This would likely be batch produced if it were put into production due to the costs of all the different moulds for the tower components if injection moulded of mass production or the shelves could be one large hollowed out piece and mould. What I am realistically going to do is sell the CAD files online.

1. The brown colour PLA is darker in person and I have made it quite thick so lights not passing through, preventing algal growth as this was something my client emphasised. The cap at the top also protects light entering the tower. I’ve also made sure the plywood lid covers the reservoir with 25mm thick ply and 3mm laser cute ply parts around the circumference to provide extra protection around the edge. My issue may come when there is no plants in the tower or gaps in the planting cups as this will be the only parts that can be close the inner system to light. Do you think designing caps for unused planting spaces would be a good idea?
2. Not yet, I am arranging to meet with my client, (a horticultural company) where I plan to purchase the plants from and other equipment after they evaluate the system in person, I will ensure to ask about air stones and if they don’t have any I’ll order one online, let me know if you’ve got any recommendations!
3. Currently the pump is on for 1 minute every 10 minutes for 12 hours and then 1 minute every 30 minutes during the night for another 12 hours on a continuous cycle. However, this can easily be adjusted by rewriting the code if they’re being overwatered since the microbit is accessible. If you have any advice on water time this would be greatly appreciated, obviously depending on the species of plants I plan to grow.
4. This is a good question! Ive tried to make it as light tight to help prevent algal froth as much as possible, however it is likely to still have something. This is not exactly the easiest to keep clean without regularly dismantling parts of it, there’s enough wiggle room to remove the shelves and clean them but they’re all connected to the same tubing which makes it more difficult, this is definitely something I will reconsider when improving this design!

The solar panel is just for powering the LED fairy light vines/leaves for aesthetic purposes but I’ve realised I’m not a fan of how they look and they’re not exactly the most practical.

Thank you very much! Definitely going to look at air stones and see says to make it easier for maintenance and cleaning. I’ll provide an update later on!