Add helios alpha garden design

content/.obsidian/workspace.json

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   "lastOpenFiles": [
-    "Hydroponics.md",
+    "Airflow.md",
     "Secret Garden.md",
+    "Algae Growth.md",
+    "Hydroponics Log 1.md",
+    "media/heliosalpha1.jpg",
+    "heliosalpha1.jpg.md",
+    "Hydroponics.md",
     "Things I Recommend.md",
     "Wine Crate Coffee Table.md",
     "Bypassing Ports.md",

content/Airflow.md

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+Title: Airflow
+Date: 2023-03-07
+Category: Notes
+Summary: Point a fan at indoor hydroponic plants once they develop their true leaves.
+
+Airflow across plants is important because it helps with [transpiration][1], the process of water movement through a plant and evaporation off its leaves. The water is used to move minerals up the plant from its roots. Quoting Wikipedia:
+
+> In still air, water lost due to transpiration can accumulate in the form of vapor close to the leaf surface. This will reduce the rate of water loss, as the water potential gradient from inside to outside of the leaf is then slightly less. The wind blows away much of this water vapor near the leaf surface, making the potential gradient steeper and speeding up the diffusion of water molecules into the surrounding air. Even in wind, though, there may be some accumulation of water vapor in a thin boundary layer of slower moving air next to the leaf surface. The stronger the wind, the thinner this layer will tend to be, and the steeper the water potential gradient.
+
+A lack of airflow can cause [mineral deficiencies][2] which is why it's recommended to point a fan at plants grown hydroponically.
+
+The plant can't do anything to fix too little airflow, but can close [stomas][3] to correct for too much airflow. The exception to this is with young shoots which have a cuticle layer on their leaves. The waxy layer prevents stoma regulation, so pointing a fan at shoots may dry them out.
+
+
+[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpiration
+[2]: https://hortamericas.com/blog/science/how-to-avoid-calcium-deficiency-in-controlled-environment-food-crops/
+[3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoma

content/Algae Growth.md

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+Title: Algae Growth
+Date: 2023-03-11
+Category: Notes
+Summary: Prevent hydroponic algae from growing by blocking light to any nutrient solution.
+
+Algae will grow anywhere light is able to touch hydroponic nutrient solution. This won't be a problem if the solution is regularly flushed. In Kratky systems the algae will compete for resources with your plants and grow exponentially.
+
+The solution is to prevent light from reaching the solution by using dark containers and covering exposed parts with and opaque material such as aluminium foil.

content/Secret Garden.md

@@ -9,4 +9,39 @@ I have a "Secret Garden" in a storage room in the basement of my house. It's cur
 
 <a href="https://ms.tannercollin.com/garden/garden_hi.jpg">![a hydroponics garden, taken from a webcam](https://ms.tannercollin.com/garden/garden_lo.jpg)</a>
 
-Click the photo for a larger verion.
+Click the photo for a larger version.
+
+My current system can grow up to six plants. It's designed around a single 102 L plastic tote. It holds enough water to harvest lettuce once before refilling. After the initial setup, the system can be ignored for weeks.
+
+![[heliosalpha1.jpg]]
+
+Here's directions on how you can make your own:
+
+## Parts
+- [HDX 102L Stackable Strong Storage Tote Bin](https://www.homedepot.ca/product/hdx-102l-stackable-strong-storage-tote-bin-plastic-organizer-box-black-base-yellow-snap-on-lid/1000706729)
+- [HDX 36-inch W x 54-inch H x 14-inch D 4-Shelf](https://www.homedepot.ca/product/hdx-36-inch-w-x-54-inch-h-x-14-inch-d-4-shelf-steel-wire-shelving-unit-with-adjustable-shelves-in-chrome/1000790396)
+- 2 x [TS-1000 Grow Lights](https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=TS-1000+grow+light)
+- 6 x 3" hydroponic net cups
+- Medium to large fan
+- Aluminium foil
+- Wall outlet timer
+- Power strip
+- Zip ties
+
+## Tools
+A hole saw drill bit with the same diameter of your net cups is recommended.
+
+## Assembly
+Assemble the metal shelf with one shelf at the very top and another only a foot below it as seen in the photo. Only one shelf is used, but two are needed for stability.
+
+Hang the grow lights with the included hangers off the lower shelf. The height can be adjusted later. Plug the lights into a power strip and secure all cords to the lower shelf.
+
+Drill six holes in the plastic lid for where you want the plant to go. Bias the holes towards the edges so the plants are more spread out for air flow.
+
+Cover the lid with two strips aluminium foil to prevent light from passing into the nutrient solution. This prevents [[Algae Growth |algae growth]] which will kill your plants and reflect the light back up to the leaves. Tape the aluminium foil to the lid and then cut holes in it the size of the net cups. Scrunch excess foil down into the hole.
+
+Insert the six net cups into the six holes. Place the lid back on the tote and position it under the grow lights.
+
+Point a fan towards where the plants will grow. [[Airflow |Airflow is important]] indoors to enable water transpiration so the leaves don't get mineral deficiencies. Plug the fan in but keep it off until the starters have grown their "true leaves".
+
+Plug the power strip into the outlet timer and adjust it for 16 hours on, 8 hours off. The specific timing will depend on the plant.