Since finding a how-to article in Southern Living magazine a few years ago, my kids and I have wanted to build our own fountain. I love the sound of a bubbling brook and so we tackled one of several summer projects this past weekend.
First, start with a sturdy pot. This one is 29" tall from Milaeger's in Racine, they have an excellent and affordable selection of sizes and colors. I searched no less than 5 garden centers and hardware stores for a pot that didn't break the budget. This is the 2nd most expensive part of the fountain project.
Step 2 - purchase a basin and dig the hole. The basin is the most expensive part of the fountain. I bought the EasyPro Eco-Basin 28" online. There are only a few on the market but you can use any enclosed tub that you could put a grate over with a cinder block inside to support the pot. This one is self supporting.Dig a hole only about 1 inch deeper than the basin and 1 - 2 inches around the sides.
Step 3 - purchase 3 bags of play sand. Spread about 1 inch in the bottom of the hole and place the basin inside and make sure it is level. If it isn't, remove it and move the sand until the basin is level. This is very important so the water properly cascades over the edge.
Once the basin is level in the sand, pour the remaining sand around the sides. I used a hose on a low flow to help distribute and settle the sand evenly around the basin which is tapered.
Step 4 - other parts needed
Pump - Pondmaster 250gph purchased online
Flexible hose (black) - 18" (will cut later), 1/2" inside diameter at service counter of hardware store, I brought the pump in to make sure it fit over the outtake fittingHose clamp - only needed 1
PVC pipe - 1/2", 1 foot longer than pot, will cut later
PVC pipe fitting 1/2" male adapter
1 tube of Silicone Adhesive Caulk
Outdoor rated timer so the pump isn't running 24/7, I bought a Intermatic Heavy Duty Outdoor Timer on Amazon
Hardware cloth - about 3 foot piece
2 bags (.5cu feet each) river rocks
Black spray paint
Did not need the washer in photo.
Step 5 - Secure PVC to pot
-Turn the pot upside down, dry fit the PVC fitting into pot hole (female end in pot, male end coming out of bottom). If it is too tight, use a masonry drill bit to slowly widen the hole.
-Turn pot right side up but place on 2 bricks so that the fitting can protrude out of the bottom. Attach the PVC pipe to the female end of the fitting, put the fitting back ...into the hole in the bottom of the pot. The PVC pipe should stick out of the top of the pot. Measure and cut it no less than 1/2 an inch below the top of the pot.
-Spray the top foot or so of the pipe with black spray paint.
-If the PVC pipe is loose in the fitting, secure with PVC cement.
-Using Silicone Adhesive Caulk, secure the fitting (with pipe in it) in the bottom of the pot. Allow to dry for a minimum of 3 hours. After it is dry, put a few inches of water in the pot to check for any leaks, fix if necessary.
-Turn the pot upside down, dry fit the PVC fitting into pot hole (female end in pot, male end coming out of bottom). If it is too tight, use a masonry drill bit to slowly widen the hole.
-Turn pot right side up but place on 2 bricks so that the fitting can protrude out of the bottom. Attach the PVC pipe to the female end of the fitting, put the fitting back ...into the hole in the bottom of the pot. The PVC pipe should stick out of the top of the pot. Measure and cut it no less than 1/2 an inch below the top of the pot.
-Spray the top foot or so of the pipe with black spray paint.
-If the PVC pipe is loose in the fitting, secure with PVC cement.
-Using Silicone Adhesive Caulk, secure the fitting (with pipe in it) in the bottom of the pot. Allow to dry for a minimum of 3 hours. After it is dry, put a few inches of water in the pot to check for any leaks, fix if necessary.
Step 6 - Pump
-Attach one end of the flexible hose to the outtake of the pump. I secured with a hose clamp, but probably didn't need to.
-fill basin with about 3 inches or so of water for weight. Drop pump into basin, run cord out the back. Position the flexible hose under and up through the center of the basin. You will probably have too much, just make sure the pump sits comfortably in the basin, measure and cut off any extra hose. You only need an extra 1-2" out of the top of the basin, I cut off about 8 inches.
-Here you will need a friend to help. Position the pot over the center of the basin, tilted back a little so you can secure the flexible hose to the bottom of the pot.
-Tip the pot back over the basin and make sure it is level, level if necessary.
-Fill the basin with water, up to the top. Fill the pot with water, up to the top of the PVC. Plug the pump into a timer and it should be running!
To finish it off, cut hardware cloth to fit just over the top of the basin and cover with your choice of rocks. I used 2 bags of river rocks.
