Are aquaponics kits a rip off?
This is the question posed by TreeHugger’s Sami Grover in response to Hawaii-based Friendly Aquaponics’ announcement that they had produced plans and operating manual for a micro-aquaponics system…..for just US$49.95.
Friendly Aquaponics claim that their plans and manual arose from concerns about the cost of kits offered by competitors.
Sami Grover quotes Friendly Aquaponics…….
”We were offended by the many sellers on the web who are taking advantage of people’s relative lack of knowledge about aquaponics to sell them overpriced collections of standard tanks, pumps, and piping called “aquaponics kits”, that can usually be purchased locally for a fraction of the cost. If we’d seen even ONE such “kit” that was reasonably priced, that ALSO had realistic claims about how much can be grown with it (the other problem we have with these people), we wouldn’t have bothered with this set of plans.”
The articles continues with the claim that kits costing $3,000 can be built as DIY projects for as little as US$500……using Friendly’s micro-aquaponics plans.
The TreeHugger article came along at an interesting time because I’ve had similar questions about aquaponics kits.
Some of the issues that attach to aquaponics kits include:
- The claims about their capabilities.
- The “technical” advice provided with the kits.
- The quality of the components.
- The cost of the kits.
As with anything, claims as to the performance of aquaponics systems should be treated with a big dose of caveat emptor.
Take my home state, for example. Currently, Queensland is hot, very humid and a favourite holiday destination for many sap-sucking and leaf-eating creatures…..so growing any plant is a challenge at the moment. In three months’ time, we’ll be in full flight and able to grow almost anything just as the rest of the country descends into winter.
There are so many factors that influence the growth of fish and plants that generalised claims – about the amount of fish and plants that can be produced – are worthless.
If predicting the amount of produce that a particular system can produce is an issue then, given the unpredictability of the marketplace, attempting to estimate the financial value of such produce is even sillier.
Talk about the return on investment (ROI) in such situations should be afforded the same credibility as fortune cookies.
The adequacy of technical advice is another issue. The “just add water and shake” approach of some kit distributors will produce a similar outcome to giving car keys to a toddler……they may make it go but they’ll quite likely kill things in the process.
The quality of components can be an issue, too.
The first test of a tank or grow bed is that it should hold water and (as strange as it seems), I’ve encountered fibreglass tanks and grow beds that failed this basic test.
One such tank that I saw had fourteen holes in it. Now, one hole is sloppy craftsmanship but fourteen holes is a sieve.
I’m not concerned about the cost of kits per se. In my view, people who produce a good product are entitled to a reasonable return on their investment of resources…..and there will always be those (asset-rich but time-poor) people who are willing to pay for the convenience that kits offer.
To summarise……I don’t have an issue with kit distributors who provide quality products with sound operating instructions and a realistic assessment of the kit’s capabilities.
Where these things don’t happen, then the answer to Sami’s question is probably in the affirmative.
In any case, the absence of wealth shouldn’t be a barrier to producing clean fresh food for one’s family…..so DIY options like those offered by Friendly Aquaponics are important.
-o0o-
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Yup.
When I turned up to the tradies plumbing outlet and ordered 8 x 50mm wastes and 72m of pipe, they didn’t even ask if I was a plumber, I got trade price and more for cash.
Some of the stuff in kits is weedy and undersize IMO and therefore prone to blockage. Some of the plastic GBs even cost as much as corrugated gal.
Oh Gary we agree again!
I recently read a cost benefit analysis on aquaponics (google “aquaponic cost benefit”). The payback times on the systems were no were near accurate. The achievable densities and returns on the fish alone were cods wallop. If only commercial growers could achieve that. I forwarded it to an aquaculture economist friend of mine only to be returned with bouts of laughter. But hey to the ignorant they look great and even more of a reason to buy in big!
I challenge anyone thinking of buying into such a “system” based on those figures, to seek advice from an accountant or asked for a money back guarantee lol.
Paul V…….I’ve responded to your comment on the APHQ forum here.
I only recently became aware of aquaponics from an episode of costas garden oddessey on sbs. I was horrified at the prices of aquaponics kits sold online in Australia & instantly questioned how long the system would take to pay for itself. I have had quite a hard time finding DIY options & credible information also which is frustrating because I am certain my dad could probably make something for me for less than half the price of the most basic kit that would look a lot better. (is it so much to ask for form AND function?)
Shannon……there are many people who opt for the DIY approach and most of them belong to an aquaponics forum somewhere. I own and operate Aquaponics HQ and, if you have not done so already, I invite you to register.
You’ll find lots of people who will assist you with ideas.
Assessing a kit supplier and their knowledge is a bit like assessing an investment advisor: If they are living off their own advice (and not a commission for selling it) then their advice is worthy of serious consideration. So, check out if they have an active display; otherwise: “next!”; because they are unlikely to assist with practical advice.
Colin…..sounds like good advice.