23 May Which Aquaponic System Should I Use?
By Jessica Day
PF1010 Project Manager, Institute for Systems Biology
Project Feed 1010 citizen scientists conduct their research with many types of aquaponic systems! The system you decide to build should be determined based on your project objectives, finances, and the amount of time you have available to devote to its creation. We’ve broken down your options into three broad categories: Do-it-Yourself, Prefabricated, and Contracted Systems.
Do-it-Yourself Aquaponic Systems
Build your own system and purchase parts individually
Focus: engineering, problem-solving, physics, design, construction, systems biology
Pros: Lower cost, ability to change design components easily, high understanding of how the system works
Cons: Can take longer to design, find correct materials, and build
Options:
1. Aqualogue’s Minimal Vertical Aquaponic Garden: ~$60
– Vertical nutrient-film technique
Aqualogue’s Minimal Vertical Aquaponic Garden
2. FAO’s Step-by-Step “Small Scale” Aquaponics: 3 Designs
– Media-based system
– Nutrient-film technique unit
– Deep water culture system
(If interested in more information, please also see this previous blog post that gives a broad overview of each of these three design types.)
6 of the 2’ x 4’ deep water culture systems at Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, WA
3. Institute for Systems Biology: 2 Designs
– 2’ x 4’ (~$480) and 4’ x 4’ (~$730) designs
– Deep water culture systems
The 4’ x 4’ deep water culture system in a high school classroom
Prefabricated Aquaponic Systems
Purchase a kit with all materials needed to start an aquaponic system
Focus: systems biology, problem-solving, following instructions
Pros: Fast, easy start-up, all parts included in a kit, little to no design/engineering involved
Cons: Higher cost, less understanding of system components, hard to redesign/replace parts
Options:
1. Back to the Roots Water Garden : 3 gallons; $99.99
– Price includes kit (no light) and maintenance materials
– Deep water culture
Back to the Roots Water Garden
2. Aquasprouts Aquaponic System: 10 gallons; $240
– Price includes grow kit ($169.95) and light ($69.95)
– Can purchase a 10 gallon aquarium or use your own
– Deep water culture
Aquasprouts Garden
ECO-Cycle Aquaponic Kit
3. ECO-Cycle Aquaponic System kit: 20 gallons; $300
– Price includes grow kit and light
– Need your own 20 gallon tank
– Deep water culture
4. Aquaponics USA Family and STEM Food Growing System: various sizes; $1,795 – $14,174
– Price includes grow beds, fish tanks, and some accessories
– Price does not include shipping cost (~$600)
Contracted Aquaponic Systems
Hire an expert to build a system for you
Focus: systems biology, problem-solving, following instructions
Pros: Fast, easy start-up, all parts included in a kit, little to no design/engineering involved
Cons: Higher cost, less understanding of system components
Options:
1. Anything Aquaponics: Seattle, WA; seth@anythingaquaponics.com
– Offers educational, certification, consultation, and design/build services to families, schools, and organizations statewide
– Classes $60, certifications $300, home systems start at $4,400 for a family of 3. Accredited educational institutions qualify for discounted rates.