Our dedicated group of students from IIT have started building a test Aquaponics system in the basement at Bubbly. We’ll be experimenting with plasma lighting moving on a linear track. Plasma is about twice the efficiency of florescent lighting with less in the UV and infra-red portions of the spectrum. The challenge will be to control the speed at which our 20,000 watt source moves over foliage without singeing our little plants. Current thinking is to use a stepper motor controlled by a card in a junk PC.
The green cornice is ready for plants. Our neighbor at Illinois Barrel is sending over ten used 55 gallon plastic drums which will be cut in half, partially filled with garbage styrofoam, a layer of filter fabric and 14 inches of soil. The barrels will sit just behind the parapet with vines growing over onto nine pieces of stainless cable stretched around the facade. What will we grow? Stay tuned, I don’t know yet, but Mark from Lake Street Landscape Supply is helping with the choice.
Nick and Frank, Bubbly’s longest running tenants are moving out. Know anyone who needs 1200 square feet?
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