How to Build a Fountain
A fountain is an artificially created jet from which water gushes forth and is used for decorative purposes. It can be found mostly outdoors, in gardens and backyards. However, depending on the size of the available space, fountains can be customized to beautify the interiors of a building. Given below are easy instructions to build a jug fountain.
Required Materials
- water-pump
- three pottery jugs
Required Tools
- shovel for digging
- electric drill for holes in the planters
Instructions
- First, Dig the Base - Dig a basin in the ground that has a 4-foot width and 6-foot length. Dig a hole at the center of the basin, about 1 foot deep, as support for the jugs. Now smooth down the floor of the basin with sand. Cover the walls and the floor of the basin using a rubber liner meant exclusively for ponds.
- Making the Walls - Place layers of rocks into position, along the walls of the basin, using mortar to keep gaps in the sides for the pots. At the back side of the structure, place bricks vertically in the form of a channel for the pump. Take three planters, and drill a hole at the bottom of each one. One planter will serve as a fountain with a circulation tube, and the rest are for the plants.
- Positioning the Planters - Dig a deep space at the side, and place the planters at a tilted angle inside it. Secure the planters at their edges with mortar. Allow the mortar to dry. Place a few irregular rocks around the central planter. Place a supporting pipe, with a 5” diameter for the jug, on the upper side of the channel built out of brick earlier. Cover the pipe with some stones using mortar.
- Fixing the Water Pump for Operation - Insert a tube through the jug’s hole at the bottom and screw the tube’s end from its outer side with a coupling. Take a rubber tube, and fix one end to the water pump. Take the other end of the tube, and pull it through the coupling into the positioned jug. Place the jug in a tilted position on the pump and put the pump in the channel. Next, position the two planters and fill the fountain with water to begin its operation.
Tips and Warnings
- Make sure the pump is shock safe.
- Use a 300-gallon per hour pump for ideal water flow.
- If the liner seems to be sticking out from anywhere, try and hide it with irregular stones and position them using mortar.
- Seal the water tube with silicon to prevent water from leaking during the fountain’s operation.
- Make sure the planters are firmly set to bear the water flow. Plants should also be firm so they don’t tip over.
- Decorate the two jugs with flowers and plants to make your fountain appear beautiful.
- Use planters of soft stone to give an aesthetic look to your fountain.