Virtical Aquiponics

[Dustin Hardin]

I'm some research into growing vertically to maxamize the space. Anyone have any experience?

[Larry Hill]

I have no experience, just what I've seen on the internet.  Some of the systems I've seen are wonderful!

 

The only comment I have to make is that a system like the ones I've seen on the web will cost more than many other designs because you will have to use a lot of pumps to move the water.  They are also more complex than many other designs, meaning there more that can break or go wrong.

 

I don't want to discourage you, and I do hope someone with a vertical system will post here, and tell you about theirs.

[TCLynx]

There is a vertical group here and we do have several people doing several different sorts of vertical growing.

Michael Cosmo is a huge fan of vertigrow towers and he has them hanging over is sump/raft tanks and they are being fed from an indexing valve so additional pumps are not necessarily needed provided your pump is strong enough to operate an indexing valve.

 

There are also pocket towers that people have made.

 

Finally there are Nate Storey's Zipgrow towers which several people here are using and I've been testing for quite a while now.

 

The systems don't have to be especially complex but some means of support for the towers or way to hang them is necessary and you do have to pump the water up higher to them.  Some types of towers may need some filtration before you send the water to them while others make great filters on their own and you only need to worry about keeping the delivery system from clogging.

 

Keep in mind that vertical only saves space to an extent since you have to space things out enough to allow enough light to the lower levels or instead of making more plant space you just wind up elevating it if only the plants in the tops of the towers grow.

[Dustin Hardin]

Thank you for you reply! Have you found any research showing that I would be able to grow more in a Vertical/PVC style system or would it work out to be the same amount of. I have a Very small lot in the city and I'm trying to max the space for lettuce. Or would a Raft system be better?? Thanks again for helping the newbie!!

[TCLynx]

Might be worth doing a very small trial system that might let you test out a few different methods of growing and see what works well for you.  Might be worth starting your own discussion and posting some pictures of your space making note of sun at different times a day as well as how that changes through the year.

The more intensive systems are also likely to be more labor required while a slightly less intensive method could be almost as productive while not requiring as much attention.

 

Also make note of what your goals are for the system and any special requirements and how much time you are able to devote to the system.  Is this for a commercial type venture or is it purely for personal consumption?  What size are we really talking about.  It doesn't take a very big system to grow more lettuce than a single family can eat during the right season for lettuce growing.

[Nate Storey]

Ditto what TC said.  If you go vertical, you might be producing a lot more than you need for personal consumption.  It's definitely a space maximizer, but if you only want to grow for your table, you'll want a lot smaller system.  Vertical is ideal for urban spaces and space maximization, but only if you have good sun.  Anyone who tries to do AP with artificial light will lose money- it doesn't matter how cheap the space is.  No one believes me on this, but trust me.  Natural light is free, high-intensity, wonderful stuff.  The trick is to maximize it.   I use HOBO photometer dataloggers to keep track of my light.  I'm actually done using some of them.  I'd loan a couple to you if you were curious about your light?  Or you can find them online for cheap.  It helps you know where your sun's at, and how much light you're getting.  Going vertical (so long as it's single-face vertical) can maximize your use of winter light especially.  It just depends on what you're going for I guess.

[Dustin Hardin]

Thanks Nate! My plan for my system is to market the produce at growers markets/csa/ and restaurants. For now I'm figuring out the best way to max a 20X40 greenhouse(not yet built) I'm working a system that is vertical and can grow 8 plants in two linear feet. The systems is working well so far and I will make the finals out of white PVC because of heat issues in the summer.Thanks for the heads up on the HOBO, I'll take a look! Also, trying to find the correct permitting for the fish sales is been tricky. I'm going to call call Oregon contact... any help is grateful.   MORE soon and thanks to all

Nate Storey said:

Ditto what TC said.  If you go vertical, you might be producing a lot more than you need for personal consumption.  It's definitely a space maximizer, but if you only want to grow for your table, you'll want a lot smaller system.  Vertical is ideal for urban spaces and space maximization, but only if you have good sun.  Anyone who tries to do AP with artificial light will lose money- it doesn't matter how cheap the space is.  No one believes me on this, but trust me.  Natural light is free, high-intensity, wonderful stuff.  The trick is to maximize it.   I use HOBO photometer dataloggers to keep track of my light.  I'm actually done using some of them.  I'd loan a couple to you if you were curious about your light?  Or you can find them online for cheap.  It helps you know where your sun's at, and how much light you're getting.  Going vertical (so long as it's single-face vertical) can maximize your use of winter light especially.  It just depends on what you're going for I guess.

[Dustin Hardin]

Thanks for all the Great HELP.... this really a great place to get help. I hope to return the favor in the future.

TCLynx said:

Might be worth doing a very small trial system that might let you test out a few different methods of growing and see what works well for you.  Might be worth starting your own discussion and posting some pictures of your space making note of sun at different times a day as well as how that changes through the year.

The more intensive systems are also likely to be more labor required while a slightly less intensive method could be almost as productive while not requiring as much attention.

 

Also make note of what your goals are for the system and any special requirements and how much time you are able to devote to the system.  Is this for a commercial type venture or is it purely for personal consumption?  What size are we really talking about.  It doesn't take a very big system to grow more lettuce than a single family can eat during the right season for lettuce growing.

[Dustin Hardin]

Better Pick

Dustin Hardin said:

Thanks Nate! My plan for my system is to market the produce at growers markets/csa/ and restaurants. For now I'm figuring out the best way to max a 20X40 greenhouse(not yet built) I'm working a system that is vertical and can grow 8 plants in two linear feet. The systems is working well so far and I will make the finals out of white PVC because of heat issues in the summer.Thanks for the heads up on the HOBO, I'll take a look! Also, trying to find the correct permitting for the fish sales is been tricky. I'm going to call call Oregon contact... any help is grateful.   MORE soon and thanks to all

Nate Storey said:

Ditto what TC said.  If you go vertical, you might be producing a lot more than you need for personal consumption.  It's definitely a space maximizer, but if you only want to grow for your table, you'll want a lot smaller system.  Vertical is ideal for urban spaces and space maximization, but only if you have good sun.  Anyone who tries to do AP with artificial light will lose money- it doesn't matter how cheap the space is.  No one believes me on this, but trust me.  Natural light is free, high-intensity, wonderful stuff.  The trick is to maximize it.   I use HOBO photometer dataloggers to keep track of my light.  I'm actually done using some of them.  I'd loan a couple to you if you were curious about your light?  Or you can find them online for cheap.  It helps you know where your sun's at, and how much light you're getting.  Going vertical (so long as it's single-face vertical) can maximize your use of winter light especially.  It just depends on what you're going for I guess.