Aquaponics USA

What Aquaponics USA does

Aquaponics USA is a privately held, founder-owned agri-tech company founded in 2008/2009 and headquartered in Show Low, Arizona, that designs, manufactures, and sells indoor and greenhouse aquaponics systems combining tilapia cultivation with soilless plant production. The company's core product line consists of eight "PLUG & GROW" classroom teaching and food growing systems (Compact-7, EZ-8, EZ-15, EZ-22, FGS-20, FGS-42, FGS-44R, FGS-65) priced from $3,508 to $12,018 base, each bundling a fish tank, deep-media grow beds, submersible pumps, LED grow lights, tilapia fingerlings, fish food, Hydroton grow media, and the proprietary 688-page AGWARTS STEM curriculum presented as a graphic novel. Proprietary hardware innovations include Deep Delivery Water Diffusers, redesigned Deep Water Culture troughs using half the standard water volume, the WET water clarification system, AquaHeat fish-tank heating, and the Lettuce Wall vertical growing system capable of producing 108 heads of lettuce every 5-6 weeks.

The business operates a sales-led direct go-to-market targeting K-12 schools through Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, with quote-based pricing, freight billed separately starting at $500, and customer acquisition through five annual conferences (NSTA, ACTEAZ, AAGT, ARSA, ACTE), a Road Show truck, group tours at the Show Low greenhouse with a 10% purchase discount, and an organic TikTok presence of nearly 40,000 followers. Secondary segments include home schools, community organizations, restaurants, and Indian Tribal Organizations, served through a sister company BioPonicEarth.com for larger Food Forever Farm commercial installations. Recurring revenue derives from consumables — five tilapia species, a six-stage fish food series, replacement LED grow lights, pumps, and grow media — while the 1-year "Aquaponics AI Tracking Software" subscription is bundled rather than separately monetized.

The company is led by co-founders Oliver Duffy (CEO, retired NASA aerospace engineer responsible for system engineering) and Grace Sylke (Marketing Director and curriculum author), supported by a four-person core team and a newly formed Advisory Board chaired by Dr. James V. Hardt of the Biocybernaut Institute. With 1-10 employees, no external funding, and an undisclosed revenue base, Aquaponics USA operates as a small, founder-financed niche business in the educational and small-commercial aquaponics market.

Name

Aquaponics USA

Legal name

Aquaponics USA

Website

https://aquaponicsusa.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aquaponics USA designs and sells indoor and greenhouse aquaponics systems combining tilapia and plant production, targeting K-12 schools through STEM and CTE programs with bundled curriculum and hardware priced from $3,508 to $14,421.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aquaponics Systems and Equipment

NAICS

Aquaculture (1125), Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511), Other Aquaculture (112519)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Aquaponics (Integrated Fish & Plant Production) (AFAEAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aquaculture Processing & On-Farm Value-Add (primary handling, icing, packing) (AFAEAAAN), Hatchery Equipment, Systems & Technology (RAS Hatcheries, Incubation, Grading, Transport Systems) (AFAEAKAL), Aquaculture Feed & Nutrition (HLAMAHAF), Grower/Finisher Feed (AFADADAG)

Keywords

• Classroom aquaponics systems
• STEM CTE curriculum
• Indoor agriculture equipment
• Food growing technology
• Tilapia fish cultivation

Headquarters

HQ city

Show Low

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Classroom Aquaponics Systems: Sale of 8 different sized STEM & CTE Teaching & Food Growing Systems (Compact-7, EZ-8, EZ-15, EZ-22, FGS-20, FGS-42, FGS-44R, FGS-65) ranging from $3,508 to $12,018 base price. Shipping is additional and quote-based.
2. Components and Accessories: Sale of tilapia fingerlings (5 species), fish food (6 types), pumps, air pumps, LED grow lights, water testing equipment, heaters, and other aquaponics accessories. Prices range from $19 to $680.
3. Food Forever Farms: Large-scale aquaponics systems for restaurants, community organizations, and businesses. Sized to needs of client with multiple FGS-65 beds and 500 gallon tanks.
4. Optional Accessories: Puppet Theater Kit ($300), Adjustable Steps ($70-$142), LED grow light upgrades, and Hydroton grow bed media.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Aquaponics USA designs, engineers, and sells a portfolio of eight PLUG & GROW classroom aquaponics teaching and food-growing systems (Compact-7 through FGS-65) combining fish cultivation (tilapia) with plant production, sold primarily to K-12 schools for STEM and CTE programs. Each system ships with grow media, fingerlings, fish food, pumps, and a proprietary 688-page AGWARTS graphic-novel curriculum, plus one year of Aquaponics AI Tracking Software. The company also offers a larger Food Forever Farm platform, accessories (LED lights, fingerlings, fish food, puppet theater), and grower supplies.

