AquaSchool created with the intention of providing educational services, related studies and sustainable use of aquatic organisms and environments natural or artificial harbor them, making use of current computer technologies for distance learning. In this way everyone has access to a personal computer connected to the Internet, can take a course in freedom, freed from the need to go into a classroom located in a given space and time stipulated.
In fact, as a student to follow a distance course with the computer has the following significant advantages:
Whatever the technique of cultivation hygiene is always important. In hydroponic systems special attention should be paid to the nutrient solution, which must be replaced regularly to avoid accumulation of salts, dirt and pathogens. Normally the discharge should be done about every two weeks, three if you work with reverse osmosis water, one in the case of brackish water. The intense heat may necessitate more frequent replacement parts. The emptying of the system can be difficult, usually taking place under these schemes:
-The tube that leads from the pump to the irrigation system is equipped with a valve in line with the possibility to divert the flow toward a third exhaust pipe.
-The tank has a slope on the bottom to the end of which is present an exhaust valve. Opening the valve the water flows thanks to the force of gravity.
-Use of a "bilge pump", practical and light you can immerse at the time of need in the tank by connecting it to a tube arranged for unloading. Unfortunately this type of pumps always leave a stagnation of about one centimeter on the bottom, but can be used in association with the previous method.
In recirculating systems the pH value should be noted on a daily basis, since the variations in the nutrient solution made from the plants themselves may cause fluctuations important. In any case, it is essential the measurement every time they are added water or the fertilizers.
To maintain the acidity stable you can resort to the use of nutrients that offer a " cushioning effect "or buffer , and to a regulation of the temperature (less than 30 degrees) and humidity (greater than 50%) such as to reduce the 'excessive evaporation.
To make the measurement will proceed as for the EC, to mix the solution thoroughly and take a sample with a clean container. It 's good not to take measurements immediately after the addition of fertilizers or regulators.
The plants subtract from the nutrient solution fertilizers and water simultaneously, but not necessarily to the same extent.
In a hot climate such as the plants tend to "drink" more, and together with the high evaporation rate makes this the concentration of nutrients is too high. To maintain stable and under control of the equilibrium solution is necessary to monitor the EC or electrical conductivity.
This value is the only way we can determine exactly how many nutrients are still present in the water. A presence too high will damage the plants, while too little will track deficiencies and development slowed. To detect the EC using a special instrument that indicates the amount of salts (total, so no distinctions) dissolved. There are several models of portable or fixed gauges with probes of different price ranges.
The advantages are well known to most hydroponics. Professionals, amateurs and even merely curious approach this technique every day thanks to the spread of hydro systems are simple to use and inexpensive. Word of mouth and the easy availability of information and manuals to help the novice learn the basics of soilless cultivation, to make judicious purchases and gain the most from their cultivation. The sorrow of the lovers for years hydroponics has been that of not being able to combine the performance and speed of their culture with a biological approach. The specific fertilizers for hydroponics in fact are by definition minerals, or chemicals. The nourishment organic typical of organic farming tends in fact to clog pipes and sprayers, because of the rather large particles in suspension in the solution. These particles may stagnate toward the bottom and rot, creating foul odors and the risk of contamination by pathogens.
The problem has been thoroughly studied by the leading General Hydroponics, which recently entered the market the first fertilizer with all the requirements for organic certification, but adapted to hydroponics: BioSevia. Read more ...
It seems strange, but also in the desert is virtually possible to adequately feed sheep, horses or cows with relatively cool herbs rich in minerals. The solution is a room of cultivation seeds automated, ie a technology of production of plant biomass in a controlled environment, obtained from the germination and the rapid growth of the plants, with the result of forage high digestibility, nutritional quality high and very suitable for 's animal feed. The supply of fresh herbs beneficial to livestock health, making it stronger, healthy, fertile and productive.
What is it in practice? We speak of a special chamber of hydroponic cultivation, a sort of super growroom, inside of which are grown in trays oats, barley, corn, wheat, sorghum, alfalfa.
Even during the bad weather, or climate regions less suitable it is possible today to get hydroponic crops able to meet the needs of livestock. Read more ...
In Tampa, Florida, a large hydroponic greenhouse complex offers an interesting service: strong production of over 150,000 hydroponic plants, mostly vegetables, offers guided tours, cooking classes, nutrition, botany lessons for children.
Together with the educational side is obviously to do with trade, with the public sale of baskets of vegetables in different formats and with the ability to collect from if 'products. The construction of greenhouses, they say, ensures that you will not need to bend down or kneel to reach the fruit.
Thanet Earth is a project of gigantic dimensions started in the United Kingdom. The most monumental and technologically advanced greenhouse devoted to growing hydroponic ever conceived on the island of Thanet, in Kent, and uses a glass surface of 80 football fields.
The goal is to grow lettuce using advanced technology to create a hydroponic production system fully eco-compatible. The declared cost of Thanet Earth is 80 million pounds, only to give effect to the structure, which belongs to the 50% to the company a leader in the field of vegetable production Makers. The remaining 50% belongs to other known brands specializing in the cultivation of vegetables and salads: Kaaij Redstar, Rainbow Growers and A & A. This investment will make to these giants of the market return has an image in advertisements and in terms of quality and price of the product, which will represent the state of the art hydroponic vegetables cost more affordable. Read more ...
We had already spoken here of Jordan Mariani and his hydroponic experiment "poor", inspired by the simplified hydroponics programs promoted by FAO in developing countries.
Here's the video, which shows the stages of implementation and the results obtained.
The roses The roses are among the plants grown in the most absolute in the world, grow easily, but needs some attention. First the water must be very abundant, the temperature is not excessive and the direct sunlight for six hours every day. In the case of indoor cultivation lighting the formula recommended by lush flowering is the alternation of 12 hours of light to darkness with 12, and recommended an additional carbon dioxide. To manage these factors is essential to implement a timer to automate operations. Roses are subject to infestations: indoor cultivation and hydroponics eliminates several sources of trouble, whereas the earth is the ideal environment for proliferation of most of the creatures we would like to avoid having in our rose garden. This type of plant usually responds very positively to the soilless cultivation and is often grown in large-scale plants in bags of substrate (coir or rock wool). Read more ...
[Source: http://acquaponica.blog.tiscali.it/ ] 
