IBFP Competition

[aussieap]

the beauty about aquaponics is it can be very time efficient. We feed the fish and plant the seedlings. 10 minutes a day if that is all you have spare. Or it can take over your life! Most of us here live somewhere in the middle.
Aquaponics is also highly productive in terms of yield from a given space. If you look at gardening as a chore or too time consuming, try an aquaponic system. You can buy a turn key set up like one of Murray's kits or put some time into making your own.

[Hamish]

Actually Dale and I were chatting last night about this very thing. We both came to the conclusion that given each of our experiences the niche for Aquaponics is for people with limited space, limited time and limited water. Once a system is running you really dont have to do much at all. And you can grow a lot in a very small space and dont have to worry about soil improvements etc. All you really need to do is harvest the produce, feed the fish and plant more seedlings or seed. Beautiful!

[grassroots]

Does anyone know what it costs to produce the fish and vegetables. Buying the fish, fish food, seeds and running the pumps?
Am I right to think even when set up, it is going to cost more than growing vegetables in the ground and breeding quail, ducks, pigeon etc?
As I have ample town water, limited budget and space.

Gwen

[Murray]

The fish are mush less costly than store bought fish. The Barramundi growers estimate that it costs around 6.00 per kg to raise fish.
But, for me, I don't care what it costs, it is better for me. I know where the fish are coming from and I know they are clean and chemical free.

The veggies are much better than store bought veggies and I believe less expensive, even when taking into account the capital cost of good equipment.

As compared to a regular dirt garden. A really well run dirt garden produces some pretty good produce, but for me, I just do not have the water to maintain a regular dirt garden.

So, in the end, Aquaponics in its various forms is easier and very interesting.

[GaryD]

Hi,

The more comprehensive (in terms of the number of integrations) the commitment to integrated backyard food production, the greater the likelihood of being able to produce food cheaper than it can be purchased.

The ROI on a typical backyard aquaponics system will vary according to the choice of fish and plant species, the equipment choices and the competence of the operator.

Gary

[organicusrex]

IBFP would have to be similar to a diversified investment folder in concept. I've raised backyard food for a long time, unfortunately not with AP system yet, and my meat and veggie production was always higher in quality and lower in contaminants.

On 1/4 acre we raised nearly half our total food supply for a family of six people. With an AP system thrown in that might have bumped it up to 3/4 of our needs. Chickens for eggs and meat, rabbits, turkeys and lots of veggies from a 1000 sq. ft. organic garden. I even had a shepherd/malmute mix dog to ward off predators and corn rats. I hunted wild deer to supplement the freezer and bought from a food coop that handled organic foods in bulk.

Variety is the spice of life and diversity in food production is a way of ensuring an ample supply and you decide on the quality. Cheers!

Dean