Product overview

Aquaponics USA offers a portfolio of eight PLUG & GROW classroom teaching and food growing aquaponics systems (Compact-7, EZ-8, EZ-15, EZ-22, FGS-20, FGS-42, FGS-44R, and FGS-65) ranging from $3,508 to $12,018, designed for educational STEM and CTE programs in schools. These systems combine fish cultivation (primarily tilapia) with plant production using proprietary deep-media grow beds, with growing areas from 7 sq. ft. to 65+ sq. ft. All systems include the AGWARTS 688-page graphic novel-style curriculum, Aquaponics AI Tracking Software (1 year subscription), and are bundled with fish, fish food, grow media (Hydroton), air pumps, water pumps, pH meters, and instructional manuals. Add-on accessories include the $300 Puppet Theater Kit, Mars Hydro LED grow lights, tilapia fingerlings (5 species), a 6-stage fish food series, automatic fish feeder, meters (pH, TDS, EC, dissolved oxygen, lux), de-chlorinators, air stones, and seedling propagation equipment. The company also offers Food Forever Farm—a large-scale commercial aquaponics platform combining multiple FGS-65 systems with vertical Lettuce Walls (producing 108 heads of lettuce every 5-6 weeks), dilution solution systems, WET water clarification, and AquaHeat tank heating—designed for school campuses via Farm-to-School grants ($100K-$500K), restaurants, and community organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Food Forever Farm: Large-scale aquaponics farms for restaurants, survivalist groups, church groups, community organizations, or businesses that want to grow food for members or clients. Sized using multiple FGS-65 Deep Media Grow Beds and multiple 500 gallon tanks.
• AGWARTS
• Lettuce Wall
• Aquaganic
• BioPonicEarth

