We learned from our friends at Home Grown Evolution that Home Depot will soon be carrying Farm in a Box from Earth Systems. Farm in the Box is a combined fish tank/planter box with recirculating water system that grows vegetables on top of the box along with fish underneath. Waste from the fish circulates into the planter which provides fertilizer for the plants as well as removing nitrogen and ammonia from the water. The smaller boxes are designed to fit on a balcony, while the larger boxes are suitable to raise edible fish.
We've never experimented with Aquapaonics before, but would definitely consider one of the smaller containers to raise vegetables. Have you ever tried Aquapaonics? Would you use Farm in a Box?
From the Earth Solutions website:
By integrating fish with vegetables, naturally balanced aquatic ecosystems are established making it unnecessary to add fertilizer, chemicals or remove nitrogen rich water.
As in nature, plants, fish and oxygen loving bacteria create a symbiotic relationship; Fish waste is converted by bacteria to a plant loving nutrient which helps maintain safe levels of ammonia without discarding waste and water.
Aqupaonics is an efficient, intensive gardening method with average of 3-6 fold greater yield per square foot. And even though water is everywhere in an aquaponic system, there is as much as 90% less water used than in-ground methods. Other advantages to aquaponics, is that it is fun, easy, most can be done anywhere, by anyone who shares a passion for locally grown food and herbs, without the challenges of in ground farming. Experiment with growing aquaponically raised fish and vegetables in your house on the patio in a greenhouse or community garden, and enjoy!"
• 1 San Antonio, $589
• 2 Little Tokyo, $249.50
• 3 Manhattan, $249.50
• 4 Phoenix, $2,499.00
• 5 Dallas, $899.50
Via: Home Grown Evolution.
YES! i've been using water from my fishtanks to water the plants, but have yet to get a full aquaponics system going. these are reasonably priced and functionally attractive, so one might show up on my porch soon.
view youreacigarette's profile
Wow! I'm loving this idea!
I've been wanting to get some plants & herbs on my balcony, but I can never remember to water the darned things...
...and I had a "zen" fountain for a while, but it seemed kinda useless...
...and I'd love to keep fish, but I hate cleaning fish tanks.
One thing I'm not seeing here are dimensions?
I just wonder how difficult it would be to make this work on the 15th floor?
view bepsf's profile
This is intriguing, but I'd like to be able to view the fish, more -- especially with the smaller, non-edible ones. If they aren't fun to watch, they are missing one of their reasons for existingon my balcony!
view SherryBinNH's profile
I agree with SherryBinNH....without being able to SEE the fish, it ruins the fun of having them. Still, for someone who is looking for innovative ideas for a garden, I guess this is one of them.
view baileyb's profile
"without being able to SEE the fish, it ruins the fun of having them. "
The "Little Tokyo" model has a glass fishtank...
...which is the one I'd get.
view bepsf's profile