http://www.windowfarms.org/instructions/
Introduction:
Welcome to the Instructions for MAMA! The Windowfarms Version 3.0 Modular Airlift Multicolumn Array (MAMA).
Please make sure you have registered on our.windowfarms.org, including having accepted the terms of service for participating in this open design community project. Registering will pass on to you a royalty-free license for you to use this community developed patent pending design for non-commercial purposes.
Please use the Feedback button on the right to submit your ideas, questions, test results, and praise.
Remember that this is an citizen technology project, so if you have an idea or an issue, research and develop it yourself (R&D-I-Y)! Propose a change to the community, get others to help you test how well it works, and then present your results. If it's a viable, universal solution to a common problem, it may be folded in to the next version release!
Getting Started:
Download and print the Windowfarms v3.0 parts list. It contains a list of specific parts and recommended sources. Alternatively, by buying a kit, you can get in on wholesale batches of specialized parts while supporting both the Windowfarms Project and the disabled workers who assemble kits.
Section 1: Bottle Covering
Each Windowfarm v3.0 column is made of 5 bottles: 4 plant bottles and 1 bottom reservoir bottle. Plant bottles and reservoir bottles are made slightly differently. This how-to addresses how to make the bottles for one column. ---Windowfarm instructions work best with 1.5 liter bottles made by Nestle waters, which produces Arrowhead, Calistoga, Deer Park, Ice Mountain, Ozarka, Poland Spring, and Zephyrhills brands in the United States. The waist of these bottles uniquely accomodates the hydroponic net cup. Extensive modification of the design will be needed if you get a different kind of bottle and root health and system evaporation rates can't be guaranteed.
Use recycled bottles, not new ones!!
Part of each bottle must be covered to prevent the plants' roots from being exposed to light. The roots will not be able to act as roots if they are exposed to light. You also need to protect the nutrients in the bottom reservoir bottle from U/V light damage. Dark parts of the system are also less likely to grow algae.---You can cover the bottles with tape or find some creative way of making them opaque (knitting cozies?). Here, we're demonstrating the popular spray paint covering method.
Fill an empty bottle with about 2" of water to weigh it down.
Remove label with scissors without scratching the bottle. Remove as much glue/paper residue as is possible.
Using painter's masking tape, mask 4 of the bottles from the "waist" to the base.
Using 1" wide masking tape, mask the 5th bottle with one ribbon from the cap to the base.
Paint bottles with spray paint, providing even coverage. It will take 2-3 coats to create a layer of paint that will not let sunlight penetrate.
Once dry, remove the masking tape from all bottles.
4 of the 5 bottles for each column are Plant Bottles. Use the steps in this section for 4 of the 5 bottles.
Gather the 4 bottles that were masked from the waist to the base. These are your Plant Bottles.
Using 1" diameter drill bit, drill a hole in the bottom of each bottle.
Go slow and steady when drilling so that the bottle will not collapse. It will take approximately 20-30 seconds before the bit will pierce the plastic.
Download and print the bottle cutting templates. Print them unscaled on a letter-sized piece of paper. It is a pattern for the Plant Bottles. Follow the directions on the sheet as to how to mount it to the bottle.
Trace the Plant Hole onto the bottle.
While the paper pattern is still on the bottle, mark and poke the Suspension Holes in the side of each bottle near its base using a sharp razor.
Mark the Cap Flap with its direction facing away from each Plant Hole, towards the rear of the bottle. Use the paper template to help align the direction of the Cap Flap.
Remove the cap and remove cap lock ring with scissors, razor blade, or snips.
Cut the Cap Flap with a sharp razor. Replace the cap on the bottle.
Using a sharp razor blade, cutout the Plant Hole.
Repeat the prior steps on the other bottles: Marking and cutting the Plant Hole, poking the Suspension Holes, removing the cap lock ring, and cutting the Cap Flap.
1 of the 5 bottles for each column is the Bottom Reservoir Bottle. Use the steps in this section for 1 of the 5 bottles.
Find the bottle that was masked from the bottom to top with a 1" band. This is your Bottom Reservoir Bottle.
Using 1" diameter drill bit, drill a hole in the bottom of the bottle.
Go slow and steady when drilling so that the bottle will not collapse. It will take approximately 20-30 seconds before the bit will pierce the plastic.
Download and print the bottle cutting templates. Print them unscaled on a letter-sized piece of paper. It is a pattern for the Bottom Reservoir Bottle. Follow the directions on the sheet as to how to mount it to the bottle.
