Earth Solutions Farm in the Box Systems

[Dy]

I know this is pretty expensive for what it is, but I thought it might be good for what i'm looking for--

-Something that could get up and going quickly

-Could be used indoor, and aesthetically fit into a family foorm

-Grow crayfish + maybe goldfish in the fish tank

-provide a grow bed to start seedlings indoors quickly for outdoor planting, year round lettuce or strawberreis.

Anyone ever bought one of these? have any general reactions. 

Many thanks in advance!

http://www.earthsolutions.com/Farm-in-a-Box-Grand-Cayman-Aquaponics...

[Sylvia Bernstein]

Hi Dy.  You will find that I am very, very hesitant to ever say anything bad about another aquaponics company or product.  I did, however, write the only negative blog post I've ever written about the particular product you are asking about so I am having a hard time staying silent on this one.  Here is a link to the post - http://theaquaponicsource.com/2010/04/19/earth-solutions-farm-in-a-box.

[TCLynx]

ya beat me to it Sylvia, I was gonna go looking for that blog post to link here.

[Dy]

thanks for the feedback.  any kits out there you might recommend?

[Sheri Schmeckpeper]

Dy, Sylvia knows best and her post is comprehensive. I looked at the ad & read her post, then added the cost of the tank, medium, fish and grow lights for growing indoors. You could probably give the picture to a local handyman who could build you something just as nice looking but with the right parts for a portion of the cost.

[TCLynx]

If you want a tiny system to get started with and are not interested in any DIY, Sylvia sells a pretty little system that can move in and out of the house, check the shop tab at the top.

If you are willing for some DIY then keep reading on here and/or over on the BYAP forum and you can learn all you need to know to build your own.  Some of the people on here have been working on building some really good looking micro systems.

[Japan Aquaponics - アクアポニックス 日本]

Hi there Dy,

Thanks for adding me as a friend, and based on this post then perhaps you were looking at the micro systems that I have been putting together?, you can see a wooden one that I put together that looks similar to the one you noted in this post...

My genuine recommendation would be either to buy a decent system from a reputable supplier, like Sylvia's systems, or just build one yourself!  They are fun, and very easy to build, and I think that you learn a great deal from putting it all together yourself.  I am very happy to help you if I can, I dont have any plans to provide I am afraid - but if you want a fun project that would take just a lazy weekend to put together, then am happy to give you some ideas.

All can ber gathered at a local hardware store and you can custom design the size to whatever you want - and it will work out much cheaper than the "alternative" that you noted in your first post.

[Dy]

Thanks for your note, I just sent you a message, but will reply here publicly in case others are interested in the future.

 

I have been looking at your micro system that you put together.  very cool looking, nice aesthetic.  One quick question: I've been told a 20 gallon fish tank would be too unstable (it would be a black backed aquarium).  Have you likewise found systems at this scale to be unstable?  i couldn't tell exactly how big your ft was, but guessed it was around that size

 

thanks! 

Japan Aquaponics - アクアポニックス 日本 said:

Hi there Dy,

Thanks for adding me as a friend, and based on this post then perhaps you were looking at the micro systems that I have been putting together?, you can see a wooden one that I put together that looks similar to the one you noted in this post...

My genuine recommendation would be either to buy a decent system from a reputable supplier, like Sylvia's systems, or just build one yourself!  They are fun, and very easy to build, and I think that you learn a great deal from putting it all together yourself.  I am very happy to help you if I can, I dont have any plans to provide I am afraid - but if you want a fun project that would take just a lazy weekend to put together, then am happy to give you some ideas.

All can ber gathered at a local hardware store and you can custom design the size to whatever you want - and it will work out much cheaper than the "alternative" that you noted in your first post.t

[Japan Aquaponics - アクアポニックス 日本]

Hi there Dy, (also replied by email - but if we keep the discussion in this forum, then other, sharper minds can also make contributions that would be valuable!)

Thank you for your nice comments, the version you have posted was actually the first one that I built and so I can tell you some of the mistakes made and lessons learnt.  

Firstly, on the build out - I made this of good quality, quite thick wood... and damn it turned out to be heavy!!  I would say to make a decent frame and then use much smaller wood for the panels - it really did not need to be as strong as I made it.

Secondly... get some good quality wheels on the bottom.  The ones I added were too small and so now it is just too difficult to move.. so if you want it portable then get some good wheels.

I used commonly available plastic containers as they are easy to replace, sturdy, and you can usually get a 2-1 ratio.  That is, I use a 50 litre fish tank to a 25 litre growbed.  Doesnt have to be exact... but about that ratio works ok.

Water quality is fine - I have it on a loop siphon and that is working really nicely... although it is just as easy to set up a bell siphon.  Look at Micro System number 4 on this site and the Youtube video will show the bell siphon.

Changes happen a lot quicker in a smaller system and that is what you have to watch out for - so you do need to check the system every day... just make sure there isnt a blockage, or a dead fish, or something like that.  Now, the number 1 system (that you linked in the video) is running beautifully clear water.

I would recommend ONLY using Fishless cycling.  When you finish the system, put the water in, put plants in immediately, and then add a small amount of urea or ammonia.  Get the system cycling first until all the beneficial bacteria are in the system and then put the fish in... I would recommend only doing it that way round.  Make sure you also have aeration in the tank just to be safe....one little bubbler does the trick nicely!

Then just be careful about how many fish you put in... you would be surprised at how few you need! Let me know how you get on and I can add extra pointers as we go along!

Dy said:

Thanks for your note, I just sent you a message, but will reply here publicly in case others are interested in the future.

 

I have been looking at your micro system that you put together.  very cool looking, nice aesthetic.  One quick question: I've been told a 20 gallon fish tank would be too unstable (it would be a black backed aquarium).  Have you likewise found systems at this scale to be unstable?  i couldn't tell exactly how big your ft was, but guessed it was around that size

 

thanks! 

[TCLynx]

With really tiny fish tanks you have to make sure you don't cook and freeze your fish.  Don't put a 20 gallon aquarium in direct sun!!!!

If it is indoors or in a stable temperature environment, you should be able to manage.