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getting started with

ZipGrow
towers
how to be successful with the worlds
best vertical farming towers

www.zipgrow.com

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
About Bright Agrotech
Who We Are?
3

About Our Products 4


What are ZipGrow Towers? 4
What is Matrix Media? 6
Other Products 6
Tower Applications 7
Organic Aquaponics
7
Green Walls 8
Educational Systems 9
Multiple Systems Live Sales 10
Setting Up Your System 11
What is Hydroponics? 11
What is Aquaponics? 11
Types of System Set-Up 12
Massed Farming Configurations 12
Assembling a Aquaponic System with Eight ZipGrow Towers 13
Assembling a Hydroponic System with Eight ZipGrow Towers 17
Linear Farming Configurations
22
System Management 23
Planting a ZipGrow
Plant Spacing
25
pH Management 26
Pest Management 26
Nutrient Management
ZipGrow FAQ

28

Contact Us

31

23

27

About Bright Agrotech


Who We Are?
Bright Agrotech is a small, family-owned business incorporated in 2010 on the high plains
of Laramie, Wyoming. We have been farming aquaponically using ZipGrow towers for
seven years and are happy to share the technology with you today. As you will learn in
this booklet, setting up a system is easy and possible no matter what your application is.
Bright Agrotech is the leader in the vertical farming and gardening industry. We research,
design, test, redesign and retest our high quality, American-made vertical growing products. Dr. Nate Storey and the Bright Agrotech team are committed to helping large commercial and small hobbyist growers alike to grow more with less!
Vision
We are passionate about growing food for our local community in a sustainable, highly
efficient manner, helping other farmers do the same, and living better as a result. Todays farmers are facing financial and environmental troubles, and the current fossil-fuel
based, nutrient-deficient food system is doing little to help. That's why we're striving to
create a better, brighter and healthier future for our children and for the health of our
country. This new system doesnt rely on unsustainable use of fertilizers, pesticides, or
fossil fuels, and decreases costs up to 60% by allowing for live sales at harvest. We
believe that the future of farming rests in the hands of small, local farmers serving local
markets. Our vision for the future of food helps decentralize the system of production
and empower local communities around the world.

About Our Products


What are ZipGrow Towers?
Zipgrow towers are the result of seven years of
research by Dr. Nate Storey. They are designed
for high-density vertical crop production in either
a hydroponics or aquaponics system. Growers
using ZipGrow Towers are able to double or
triple their production compared to traditional
methods.
ZipGrow towers have several notable features
designed to increase crop production and ease
of use:
Single-sided: Multi-sided towers result in stunted plant growth on sides not facing
the light source. Thats not a problem with ZipGrow. Towers are single sided, allowing
growers to stack them in tight configurations while optimizing light use by the plants
and decreasing light depletion. Learn more.
White coloring: Light is an important resource for plant growth, and the white tower
color maximizes its reflection around the greenhouse. Learn more.
Easy to use: ZipGrow towers do not have bulky bases, nor do they require you to
roll them out of the way before working. Maintenance, pest control, and transport is
a breeze.
Lightweight: ZipGrow towers are light and easy to move, rearrange, harvest, or
transport. Lengths of 3 feet and 5 feet are readily available through our store, but we
can get custom lengths of almost any size for large, commercial orders. (Contact us
directly for special orders.)

Media-based: Our Matrix Mediav secures plant roots, minimizing temperature fluctuations in the root zones and increasing growth rates.

>> Dig deeper: Aquaponics Academy Episode 10 Building An Aquaponics System:


Media-based systems, Basics of Plumbing and Drainage

Designed to Last: Our Growers Guarantee


If you have any concerns about growing food in towers, dont fear - our towers are very safe!
We pride ourselves in sourcing 100% virgin USA-made, food-grade PVC for our tower housings

and keeping a very close eye on our supply chain. On top of that, our specially designed Matrix
Media has a silicone binder that limits exposure of the water to the plastic. Its made from recy-

cled water bottles and is designed to be very safe. We truly believe in the safety of our towers.
Trust us, we wouldnt feed our families and friends with them if we didnt!

Our ZipGrow Towers are designed to last forever, making them the best on the market. Were
so sure of their quality that the tower housings are guaranteed for 20 years!

What is Matrix Media?


Matrix Media is crafted from recycled
from water bottles.Typically, Matrix Media lasts 2-3 years, but this may vary depending on crop type. (Lettuce roots are
very easy on the media, whereas mint
roots are harsh!)
Because weve designed our towers specifically for hydroponic and aquaponic production, weve given them a very high biological surface area and high void ratio. In fact, our
towers have a BSA of 290 square feet and a void ratio of 91%, which means our media
can handle aquaponic solids and still promote a thriving ecosystem for beneficial bacteria! Matrix Media is redworm compatible.
Matrix Media is also easy to use, with 5 foot media coming in two pieces for ease of
loading.

Other Products
Bright Agrotech provides a number of other products to support your hydroponics and
aquaponics system. Many of these products will be referenced as system components
throughout this guide. If you havent already purchased Lighting, Pumps, Fittings and
Parts, or the Spring System, visit our store to learn more.

Tower Applications
Organic Aquaponics
Marilyn Yamamoto is the owner of Fresh Start Greens in Las Vegas, Nevada. They
grow a variety of lettuce, greens, herbs, edible flowers, decorative flowers, and
strawberries in their ZipGrow system. Produce is marketed at the Farmers Market,
an on-farm stand, and to local chefs.

When we take [the ZipGrow towers] to the farmers market, it really attracts people because it is growing vertically. It does get attention, Marilyn says.

Before you start growing,


its important to do you
homework and figure out
what youre going to grow.

www.cowboytrailfarms.com

Green Walls
Bright Agrotech put up our first hydroponic green wall in downtown Laramie this June.
The green wall was built to enrich Laramie community events, as well as provide fresh
herbs and greens to Altitudes Chophouse and Brewery, who donated the space for the
green wall. The Laramie Green Wall is transforming the urban foodscape, says Perry
Baptista. Were excited to see how it grows.
We dont think something that makes such a positive impact should be limited to certain
people and certain places. Thats why we designed the green wall to be easy to build and
maintain, with no special requirements. Green walls can be built on or in greenhouses,
office buildings, homes, garages, and more.
Learn more about the green wall here.

Educational Systems
Educators around the country are building aquaponic systems for their classrooms.
Teachers like Bob Hooper are harnessing the educational power of aquaponics to do
great things with their students. In Bobs case, classroom aquaponics take the form of
his FOW, or Farm on Wheels, which he uses with kindergarteners up through the 6th
grade. The FOW includes four ZipGrow towers and a 30-gallon fish tank.

We grew cucumbers, made vinegar and used it to make pickles. Reaction was
very positive and our project was featured at a school board meeting. This year
two teachers are very excited about building the majority of their curriculum
around food and training students to manage their own farm and farmers market (if the crops come in). The FOW is used as a hands on platform, as well as
a central theme for making learning meaningful for the students.

Other educators such as Oliver Schinkten in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and Kevin Savage in
Cincinatti, Ohio, are also enthusiastic about the hands-on potential of educational system.

Multiple Systems Live Sales


Chris Lukenbill uses ZipGrow towers on his farm, Fresh With
Edge. He started growing greens and herbs for the local farmers market and food co-op, which provided great networking
and consistent sales. Recently Chris has expanded to sell
produce to grocery stores and restaurants, who love receiving live herbs and greens and often custom orders.
Chris is exploring an entirely new niche with live sales, and
hes excited about it.

We have yet to sell produce that isnt off the towers. His customers are also eager to
harvest their own produce. Were excited about being on the leading edge of development, says Lukenbill.
Check out Fresh With Edge at freshwithedge.com.

Setting Up Your System

Hydroponic basil at BayBerry Fresh Farms

What is Hydroponics?
Hydroponics is the production of crops without soil. Unlike
aquaponics, plain hydroponics does not include fish and is
much simpler to maintain and much more predictable.
What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics is hydroponics with a fish element. In


aquaponics, the fish waste provides most of the nutrients
that the plants need, and the amount of supplemental nutrients is much lower.
This means that your system is more sustainable than a hydroponics system.
Aquaponic dwarf basil growing at Bright Agrotech.

