One of my security guards protecting the hydroponic gardens from unwanted pests.
Click on the above image to access my PhotoShelter gallery with the individual images in the following slideshow.
Daily Electric Energy Used (76.9 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (33.3 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. The sun returned. A deficit of 43.6 kWh.
Weekly Electric Energy Used (597 kWh) from Sense and Weekly Solar Electric Energy Produced (225 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. The sun returned. A deficit of 372 kWh.
It has been 5 days since the last AeroGarden hydroponic farm update. Many sprouts from the seeds planted seven days ago. Harvested a few more small yellow tomatoes, two zucchini, and several strawberries. All of the auxiliary water bottles needed to be refilled.
AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato plants at 128 days. Manually pollinating the tiny yellow flowers. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.33 and the TDS was 333 ppm. Added 24 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 0.5 mL of buffer up.
AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato Plants (128 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 01-Right. Various “edible” flowers (Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula) at 128 days. Trimmed and pruned the dead flowers and leaves. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.62 and TDS was 244 ppm. Added 24 mL Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL buffer up pH adjustment.
AeroGarden Farm 01-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula (128 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 02-Left. Pepper plants at 127 days. The pepper plants are getting bigger, but no flowers. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.28 and the TDS was 170 ppm. Added 24 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL buffer up solution.
AeroGarden Farm 02, Left. Pepper Plants (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 02-Right. Herb plants (Dill, Basil, Chives) at 127 days. The dill and parsley doing OK, others not as good. Harvested some dill. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.42 and the TDS was 467 ppm. No additional Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food or buffer up solution added.
AeroGarden Farm 02-Right. Herb Plants – Basil, Dill, Parsley (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03-Left. Pepper and Basil plants at 127 days. The plants are getting bigger. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 6.24 and the TDS was 427 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.
AeroGarden Farm 03, Left. Pepper Plants (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03-Right. Various flowers (Dianthus, Zinnia, unknown, poppy) at 70 days. Dianthus and Zinnia blooming. Unknown one growing, but no flowers. Red and California poppies not blooming yet. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.65 and TDS was 445 ppm. Added 8 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.
AeroGarden Farm 03-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Zinnia (70 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 12 days. 3/12 sprouted. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.47 and TDS was 459 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added. Reset to germination mode (pump on 1 hr, off 11 hr).
AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE) (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 04-Right. Bunching Onions/Scallions (all 12 positions) at 7 days. 12/12 sprouts. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.47 and TDS was 494 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.
AeroGarden Farm 04-Right. Bunching Onions (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 05-Left. Flowers – Snapdragon, Celosia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gazania, and Poppy at 79 days. Snapdragon flower about to open. Pruned some of the large zucchini leaves from the next tray blocking the plants. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.39 and TDS was 534 ppm. Added 8 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 0.5 mL of buffer up solution.
AeroGarden Farm 05-Left. Flowers – Snapdragon, Celosia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gazania, Poppy (79 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini and other vegetables at 79 days. The zucchini plants growing vigorously, cut back some leaves. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.41 and the TDS was 469 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL of buffer up solution.
AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini Plants (79 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 06-Left: Ground Cherries (all 12 positions). 6/12 sprouted. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.20 and TDS was 455 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added. Reset to germination mode (pump on 1 hr, off 11 hr).
AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE) (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 06-Right: Burpee Sugar Snap Peas (positions 01-03); Snow Peas (positions 04-12). At 12 days, 11/12 sprouted. Noted some fuzzy white mold growing on the seeds. Some of the plants are growing very fast (up to 6″ high). The pH was 5.29 and TDS was 465 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.
AeroGarden Farm 06-Right (12 days). Positions 1-3 Sweet Snap Peas, Positions 04-12 Snow Peas. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry plants at 106 days. Most plants growing well, harvested several strawberries. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.41 and TDS was 336 ppm. Added 24 mL of Root Farm Base solution, 24 mL of Root Farm Flower and Fruit solution, and 1 mL of buffer up.
AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry Plants (106 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry plants at 106 days. Most plants growing well, harvested several strawberries. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.13 and TDS was 130 ppm. Added 32 mL of Root Farm Base solution, 32 mL of Root Farm Flower and Fruit solution, and 2 mL of buffer up.
AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry Plants (101 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 08-Left: Mustard (positions 01-06). At day 12 five of six plants sprouted, plants ~ 1″ tall. The pH was 6.36 and the TDS 481 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.
