in mind easy maintenance. Anyhow I may be missing something, but what you have planed, and the way you plan to do it seems unnecessarily over complicated and under productive. That's not even considering the overcrowding.

[kr3t3n]

You are completely right when it comes to having separate containers, I definitely need to optimize and consolidate containers. If I plan for long containers, I need to have a way to reach the roots, either being able to lift the growbeds or to have a side door. I have to work on that specifically per plant (or type of container if plants share "system design").

I have taken into account the dimensions of the fully grown plant's foliage in the container dimensions and the different container codes represent different "types of containers". For example, all B1(2,3, etc) containers are "balcony box" types where the container is a vertical box with protruding "balconies" where the plant foliage grows. The height of the container is calculated to fit 2 or 3 levels of containers. Since the "balconies" protrude from the sides, that should allow space for the plant to grow. The depth of the container is usually calculated to fit 2 plants (rows). The width of (almost)all containers is 100 cm which should account for 1 to 5 plants per "row" (depending on the plant).

You are completely right about the spacing being inadequate for sunlight to reach all plants. I need to work on that and am thinking of ways to simulate sunlight hours in my theoretical greenhouse.

Do you think upside-down grown plants would be a good option? Considering foliage will get somewhat less sunlight (at least in the beginning, until it acclimatizes and spreads) while the root system will have no impact unless gravity is a major factor in growth. Would that produce similar yield in plants which can maintain an upside-down structure?

There is also this concept which I'm yet to fully grasp: https://omegagarden.com/?content_id=175&product_id=1

On a previous note: regarding the rotating growbed containers; would it be viable to use the artificial water stream to "power" a water mill (generator) and use that to rotate growbed installation?

[GpsFrontier]

Hello kr3t3n,
As an example you have a spot for tomato's set aside to grow out of what appears to be two 6-8 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide boxes. Not to mention right in a corner. That won't work well unless your growing bonsai tomatoes. Not only can one tomato plant grow up to 10 feet tall or more, they can easily get 5-6 feet wide. Taking up 25-36 sq feet of floor space for each plant and requiring a trellis to grow on. Then theirs the issue with the 6-8 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide box itself. Not only is that a waste of materials, but serves no useful purpose. You wont get vertical rows of tomatoes growing outside of the sides of the boxes. All you will get is one tangled mess you will have to tear down and start all over with. You have another spot for cucumbers that will be the same thing.

Another example, you have numerous boxes for broccoli. Those boxes go all the way up to the roof so I can only assume you plan to try and make openings in the sides to grow the broccoli out of. However broccoli plants are very large, getting 3-4 feet wide and tall. Not only is trying to grow them out the sides ridiculously difficult because of their size and weight, you would need at least 12 feet of space between rows to accommodate them and be able to work around them. You would also have to build a support structure to support the weight or they will break off.

Do you think upside-down grown plants would be a good option?

No, I have yet to see it work well.

There is also this concept which I'm yet to fully grasp: https://omegagarden.com/?content_id=175&product_id=1

If you break it down it's simply a over priced and more complicated drip and/or flood and drain system depending on the water path. It' doesn't save anything on space. While it might be able to save a little electricity in lighting because of the circular shape, it also uses more electricity in an electric motor to rotate it. You can also turn it on it's side, take off the rotating motor, water from the top, and you have essentially the same thing without needing the electricity to rotate it.

would it be viable to use the artificial water stream to "power" a water mill (generator) and use that to rotate growbed installation?

Whether it's viable or not is up to you. You have to weigh the pros and cons to determine if you can gain anything, and if it's worth it.

[kr3t3n]

Thank you very much once again GpsFrontier, your feedback is very well received. The reason most containers in my plan are tall is because I had planned for high/low pressure aeroponic irrigation. The containers will change significantly if it goes into ebb&flow or drip irrigation.

Apparently, the info I had on plant sizes is contradicting and I need to do more research. Do you happen to know of a good source where I can find expected full growth size of root system and foliage of each plant (vegetables and herbs mostly, fruit will be bonus)?

Also, as the amount of growbeds in my plans depend greatly on the expected time between seeding and harvest for each plant. My info is based on this: http://www.androidworld.com/prod26.htm

Do you know a good source where I can find the expected average times for each plant?

[GpsFrontier]

Hello kr3t3n,
I would use a drip system for large plants like tomato, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, as well as for vine crops like cucumbers, melons, beans, peas etc. etc. It's the most efficient method, as well as uses the least amount of resources.

Personally I probably wouldn't grow broccoli again. at least not before researching getting higher yields per plant. It takes to much time and space to grow only to get 1-2 heads per plant. Especially when it's so cheap at the store. I would prefer to use that space for a higher value crop, one with higher yields, and/or will save me more at the store.

Do you happen to know of a good source where I can find expected full growth size of root system and foliage of each plant (vegetables and herbs mostly, fruit will be bonus)?

Yes, the seed manufactures tell you almost everything you need to know. How much light (full sun, part shade, full shade, etc..). The planting zones will tell you if the plant is a cool weather crop or a warm weather crop. They even can tell you if the variety is heat tolerant or not. You can also tell if the plant tolerates wet feet or not by the soil conditions it prefers. Plants that need well draining soil don't like wet feet.

As for the size of the plant, seed manufactures usually give some ranges, but the easiest way to find out is by searching for images. Just go to yahoo type in "tomato plants" then narrow your search to "images" and you will have pages of images. Just scroll through looking at how big they can get.

Examples
tomato plant images Then just scroll through all the images to see how big they can get tomato plants.

broccoli plants---Broccli plant Size

Cucumber plant---- cucumber plant size

Etc.Etc. Etc.. As for how big the root system gets, the root system generally gets as big as the foliage. Each leaf and stem above ground needs a root below ground supporting its water and nutrient needs. The bigger the plant the bigger the root system will be.

Do you know a good source where I can find the expected average times for each plant?

Again the seed manufactures generaly give seed to harvest times.

Instead of trying to utilize only one type of system to grow a laundry list of plants, I would grow each crop in the type of system that supports it's needs and space best. It all starts with knowing the needs of the crops you plan to grow, as well as how many plants you want/need to grow. Then breaking the list down into similar groups is easy. Once you have them broken down into similar groups, you can break it down to systems depending on how many plants you plan to grow.

P.S.
Think about maintenance as well. Having 5 systems to grow one crop is a waste of time and resources. It's one thing to have one system for each crop, but it's another to have 5 systems all growing the same crop. That's just going to take 5 times more time and and effort.