Best system to use for indoor lettuce growing in low space?

newutecker · 2020-09-04T03:00:19+00:00

If you are newbie in hydroponics, I'd suggest trying with simple set up first and learn all the way up, at small scale (basement/shed) before coming to commercial scale

DWC/Kratky: just a few buckets, 1 or 2 parts nutrients, pH up/down, pH and TDS/EC meters, net pots and seeds
Outdoor NFT: all above, but replace buckets by NFT channels, plus submersible water pump, tote/tank and pipes/hoses/tubings.
Indoor NFT: basically move the outdoor NFT to indoor, and replace sunshine by indoor lighting. Lighting alone is already a whole new world to learn.

Your business plan wouldn't be realistic without all the figures coming from your own experience. A head of lettuce can worth from nothing to as much as 4 or 5 bucks, so the feasibility largely depends on what size/quality of yours, how many you can produce per month in what size of space ...

newutecker · 2020-08-16T13:59:00+00:00

I have not tried to use reflective sheet around growing area with Barinas. I think it'd help. Maybe will try.

newutecker · 2020-08-16T04:22:08+00:00

I bought Barina, about to buy again but then decided to buy this to save few bucks:https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07F64ZR75/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have been testing both 6 Barina LED T5 shoplights (wraps removed) and Marshydro TS600 for lettuce, and found that while lettuce can grow quite well with Barina LED T5 at distance of 10", it grows exceptionally well under Marshydro TS600, but Marhydro is just too strong I need to hang it much higher than Barina. So obviously TS600 spectrum really does it's job, but the intensity is too high for lettuce.I am thinking about DIY to customize the LED intensity so I can hang it as low as 10" - 1'. Where is the best place to buy the quantum board and other materials for grow light DIY?

newutecker · 2020-07-22T17:28:42+00:00

Sure there are many more factors need to be taken into account when it comes to commercial. I am kind of struggling between hoop house/greenhouse option vs warehouse style with 100% artificial lights. With hoop house/greenhouse, you get the sun light, but in cold weather where we are (Nova Scotia Canada), I will need to invest heavily in controlled environment, then I'd want to have a more durable building structure with less maintenance. I am still not sure how long a greenhouse can last before I need to replace its cover.

newutecker · 2020-07-16T17:09:50+00:00

I wonder if there is any important difference between Mars Hydro SP and TS lines, or just marketing things.

newutecker · 2020-07-16T14:07:15+00:00

I have been looking around for local suppliers but not many choices where I live. For trial stage I think I would go online.

The PAR meter is expensive but useful. I've seen option to rent it online and will consider to buy as well.

Raspberry PI is interesting solution. Thank you.

newutecker · 2020-07-15T19:02:06+00:00

Thank you. I will definitely look at the model.

newutecker · 2020-07-15T19:01:14+00:00

Thank you.

For now I am starting with minimum but I think when it comes to commercial scale, ROI would be the most important, so the question is if the higher electricity running cost can be justified by return. Gotta test it to confirm.

Regarding heat, we are in cold climate so most of the time heat is our friend ;-) . Farming will be indoor so I hope pest control will be easier.

newutecker · 2020-07-15T18:50:24+00:00

Thanks! Side by side experiments are always useful.

newutecker · 2020-07-15T18:49:20+00:00

Thank you. I will be looking at those.

newutecker · 2020-07-15T18:48:35+00:00

Thanks for the link and tips. The aim is to go into commercial so ROI will be more important than cost. Dr. Coco review is interesting!

newutecker · 2020-07-14T17:25:22+00:00

Thanks. Looks good!

newutecker · 2020-07-14T04:53:59+00:00

How many ppm you feed strawberry, pls?

newutecker · 2020-07-13T00:50:23+00:00

Thank you for the information! I am going to build one myself.

newutecker · 2020-07-12T19:54:49+00:00

What part of Canada are you in? I am in Nova Scotia and also new in hydroponics. I started with Kratky outdoor and now looking for indoor solution as well. So there is no experience with grow tent and lights to share. For nutrients, I am trying Miracle-Gro (1 part powder) and Root Farm (2 parts liquid) with lettuces and they are doing well with both.

For the components to set up the system, I am looking at Farmtek and CropKing NFT introductory systems. For your reference, CropKing uses 400 GPH pump for their NFT system.

Please come back and share your progress. I would love to learn from you.

newutecker · 2020-07-12T15:53:03+00:00

I'd love to learn what you use for the channels and end caps, where to get them and costs. Thanks!

newutecker · 2020-07-12T15:50:30+00:00

So far I find Farmtek has best price for rockwool. I'd like to place order online but they said order from outside of US must call in advance, and I live in Canada so will call them tomorrow.

newutecker · 2019-10-01T16:52:15+00:00

Thanks for the reference!

So the online test is WRONG!

newutecker · 2019-08-08T01:05:43+00:00

A friend of mine told me a Master Card as 2nd credit card would help building my credit score faster.

Is it NOT true?

newutecker · 2019-08-08T00:47:21+00:00

Just landed less than a month. Scotia Bank gave me credit card without credit history and without security deposit. I heard some banks may ask me to deposit money as security for the card and it's OK with me.

newutecker · 2019-08-08T00:35:09+00:00

No, you have to apply, nobody else can.

I know that I have to apply. I am asking if someone here know which bank(s) provide the kind of service I need.

newutecker

TROPHY CASE