Vertical Aquaponic Gardening Takes Shape
March 5, 2010 by Robin Plaskoff Horton
The Sun Curve, from Inca Biospheric Systems, is a closed loop vertical aquaponic micro farm (yes, that’s a mouthful) powered by solar panels, a wind turbine, and a battery bank. It grows plants vertically using water from its fish pond which also acts as a resevoir and nutrient source.
The plant roots, growing media, and a colony of microorganisms act as a biological filter, cleaning the water for the fish. Originally developed to support remote clinics and refugee camps in third world countries, the system recycles the water, using about 10% of the water consumed in traditional farming and gardening. The Sun Curve can store enough power in its battery bank to run a built in water pump, ultraviolet filtration, and a computer/phone.
manny said:
Good post
Turning a garden on its side to create a verdant, vertical surface not only looks good but promotes wildlife, good air quality and sustainabilty too
Most living wall designs can work in a home environment and more and more people are installing them
— March 6, 2010 @ 02:46
Bill said:
Cool idea, but it looks like they picked a pretty sub-optimal location for this one. Lots of trees to shade the solar panels and block the wind from hitting the turbine. They should put the panels and turbine on a pole extending 20 or 30 feet above the center of the structure, with guy-wires down to the corners to stabilize it.
— March 6, 2010 @ 12:44
fello said:
… and the poor fish will certainly turn mad from all the bubble noise.
— July 11, 2010 @ 12:30
Aquaponics Guy said:
Love the idea – been doing aquaponics the normal way using this resource http://Aquaponics4YouReview.com but may look into this method too. Thanks for the great article.
— September 29, 2011 @ 11:53