Patent Abstract:
A hydroponic pond is provided that has a depth in the approximate range from 24 inches to 36 inches. This depth of pond water provides a volume of water that increases thermal stability of the hydroponic pond. A nutritional formulation is developed in view of an analysis of a source water make-up for combination with the source water to achieve a desired chemical and nutritional mix. The nutritional formulation and the source water are then combined and placed within a hydroponic pond. A computational system is provided that monitors the state of a hydroponic environment and directs input modules as programmed and in order to sponsor plant growth, plant quality, and volume of plant yield.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/551,431, filed Oct. 26, 2011 and titled HYDROPONIC METHOD AND SYSTEM and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to hydroponic agriculture. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for use in nurturing and harvesting plants in hydroponic environments. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Hydroponic technology is being increasingly deployed for growing food and medicinal crops. Improvements in crop yield per unit of resource expended in hydroponic settings can generate significant benefits to many agricultural operations and thereby address society&#39;s increasing needs for resource-efficient agriculture. 
     The prior art teaches that shallow pools, i.e., ponds having depths in a range from 0.125 inch to 0.25 inch, are preferred in order to maximize yield per resource input. In addition, the prior art teaches toward filtering source water prior to use in a hydroponic pond, although filtering source water can be resource intensive. 
     The prior art fails to optimally manage and apply to hydroponic agriculture essential crop inputs, such as water, oxygen, nutrients, heat, and electricity, to maximize volume and quality of crop production. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Disclosed are techniques enabling improvements in hydroponic agriculture. 
     In a first aspect of the method of the present disclosure, a source water is examined to determine its chemical and biochemical make-up. This source water make-up is then compared with the desired chemical and nutritional mix that are provided to plants in a hydroponic setting. A nutritional formulation is then developed in view of the source water make-up to combine with the source water and to result in the desired chemical and nutritional mix. The nutritional formulation and the source water are then combined and placed within a hydroponic pond. 
     According to a second aspect of the method of the present disclosure, a computational system is provided that monitors the state of a hydroponic environment and directs input modules as programmed and in order to sponsor plant growth, plant quality, and volume of plant yield. The computational system (hereinafter, “control system”) may optionally include sensors that monitor one or more environmental parameters, to include pond water temperature, electrical conductivity of the pond water, pond water salinity, oxygen concentration of the pond water, pH of the pond water, ambient air temperature, ambient air humidity, and/or sunlight energy intensity. In certain embodiments of the method of the present disclosure, salinity is indirectly measured by measuring the electrical conductivity of the pond water. 
     The control system may optionally include one or more input modules that dispense or mitigate oxygen concentration of the pond water, nutritional additives, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, and/or other suitable acidic material known in the art. The system may optionally include an input material having a base pH input material, such as potassium hydroxide and/or other suitable acidic material known in the art. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the control system may include a shading system that controllably shields the pond water and ambient air volume from sunlight. Still additionally or alternately, the control system may include motorized fans that enable control or mitigation of air flow into the pond environment and/or air flow away from the pond environment. 
     According to a third optional aspect of the method, a hydroponic pond is provided that has a depth in an approximate range from 18 inches to 36 inches. This depth of pond water provides a volume of water that increases thermal stability of the hydroponic pond. 
     According to a fourth optional aspect of the method, a substantially hemispheric dome is provided that substantially shields and covers one or more hydroponic ponds and may further enclose an additional growth area for additional plants, such as vines. 
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety and for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     Such incorporations include U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,459 titled “Hydroponic plant nutrient circulation/distribution system”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,818,916 titled “pH buffered plant nutrient compositions and methods for growing plants”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,291 titled “Water treating method, water treating apparatus, and hydroponics system using the apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,691 titled “Hydroponics plant cultivation assembly for diverse sizes of pots and plants”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,910 titled “Ornamental pond”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,173 titled “Hydroponic growing station with intermittent nutrient supply”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,852 titled “Bioconverted nutrient rich humus”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,294 titled “Hydroponic growth system”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,708 titled “Hydroculture crop production system”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,233 titled “Hydroponic apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,844 titled “Hydroponic gardening method and system”. 
     In addition, each and all publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent in their entirety and for all purposes as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The publications discussed or mentioned herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosure is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       These, and further features of the disclosure, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting embodiments, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a process chart of the first aspect of the method of the present disclosure, wherein a nutritional formulation is developed in view of a source water make-up to combine with the source water to result in a desired chemical and nutritional mix; 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view of a hydroponic pond system, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic diagram of aspects of the hydroponic system of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cut-away side view of the hydroponic pond system of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic of a control system that is applicable to manage parameters of the hydroponic system of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a partial schematic of the hydroponic system of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , and presents aspects of the control system of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  is a partial schematic of the hydroponic system of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , and presents alternative and additional aspects of the control system of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5  is a first control loop applied by the control system of  FIG. 4A  to maintain an oxygen level in the pond water above six parts per million; 
         FIG. 6A  is a second control loop applied by the control system of  FIG. 4A  to maintain a pH level in the pond water below a preselected value; 
         FIG. 6B  is a third control loop applied by the control system of  FIG. 4A  to maintain a pH level in the pond water above a preselected value; 
         FIG. 7  is a fourth control loop applied by the control system of  FIG. 4A  to maintain a salinity of the pond water below a preselected salinity value; 
         FIG. 8  is a fifth control loop applied by the control system of  FIG. 4A  to maintain the humidity of the ambient air of the hydroponic pond system below a preselected value; 
         FIG. 9  is a sixth control loop applied by the control system of  FIG. 4A  to maintain the temperature of the ambient air of the hydroponic pond system below a preselected value; 
         FIG. 10  is a seventh control loop applied by the control system of  FIG. 4A  to maintain the carbon dioxide of the ambient air of the hydroponic pond system above a preselected value; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a second system comprising a hemispheric dome and two hydroponic tanks; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of a second system of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an isolated and detailed top view of aspects of the second system and hemispheric dome  FIGS. 11 and 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a detailed top view of selected optional aspects of the air line lengths and gas emitters of the hydroponic pond system of  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  3 ; and 
         FIG. 15  is a detailed top view of yet other selected optional aspects of the system of floating sheets of material that support the plants of  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  3 , and  14 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular aspects of described embodiments, as embodiments may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims. 
     Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the recited order of events. 
     Where a range of values is provided herein, the range is inclusive of upper and lower values and any intermediate values therebetween. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, the methods and materials are now described. 
     It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a source water  2  is examined to determine its chemical and biochemical make-up. In step  1 . 02  a desirable mixture of concentrations of nutrients and other inputs relative to a source water volume is determined or selected. The chemical make-up of the source water  2  is then analyzed in step  1 . 04  and its constituents and their concentrations within the a sample volume of the source water  2  is documented in step  1 . 04 . 
     This analysis of the source water  2  is then compared in step  1 . 06  with the desired chemical and nutritional mix that are provided to plants  4  in a hydroponic pond  6 , and the complementary formulation  8  of chemical and optionally biochemical constituents is derived and developed in view of the results of the source water analysis of step  1 . 04 . Optionally or additionally, a desired rate of input into the hydroponic pond  6  of one or more components of the complementary formulation  8  may also be determined in step  1 . 06 . 
     The complementary formulation  8  is mixed and combined with the source water  2  in step  1 . 08  with the intent to provide a chemical and biochemical mixture that would be conducive to the growth of plants  4  selected to be nurtured in the hydroponic pond  6 , optionally or additionally in accordance with a desired rate of input of the complementary formulation  8 , or individual components thereof, in light of the volume of water  2  contained within the hydroponic pond  6 . The complementary formulation  8  and the source water  2  are then combined and placed within the hydroponic pond  6  in relative volumes and amounts to result in the desired and intended concentrations of nutrients and other inputs in solution with the source water  2 . The chemistry and physical parameters of the hydroponic pond  6 , e.g., temperature, pH, and salinity, of the hydroponic pond  6  are monitored in repeated executions of step  1 . 10 , and the individual components of the complementary formulation  8  are input into the hydroponic pond  6  in iterative executions of step  1 . 08  in order to maintain a stable or desirably dynamic physical state of the hydroponic pond  6 . It is understood that additional inputs may be introduced into the source water  2  that are not included in the original complementary formulation  8  in one or more successive executions of step  1 . 08 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a top view of a hydroponic pond system  10 . The pond system  10  includes (a.) a pond tank  12  (hereinafter, “tank”  12 ) having an external frame  12 A and an internal liner  12 B, wherein the liner  12 B is impermeable to water; (b.) a volume of pond water  16  that comprises a volume of source water  2 , the complementary formulation  8  and a plurality of plants  4 ; and (c.) a control system  18 . The tank  12  has an internal length of the liner  12 B in the range of 78 to 100 feet along an X axis, and an internal width of the liner in the range of 24 to 48 feet along a Y axis, wherein the Y axis is orthogonal to the X axis, and the X axis and the Y axis define a plane that is substantially parallel to the Earth&#39;s surface. 
     The tank may be or comprise a FOLDING FRAME TANK™ structure as marketed by Portable Tank Group of Sebastian, Fla., or other suitable fluid containing structure known in the art. The frame  12 A may be or comprise aluminum and/or other suitable rigid material known in the art, and the liner  12 B may be or comprise heavy duty vinyl standard  22 , heavy duty vinyl standard  28 , and/or other suitable water containment material known in the art. 
