Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm posting an article here from the Aquaponics Journal. The Aquaponics Journal is the leading magazine for worldwide information about aquaponics, and the aquaponics journal has been published for over 10 years now.

I recommend that if people want to keep up to date with whats happening in aquaponics, they subscribe to the journal, I've found it to be an invaluable resource, and I bought all of their back issues a few years ago.

But to the article. This may raise a few heckles from some people, but the subject matter is something that I feel is very important, and I know there are members on this forum that feel quite strongly about this subject.

I don't want to see aquaponics go down the same path as worm farms, ostrich farms, emu farm etc. did here in Australia. And I hope that through means of open communication and discussion such as in this forum, then this won't happen. The "aqua-shysters" as Rebecca puts it, are open to public scrutiny and discussion, and with so many people in different areas openly proving and disproving different aspects of aquaponics, then hopefully common sense will always prevail at the end of the day.

To those on Dial up, sorry but I have posted scans of the article rather than retype it.

( Article reproduced with permission from Rebecca Nelson www.aquaponics.com and www.aquaponicsjournal.com )

It seems she has similar concerns as some voiced here recently

I think you are right that as long as we communicate openly and frequently, this won't be a huge problem.

To be overly dramatic about it, Lies evaporate in the light of truth

Nice article EB, good to see informed ppl expressing the same concerns brought up on this forum previously

Did she plagerise some of the ideas off of this forum???

+1 Les...
Doesn't take too long for the facts to come out...
A well regarded jurno.

It is the cost of success - there are always those out there who are looking to make a quick buck off those who want an easy path. If anyone figures out a sure fire way to prevent it - I am sure the whole world will be interested.

However, there might be an upside - those who are into marketing know this - if you can't package it - you can't sell it. For aquaponics to go mainstream, you have to have packages that remove the complexity. For the hobbiest, that complexity is the fun - but for the average gardener type, probably not.

In other words - most people don't want to have to be a chemist and a hydraulical engineer to be able to grow some veggies.

The problem often with early adopters is they know all the gory details and want to be sure everyone else does too - sort of like a right of passage. But, most people will want a kit if aquaponics goes mainstream. Those who have been early adopters can be the provider of those kits if they realize the difference between a technology and a product.

If you want a good example - look at how we are communicating. Computers was my field for 25+ years. I remember back when it was either only for large companies and really geeky hobbiest. But, times changed and I suspect many who are reading this don't know much more about computers than how to turn them on.

CRT while i understand what you're saying here

I must disagree in the sense that offering people an "idiot proof" kit only re-inforces their idiocy.

I've seen many a person dig a "veggie patch" go to bunnings and blow $50 in seedlings. then complain when it is overgrown by weeds or has straggly growth or that they have to put to many ferts on it.

It is though the UNDERSTANDING of i believe simple concepts (if the person is trully interested enough to learn) that the greatest reward is reaped.

Just my humble opinion.

Well stated Steve, I have often worried about this. No offence here EB, but the thought that people with little time on their hands go and spend $11,000 on a turnkey system plug it in then expect it to just work concerns me, it will eventually give AP a bad name

It worries me more that people could spend $50,000 + buying a supposed commercial "turnkey" setup.... with no previous aquaponics experience themselves from an organisation with no previous aquaponics experience......

Running a business is hard enough.... running a business based on a "concept" or a promise of a turnkey operation is probably fatal....

Unless the providers know exactly what they're doing and are prepared to offer unlimited support.... for free or little cost.....

Problem is most of them probably wouldn't see any advantage to do so and would walk away leaving the client with a very expensive and probably redundant white elephant......

"Box movers" we used to call them in the IT field.... sell you anything, particularly an idea or a claimed level of performance, deliver the boxes (components), bank your check and never hear from them again....

Folks, I heard all these arguments during the computer age - eventually the winners were those who moved it out of hobbiest and scientist into the common man.

My computer use is much MUCH more advanced than probably 95% or more of this group and I prefer to work on the command line and know what is actually happening - and I only represent 5% of the market.

The question is - what happens as it goes mainstream? (if it ever does)

And anyone who thinks that going commercial in anything without really absorbing the technology needs to get their head examined.

It won't be the fault of aguaponics that people buy a "turnkey" system that isn't - nor is there anyway to prevent it - unless the people do their homework. Not everyone will.

True CRT, sadly so true..... and the sharks and shysters continually circle the "chum", or "chumps" ready for the feeding frenzy

I was thinking the same CRT. If somebody is that stupid - then I reckon they deserve everything they get.

Indeed the concept of "Buyer beware" or buyer be aware is valid....

But there is a fine and perhaps ill-defined line that some people cross that takes advantage of those people with perhaps more enthusiasm for an idea than significant insight..... and there are some operators who either have little scruples or concern regarding taking advantage of people or who are totally unscrupulous, but have an ability to "sell" an idea, concept etc ..... conmen, shysters.... with just enough knowledge to adorn themselves with a cloak of credibility, and a robe of misrepresentation regarding the economic vaibility of a proposal.

Should we not protect in some way the gullable, the uninformed or those who perhaps through sheer lack of time or opportunity seek to place their trust in someone who represents themselves with an appearance of expertise??

Don't get me wrong, I agree with much of what you say - but it is difficult to protect some people. There are however laws of course in relation to consumer transactions, including misleading and deceptive conduct.

What is being discussed here I think is something quite different though.