An alternative salt nutrient mixture for plant growth, wherein one or more of the following nutrients is present as a carbonate: nitrogen (eg ammonium), potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, boron, zinc or copper and/or one or more of the following nutrients is present as a nitrate: nitrogen (eg ammonium), potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, boron, zinc or copper.

A method to determine whether the desired amount of at least two nutrient products is present in water, wherein the water is used to deliver nutrients to growing plants; is described and claimed. Inert fluorescent tracers are used proportionally to nutrients and then fluorometers are used to determine how much of the tracer is present, and from knowing that, the amount of nutrient present can be determined.

A watering system for a vertical farming facility, having a stackable growth module having a load bearing frame to allow the growth module to be arranged in a self-supporting stack of other modules in a vertical farming facility. The growth module supports a vertically arranged growth board for supporting plants grown in the vertical farming facility where the plants grow in a horizontal direction out from the growth board. The growth board has: a porous growth medium; a watering trough extending along an upper edge of the growth board which is provided with holes for distributing water into the growth medium; a water collection trough extending along a lower edge of the growth board arranged to collect water exiting the growth medium; and a valve provided in the water collection trough arranged to permit water to flow out of the water collection trough when the valve is open and to prevent water from flowing out of the collection trough when the valve is closed.

A nutrient system includes at least one nutrient feed line for introducing at least one nutrient into a water inlet or supply to form a circulation stream: an eductor injector for introducing a powder comprising at least one dry nutrient into the circulation stream; an ultrasonic cavitation reactor for applying at least one frequency to the circulation stream; and a nanobubble generator module for introducing nanobubbles of at least one gas into the circulation stream. The system may also include a cooling/ultraviolet disinfection module for cooling and disinfecting the circulation stream. The system may be used to obtain a nutrient composition for a plant growing environment.

The invention relates a growth arrangement which includes an array of compartments for housing a hydroponic planter in each compartment and a plurality of shafts interconnecting the compartments, which shafts housing a fluid delivery and recovery system for conveying fluids to and from the individual compartments. The growth arrangement is capable of being isolated from the environment by means of closures attached to the compartment. Furthermore, a fluid conditioning system is provided, capable of conditioning liquid prior to insertion thereof via the fluid delivery and recovery system. The invention extends to a growth arrangement kit which includes a plurality of prefabricated members, when assembled, to define an array of compartments and a plurality of shafts insertable within the array of compartments, thereby interconnecting the compartments. The shaft capable of housing a fluid delivery and recovery system for conveying fluids to and from the individual compartments.

A vertical farming system includes a support unit, at least one planting assembly, and a water circulation assembly. The support unit includes a fixing rack provided with at least one positioning portion. The at least one planting assembly includes a hanging member and at least one plant container hung below the fixing rack through the hanging member and having a drainage hole. The hanging member has a head detachably engaged with the positioning portion. The water circulation assembly includes a nutrient device and a pipeline having at least one outlet hole and at least one collection hole. The nutrient device is disposed on the pipeline and is located between the outlet hole and the collection hole. Irrigation water passes through the outlet hole to irrigate plants and then passes through the drainage hole of the plant container and returns to the pipeline through the collection hole.

Devices, methods, and systems for hydroponic farming are provided. An example device includes a basin that is configured to collect greywater or other aqueous solutions. The device also includes a filtration column in fluid communication with the basin that includes a filtration material therein and receives the aqueous solution from the basin. The device further includes one or more dispersion tubes in fluid communication with the filtration column. In operation, the aqueous solution received by the basin is directed through the filtration column such that the filtration material removes impurities within the aqueous solution before the aqueous solution is directed to the at least one dispersion tube. The filtered aqueous solution may be used in hydroponic farming implementations.

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 aquaponics system including a rearing tank of a rearing system and cultivation beds of a cultivation system, wherein the cultivation beds are arranged vertically in two or more stages. The system includes a rearing and cultivation circulating system in which liquid in the rearing tank is supplied to each of the cultivation beds, and the liquid in each bed is returned to the tank, to thereby circulate through the tank, beds, and tank. Fish and shellfish can be reared in the rearing tank and a plant can be cultivated in the cultivation beds, with the liquid circulating through the circulating path. Both a cultivation circulating system in which the liquid circulates through the water storage tank, the cultivation beds, and the water storage tank, and a rearing circulating system in which the liquid circulates through the rearing tank, the water storage tank, and the rearing tank may be arranged.

A vertical hydroponics system is provided. The flow rate or pressure of the solution passing through the system is uniform throughout the system to reduce or prevent clogging and/or leaking. The diameters of the various components of the system's water supply plumbing are such so as to reduce or prevent clogging and/or leaking. The vertical hydroponics system includes at least one body, at least one pot coupled to a front surface of the at least one body for supporting one or more plants, and a water source fluidly connected to each body for delivering water uniformly to each pot. Each body is configured to direct water away from the front surface of the body to reduce or prevent leaking. Accordingly, flow rates or pressures not typically associated with vertical hydroponics systems may be used to deliver water to the pot(s).