     The tank additionally, optionally or alternatively includes one or more of the following elements: A control system water intake pipe and valve  18 A (hereinafter, “control intake pipe”  18 A) comprising 2.0 inch Polyvinyl Chloride (hereinafter, “PVC”) schedule  40  fluid pipe that accepts samples of pond water  16  from within the tank  12  at sampling port  18 A. 1  and delivers the samples of pond water  16  to the control system  18 , wherein the sampling port  18 A. 1  is positioned to be submerged within the pond water  16  when the hydroponic system  10  is growing plants  4 ; A control system water outflow pipe  18 B (hereinafter, “control outflow pipe”  18 B) comprising size 2.0 inch PVC schedule  40  fluid pipe and having a nutrient port  18 B. 1  from which inputs, including nutrients, are delivered from the control system  18  and into the pond water  16 , wherein the nutrient port  18 B. 1  is located distally from the sampling port  18 A. 1  at a distance greater than one half of the width or length of the tank  12 , and wherein the nutrient port  18 B. 1  is positioned to be submerged within the pond water  16  when the hydroponic system  10  is growing plants  4 ; A main air line  20  of ¾″ outer diameter air pipe that delivers releases compressed air into air line lengths  22  and runs along a perimeter of the pond liner  12 A and within the tank  12 , wherein the air line lengths  22  are positioned to be submerged within the pond water  16  when the hydroponic system  10  is growing plants  4 ; A plurality of additional air line lengths  22  comprising tubing having a ¾″ outer diameter and located at intervals of 8 feet or closer within the liner  12 B, wherein the air line lengths  22  are coupled to, and receive compressed air from, the main air line  20 , and the air line lengths  22  are positioned to be submerged within the pond water  16  when the hydroponic system  10  is growing plants  4 ; A plurality of air releasing and pressure compensating emitters  24  inserted in the range of every 36″ into the air line lengths  22 , or with 18″ spacing plus or minus 2 inches, wherein each air releasing emitter  24  may be or comprise a WOODPECKER JR™ part number DNJR12 one half gallon per hour pressure compensation air emitter as marketed by DripWorks, Inc. of Willits, Calif. or other suitable gas emitter device that is adapted to prevent pond water  16  backflow into the air line lengths  22  and therefrom into the main air line  20  when there is insufficient air pressure within the air line  20 . 
       FIG. 2B  is a detailed schematic of the hydroponic pond system  10  and presents the following optional features: T fixtures  26  that hermetically join each air line length  22  to the main air line  20  and enable gas and air to flow freely between the air line  20  and the air line lengths  22 ; A source water channel  28  that provides a pathway for source water  2  into the tank  12  as enabled by a fluid pump module  30 ; A drain channel  32  that provides an exit pathway of pond water  16  from the tank  12  as enabled by the fluid pump module and into a drain  34 ; The fluid pump module  30  bi-directionally that is controlled by and communicatively coupled with the control system  18 , wherein the fluid pump module  30  as directed by the control system  18 , alternately (a.) simultaneously prevents or inhibits both source water  2  from entering the tank  12  via the source water channel  28  and pond water  16  from exiting the tank  12 ; (b.) pumps source water  2  into the tank  16 ; and pumps pond water  16  from the tank  12  and into the drain  32 ; and An air channel  36  adapted to provide from a compressed air source  38  pressurized air  38 A and/or a gas  38 B containing oxygen to the air line  20  as alternately enabled and disabled by a gas valve module, wherein the gas valve module is controlled and directed by, and bi-directionally communicatively coupled, with the control system  18 , wherein the compressed air source  38  may be or comprise an EASY PRO™ diaphragm compressor air pump as marketed by Gast Manufacturing, Inc. of Benton Harbor, Mich., or other suitable source of compressed gas containing oxygen known in the art. 
       FIG. 3  is a cut away side view of the hydroponic system  10 . Each air line length  22  is positioned to be submerged by the pond water  16  within the tank  12  and is adapted to release oxygen from below a top surface  16 T of the pond water  16 ; and is optionally adapted to release oxygen within a distance of one inch or less from an internal bottom surface  12 C of the liner  14 . A plurality of liner side walls  12 D extend along the Z axis and alternately along the A axis and Y axis to form side walls of the tank  12  and the hydroponic system  10 . The pond water top surface  16 T is in direct contact with an ambient air volume AA. 
     The depth dimension of the pond water  16  extends along a Z axis and from the pond water top surface  16 T of the pond water  16  to the internal bottom surface  12 C of the liner  14 . The Z axis is orthogonal to the X-Y plane as disclosed in  FIG. 2A . It is further understood that the internal liner bottom surface  12 C is in contact with the pond water  16  whereby the liner  12 B functions as an impermeable barrier and supports retaining the pond water  16  within the tank  12 . The depth dimension of the pond water  16  is in the range of from approximately 18 inches to approximately 36 inches. Presenting a depth dimension between approximately 18 inches+/−two inches to approximately 36 inches+/−two inches teaches against the prior art, wherein depths of less than two inches are taught to be preferable as reducing the amount of inputs required, and depths of greater than 36 inches are taught to maximize the resulting growth of plants  4 . The disclosed embodiments having the range of 18 inches+/−two inches to approximately 36 inches+/−two inches both encourages superior growth and plant yields while lowering energy consumption, operational costs, inputs of formulation  8  and components thereof, and other inputs. 
