The Water Garden, formerly the AquaFarm, is an innovative three-gallon aquaponics system that is both eco-friendly and self-sustaining from urban farming startup Back to the Roots. Available through the Back to the Roots website, the Water Garden retails for $59.99.
The innovative Water Garden is a mini ecosystem, as the plants clean the water and fish feed the plants. The kit comes with fish food, a beta fish coupon, gravel for the tank and organic seeds. The "closed-loop" sustainable farming method uses 90% less water than traditional farming methods and is self-described as a unique convergence of aquaculture and hydroponics.
Started by Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez in their UC Berkeley dorm-room, Back to the Roots produces eight other urban farming tools, including the Mushroom Farm that uses coffee grounds and two ready-to-grow basil and cilantro cans.
Garden-Growing Fish Tanks
This Fish Tank Water Garden is from Startup Back to the Roots
Trend Themes
1. Aquaponics Systems - The Water Garden is an eco-friendly and self-sustaining aquaponics system, showcasing the trend for integrating fish farming and plant cultivation.
2. Closed-loop Farming - The Water Garden's closed-loop farming method, using 90% less water than traditional farming, reflects the growing trend towards sustainable agricultural practices.
3. Urban Farming Tools - Back to the Roots' range of urban farming tools, including the Water Garden and Mushroom Farm, exemplifies the trend of individuals and communities seeking ways to grow their own food in urban areas.
Industry Implications
1. Aquaponics - The Water Garden fits into the aquaponics industry, offering a disruptive opportunity for companies to develop innovative aquaponics systems for sustainable food production.
2. Sustainable Agriculture - The closed-loop farming method of the Water Garden presents a disruptive opportunity for the sustainable agriculture industry, encouraging the development of more efficient and environmentally-friendly farming techniques.
3. Urban Gardening - Back to the Roots' urban farming tools cater to the burgeoning urban gardening industry, creating opportunities for innovative products that enable people to grow food in limited spaces.