Types of System Set-Up


When setting up your system, you have two main choices in arrangement.
A massed configuration is most efficient if you are working with a specific square feet area or a gardening plot.
Using ZipGrow towers in a massed configuration will result in a high yield per square foot.
Line configuration (such as a green wall) is best suited if
you are growing along a wall, fence, or sidewalk. The setup uses a supportive gutter which takes all of the weight
of the towers. There are no infrastructure requirements
for line configuration.
Massed Farming Configurations
>> To see a step-by-step presentation on setting up a massed vertical hydroponics system, visit this Slideshare.
>> To see a step-by-step presentation on setting up a massed vertical aquaponics system, visit this Slideshare.

Assembling a Aquaponic System with Eight ZipGrow Towers


ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

Required Tools

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM

8 x 5 towers

55 Gallon Sump Tank

Square

Skilsaw
Pipe Cutter

1 1/8 spade bit

WITH ZIPGROW TOWERS

275-335 gallon IBC


(Intermediate Bulk Container)

Drill

Screws

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL
AQUAPONICS SYSTEM

Parts & Pieces

Tape measure

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

Cutting Lumber to Size

Step 1

Cut 3 x 10 boards & 2 x


6 boards in half

3/4 or 1/2 Black Poly


Irrigation Tubing

2 drain pipe
3 x 10 steel
conduit

Pump

6 Lengths

8 Hanging Hooks

2 x 5 gutter
2 x 12 2x4
lumber

3/4 drain pipe


4 gutter caps

2 Ell adaptors

2 x 3/4 drain
tting

4 x 10 2x4
lumber

Remaining 10 board
(uncut)

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

Initial Frame Construction

Initial Frame Construction


Contd

Step 2

Make sure the frame


is square

6 Pieces

Step 4

Screw second 5
board to back of
frame (2 screws)

Step 3

Screw 5 piece to face


of frame (2 screws)

2 Extra 5 Pieces

3 X 5 Lengths

5 Piece

Remaining 5 cross brace

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

Frame Construction

Strengthening the Frame

Step 6
Step 5

Insert cross brace in


between base boards

Bisect remaining 5
board at a 45 degree
angle to make the
cross braces

Step 7

Ensure 45 degree angle is


married up to 6 frame and
between base boards
Step 8

2.5 cross braces

Insert screws at base


boards and cross
brace

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

Completing the Frame

Step 10

Step 9

Repeat steps 6-8 to


complete the frame.

Remaining cross
brace

Drill the Holes for Steel


Conduit

Bore holes into 6


supports using
1 1/8 spade bit
Step 11

Repeat steps 2-10 to


construct second
rack

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

Step 12

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPOIC SYSTEM

PARTS & PIECES

Creating the In Ground


Sump Tank

Dig hole for sump

Make sure the tank rests


below ground

Step 13

Place 2 return pipe


to drain into sump

optional to dig trough for


drainage pipe to keep drain
level

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

Rack and Sump


Construction

Step 14

Rack and Sump


Construction

Step 15

Place second
side of rack
opposite of sump
tank

Place rst side of


rack toward the
sump tank

Rack is perpendicular to
return pipe

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

PARTS & PIECES

Inserting the Conduit

Step 18

Step 16

Gather 3 X 10 steel
conduit
Step 17

Run steel conduit


through rack
holes

2 x 10 conduit

Cut 1 conduit into 2 x 5


lengths

2 x 5 conduit
This may require forcing the
conduit into the holes

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

Completing the Rack

Getting the Gutter Ready

Step 19

Fasten conduit cross


pieces with zip ties

Step 20

Bore 3/4 drain hole


in gutter

Step 21

Add drain tting;


(may require PVC
glue)

