Farm
Fountain is a system for growing edible and ornamental fish
and plants in a constructed, indoor ecosystem. Based on the
concept of aquaponics, this hanging garden fountain uses
pump, along with gravity to flow the nutrients from fish
waste through the plant roots. The plants and bacteria in
the system serve to cleanse and purify the water for the
fish.
This project is an experiment in local, sustainable agriculture
and recycling. It utilizes 2-liter plastic soda bottles as
planters and continuously recycles the water in the system
to create a symbiotic relationship between edible plants,
fish and humans. The work creates an indoor healthy environment
that also provides oxygen and light to the humans working
and moving through the space. The sound of water trickling
through the plant containers creates a peaceful, relaxing
waterfall. The Koi and Tilapia fish that are part of this
project also provide a focus for relaxed viewing.
The plants we are currently growing include lettuces, cilantro,
mint, basil, tomatoes, chives, parsley, mizuna, watercress
and rosemary.
Farm Fountain is a collaborative project by artists Ken Rinaldo
and Amy Youngs. We hope you will be inspired to create one
yourself. Please visit our illustrated "How-To" pages
posted on our Farm Fountain project webpage to
see how we made our home version
Visit
the project
galleries for more pictures.
Visit
the webcam to see the project as it currently exists in our pantry. |