Data/data table

Date	Hydro	Soil
11/12/2014	13cm	10cm
11/19/2014	15cm	12cm
11/21/2014	20cm	15cm

Bibliography

 The sites visited were:

1. HowStuffWorks
Hydroponic Nutrients - HowStuffWorks

2. Youtube
Hydroponics DIY: Build A Flood And Drain / Ebb and FlowHydroponic System

3.  Blogspot.com

Abstract

              The purpose of this project was to find a faster way of agriculture than conventional farming.
The procedures to this project were First build the hydroponics system using a RotoZip some drills and drill bits. We then built the soil system using soil and planting pods. We then set up the grow lights for the plants. I measured the plants every week one day each and found that the hydroponics system works better than the soil system and typically grew 4cm taller than the soil plants.

My conclusion is that the hydroponics system was the fastest and most efficient system and that my hypothesis was proven correct.

Conclusion

My conclusion to this project is that the Hydroponics system worked better than the soil system. The hydroponics system had at least a height twice as high as the soil system. I know that the hydroponics system is hard to make but it is much more efficient that the soil based on the data.

Pros:

1. The hydroponics system system was much more efficient

2. The system wasted no water

3. Plants had a higher chance of thriving


Cons:

1. Some what expensive

2. System is slightly hard to configure and keep stable

3. Plants had a more probable rate of drowning

Plant Height

 Soil 3 to 3 and 1/2 inch height

Hydroponics plant system 4 to 5 inch height.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to find a more sustainable source of agriculture that grows better. Because soil is conventional but has risk for bugs we wanted to find a way around the bugs and the time. WE chose hydroponics.

Hypothesis

My hypothesis is: If we have constant flow and nutrients to the plants in the Hydroponics system the will grow more because they will be constantly fed and have nutrients.

 The control group will be the regular soil system.

Title Page

                     MICHAEL'S HYDROPONICS LAB

Question

My question: Which type of system will work better, Soil system or Hydroponics system?

Variables

Our independent variables in this project were:

1. Amount of water for hydroponics system.

2. When the lights were turned on.

3. Amount of solution for hydroponics system.

4. How many plants.

5. Watering times for soil system.

6. The media (that's what the plant sits in soil or clay pebbles).

Our dependent variables in this project:

1. Grow times.

2. Plant life to death ratio.

3. Plant size.

What I have learned

HYDROPONICS 

1. What should I put in the water?
 You will need Dyna grow water enhancer you need 1/4 Tbsp per gallon

2. What kind of medium do I need for my plants? How should I prepare the medium?
 Your medium should be clay pellets to prepare them you must rinse the bag with water until clean water comes out of the other side.

    SOIL

1. Lettuce needs a soil PH of 7.0.

2. The water needs a PH of 6.0 (this also goes for hydroponics)

3. If the plant does not have a proper PH level it can not eat.


Credit: Stephanie Grace at Graces hydroponics. The business has been around for over 50 years and she graduated from Etcard college in Florida with a degree for communication and has been working with hydroponics for her whole life.

youtube videos on how ebb and flow works

1. Siphon demonstration:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6K90A1MJwY


2. Ebb and flow:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtjFYOg_GEE


3. Credit to learning how a bell siphon works:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFokOynqOqQ

Procedures

 I am going to explain how to set every thing up based on the video from my previous post and the steps for the project.

Step one: Go to your local hard ware store and pick up the products needed.

Step two: Place net pots into your regular pots and screw the 3/4 inch fitting into the pump.

Step three: Pull out the black tube on the flush and replace it with the blue netted fitting.

Step four: Drill a total of three holes in the designated areas into the tote top as it is on the mixing tray (Areas specified in the video).

Step five; Insert fittings into the drilled holes.

Step six: Place drilled tub lid on top of the inserted fittings in the mixing tray.

Step seven: Drill a hole in the far right hand corner for the power cord to the pump.

Step eight: Attach 3/4'' tubing to the pump and place it in the bottom of the tote.

Step nine: Feed the tube through the left hand hole and connect to the fill fitting.

Step ten: Place completed parts together (tote lid on tote mixing tray on lid) and then put the pots in rows of 3 horizontally.

Credit/ video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t8S3ln4JCg

Materials list

      For this project the parts you will need are:

       1. One 27 seven gallon black and yellow tote

       2. A large concrete mixing tray
   
       3. Six standard nursery pots

       4. Six five inch net pots

       5. Two feet of tubing

       6. 3/4" flood and drain kit

       7. One DuraPump 396 G.P.H pump

       8. A 1 gallon tub of expanding clay pellets

       9. One drill with a 1 and 1/4" hole saw


      Cite, and instructions to build:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t8S3ln4JCg

How hydroponic systems work

     Hydroponics is a form of agriculture in which you use no soil. You use water hence the name HYDROponics. For this particular project we will be using a Ebb and Flow system and will be growing lettuce inside a month. The plant is placed on a tray in water and a bell pump system which flushes nutrients into the plant and gradually sinks back under the tray. This system is highly efficient for small plants.

credit: http://home.howstuffworks.com/lawn-garden/professional-landscaping/alternative-methods/hydroponics3.htm


If you want further information on how this system works here is a diagram: