How to Build a Solar Fountain
Fountains help create a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere for your outdoor living space. The sound of water trickling in the background is soothing and the beauty of the fountain adds design interest to your landscape. You can easily build a solar fountain with a planter, some decorative stones and a solar fountain pump. Solar pumps are available from online retailers and possibly from your local landscape supply store. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Large planter
- Silicone adhesive
- Solar fountain pump
- Bricks
- Screen
- Decorative stones
Instructions
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Select a planter that's large enough to make a statement in your yard or garden. Commercial fiberglass planters come in a variety of shapes and sizes, or you could choose an oversized ceramic planter for your solar fountain. Some commercial planters have wide, elongated openings which gives you the option of creating a fountain as a centerpiece in your landscape.
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Insert the cord that connects your solar fountain pump to the solar panel through the drainage opening in the planter. Seal around the drainage hole and the cord with waterproof silicone adhesive or plumber's putty. Alternatively, you could elect to seal the drainage hole completely and run the small cord up over the side of your planter. You can camouflage the cord inside the planter with paint and plants.
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Stack bricks in the center of the planter to create a platform for the fountain pump. You can connect the bricks together with silicone adhesive. The platform will bring the fountain closer to the top of the planter so that the fountain head can easily extend beyond the water line.
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Cover the outside of the pump with screen to protect the mechanism from debris. You can tuck the screen beneath the pump or make a screen cover by surrounding the pump with upright bricks and covering the enclosure with a section of screen.
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Cover the bricks with decorative stones, if you like, or leave them exposed if you intend to view your fountain from a distance. Install the solar panel for the fountain according to the manufacturer's instructions. Fill the planter with water before you turn on the pump.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider adding water lilies, bamboo and other water plants to your fountain.
Make sure that you place the solar panel in a sunny location.
