By Bobbi Holmes
Water fountains, either an indoor water fountain or
outdoor water fountain, can add soothing ambiance to the environment. For
those do-it-yourselfers, building your own water fountain can be a
worthwhile project. This project requires a terra-cotta or cement pot
container to serve as the fountain. It can be a small or large fountain,
depending on the container you choose. You will also need a submersible
pump. The size of pump will depend on the choice of container. The home
supply stores will often have charts to help pair the appropriate pump size
with container.
Things You'll Need:
Terra-Cotta or cement pot, large enough to hold at least
two or three gallons of water
1
Place the pot in the area you want the fountain. You
won't want to move it later, when it is filled with water. There should be
an electrical outlet nearby, to plug in the pump.
2
Coat the inside of the container with waterproof sealer.
Allow to dry.
3
Drill a hole at the bottom of the pot, if there isn't a
drainage hole. This will be used to run the pump cord through. The hole
should be just large enough for the cord plug. Use a bit designed for the
material of the pot, to avoid cracking.
4
Set the pump inside the container, and run the cord
through the drain hole, or the hole you drilled.
5
Secure cord outside the pot with duck tape, to hold in
place. You will be leaving just enough cord inside the container to allow
you to raise the pump several inches. The rest of the cord should be outside
the pot.
6
Place the pot on bricks or pot feet, to raise enough so
that the cord can exit the pot easily.
7
Fill the hole around the cord with silicone sealant to
seal. You want to be able to fill the container with water later, and you
don't want the pot to leak. After you have filled the hole with sealant,
allow to dry for 24 hours.
8
Test for leaks by adding several inches of water to the
container. If there are leaks, remove water, dry, reseal, and allow to dry
for another 24 hours.
9
Add three to five inches of pea gravel to the bottom of
the pot. Level, and situate pump on the gravel. The pump should be in the
center.
10
Attach the bubbling fountain nozzle or ½ inch pipe to the
pump. The top of the pipe or nozzle should be several inches below the lip
of the container.
11
Add water to the container. Plug the cord into the outlet
to turn on. The electrical outlet should be a ground fault circuit
interrupter.
A container with a wide lip provides a better view into
the water.
A container with a wide middle, and smaller lip provides
a better sound.