     An air port  42  of the air line  20  enables the air channel to hermetically couple with the air channel  36  and thereby accept air  38 A or oxygenated gas  38 B from the compressed air source  38  as enabled by the gas valve module  40 . A source port  44  enables a hermetic seal with the source water channel  28  and permits source water  2  to enter the tank  12  as alternately enabled and disabled by the fluid pump module  30 . A drain port  46  enables a hermetic seal with the drain channel  32  and permits pond water  16  to exit the tank  12  as alternately enabled and disabled by the fluid pump module  30 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a schematic of the control system  18  that is applicable to the hydroponic system  10  of  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  3 . The control system  18  includes a processor C 1  (hereinafter, “processor” C 1 ”) that may be or comprise (a.) an internet-enabled mobile communications device; (b.) a VAIO FS8900™ notebook computer marketed by Sony Corporation of America, of New York City, N.Y., (c.) a SUN SPARCSERVER computer workstation marketed by Sun Microsystems of Santa Clara, Calif. running LINUX or UNIX operating system; (d.) a personal computer configured for running WINDOWS XP™ operating system marketed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.; (e.) a PowerBook G4™ personal computer as marketed by Apple Computer of Cupertino, Calif.; (f.) an Alienware M17x™ personal computer as marketed by the Dell Corporation; (g.) a Macbook Pro™ personal computer as marketed by Apple Computer of Cupertino, Calif.; or (h.) an internet enabled desktop computer; (h.) an iPad™ touch screen tablet personal computer as marketed by Apple Computer of Cupertino, Calif.; or (j) other suitable computational device adapted to receive and render digitized video data known in the art. 
     A plurality of sensors S 1  through S 9  are communicatively coupled with the control system  18 . The plurality of sensors may be or comprise a water electrical conductivity sensor S 1 ; a water pH sensor S 2 ; a water temperature sensor S 3 ; a sensor S 4  of dissolved oxygen concentration of the pond water  16 ; an ambient air temperature sensor S 5 , an ambient air humidity sensor S 6 , an ambient air carbon dioxide sensor S 7 , an external air humidity sensor S 8  and an external air temperature sensor S 9 . 
     The control system  18  may optionally include a plurality of input modules M 1  through M 8  including an oxygen module M 1  that controllably delivers oxygen to the main air line  20  and air line lengths  22 , a nutritional additive dispenser module M 2 , an acidic agent dispenser M 3 A and/or a base material dispenser M 3 B. The acidic agent dispenser M 3 A may controllably dispense sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, and/or other suitable acidic agent into the pond water  16  to reduce the pH of the pond water  16 . The base material dispenser M 3 B may controllably dispense potassium hydroxide and/or other suitable base material into the pond water  16  to raise the pH of the pond water  16 . 
     It is understood that the pH sensor S 2  and the acid and base modules M 3 A &amp; M 3 B may be separate devices, or may be an integrated device, such as a BL 7916™ pH controller and chemical dosing pump as marketed by Hanna Instruments, Inc., of Woonsocket, R.I., or other suitable pH sensing, controlling and chemical dosing pumps known in the art, including integrated and functionally separated distributed pH sensors S 2 , and controlling and chemical dosing modules M 3 A &amp; M 3 B. For example, the pH sensor S 2  may be or comprise an HI 1286™ electrode pH indicator as marketed by Hanna Instruments, Inc., of Woonsocket, R.I., or other suitable pH sensor known in the art. 
     Optionally, the controller system may include an HI 2500™ mini-controller fertigation system as marketed by Hanna Instruments, Inc., of Woonsocket, R.I., to provide the functions of sensing and controlling the pH, salinity and electrical conduction properties of the pond water  16 . 
     Additionally or alternatively, the control system  18  may include a shading system M 4  that controllably shields the pond water  16  and the ambient air volume AA from sunlight. Still additionally or alternately the control system  18  may include one or more motorized fans M 5  that enable control or mitigation (a.) of air flow into the pond environment; and/or (b.) air flow away from the pond environment. Still additionally or alternatively, the control system  18  may include a carbon dioxide module M 6  that controllably releases carbon dioxide gas into the ambient air volume AA of the hydroponic pond system  10 . Yet additionally or alternatively, the control system  18  may include an external air temperature and external air humidity sensor module M 7 ; and a control system pump module M 8 . An electrical power source μl optionally provides electrical power to one or more control system elements C 1 -C 3 , M 1 -M 8  &amp; S 1 -S 9  through an internal communications and power bus C 1  (hereinafter, “bus” C 2 ) or through one or more additional or alternate electrically conductive lines (not shown). 
     The sensors S 1  through S 9  and the input modules M 1  through M 8  are communicatively coupled to the processor C 1  via the bus C 2 . A network interface module C 3  communicatively couples the processor C 1  via the control system internal communications bus C 2  to the internet and/or other suitable electronics communications networks known in the art. 
       FIG. 4B  is a schematic diagram of aspects the control system  18  and the hydroponic system  10 . The processor C 1  is illustrated to include a central processing unit C 1  that is bidirectionally coupled with a processor memory C 1 M, wherein the processor memory C 1 M includes a system software SW. 1 . The system software SW. 1  includes software encoded instructions that direct the central processing unit C 1  to execute or instantiate the aspects of methods disclosed herein. The control system motorized pump module M 8  causes pond water  16  to flow through a control system pipe  18 C, wherein the pond system pipe comprises the intake pipe  18 A and the out take pipe  18 B and whereby pond water  16  is circulated through the tank  12  and the control system pipe  18 C. A water filter  18 D is positioned within the control system pipe  18 C to filter the pond water  16  prior to the pond water contacting sensors S 1 -S 4  or modules M 2 , M 3 A &amp; M 3 A within the control system pipe  18 C. The water filter  18 D may be or comprise an S17A™ water purifier as marketed by Sanitron Industries PTE LTD of Singapore or other suitable water filtration products known in the art. 