Trace the Water Hole onto the bottle.
While the paper pattern is still on the bottle, mark and poke the Suspension Holes in the side of each bottle near its base using a sharp razor.
Using a sharp razor blade, cutout the Water Hole.
1 of the 5 bottles for each column is the Bottom Reservoir Bottle. Use the steps in this section for 1 of the 5 bottles.
Find the bottle that was masked from the bottom to top with a 1" band. This is your Bottom Reservoir Bottle.
Using 1" diameter drill bit, drill a hole in the bottom of the bottle.
Go slow and steady when drilling so that the bottle will not collapse. It will take approximately 20-30 seconds before the bit will pierce the plastic.
Download and print the bottle cutting templates. Print them unscaled on a letter-sized piece of paper. It is a pattern for the Bottom Reservoir Bottle. Follow the directions on the sheet as to how to mount it to the bottle.
Trace the Water Hole onto the bottle.
While the paper pattern is still on the bottle, mark and poke the Suspension Holes in the side of each bottle near its base using a sharp razor.
Using a sharp razor blade, cutout the Water Hole.
Flush the bottle with water.
Suspension
You can use other materials like string to hang your windowfarm cheaper. Bead chain is much easier to take on and off for cleaning, is stable, easy to adjust, modular and makes a great tube cleaner for algae buildup too (later, in Launch & Maintenance Section).
Daisy-chain all 5 bottles by removing each cap and screwing the mouth through the hole drilled in the base of the one below it.
Align all the Plant Holes and Water Hole (in the bottom reservoir bottle) in one direction.
Re-attach the caps to the bottles, making sure the Cap Flap is pointing away from each Plant Hole.
The idea of the Cap Flap is to direct the dripping water away from the Plant Hole of the bottle below.
Set aside the column of bottles.
Measure and cut one 126" length of bead chain.
Mounting Installation
Windows come in different sizes and orientations. Some adaptation may be required.
If your wall type requires wall anchors, please consider using them.
For each column of bottles, put two cuphooks into the wall above the window, spaced 4" apart.
Hang the bead chain ladder on the hooks, with the looped end at the top.
Merge the bottle column with the suspended chain by uncoupling one side of each of the horizontal 4.75" pieces and feeding it through each bottle's Suspension Holes.
Once fed through, recouple the horizontal bead chain piece.
You may have to spend some time adjusting the system to get it straight. Your system should now be suspended.
Plumbing
blade, fine grit sand paper
Bottom Cap Assembly
The configuration of the bottom cap assembly for the bottom reservoir bottle will vary based on the type of check valve you have.
We have provided two configuration options to account for this. Please take note of these options within this section.
Mark the rigid tube with a marker to create three lengths:
28.5 inches
28.5 inches
3 inches
Score the rigid tube at the marks with a razor blade and snap, or use hacksaw to cut at the marks.
If necessary, lightly sand ends of tubes to remove debris from sawing.
Mark flexible tube with a marker to create two lengths:
1 inch
7 inches
Cut the flexible tube at the marks with scissors.
Attach the 3" rigid tube piece to one end of the 7" flexible tube. Overlap the pieces by 1/2".
Attach the other end of the 7" flexible tube to one end of one 28.5" rigid tube. Overlap pieces by 1/2".
Use the 1" flexible tube join the two 28.5" rigid tubes.
Measure and cut 2 (two) 12" pieces of plant tape.
Stick one end of the tube assembly into the Water Hole of the bottom bottle in the suspended system.
Stick the flexible end of the tube assembly to into the hole of the top bottle.
Use the plant tape to wrap the top bottle near the waist, capturing and securing the water tube to the top bottle.
Use a zip-tie through the back side of the bottle to point the outlet of the tube towards the rear of the bottle.
Use the second piece of plant tape to secure the tube assembly to the middle bottle near the tube assembly's midway joint.
We have provided two methods for the assembly of the bottom cap depending on the size of check valve you received with your pump. Use the image on the right as a reference to find our which Method to use to construct the bottom cap.
With needle nose pliers, remove the filter in the hole of the sports cap, making an unobstructed hole.
Check to make sure the check valve is operational. Blow through one end, then the other. It should only allow air to pass through in one direction. If air can pass through in both or no directions, PetCo has provided you with a faulty valve. Please contact them to get a replacement check valve.
