How to Make Garden Fountain Out of Tiered Ceramic Pots

You can make a garden fountain out of almost any container, thanks to portable pumps that are available at garden centers and home improvement stores. Tiered ceramic pots in three sizes -- in the same or contrasting designs -- can be used to make a simple but enjoyable fountain. Make sure the two smaller pots have drainage holes to keep the water flowing through the fountain.

Things You'll Need

• Silicone sealant
• Garden fountain pump
• Chicken wire
• Plastic tubing
• Small- to medium-sized stones

Instructions

1. Seal any drainage hole in your largest pot with silicone sealant. This pot will serve as the water reservoir for the fountain. Allow the silicone to dry for the time recommended by on the product label.

2. Center the garden fountain pump in the bottom of the large ceramic pot. Cut a piece of plastic tubing long enough to run from the pump and overhang the pot's edge by about 6 inches. Attach the tubing to the pump's overflow valve. Drape the pump's power cord over the edge of the pot.

3. Measure the distance from the pump to the top of the large pot. Measure the heights of the small and medium ceramic pots. Add the three heights together, then add 18 inches to the measurement. Cut a piece of plastic tubing to this length. Connect it to the pump's water-feed valve.

4. Put a cage of chicken wire around the pump to protect it from damage. Feed the water supply tubing, the overflow tubing and the power cord through the chicken wire.

5. Fill the large pot loosely with rocks, stopping 1 to 2 inches from the rim. Hold the water-feed tube taut and centered in the pot while adding rocks.

6. Push the water-feed tube through the drainage hole in the medium pot. Set the medium pot, centered, on top of the rocks of the large, bottom pot.

7. Seal around the medium pot's drainage hole, and the tubing, with silicone sealant. Let the silicone dry according to the manufacturer's directions.

8. Add rocks to the medium-size ceramic pot. Hold the water-feed tube taut and centered while adding the rocks.

9. Repeat Steps 6 and 7, using the smallest ceramic pot.

10. Cut off the water-feed tube so that it rises about 2 inches from the bottom of the smallest pot. Add a few rocks to pot to cover up the tube.

11. Fill the bottom pot with water. Plug in the pump and turn it on.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your fountain is near an electrical outlet so you can easily and safely plug in the pump.