     Selected sensors S 1 -S 4  are inserted into the control system pipe  16 C and making contact with the pond water  16  therein. Selected modules M 2 , M 3 A &amp; M 3 B are additionally inserted into the control system pipe  18 C whereby the inserted modules  18 C may deliver the nutrient composition  8 , acidic agents A 1  and base materials B 1  into the pond water  16 . 
       FIG. 4C  is a schematic diagram of aspects the control system  18  and the hydroponic system  10 . Selected sensors S 5 , S 6  &amp; S 7  and modules M 4  &amp; M 6  are shown to be exposed to the ambient air AA proximate to the pond water top surface  16 T and other selected sensors S 8  &amp; S 9  and modules M 4  &amp; M 5  are shown to be exposed to the environment external to the system  10  and the ambient air AA. In additional, selected sensors S 1 -S 4  are shown to be submerged in the pond water and within the tank  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 5  illustrates a first control loop whereby the hydroponic system  10  maintains an oxygen level in the pond water  16  above a selected lower concentration level of six parts per million and below an upper concentration of ten parts per million. It is understood that methods may be applied to support maintenance of an alternate range of oxygen concentration level in the pond water  16 . 
     The processor C 1  polls the dissolved oxygen sensor S 4  in step  5 . 02  to generate a measurement of a current oxygen concentration of the pond water  16 . The dissolved oxygen sensor S 4  may be or comprise an HI 76407/10™ standard dissolved oxygen probe as marketed by Hanna Instruments, Inc., of Woonsocket, R.I., or other suitable dissolved oxygen probes known in the art. The processor C 1  determines in step  5 . 04  whether the oxygen concentration measurement most recently received measurement from the oxygen concentration sensor S 4  indicates that the oxygen concentration level of the pond water  16  is currently less than six parts per million. When the processor C 1  determines in step  5 . 04  that the oxygen concentration measurement most recently received measurement from the oxygen concentration sensor S 4  indicates that the oxygen concentration level of the pond water  16  is currently less than six parts per million, the control system  18  proceeds on to step  5 . 06  and to apply the oxygen module M 1  to controllably deliver oxygen to the pond water  16  via the main air line  26  and the air line lengths  28  by energizing the gas valve module  40  to deliver compressed gas to the main air line  26 . A wait step  5 . 08  is disposed in between step  5 . 06  and step  5 . 02  wherein the processor C 1  is available to perform alternate operations. 
     When the processor C 1  determines in step  5 . 04  that the oxygen concentration measurement most recently received measurement from the oxygen concentration sensor S 4  indicates that the oxygen concentration level of the pond water  16  is not currently less than six parts per million, the control system  18  proceeds on to step  5 . 10  and to determine whether the oxygen concentration of the pond water  16  is currently greater than ten parts per million. When the processor C 1  determines in step  5 . 10  that the oxygen concentration of the pond water  16  is currently greater than ten parts per million, the control system  18  proceeds to step  5 . 12  and to activate the fluid pump module  30  to pump pond water  16  out of the tank  16  and to simultaneously pump source water  2  into the tank  12 . The control system  18  optionally issue an alert of excessive oxygen concentration via the network interface C 2  in step  5 . 13  of the excessive oxygen concentration level detected in step  5 . 10 . Alternatively, when the processor C 1  determines in step  5 . 10  that the oxygen concentration of the pond water  16  is currently not greater than ten parts per million, the control system  18  proceeds from step  5 . 10  to step  5 . 14  and thereupon to determine whether the hydroponic system  10  shall (a.) process another iteration of the loop of steps  5 . 102  through  5 . 16 , or (b.) proceed on to step  5 . 18  and to perform alternate operations. A wait step  5 . 16  is disposed in between step  5 . 14  and step  5 . 02  wherein the processor C 1  is available to perform alternate operations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6A  illustrates a second control loop whereby the hydroponic system  10  maintains a pH level in the pond water  16  above a preselected level, e.g., a pH of 5. It is understood that methods may be applied to support maintenance of an alternate pH range in the pond water  16 . 
     The processor polls the pH sensor S 2  in step  6 . 02  to generate measurement of a current pH level of the pond water  16 . The processor C 1  next determines in step  6 . 04  whether the pH most recently received measurement from the pH sensor S 2  indicates that the pH level of the pond water  16  is currently higher than the selected level. When the processor C 1  determines in step  6 . 04  that the pH most recently received measurement from the pH sensor S 2  indicates that the pH level of the pond water  16  is currently higher than the selected level, the control system  18  proceeds on to step  6 . 06  and to apply the acidic agent module M 3 A to controllably deliver an acidic agent A 1  to the pond water  16  and to reduce the pH of the pond water  16 . A wait step  6 . 08  is disposed in between step  6 . 06  and step  6 . 02  wherein the processor C 1  is available to perform alternate operations. 
     When the processor C 1  determines in step  6 . 04  that the pH most recently received measurement from the pH sensor S 2  indicates that the pH level of the pond water  16  is not currently higher than the selected pH level, the control system  18  proceeds on to step  6 . 10  and to determine whether the hydroponic system  10  shall (a.) process another iteration of the loop of steps  6 . 02  through  6 . 12 , or (b.) proceed on to step  6 . 14  and to perform alternate operations. A wait step  6 . 12  is disposed in between step  6 . 10  and step  6 . 02  wherein the processor C 1  is available to perform alternate operations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6B ,  FIG. 6B  illustrates a third control loop whereby the hydroponic system  10  maintains a pH level in the pond water  16  above a lower preselected pH level, e.g., a pH of 4.9. It is understood that methods may be applied to support maintenance of an alternate pH range in the pond water  16 B. 
