A shipping container is fitted to house a vertical hydroponic grow system. The entrance allows wheelchair access. The floor is a skid proof flat and dry design. The ceiling has four side to side rails that can support multiple grow frame movable walls and four movable LED light walls. Each grow frame wall has a plurality of vertically hanging (plastic) grow tubes each with front and rear plant ports. The grow frame walls can be moved to allow wheelchair access for harvesting and replanting without removal of the grow tubes. Each grow frame wall has an integral lower gutter that empties into a catch basin preferably located at an end of the container opposite the entrance. A nutrient reservoir recirculates the nutrient fluid to each grow frame wall on a programmed interval. Ozone and a R/O filter cycle cleans the nutrient fluid on a selected cycle. A seed station can be located at the entrance.

A method and apparatus for extracting power in a switch location, and in a load location for use in a pre-existing infrastructure of switching AC power to a lamp (or other load) via a two terminal switch device. The switch is replaced with a module including a first controlled switch (such as a triac or relay) and a first impedance (such as a capacitor) connected in parallel, and another module including a second controlled switch (such as a triac or relay) and a second impedance (such as a capacitor) connected in parallel, is installed at the load location. In an off state where the two controlled switches are in open state, current is flowing via the impedances, but not through the load, so that power extractor circuits in the modules, connected in series to the impedances, extract low power for DC powering logic and other loads in the modules.

An ebb and flow hydroponics system employs one or more containers for growing plants. Each container has a top and bottom, with a drain in the bottom and an overflow near the top. A return system connects the drains and overflow lines to a reservoir. The nutrient solution is delivered through gravity assist from the containers to the reservoir. A pump is connected to the reservoir and delivers nutrient solution under pressure to the containers. The solution is delivered at or near the top of each container to provide a top-feed ebb and flow system. Each container contains pea gravel, or other similar, nonporous material capable of supporting heavy plants, while providing optimal growing conditions. Fill and drain cycle time is also controlled for optimal growing conditions. Temperature and evaporation is controlled in part by placing the reservoir and a portion of the return system underground.

Systems, apparatuses and methods for growing marijuana plants, particularly for regulated purposes, for example medical purposes or in some jurisdictions recreational purposes, have automated subsystems with sensors to provide feedback information about system, apparatus and plant growth parameters to one or more controllers so that the one or more controllers can alter one or more parameters to provide optimal conditions for the growing and harvesting of the marijuana plants. In particular aspects, the systems, apparatuses and methods provide for control of odors produced during the growing of marijuana, root management of the marijuana plants and control over important levels of chemicals provided to the plants, for example enzymes and flavor additives.

The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to a fluid conveyance apparatus, the apparatus comprising a receptacle comprising at least one raceway configured to allow a culture medium to flow in a continuous loop; a propulsion mechanism configured: to generate a fluid current of sufficient force to propel a floating mat on a top surface of the culture medium, and to vary a velocity of the fluid current in a controlled manner to maintain a substantially uniform distribution of the floating mat on the top surface of the culture medium; and a control mechanism operatively linked to the propulsion mechanism and configured to regulate the velocity of the fluid current.

A closed loop system for growing vegetation is provided. The closed loop system includes at least a first transport conveyor and a second transport conveyor. Each of the first and second transport conveyors includes a front end opposite a rear end. The present invention further includes at least a first transfer conveyor. A lighting system is positioned to emit light towards the first transport conveyor and a second transport conveyor. The present invention further includes at least one terrace structure. The first transport conveyor transports at least one terrace structure from the front end to the rear end, the first transfer conveyor transfers the at least one terrace structure from rear end of the first transport conveyor to the front end of the second transport conveyor and the second transport conveyor transports the at least one terrace structure from the front end to the rear end.

A hydroponic electroculture system is disclosed for use in a hydroponic growing environment. In at least one embodiment, an at least one electroculture unit is positioned in fluid communication with the hydroponic growing environment and provides a conductive core comprising an absorbing layer sandwiched between a pair of opposing first and second conductive layers; each of the first and second conductive layers being in electrical communication with an at least one electrical wire. With the absorbing layer saturated with the fluid of the hydroponic growing environment, an electrical current is selectively delivered to each of the first and second conductive layers which, in turn, forms a reaction within the absorbing layer that causes an off-gassing of oxygen and hydrogen in the form of bubbles to be delivered, along with the electrical current in the fluid, to the roots of an at least one plant in the hydroponic growing environment.

Methods and systems for commercial, sustainable and scalable indoor & outdoor farming can use aquaponics integrated with apiculture and breeding of Lepidoptera for pollination, renewable energy and heating sources, hybrid aquaculture and growing beds, vertical growing towers, specialized shipping container modules, and an optimal farm planning tool that can be placed in any environment and climate, in rural or urban areas and begin producing food and other crops within a few weeks.

Provided are fish tank effluent sampling systems, e.g., for use in recirculating aquaponics systems, methods of using same for sampling effluent, and kits for assembling such an effluent sampling system.

Some embodiments of the invention include a hydroponic grow facility. The hydroponic grow facility, for example, may include a first shipping container comprising a first wall and a first corner post adjacent to the first wall, wherein the first wall has at least a portion of the first wall removed; a first fodder production apparatus disposed within the first shipping container; a second shipping container comprising a second wall and a second corner post adjacent to the first wall, wherein the second wall has at least a portion of the second wall removed, wherein the second corner post and the first corner post are coupled together; and a second fodder production apparatus disposed within the second shipping container.