Attach a metal inflation needle to the outlet stem of the check valve. (It says "OUT" on the valve). Align it first with your fingers, then use pliers to screw down the valve with hard pressure. The threads inside the metal inflations needle should dig into the plastic of the check valve's stem.
Stick the air hose included with the PetCo pump through the end of the cap and attach with the inlet end of the check valve.
Seat the check valve securely inside the cap.
With even, firm pressure, screw the cap into the bottle with your hand. Insert the water tube assembly over the top of the air needle.
Screw the cap assembly onto the bottle with your hand. Insert the water tube assembly over the top of the air needle. The water tube should be seated as far down over the metal inflation needle as possible, and will be at an angle. This angle creates a very important gap to allow water to enter the tube.
Attach the other end of the air hose to the pump's outlets.
This method requires additional parts:
a Presta threaded longstem bicycle inner tube (with stem washer), and two 1/4" ID 1/2" OD sealing washers.
Drill a 1/4" hole in the center of the bottom bottle's cap.
With a hacksaw, cut the valve off of the rubber tube near its base.
With pliers, remove the valve at the top of the stem.
Take the presta stem and face the tapered end to the right. Slide one sealing washer on to it with the rubber side facing to the right.
Next slide on the cap, with the inside facing to the right.
Next, slide on another sealing washer, with the rubber side facing to the left.
Next, attach the metal inflation needle to the threaded tapered end of the presta stem. Using pliers, tighten as tight as possible.
Next, thread-on the presta stem washer from the opposite end, and use it to tighten the entire assembly.
Use pliers to tighten the assembly as tight as possible.
Attach a 1" length of air hose included with the PetCo pump to the end of the threaded Presta stem, followed by the check valve.
Attach the other end of the air hose to the PetCo pump's outlets.
Screw the cap assembly onto the bottle with your hand. Insert the water tube assembly over the top of the air needle.
The water tube should be seated as far down over the metal inflation needle as possible, and will be at an angle. This angle creates a very important gap to allow water to enter the tube.
Attach the other end of the air hose to the pump's outlets.
Lighting and Techniques
You probably will need to supplement your plants' natural light, or else they will growy spindly indoors.
If you have extremely sunny windows, you may be able to get away without lights.
Start with a corded clip light and remove the shade.
Consider using CFL bulbs with plastic domes to help prevent shattering of the bulb against your window.
Next, mount the pin socket to the cord, 2 feet down from the light socket end.
Screw a cup hook at the center of two WindowFarms columns.
If your window sill has depth, mount the lights as close to the glass pane as possible.
Using 18" of bead chain coupler, loop the bead chain around the lamp cord near the base of the lamp socket.
Suspend the light column assembly from the cup hook.
Plant and Materials
First, make a plan of what you will grow.
Please visit our web community for recommendations on what plants work best, how to grow plants from seed or transplant soil-based seedlings:
http://our.windowfarms.org
If using plants that were grown in soil, start by shaking-out the soil thoroughly.
Put each plant in a netcup with clay pellets.
Install your plants into the WindowFarm by sliding it through the plant hole.
Please visit our web community for recommendations on plant placement:
http://our.windowfarms.org
Lighting
WindowFarm columns can be mounted side-by-side in a window. Each light column can supply light to two WindowFarm columns.--Both the lights and the pump can be on different timers.--Create a "drip loop" with all electrical wires to prevent any leaking water from running into the electrical outlets.
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Adding Water
Fill the reservoir bottle with enough water to reach just below the hole.--Water will evaporate from your system and will need replacement. Expect to top-off the system 2-3 times per week. However, conditions will vary effecting the rate at which more water is needed. Winter seasons and dry environments will require more frequent watering--A flow that is too high will create unnecessary power consumption and noise. A flow that is too little will create wilted plants. However, some plants like wetter conditions than others--Phase 2- Seedling through vegetative phase) .396 teaspoon Maxsea 16-16-16 twice a week (+ pinch=0.1 teaspoon epsom) for 6 weeks= 4.75 Maxsea 16-16-16; --Phase 3- Transition, last 2 weeks before flowering) 0.198 each of both kinds of Maxsea twice a week (+ pinch=0.1 teaspoon epsom) for approximately 2 weeks= 3/4 teaspoons of each Maxsea; --Phase 4- Flowering and fruiting) 2 teaspoons per gallon of 3-20-20 (+ pinch=0.1 teaspoon epsom) = 3/4 twice per week for 4 weeks= 6.25 teaspoons--Phase 5- Last 10-15 days before harvest) Feed your plants only water to flush the system