     The processor polls the pH sensor S 2  in step  6 B. 02  to generate measurement of a current pH of the pond water  16 B. The processor C 1  then determines in step  6 B. 04  whether the pH most recently received measurement from the pH sensor S 2  indicates that the pH level of the pond water  16  is currently lower than the lower preselected pH level. When the processor C 1  determines in step  6 B. 04  that the pH most recently received measurement from the pH sensor S 2  indicates that the pH level of the pond water  16  is currently lower than the lower preselected pH level, the control system  18  proceeds on to step  6 B. 06  and to apply the base material module M 3 B to controllably deliver a base material B 1  to the pond water  16  to raise the pH of the pond water  16 B. A wait step  6 B. 08  is disposed in between step  6 B. 06  and step  6 B. 02  wherein the processor C 1  is available to perform alternate operations. 
     When the processor C 1  determines in step  6 B. 04  that the pH most recently received measurement from the pH sensor S 2  indicates that the pH level of the pond water  16  is not currently lower than the lower preselected level, the control system  18  proceeds on to step  6 B. 10  and to determine whether the hydroponic system  10  shall (a.) process another iteration of the loop of steps  6 B. 02  through  6 B. 12 , or (b.) proceed on to step  6 B. 14  and to perform alternate operations. A wait step  6 B. 12  is disposed in between step  6 B. 10  and step  6 B. 02  wherein the processor C 1  is available to perform alternate operations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 7  illustrates a first electrical conductivity (“EC”) control loop whereby the hydroponic system  10  is adapted to attempt to maintain a salinity of the pond water  16  within a predetermined range. It is understood that methods may be applied to support maintenance of an alternate salinity range of the pond water  16 . 
     It is understood that electrical conductivity is a measure of salinity of the pond water, and further that salinity is an indication of a concentration of the formulation  8  in the pond water  16 . If the electrical conductivity is too low for a given set point, the control system  18  will add formulation  8  from the nutritional additive dispenser module M 2 , wherein the formulation  8  may contain any, some or all of a predetermined assortment of any of 23 minerals and nutrients known in the art. A typical range of electrical conductivity measurements of the EC sensor S 1  might be from, or include, 1.5 Siemens/meter to 4.0 Siemens/meter. In rare cases it could be outside these parameters. If the electrical conductivity measurement of the EC sensor S 1  is too high, than the system  10  adds source water  2  to the tank  12  and/or an alarm and shut down procedure will start for the irrigation system to prevent extreme salty water to be delivered to the plants. 
     The processor polls the EC sensor S 1  in step  7 . 02  to generate a measurement of a current EC level of the pond water  16 . The processor C 1  next determines in step  7 . 04  whether the EC measurement most recently received measurement from the EC sensor S 1  indicates that the EC level of the pond water  16  is currently below a lower EC limit. When the processor C 1  determines in step  7 . 04  that the EC measurement most recently received measurement from the EC sensor S 1  indicates that the EC level of the pond water  16  is currently less than the lower EC limit, e.g., the control system  18  proceeds on to step  7 . 06  and to instruct the nutritional additive dispenser module M 2  to controllably deliver the nutritional additive dispenser module M 2  to the pond water  16 . A wait step  7 . 08  is disposed in between step  7 . 06  and step  7 . 02  wherein the processor C 1  is available to perform alternate operations. 
     When the processor C 1  determines in step  7 . 04  that the EC measurement most recently received measurement from the EC sensor S 1  indicates that the EC level of the pond water  16  is not currently less than the lower EC limit, the control system  18  proceeds on to step  7 . 10  and to determine whether the EC of the pond water  16  is currently greater than an upper EC limit. When the processor C 1  determines in step  7 . 10  that the EC of the pond water  16  is currently greater than the upper EC limit, e.g., 4.0 Siemens/meter, the control system  18  proceeds to step  7 . 12  and to activate the fluid pump module  30  to pump pond water  16  out of the tank  16  and to simultaneously pump source water  2  into the tank  12 . The control system  18  optionally issue an alert of excessive salinity via the network interface C 2  in step  7 . 13  of the excessive EC level, e.g., above 4.0 Siemens/meter, detected in step  7 . 10 . Alternatively, when the processor C 1  determines in step  7 . 10  that the EC of the pond water  16  is currently not greater than the upper EC limit, the control system  18  proceeds from step  7 . 10  to step  7 . 14  and thereupon to determine whether the hydroponic system  10  shall (a.) process another iteration of the loop of steps  7 . 102  through  7 . 16 , or (b.) proceed on to step  7 . 18  and to perform alternate operations. A wait step  7 . 16  is disposed in between step  7 . 14  and step  7 . 02  wherein the processor C 1  is available to perform alternate operations. 