End caps X2

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

Running the Irrigation


Line

Running the Irrigation


Line

Step 33

Step 34

Run irrigation line


across 5 base
beam

Run irrigation line up


adjacent 6 beam

Optional valve
placement

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

Running the Irrigation


Line

Step 35

Running the Irrigation


Line

Step 36

Run irrigation line


across
perpendicular
conduit

Step 34 contd

Run irrigation line up


adjacent 6 beam

Run irrigation line


across
perpendicular
conduit

Step 35

Connect tubing together


using valves

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

Running the Irrigation


Line

Step 37

Run irrigation line


across nal conduit

Running the Irrigation


Line

Irrigation line ends


here

Step 38

Add nal irrigation


splits directly into
each tower
Step 39

punch holes into tubing


above towers
Step 40

Add drip emitters (7-10


gal/hr) into punched
holes

Assembling a Hydroponic System with Eight ZipGrow Towers


ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Required Tools

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL
HYDROPONICS SYSTEM

Tape measure

1 1/8 spade bit

Square

Drill

Screws

Skilsaw

WITH ZIPGROW TOWERS

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Parts & Pieces

8x 5 ZipGrow Towers

Cutting Lumber to Size

Step 1

55 Gallon Sump Tank

3/4 or 1/2 Black Poly Irrigation Tubing

Cut 3 x 10 boards &


2 x 6 boards in half

Pump
2 PVC Return Pipe

6 Lengths

8 Hanging Hooks

2 x 5 Gutters
4 End Caps

2x 12 2x4 lumber

3 x 10 Steel Conduit
3/4 drain tting

Remaining 10 board
(uncut)

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Initial Frame Construction

Initial Frame Construction


Contd

Step 2

Make sure the frame


is square

6 Pieces

Step 4

Screw second 5
board to back of
frame (2 screws)

Step 3

Screw 5 piece to face


of frame (2 screws)

2 Extra 5 Pieces

3 X 5 Lengths

4x 10 2x4 lumber

5 Piece

Remaining 5 cross brace

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Frame Construction

Strengthening the Frame

Step 6

Step 5

Insert cross brace in


between base boards

Bisect remaining 5
board at a 45
degree angle to
make the cross
braces

Step 7

Ensure 45 degree angle is


married up to 6 frame and
between base boards
Step 8

2.5 cross braces

Insert screws at base


boards and cross
brace

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Completing the Frame

Step 9

Repeat steps 6-8 to


complete the frame.

Remaining cross
brace

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Step 10

Drill the Holes for Steel


Conduit

Bore holes into 6


supports using
1 1/8 spade bit
Step 11

Repeat steps 2-10 to


construct second
rack

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Step 12

Creating the In Ground


Sump Tank

Dig hole for sump

Make sure the tank rests


below ground

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

PARTS & PIECES

Step 13

Place 2 return pipe


to drain into sump

optional to dig trough for


drainage pipe to keep drain
level

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Rack and Sump


Construction

Step 14

Rack and Sump


Construction

Step 15

Place second
side of rack
opposite of sump
tank

Place rst side of


rack toward the
sump tank

Rack is perpendicular to
return pipe

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

PARTS & PIECES

Inserting the Conduit

Step 18

Step 16

Run 10 steel
conduit through
rack holes

Gather 3 X 10 steel conduit

2 x 10 conduit

Step 17

Cut 1 conduit to 5 lengths

2 x 5 conduit
This may require forcing the
conduit into the holes

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Completing the Rack

Getting the Gutter Ready

Step 19

Fasten 5 conduit
cross pieces with zip
ties

Step 20

Bore 3/4 drain hole


in gutter

Step 21

Add drain tting;


(may require PVC
glue)

End caps X2

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Constructing the Drain

Hanging the Towers

Step 22

Step 25

Hang the towers so


they drain into the
gutter

Bore hole in 2 return pipe


to match gutter drainage
hole
Step 23

Place gutters (with caps)


perpendicular to return pipe
Step 24

leveling
2x4 (varied
size)

Place 2x4 leveling piece


on opposite sump tank to
ensure draining gradient

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Running the Irrigation


Line

Running the Irrigation Line


Step 26
Step 29

Run 3/4 poly tubing into


sump

Run line across bottom 5


board

Step 27

Place pump in bottom of


sump

Step 30

Attach line with zip ties

Step 28

Place tubing in pump

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Running the Irrigation


Line
Step 31

Run line up adjacent 6


board until connected to
conduit

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Running the Irrigation


Line
Step 32

Run line along adjacent


conduit and run across
perpendicular conduit

Step 33

Attach lines with zip ties in


between each tower

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Running the Irrigation


Line

Running the Irrigation


Line

Step 36

Step 34

Run line along adjacent


conduit and run across
perpendicular conduit

Add nal irrigation


splits directly into
each tower
Step 37

Step 35

Attach lines with zip ties in


between each tower

Punch holes into tubing


above towers
Step 38

Insert drip emitters


(7-10 gal/hr) into
punched holes

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Running the Irrigation


Line

Now you are ready to


grow!