AeroGarden Farm 08-Left. Positions 01-06 Mustard at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 08-Right: Broccoli Raab (positions 01-06). At 12 days all positions sprouted, plants ~ 2″ tall. The pH was 6.08 and the TDS was 386 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.
AeroGarden Farm 08-Right. Positions 01-12 Broccoli Raab at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 09-Left: Swiss Chard (positions 02-07). At 12 days positions sprouted, new plants ~1″ tall. The larger plant at position 01 was transplanted from a different farm. The pH was 6.36 and the TDS was 383 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.
AeroGarden Farm 09-Left. Position 01 Swiss Chard moved from other farm. Positions 02-07 Swiss Chard at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 09-Right: Bok Choi (positions 01-06). At Day 12 plants ~ 3″ tall. The pH was 6.54 and the TDS was 149 ppm. Added 24 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.
AeroGarden Farm 09-Right. Positions 01-02, 04-07 Bok Choi at day 12. Position 03 Bok Choi transferred from other Farm. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 10-Left: Romaine Lettuce (positions 01-06). At day 12 plants ~1″ tall. The pH was 5.90 and the TDS was 455 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.
AeroGarden Farm 10-Left. Positions 01-06 Romaine Lettuce at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 125, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Farm 10-Right: Spinach (positions 01-06). None of the seeds sprouted. The pH was 5.68 and the TDS was 485 ppm. Discarded, and restarted with Arugula (positions 01-06) and Molokai Greens (positions 07-12).
AeroGarden Farm 10-Right. Positions 01-06 Spinach at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (72.3 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (2.3 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Cloudy Day. A deficit of 70 kWh.
Flowers (first Coreopsis, Zinnia, and Dianthus), a Strawberry, and several seedlings (Bok Choi, Mustard, Broccoli Raab, Swiss Chard, Romaine Lettuce, Bunching Onions, and Peas) at 10 days.
Click on the above image to access my PhotoShelter gallery with the individual images in the following slideshow.
AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/11, 1/60 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)
Click on the above image to access my PhotoShelter gallery with the individual images in the following slideshow.
Daily Electric Energy Used (88.7 kWh) from Sense Home Energy Monitor and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (30.4 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Sunny Day. A deficit of 58.3 kWh.
Four years ago I posted an image of the large passive cooler in a Synology DS-3615xs NAS (network attached storage) system. 08-December-2015 The time has come where I need to increase my data storage capacity, but at the same time want to decrease the amount of energy required to maintain the storage. I’ve opted to upgrade to the Synology DS-3617xs NAS with 16TB Seagate EXOS hard drives. Once I get the data transferred, I will be able to retire two DS-3615xs NAS systems and four DX-1215 expansion systems. This should reduce my daily electric energy consumption for the servers from ~24 kWh/day to ~7 kWh/day (corresponding to ~ $1,000/year). I will be able to monitor and confirm this using my Sense home energy monitor.
The Synology DS-3617xs came with 16GB of installed RAM. In order to create a single volume > 100 TB I needed to add additional memory. Installation of additional memory is now accomplished from the side of the DS-3617xs, which is a lot easier. I also installed a dual 10GB RJ-45 network card to be used for the heartbeat connection for running two of the DS-3617xs NAS systems in the High-Availability server mode. With the DS-3617xs you do not need to remove the difficult to disconnect power supply cables to access the interior of the server. The large passive processor cooler looks similar.
Synology DS-3617xs memory upgrade. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (DAVID J MATHRE)Synology DS-3617xs Passive Processor Cooler. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (DAVID J MATHRE)Synology DS-3617xs Dual 10GB RJ54 network card. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (92.5 kWh) from Sense Home Energy Monitor and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (39.5 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Sunny Day. A deficit of 53 kWh.
The Zucchini plant produces large (edible) yellow flowers. They appear to open in the morning, and then close at night. And I think that they only open for one day. I took an image of one using a Leica TL2 camera and 35 mm lens f/1.4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). The second version is a focus stacked image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 160, 80 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). Composite of 50 images processed with Capture One Pro and Helicon Focus (method B)
Male Zucchini Flower. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)Male Zucchini Flower. Focus stacked image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 160, 80 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). Composite of 50 images processed with Capture One Pro and Helicon Focus (method B) (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (95.3 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (40.4 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Sunny Day. A deficit of 54.9 kWh.