     As noted previously herein, the controller system may optionally include an HI 2500™ mini-controller fertigation system as marketed by Hanna Instruments, Inc., of Woonsocket, R.I., to provide the functions of sensing and controlling the pH, salinity and electrical conduction properties of the pond water  16 . Alternatively, the EC sensor S 1  may be or comprise a HI 76300 ™ four-ring platinum conductivity probe as marketed by Hanna Instruments, Inc., of Woonsocket, R.I., or other suitable electrical conductivity sensor known in the art. The nutritional additive dispenser module M 2  may be or comprise BL 7917 ORP™ controller and chemical dosing pump as marketed by Hanna Instruments, Inc., of Woonsocket, R.I., or other suitable plant nutrient dosing device known in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 8  includes a fifth control loop applied by the control system  18  of  FIG. 4  to maintain the humidity of the ambient air volume AA of the hydroponic pond system  10  below a preselected humidity value. The control system  18  monitors both a data output of the air humidity sensor S 6  and the external air humidity sensor S 8  to determine when and how to direct one or more motorized fan modules M 5  to transfer air to or from the ambient air volume AA of the hydroponic pond system  10  in order to maintain air humidity of the ambient air volume AA proximate to the pond water  16  below the preselected humidity value. 
     The processor C 1  polls the humidity sensor S 6  in step  8 . 02  to generate a measurement of a current humidity measurement of the ambient air volume AA proximate to the pond water  16 . The processor C 1  the determines in step  8 . 04  whether the air humidity value of the most recently received measurement from the humidity sensor S 6  indicates that the level of air humidity of the ambient air volume AA proximate to the pond water  16  is higher the preselected humidity value. When the processor C 1  determines in step  8 . 04  that the humidity most recently received measurement from the humidity sensor S 6  indicates that the air humidity level of the air volume AA proximate to the pond water  16  is currently higher than the preselected humidity value, the control system  18  proceeds on to step  8 . 06  and to activate one or more motorized fan modules M 5 . A wait step  8 . 08  is disposed in between step  8 . 06  and step  8 . 02  wherein the processor C 1  is available to perform alternate operations. 
     When the processor C 1  determines in step  8 . 04  that the humidity most recently received measurement from the humidity sensor S 6  indicates that the humidity level of ambient air AA proximate to the pond water  16  is not currently higher than the preselected humidity value, the control system  18  proceeds on to step  8 . 10  and to determine whether the hydroponic system  10  shall (a.) process another iteration of the loop of steps  8 . 02  through  8 . 12 , or (b.) proceed on to step  8 . 14  and to perform alternate operations. A wait step  8 . 12  is disposed in between step  8 . 10  and step  8 . 02  wherein the processor C 1  is available to perform alternate operations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 9  is a sixth control loop applied by the control system  18  to maintain the temperature of the ambient air volume AA of the hydroponic pond system  10  below a preselected temperature value. The control system  18  monitors both a data output of the air temperature sensor S 5  and a data output of the external air temperature S 9  to determine when and how to direct one or more motorized fan modules M 5  to transfer air to or from the ambient air volume AA of the hydroponic pond system  10  in order to maintain air temperature of the air volume AA proximate to the pond water  16  below the preselected temperature value. 
     The processor C 1  polls the temperature sensor S 5  in step  9 . 02  to generate a measurement of a current temperature measurement of the ambient air volume AA proximate to the pond water  16 . The processor C 1  then determines in step  9 . 04  whether the air temperature most recently received measurement from the temperature sensor S 5  indicates that the level of air temperature of the air volume AA proximate to the pond water  16  is higher the preselected temperature value. When the processor C 1  determines in step  9 . 04  that the temperature most recently received measurement from the temperature sensor S 5  indicates that the air temperature level of the air volume AA proximate to the pond water  16  is currently higher than the preselected temperature value, the control system  18  proceeds on to step  9 . 06  and to activate one or more motorized fan modules M 5 . A wait step  9 . 08  is disposed in between step  9 . 06  and step  9 . 02  wherein the processor C 1  is available to perform alternate operations. 
     When the processor C 1  determines in step  9 . 04  that the temperature most recently received measurement from the temperature sensor S 5  indicates that the temperature level of air proximate to the pond water  16  is not currently higher than the preselected temperature value, the control system  18  proceeds on to step  9 . 10  and to determine whether the hydroponic system  10  shall (a.) process another iteration of the loop of steps  9 . 02  through  9 . 12 , or (b.) proceed on to step  9 . 14  and to perform alternate operations. A wait step  9 . 12  is disposed in between step  9 . 10  and step  9 . 02  wherein the processor C 1  is available to perform alternate operations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 10  is a seventh control loop applied by the control system  18  to maintain a carbon dioxide concentration level of the ambient air volume AA of the hydroponic pond system  10  above a preselected carbon dioxide concentration value. The control system  18  monitors a data output of the carbon dioxide concentration sensor S 7  to determine whether the carbon dioxide concentration of the air volume AA proximate to the pond water  16  is above a preselected carbon dioxide level. 