Linear Farming Configurations


Learn more about ZipGrow green
walls on our green walls page, and
see the product for yourself on our
shop.
If you already have ZipGrow Towers,
you can set up a green wall yourself
with the mounting and irrigation kit.

System Management
Planting a ZipGrow
ZipGrows were designed to be easy to handle as well as easy to plant.
>> Click here to watch a video on planting.
To plant your ZipGrow, you will need seedlings, your pulling hook, wicking strips or toilet paper (only for the first round of planting), and your tower.
If you are growing in aquaponics, let your tower hang under your drip for a while before
planting- this will allow microbes coat the medvia surface and aid in the health of your
plants.
Use your pulling hook to zip the media inserts out of your tower.
1) Sandwich a wicking strip in the media insert.
2) Gently sandwich your seedlings inside the media.
3) Use your pulling hook to zip the media back into the tower and voila!
Your tower is planted.

See next page for an instructional graphic.

Planting a

ZIPGROW TOWER
Wicking
Strips
Set the wicking strip
1/4 to 1/2 inches back
from the front of
the media

Seedlings
should be
sandwiched
in place

6-8

x2
2 Media
Inserts can
fit inside
a 5 tower

right now

FRESH

ready to grow!

1/4 to 1/2 inches back


from the front of
the media

Plant Spacing
Plant Spacing is important to achieving your
yield potential.
Space the plants in your tower according to
the recommended crop spacingSeedlings
(what you
should be
sandwiched
see on the seed packet).
in place

6-8

Usually this hovers around the 6-inch mark.


Consider your own goals for the crop when
you are deciding on spacing. If you want bushier crops, plant fewer seedlings.
For a more uniform crop, plant more densely.

x2

>> Click here to watch a video on plant spacing.


2 Media
Inserts can
fit inside
a 5 tower

right now

FRESH

ready to grow!

pH Management
Beginning growers should check pH levels every day with a testing kit.
In a hydroponics system, the ideal pH range is 5.5 to 6.7.
In aquaponics the idea range is limited to 6.3 to 6.7.
>> Click here to watch a video on raising pH.
>> Click here to watch a video on lowering pH.

Pest Management
Towers are no more and no less susceptible to pests
than traditional gardens and ag systems.
The most common insect pests that you will encounter are aphids, thrips, and whiteflies.
Be prepared to manage pests! Dont think you can
just pray they wont find you.
Find out how to start a pest management strategy
with this article on Integrated Pest Management
(IPM).
For specific controls, check out our Pest Control Packet.

Nutrient Management
Knowing how to manage the nutrients in your system is crucial to achieving your systems ideal yield.
We have created (and continue to create) a multitude of free and premium resources
addressing the roles of specific nutrients as well as how to spot and treat deficiencies.
There are sixteen elements that most plants need (in different quantities) to thrive. If you
are setting up an aquaponics system, keep in mind that microbes play a huge role in
nutrient cycling, and it will take at least six weeks for microbes to be established.

See brightagrotech.com/blog and our YouTube videos for more information on how to
manage nutrients, microbes, and deficiencies.

ZipGrow FAQ
Q: Where can I purchase ZipGrow Towers?
A: You can find them on the Bright Agrotech online store at http://shop.brightagrotech.com
Q: What size do ZipGrow Towers come in?
A: Standard Tower sizes are 3-foot and 5-foot, although for larger, commercial orders we can get almost
any custom length up to 17 feet!
Contact us for custom commercial orders.
Q: Are ZipGrow Towers safe?
A: Absolutely! ZipGrow Towers are made from 100% virgin USA-made, food-grade PVC. The Matrix
Media has a silicone binder that limits exposure of water to the plastic. We feed our friends and family
with food from ZipGrow towers, so we are confident about their safety!
>> Click here to watch a video on tower safety.
Q: Can I plant plugs or seeds?
A: We recommend planting your ZipGrow tower with seedlings, also called plugs. If you decide to plant
seeds, however, be sure to use a seed tape or direct seed on the media once its broken in.
>> Click here to learn our favorite way to plant seeds.
Q: How far apart do I space my plants?
A: It depends! The best place to get information on seed spacing is the back of your seed packet. For
greens and herbs, we usually use a 6 inch spacing. 8-10 seedlings will fit in one 5-foot ZipGrow tower.
For more information, click here.
Q: What crops can I grow in ZipGrow Towers?
A: Truth be told, weve tried just about everything in our own towers and confidently know that almost
anything will grow! However, due to the structure of the media, root crops, such as carrots and beets,
will not perform well.
>> Learn more about what crops grow well.

