Aquaponics -- How to Put Your Organic Garden on Overdrive

Farm in a Barrel ($15 - $95):
Earth Solutions also offers a simple do-it-yourself model called Farm in a Barrel. It's basically a set of instructions for how to build your own system using two 55-gallon plastic barrels (that you find and buy yourself). This type of aquaponics is often called barrel ponics. The instructions cost $15. You can also buy the pump and valves from Earth Solutions for an additional $40, timer for $15, and heater for $25, bringing the total to $95.

Little Tokyo ($289/$249):
The Little Tokyo is the smallest model. It has a 10-gallon glass fish tank on the bottom for decorative fish and a 12"x20" plant bed on top. It's ideal for home, office, or classroom. This model sells for $249 online from Home Depot and for $289 online from Earth Solutions.

Charleston ($499):
The next larger model is the Charleston. It includes a 20-gallon fish tank and a 12"x32" plant bed. It is good for goldfish, small perch, minnows, or tropical fish, but is still too small for edible fish. You can only find it at Earth Solutions online. Cost is $499.

Sydney ($469):
The Sydney model is much like the Charleston, except that the fish tank is not included which helps reduce the price. Instead of a built-in fish tank, the Sydney model has space for a glass fish tank which could be anywhere from 20-gallons to 29-gallons in size. The larger tank options make it possible to grow edible fish with this model. As with all the Farm-in-a-Box models, the Sydney comes with pump and timer, plus instructions. Cost is $469.

San Antonio ($679):
Next is the San Antonio. It has a 35-gallon fish tank and a 14"x42" planting bed. This 35-gallon tank is large enough to grow edible fish, such as tilapia, catfish, perch, bass, koi, or goldfish. Earth Solutions sells it for $679.

Grand Cayman ($589):
The Grand Cayman is designed with flexibility for the serious organic gardener who has limited space. It is very much like the San Antonio model with a 14"x42" deep grow bed. However, the Grand Cayman does not come with a built-in fish tank. Instead it has room for a glass tank, which can be 30-gallons, 38-gallons, or even 45-gallons in size. These tank sizes allow you to grow edible fish, such as tilapia, bass, perch, or catfish. This model also comes on casters, so that you can roll it indoors or out depending on the weather. As with all Farm-in-a-Box models, the Grand Cayman includes all the aquaponics supplies needed such as timer, pump, valves, hoses, and instructions. It sells for $589.

Mendocino ($2000):
The Mendocino looks too big to me for use as an indoor aquaponics model, but it would work outdoors, in a greenhouse, or on a large patio. It comes with a 100-gallon fish tank, a 3'x5' deep water culture bed, as well as all necessary aquaponics supplies, such as pump, timer, valves, and hoses. It sells for $2000.

Phoenix ($2995):
The original Farm in a Box model is the Phoenix. Like the Mendocino and Atlantis, the Phoenix is definitely an outdoor or green house model. It's a modular unit with a 100-gallon fish tank and two 3x5 ft. deep water culture beds.

Atlantis ($3000):
The largest Farm in a Box model is the Atlantis, and it is most definitely designed for outdoor or greenhouse use. It is a modular unit just like the Mendocino and Phoenix, but with a 200-gallon fish tank and three 3'x5' deep water culture beds. It costs $3000.