How to Build a Sand Fountain
An aquarium sand fountain pushes sand through a length of tubing, creating the illusion of an underwater waterfall. If you have access to woodworking supplies, you can create your own sand fountain with Plexiglas and common supplies found in pet and aquarium stores. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Ruler
- 3-by-6-inch sandstone slab, 1 to 2 inches thick
- Power saw with diamond tipped blade
- 1 black plexiglass piece, 4 by 12 inches
- 1 black plexiglass piece, 1 by 4 inches
- 2 black plexiglass pieces, 1 ½ by 1 inch
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Masking tape
- Drill with 1/4-inch drill bit
- Silicone caulk
- 10-inch piece vinyl tubing
- Utility knife
- 2 backflow stops
- Aquarium air hose
- Aquarium airstone
- Aquarium air pump
- Landscaping sand
Instructions
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1
Cut a sandstone slab to size, using a power saw. Cut one of the long edges of the sandstone at a 45-degree angle.
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2
Cut the Plexiglas pieces to size, using a power saw. Cut one 4-inch edge of the 1-by-4 piece at a 45-degree angle. Sand the cut edges of the Plexiglas to make them smooth.
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3
Cover the 1-by-4-inch Plexiglas piece with masking tape. Drill about 30 1/4-inch holes in the Plexiglas piece to allow sand and air to flow through.
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4
Place masking tape 3 inches from each of the 4-inch edges of the Plexiglas. Drill centered holes through the masking tape and remove the tape.
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5
Attach the 4-inch edge of the 4-by-12-inch Plexiglas piece to the angled edge of the sandstone, using silicone caulk. The Plexiglas should tilt away from the sandstone.
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6
Using caulk, attach the angled edge of the 1-by-4 Plexiglas piece 1 inch down from the 4-by-12 piece, right above the top hole. The 1-by-4 piece should slant down at an angle.
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7
Place the other two small Plexiglas pieces on the larger Plexiglas piece in a “V” shape so that the point of the “V” is about ¼ inch under the bottom hole drilled in the larger Plexiglas piece. The “V” should point to the sandstone, and the edges of Plexiglas should project 1 inch out toward the sandstone. Attach the Plexiglas in place, using caulk.
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8
Cut the vinyl tubing in half lengthwise, using a utility knife. Attach the cut end to the back of the vertical Plexiglas piece, using caulk, so that the bottom end of the tube is flush with the edge of the sandstone and the top edge is flush with the horizontal Plexiglas piece. Leave ¼ inch of tubing unattached on each end.
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9
Attach a backflow stop to each end of the tubing.
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10
Attach the air hose to the backflow stop on the bottom edge of the tubing.
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11
Plug any gaps in the hose and tubing, using caulk.
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12
Connect an airstone to the fountain’s air hose.
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13
Connect the air pump to the airstone.
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14
Place the fountain in an empty aquarium so it rests against the back wall. Fill the tank with aged, room-temperature water.
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15
Pour a handful of sand into the “V” near the bottom of the fountain and turn on the air pump. The bubbles in the vinyl tube will carry the sand up to the top of the fountain, creating a waterfall effect.
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Tips & Warnings
Use aquatic plants to hide the Plexiglas.
Wear eye and ear protection and work gloves when working with power tools.
