Readings:

Time: 0600
Inside Temp: 44 deg F / 7 deg C
Outside Temp: 38 deg F / 3 deg C
Relative Humidity: 70%

Time: 1200
Inside Temp: 82 deg F / 28 deg C
Outside Temp: 67 deg F / 19 deg C
Relative Humidity: 68%

Time: 1800
Inside Temp: 55 deg F / 13 deg C
Outside Temp: 43 deg F / 6 deg C
Relative Humidity: 68%

Maximum Temp: 79 deg F / 26 deg C
Minimum Temp: 50 deg F / 10 deg C
(Note: Temperature readings were taken in Fahrenheit; Max/min T were taken inside porthole at bottom of Hab ladder)

Normal chores in the GreenHab were performed on each of these occasions.

• Both aerators are working, one is in Tank #2 and one in Tank #4.
• Only air bubbles in Tank #2 & 4
• All plants were sprayed with water and fed.
• The sump pump is connected to a timer which activates the system at 12:00 hours and 00:00 hours.
• The TST tank is still being filled as required by the pump; however, a float switch will be tested and installed in the coming days.
• Water level in the plant buckets is 6 cm from the top in the white bucket and 7 cm from the top in the orange bucket. However, the plants are not looking well in the buckets.
• The plants in Tank #4 look like they are doing well.
• Water in tank #5 is running normally. Today there was significant flow through the system due to the cleaning of the trickling filter #2.

Additional Chores:

• Clearing algae from the system.
  Bioballs from Trickling Filter 2 were removed and cleaned with dilute bleach solution and then replaced. After letting the system run for a half hour, concentrated solids from the greywater tank were added to Trickling Filter #2. The translucent trickling filter reservoir tanks were wrapped with black plastic and the tops of the trickling filters also covered to cut out light in order to reduce algal growth.
  Further Actions: The first four tanks will be scraped to remove algae, and then the rear section covered of the first four tanks with black plastic to impede further growth.
  
  
• Nitrification/Denitrification Experiment.
  Soapy water (1g/l concentration of soap) in a 2L beaker with 1700ml of water was inoculated with 25 ml of concentrated solids from the underground grey water tank. The beaker will be will be run on 6hr ON/OFF cycles with a stir bar providing aeration. Soapy water of this concentration was shown to have: pH of 7.8; nitrate of 10 mg/l; no measurable nitrite and 3 mg/l of ammonia. Water from the underground tank had values of: pH 6.5; nitrate 15 mg/l; no nitrite; 0.25 mg/l ammonia.
  
  
• TST work - Water Filters
  Observation: 5 micron filter installed.
  Action: Monitoring flowrate
  Important Note: With the high amount of algae in the system and no filters, the particle buildup will impede the toilet refilling. Therefore at least a 5 micron filter needs to be in-line. Hopefully with the algae reduction, the addition of the plants and proper bacteria, the produced solids should flocculate and accumulate in the tanks instead of being pulled into the TST.
  
  
• TST work - Float Switch
  Observation: we found what looked like a nonfunctioning old float sensor already installed.
  Proposed Action: Test existing fluid level sensor tomorrow. If it doesn't work install the new float switch if approved by mission support.

Evaporation Test:

Evaporation test begun yesterday to document water loss from the treatment tanks as part of the grey water system balance. I used a 2000 ml Pyrex beaker with a 4.75 inch diameter.

Beaker Surface Area: 11.04 sq inch
03/31/04 15:32 1400 ml
04/01/04 15:30 1350 ml
04/03/04 06:00 1300 ml

Tank Surface Area: 1057.5 sq inch per tank
Estimated water loss per Tank: 4789 ml / day
Estimated water loss for 5 Tanks: ~24L /day (~6.34 G/day)

Open Issues:

• Electrical Diagram of the Greenhab
  Status: We mapped the wiring of the GreenHab but this proved to be quite difficult. We have saved our initial draft as a Powerpoint slide so that it can be updated or corrected as necessary. This file will be uploaded to our Crew 27 directory along with other relevant procedures.
  Proposed Action: Finish mapping the GreenHab in the coming days.
• Tacking down loose wires
  Proposed Action: will be done in the coming days.
• The Southern louvers need to open more for proper ventilation.
  Action: Verify available solar panels
• HOBO logger system still not operating.
  Observation: Cable works with the paper clip test. The Com port has no conflicts. The battery in the loggers are good. However, when the logger is plugged in during the test it creates a "Garbled connection".
  Action: still waiting for email from Onset.
• Treatment system appears not to be removing nitrate.
  Actions: Reinnoculated trickling filter #2
  Further Action: Add water hyacinths when they arrive.