Q: What is Biological Surface Area of ZipGrow Towers?


A: Our towers have a BSA of 290 square feet and a void ratio of 91%. We go into a lot more detail on
BSA here.
Q: What should my flow rate be?
A: Flow rate, or the specific rate or velocity at which the volume of your aquaponic or hydroponic system
solution drains through the ZipGrow tower media, depends on whether you are using an aquaponics or
hydroponics setup.
For aquaponics, a higher flow rate is necessary to promote good nitrification as well as good bio-filtration and mechanical filtration. We recommend a flow rate of 7-10 gallons per tower per hour.
For hydroponics, a slower flow rate of 1-3 gallons per tower per hour is fine.
>> Click here to learn more about flow rates in hydroponics.
>> Click here to learn more about flow rates in aquaponics.
Q: How do I clean the Matrix Media inserts? Do I want to clean them?
A: There will always be remnants of roots left in the medium after harvesting, and this is totally fine.
We actually recommend aquaponic producers in particular leave the majority of root matter in the tower
for increasing biological surface area and contributing to a healthier system although it wouldnt hurt
to clean media every few growth cycles. With aquaponics and vermiponics, growers can use redworms
to aid in the breakdown of this root matter and other solids.
However, if you should desire to clean them each time, cleaning the Matrix Media is quick and easy.
Start by removing the root ball that should be stuck to one side of the medium insert. After that, hang
your medium on a clothesline or some other place to dry. Once dried, flex it to break up any organic
matter inside of it, spray it with a hose, and replant.
>> Click here and learn to clean media like a pro.
Q: How do I calculate how many ZipGrow Towers will fit in my greenhouse or growing space?
A: Heres a basic formula to help you figure out how many towers you need for your space: (Square
Footage)*(0.7)/2.5 = Number of Towers.
For example, 2000 square feet of greenhouse space: (2000)*(0.7)/2.5 = 560 towers!

Q: How far apart do I space ZipGrow Towers?


A: For a massed configuration, we recommend 2.5 square feet per ZipGrow tower. The linear distance
between towers is fairly variable, but we recommend leaving enough space for plants to grow and for
you to to move between rows. Our greenhouse has about 20 inches between rows.
For a linear or green wall configuration, use 12 inch centers, or leave 8 inches between towers.
>> See this blog post for detailed information.
Q: Im ready to scale up. Do you offer bulk pricing?
A: Yes. We offer bulk pricing for orders over 50 towers.
For packages of 50, 100, or 150 towers, visit our online store.
For variable packages over 50 towers, please contact our office directly at (307) 766-6538.
Q: Do you have resources for those who are going commercial?
Yes! Check out resources.brightagrotech.com for several.
Here are a few you might find interesting:
Ready to go Commercial Webinar
Finding Your Markets Webinar Series
Growers Packet Series
Template Business Plan
Q: How do I transport towers?
A: ZipGrow towers are easy to transport thanks to their lightweight design. While inside of a vehicle,
towers can be positioned however you wish, as long as they can drain and plants are undamaged.
Several growers are using box trucks or have constructed specialized racks.
At your market location, a Spring System Basin is a terrific way to display produce. Customers can
harvest live product straight from the tower.
If towers are dirty, be sure to clean them before delivery. Aquaponics systems may need to reconsider
redworm use if live towers will be delivered to grocery stores, as the worms can fail to comply with regulatory standards.

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1938 Harney St., Ste 152
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(307) 766-6538
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