Atlantic Ave Magazine - January 2020

AQua GARDENS
An Oasis of Beauty
with Healthy Eatables
By Diane Feen | photos by Jacob Leach
Is it possible to combine the purity of growing your own
veggies and herbs with something as natural as a fish
tank or Koi pond? The answer is a resounding “yes.”
You may not know it, but Mason Silvia has created a system of
connectivity and symbiosis that glorifies nature while letting
you grow organic food.
The systems have changed since they were first introduced. Originally,
they were two-tiered with fish tanks under seeded pots that
grew organic veggies and herbs. Layered on top of each other they
were impressive, but not as diverse and divine as they are now.
The systems are now custom designed for your home and your
lifestyle. You can have a beautiful Koi pond with fish that fertilize
your plants (that yield herbs and veggies) built with stones such
as marble, limestone, granite or slate. This natural landscape is a
wonderment for the eye (and uplift for the soul) but also carries
inherent beauty for the planet and our future.
“Large scale agriculture is using pesticides, fertilizers and
harmful chemicals to grow food. It ends up in the ground, which
pollutes canals, inlets and eventually oceans. Toxic algae ends
up polluting the water and killing aquatic life,” said Aquaponic
CEO Mason.
Being able to grow your own produce and herbs is one thing –
but with such architectural integrity it’s a miracle. Aqua Gardens do
not require soil, only seeds and clay balls that absorb water.
The result of this revolutionary evolution (growing veggies and
herbs) while gazing at a beautiful fish tank or pond is a win-win. It
uses 90 percent less water than traditional growing methods and
uses fish to fertilize the soil that grows the plants, veggies, and herbs.
Fish tanks are a thing of beauty, but if you want a more all-encompassing
nature-scape in your home or restaurant, you can opt
for one of their living-plant walls. The water source is nearby (or
within reach) to fertilize the plants. They resemble the green walls
used indoors to simulate Mother Nature’s bounty, but these walls
actually grow vegetables and herbs.
The best part is that Aqua Gardens require only fish food and
water, no harmful chemicals, soil or waste. You get to indulge in
the calm and connectivity to nature while doing something good
for your family and the planet. “Aqua Garden’s systems are an integrated
cycle of symbiotic growth. It combines raising fish and
raising plants without soil (hydroponics). This and other biowaste
provides the plants with a nature source fertilizer.”
“What you get is a living piece of art,” adds Mason. Indeed, Aqua
Garden is a natural art form that nourishes both the body and
your senses. You can get a custom designed waterfall with rocks,
a greenhouse, educational tool (American Heritage School had one
installed), commercial grow system, landscape design, or custom
aquarium anywhere you want.
For Ted Tarant – who loves to cook – and enjoys the natural beauty
of a Koi pond and waterfall - Aqua Garden was a godsent.
“I started out with a 10-gallon tank and grew tomatoes, basil,
parsley and cilantro. They tasted as good, if not better, than any
boutique farm store I’ve shopped in. It grew so much I started giving
away the basil to my neighbors and they love it,” said Tarant.
Tarant enjoyed the Aqua Garden system so much that he hired
Mason (and Ron) to install a 170-gallon Koi pond system on his
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