Is it possible to be successful with DIY Aquaponics?

If one searches YouTube and other sites on the internet, they will find many variations of DIY Aquaponics plans, from simple aquarium-based hobby kits to commercial farm ideas and plans, most of which do not provide quite enough information or detail to successfully build and operate an aquaponic farm.

For many years, DIY Aquaponics has been viewed as a likely path to failure in aquaponic farming because that is often what happened to DIY aquaponic farms in the past. DIY aquaponic builders often had an abundance of enthusiasm and just enough info to get the aquaponic system to almost function well.

What was lacking in many DIY Aquaponic farms for long-term success was a proven system design, years of experience, comprehensive training, detailed assembly and operation manuals, and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) with an emphasis on food safety. These are the things that have led to repeatable successes for Nelson and Pade's clients, who operate systems in nearly every US state and over 35 countries.

Looking at the industry as a whole and wanting to continue to assist as many people as possible to be successful in aquaponics, a step back was taken to consider how more people who want to embrace the proven systems, yet also have some knowledge and skills to contribute to the build process, could be helped.

DIYers are generally pretty savvy at building things and quite resourceful when it comes to finding the parts needed. Often, they might be in a related trade or business that could have access to labor, parts, or skills that can be applied to building an aquaponic farm.

After thinking this all over, it was realized that bringing Aquaponics DIYers together to work with Nelson and Pade could achieve a better end goal…a lower-cost, more efficient, and profitable aquaponic farm.

This discussion led to the development of a whole new line of aquaponic system offerings, which are a fraction of the cost of complete aquaponic systems and allow new and existing growers to utilize their labor and skills to save money. Essentially, Nelson and Pade Commercial Aquaponic Systems and Aquaponic MicroFarms are now available as kits, modules, or complete packages.

With the new system offerings, DIYers can put their skills to good use and save big money on establishing an aquaponics farm, yet rely on the proven, science-based aquaponic system designs, methods, and procedures of Nelson and Pade.

For a savvy builder who can source common parts and take on some of the assembly, the base system is all that is needed.

Beyond the base system, there are a variety of additional items that the buyer can source and build locally or purchase from Nelson and Pade. This flexibility creates a money-saving platform for each customer to excel and save where they want to, but rely on the proven, science-based Nelson and Pade system designs throughout the process.

The complete system packages, as they have been offered for many years, are still available for the grower who wants to purchase everything needed from Nelson and Pade.

Nelson and Pade's new system order forms allow one to select exactly what components they want to order and what they want to source and build locally. When all of the options on the order form are checked, the complete system is obtained.

Starting with the base system, one can pick and choose what they want from Nelson and Pade, source what they want locally, buy additional components when they are ready, and spread their startup costs out over time. This strategy results in a much lower startup cost because one can do some of the work themselves, source components locally, and save on labor and freight.

If one is interested in getting started in aquaponic farming but is hesitant because of the cost, this new approach might be just what they need to advance their project. It will save them money on labor, parts, and freight and allow them to apply their skills and finesse to complete the aquaponic system installation.

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