Products and services

• Compact-7 Aquaponics System Aquaponics USA's smallest classroom teaching and food growing system with 7 sq. ft. of growing area, priced at $3,752 base. Includes a 90-gallon fish tank, deep-media grow bed, submersible pump, air pump, LED grow light (TSW-2000), pH meter, 25 tilapia fingerlings, fish food, and Aquaponics AI Tracking Software for 1 year. Targeted at elementary classrooms and entry-level growers.
• EZ-8 Aquaponics System Expandable STEM and CTE teaching aquaponics system with 8 sq. ft. of growing area, priced at $3,508 base ($4,185 with LED grow light and table extension). Modular design that can be upgraded to EZ-15 by adding a second grow bed. Includes 125-gallon fish tank, deep-media grow bed, steel table, and fish food.
• EZ-15 Aquaponics System Dual grow bed aquaponics classroom system with 16 sq. ft. of growing area, priced at $4,358 base ($5,393 with LED grow lights). Features two 8 sq. ft. deep-media EZ-Reach grow beds cross-linked with a fish tank, proprietary Deep Delivery Water Diffusers, dual grow bed tables with shelves. Suitable for STEM classrooms demonstrating the symbiotic fish-plant relationship.
• EZ-22 Aquaponics System 22 sq. ft. dual grow bed STEM and CTE food growing system priced at $6,579 base ($7,280 with LED grow lights). Features EZ-Reach design allowing easy access across grow beds and a 200-gallon round fish tank. Suitable for horizontal wall placement in classrooms.
• FGS-20 Aquaponics System Standard STEM and CTE aquaponics system with 22 sq. ft. of growing area and a 200-gallon fish tank, priced at $6,513 base ($7,712 with LEDs). Features the company's proprietary Deep Delivery Water Diffusers that replace previous water delivery rings, sized as a standard classroom system.
• FGS-42 Aquaponics System Large-scale aquaponics system with 42 sq. ft. of growing area and a 300-gallon fish tank, priced at $9,420 base ($10,267 with LEDs). Features two 4' x 6' deep-media polyethylene grow beds with flood-and-drain functionality for substantial food production.
• FGS-44R Aquaponics System 44 sq. ft. four grow bed aquaponics system with a 300-gallon fish tank, priced at $9,647 base ($10,803 with LEDs). Features four 11 sq. ft. deep-media EZ-Reach grow beds arranged radially around the central tank, allowing multiple students or family members to gather around for collaborative planting and harvesting.
• FGS-65 Aquaponics System Aquaponics USA's largest STEM and CTE teaching food growing system with over 65 sq. ft. of growing area and a 500-gallon fish tank, priced at $12,018 base ($14,421 with LEDs). Features two 4' x 8' deep-media polyethylene grow beds totaling 65+ sq. ft., designed for serious food growing and substantial fish-raising capacity.
• AGWARTS STEM Curriculum 688-page STEM school curriculum for aquaponics education presented as a mini graphic novel with zany cartoon characters and mascots woven into storylines. Covers the nitrogen cycle, photosynthesis, plant respiration, ecosystems, and interdisciplinary science fields, and includes lesson plans, worksheets, labs, definition boxes, activities, and videos across four parts (Parts 1, 3, and 4 free with systems; Part 2 a Puppet Theater Kit optional).
• Food Forever Farm Large-scale aquaponics farming solution for school campuses (Farm-to-School grants of $100K-$500K), restaurants, survivalist groups, church groups, and community organizations. Combines multiple FGS-65 Deep Media Grow Beds with multiple 500-gallon tanks, vertical Lettuce Walls capable of producing 108 heads of lettuce every 5-6 weeks, dilution solution systems, WET water clarification, and AquaHeat fish tank heating, in configurations from 20'x100' to 100'x500'.
• Aquaponics Teaching Puppet Theater Kit Optional Part 2 accessory for the AGWARTS curriculum, priced at $300. Includes a standalone puppet theater, 40 stick-on hardstock color curriculum character puppets (8"x10"), wooden craft sticks, white latex gloves for 'Handy Helpers', and signs for intermissions and audience messages, enabling students to demonstrate aquaponics knowledge through scripted puppet performances.
• Blue Tilapia Fingerlings Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) fingerlings known for high tolerance to brackish and colder water, rapid growth down to 60°F, and resilience to challenging water quality. Adults reach 15-18 inches and 5-6 pounds; mouthbrooders with 160-1,600 eggs per female. Sample price $135 for 25 fingerlings, scaling up to $910 for 500 fish; shipping included.
• Red Nile Tilapia Fingerlings Red Nile (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings, freshwater fish thriving in warm water between 70-95°F. Adults reach up to 24 inches and 9.5 pounds and are resilient to low pH, low oxygen, and high ammonia/nitrite levels. Sold for stocking aquaponics systems.
• Tilapia Food Bundles Bundled fish food packages for complete grow-out of tilapia fingerlings. Bundle #1 (25-35 fingerlings) includes 5 lbs fingerling crumble, 10 lbs fingerling pellet, 10 lbs intermediate pellet, and 20 lbs growout pellet for $165. Bundle #2 (50-75 fingerlings) includes 10 lbs each of crumble, fingerling pellet, intermediate pellet, and 40 lbs growout pellet for $299.
• Tilapia Food Series Complete line of growth-stage-specific fish food free of terrestrial animal parts and made in the USA, including Fry Powder (50% protein, 17% fat, $34 for 5 lbs), Fingerling Crumble ($36 for 5 lbs), Fingerling Pellet ($43 for 10 lbs), Intermediate Pellet ($39 for 10 lbs), Ultimate Growout Pellet ($36 for 10 lbs), and Breeding Pellet ($44 for 10 lbs).
• Automatic Fish Feeder Battery-powered automatic fish feeder with pre-set food portions up to three times daily. Accommodates a wide range of pellet sizes, has mounting holes, and runs on four C cells lasting approximately 6 months with a low-battery warning.
• Mars Hydro LED Grow Lights Full-spectrum LED grow lights sold under the Mars Hydro brand across multiple wattages and form factors, including TS-600 (100W, $66), TS-1000 (150W, $110), TSW-2000 (300W, $210), TSL-2000 (300W, $210), TS-3000 (450W, $280), SP-3000 (300W linear, $230), FC-1500-EVO (150W, $140), FC-3000-EVO (300W, $208), FC-4000-EVO (320W, $246), FC-4800-EVO (480W, $440), and FC-6500-EVO (650W, $680).
• Hydroton Grow Bed Media pH-neutral expanded clay pebbles serving as grow bed media for aquaponics systems, $52.98 for a 50-liter bag. Ecologically sustainable, lightweight, non-compacting, inert, nutrient-free, and completely reusable. All STEM and CTE systems include precisely measured Hydroton, with additional bags sold separately.
• Aquaponics AI Tracking Software and Mobile App AI-powered monitoring and tracking software for aquaponics systems bundled with the Compact-7 system for 1 year, with mobile app access for system monitoring and management. Sold as part of the system bundle rather than as a standalone offering.

