Our Green Streets Blog

Fresh tomatoes from this aquaponics system. Photo: Deb Dorband

LOVELAND, CO – They are innovative, inexpensive, pleasant to look at, and sustainable. Called, sustainable aquaponics, these compact systems can be used by families worldwide, producing fish and vegetables to feed individuals on an ongoing basis.

Developed by Mountain Sky Group (through its WorldWide Aquaculture subsidiary), in cooperation with the Institute for Ecolonomics,  the system combines traditional agriculture and aquaculture methods without soil, producing a healthy culture system for fish, herbs, fruits, vegetables and ornamentals to thrive. The only additional material required is water.  Fish are fed some of the plants growing in the system, and their waste fertilizes the plants.

Wayne Dorband, Ph.D, founder of Mountain Sky Group and expert in aquaculture, says aquaponics is a relatively new science. “There is no need for additional fertilizer, weed killers or outside food if the system is properly designed,” he says, pulling a trout filet from his freezer that required four months to mature.

According to Dorband, the simplest of Mountain Sky’s aquaponics system can be purchased and installed for less than $100. All components are built with recycled materials such as 55-gallon drums otherwise destined for landfills, PVC pipes, pumps and washed gravel. No special water is required, as the plants purify local, well, or pond water.

The aquaponics system can be put into a homeowner’s backyard or driveway during the growing season in each region. A family could grow enough fish, herbs, vegetables and fruits to fulfill their needs for several months.

Using artificial light in a home or garage, can convert the system to produce year-round.  For proof, just look at the garden growing in the dark warehouse at Mountain Sky Group.