     The processor C 1  polls the carbon dioxide concentration sensor S 7  in step  10 . 02  to generate a measurement of a current temperature measurement of the ambient air volume AA environment of the pond water  16 . The processor C 1  the determines in step  10 . 04  whether the air temperature most recently received measurement from the carbon dioxide concentration sensor S 7  indicates that the carbon dioxide concentration of the air volume AA proximate to the pond water  16  is higher than the preselected carbon dioxide concentration level. When the processor C 1  determines in step  10 . 04  that the carbon dioxide concentration measurement of the most recently received measurement from the carbon dioxide concentration sensor S 7  indicates that the carbon dioxide concentration level of the air proximate to the pond water  16  is currently higher than the preselected carbon dioxide concentration level, the control system  18  proceeds on to step  10 . 06  and to activate the carbon dioxide  48  of the controller carbon dioxide module M 6  to release gaseous carbon dioxide  50  to the air volume AA proximate to the pond water  16 . A wait step  10 . 08  is disposed in between step  10 . 06  and step  10 . 02  wherein the processor C 1  is available to perform alternate operations. 
     When the processor C 1  determines in step  10 . 04  that the carbon dioxide concentration measurement of the most recently received measurement from the carbon dioxide concentration sensor S 7  indicates that the temperature level of air proximate to the pond water  16  is not currently lower than the preselected carbon dioxide concentration value, the control system  18  proceeds on to step  10 . 10  and to determine whether the hydroponic system  10  shall (a.) process another iteration of the loop of steps  10 . 02  through  10 . 12 , or (b.) proceed on to step  10 . 14  and to perform alternate operations. A wait step  10 . 12  is disposed in between step  10 . 10  and step  10 . 02  wherein the processor C 1  is available to perform alternate operations. 
       FIG. 11  is a cut away side view of a second embodiment of the present disclosure  52  (hereinafter, “second system”  52 , a hemispheric dome  54  having a radius R substantially encloses two hydroponic ponds  56  &amp;  58  and the ambient air volume AA. The dome may be or comprise a GREENHOUSE DOME™ as marketed by Pacific Domes, Inc. of Ashland Oreg. or other suitable sheltering system known in the art. 
     The two hydroponic ponds  56  &amp;  58  are shaped and positioned to allow an access pathway  60 . The pathway  60  has a width dimension that is in the range of from two feet to one third of the radius R. Each hydroponic pond  56  &amp;  58  has a maximum width dimension Y 2  &amp; Y 3  of one third of the radius R and less than 8 feet to enable access to plants  4 . 
     It is understood that the pathway  60  may at least partly be populated with additional plants, such as vine plants  62 . One or more vine plants  62 , or other plants, located within the pathway  60  may be watered by means of drip irrigation delivery of source water  2  and/or pond water  16 . 
       FIG. 12  is a cut-away top view of the second system  52 . It is understood that either the second pond  56  or the third pond  58  may be divided into two or more compartments  56 A &amp;  56 B, wherein each compartment  58 A &amp;  58 B may have isolated pond water  16  and dedicated or shared control systems  18 . It is understood that selected sensors S 8  &amp; S 9  may be positioned outside of the dome  54 . It is further understood that still other sensors S 5  &amp; S 6  may be positioned within the ambient air volume AA enclosed within the dome  54 . 
       FIG. 13  is an isolated top view of the dome  54  of the second system  52 . A hoop door aperture  54 A enables worker access to the pathway  60 . One or more solar fans  54 B are comprised with fan modules M 5  and convert solar energy into electrical energy to at least partially power the fan modules M 5 . One or more fabric roll-up sheets  54 C enable varying sizing of apertures that enable air exchange between the ambient air volume AA and the environment external to the dome  54 . 
       FIG. 14  is a detailed top view of selected optional aspects of the system  10 . Two or a plurality of air emitters  24  are coupled with each air line length  22  and are spaced along its coupled air line length  22  at displacements in the range of from 12 inches to 36 inches away from any nearest other emitter  24 . In some embodiments, each emitter  24  is positioned in the range of from 12 inches to 36 inches from both any liner side wall  12  D and any other emitter  24 . 
     A buoyant sheet  66  supports a plurality of plants  4 , wherein a root structure  68  of each plant  4  may extend through the buoyant sheet  66  and toward the liner bottom  12 C. 
       FIG. 15  is a detailed top view of yet other selected optional aspects of the system  10 , wherein a plurality of buoyant sheets  66  float upon the pond water  16  proximate to the pond water top surface  16 T. Each sheet  66  includes one or more apertures  68  that enable each plant  4  to pass through the sheet  66  supporting the instant plant  4  and further enable the root structure  68  of each buoyantly supported plant  4  to from the top surface  16 T and toward the liner bottom  12 C, as shown in  FIG. 3 . One or more sheets  66  are made of, or comprise, buoyant material, such as polystyrene, or other suitable buoyant materials known in the art, and may be shaped in various dimensions, such as between one and two inches thick along the Z-axis and having a length and width of approximately two feet by four feet. 
     The sheets  66  in combination generally extend over more than 90% of the top pond surface  16 T. In some embodiments, the sheets  66  in combination generally extend over more than 99% of the top pond surface  16 T, in order to lessen encouragement of growth of algae or any other undesired organism in the pond water  16 . The sheets  66  may be removed from contact with the pond top surface  16 T either individually or in subsets of sheets  66 , whereby the time of exposure and exposed surface area of the top pond surface are reduced or minimized in order to reduce or minimize the encouragement of algae growth or other undesired organisms in the pond water  16 . 
     It will be understood by skilled persons that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8