Quantifiable outcome

• 108 heads of lettuce every 5-6 weeks from Lettuce Wall system
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• BioPonicEarth.comcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Sister company of Aquaponics USA that features Food Forever Farms. Aquaponics USA uses BioPonicEarth.com for building larger Food Forever Farm installations, including the project at the Biocykernaut Institute.
• Biocybernaut InstituteflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Brainwave neurofeedback training center in Sedona, Arizona (and Bavaria, Germany) contracted with Aquaponics USA's sister company to build a Food Forever Farm. Dr. James V. Hardt founded Biocybernaut and serves as Advisory Board Chair. Grace Sylke works as part-time independent contractor for the Institute since 2005.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Bright Agrotech (ZipGrow): Bright Agrotech (now ZipGrow) manufactures vertical hydroponic growing towers and indoor farming systems for schools and small commercial growers. Comparable to Aquaponics USA's Lettuce Wall vertical growing system and Food Forever Farm offering, with overlap in the K-12 STEM and small commercial customer base.
• 80 Acres Farms: 80 Acres Farms operates large-scale commercial indoor vertical farms producing leafy greens and herbs. Comparable to the Food Forever Farm commercial arm of Aquaponics USA's business (restaurants and community-scale food production), though operating at significantly larger scale and capital intensity.

Direct peers

• Frey Scientific: Frey Scientific (a School Specialty brand) supplies K-12 science classroom equipment, kits, and consumables to schools nationwide. Directly comparable to Aquaponics USA in selling bundled science equipment and curriculum to K-12 STEM programs, with strong district-level sales coverage that overlaps the school procurement buyer.
• Pitsco Education: Pitsco Education is a leading K-12 STEM curriculum and classroom equipment provider serving career and technical education programs nationwide. Directly comparable to Aquaponics USA's primary K-12 STEM/CTE classroom equipment and curriculum bundle, with established district sales channels that overlap target buyer (school superintendents and CTE coordinators).
• Carolina Biological Supply: Carolina Biological Supply is one of the largest K-12 life science education suppliers in the U.S., offering classroom kits, live specimens, and curriculum. Highly comparable to Aquaponics USA because it serves the same K-12 life science buyer with bundled equipment-plus-curriculum offerings and has an established e-commerce channel with instant checkout.
• Nelson and Pade Aquaponics: Nelson and Pade is one of the most established U.S. aquaponics system manufacturers, offering both hobbyist and commercial systems plus training and curriculum. Directly competes with Aquaponics USA in aquaponics hardware and shares overlap in the educational market segment where Aquaponics USA sells its classroom systems.

Broad incumbents

• Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems: Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems is a division of Pentair (a multi-billion dollar water/fluid technology company) supplying aquaculture and aquaponics equipment, pumps, and tanks at industrial scale. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the aquaculture equipment space where Aquaponics USA competes, though Pentair serves large commercial hatcheries rather than the classroom niche.
• Hydrofarm: Hydrofarm is a publicly-traded hydroponics and indoor agriculture equipment distributor serving hobbyists and commercial growers. Comparable to Aquaponics USA on the equipment side (LED grow lights, pumps, growing media) sold through Aquaponics USA's store, but Hydrofarm focuses on hydroponics rather than integrated fish-and-plant aquaponics systems.
• AeroFarms: AeroFarms is a well-capitalized indoor vertical farming operator using aeroponic technology for commercial-scale leafy greens production. Comparable to Aquaponics USA's Food Forever Farm platform on the indoor farming end, though AeroFarms operates at industrial scale with venture capital backing rather than the small-to-mid commercial tier Aquaponics USA targets.

Others

• Edison Nation / STEM education peer: Learning Resources is a major K-12 educational product company selling hands-on STEM kits and manipulatives through retail and school channels. Comparable to Aquaponics USA as a fellow K-12 STEM hands-on learning brand, with significantly broader distribution (Target, Amazon) and product breadth than Aquaponics USA's aquaponics-focused catalog.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• TikToktiktok.com/@aquaponicsusa?lang=en
• Xx.com/AquaponicsUSA

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aquaponics USA