How to Make a Tabletop Waterfall
A tabletop fountain is inexpensive to create and you may already have several of the required elements in your kitchen, garage or garden shed. You can control the look and sound of your fountain by the decorative elements you choose and how you arrange them. Choosing large stones or shells that create a longer drop for water to fall from will look dramatic and create a louder sound. A simple fountain made with small, smooth stones will have a quieter effect.
Things You'll Need
- Container
- Pump
- 5/8 inch clear plastic tubing
- Rocks, shells or other decorative elements
- Scissors
Instructions
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1
Select a waterproof container that is at least 4 inches deep and between 8 and 16 inches across to house the tabletop fountain.
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2
Place a submersible pump in the bottom of the container. Fountain pumps can be purchased at many garden stores and home centers. Kent Kobayashi from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii recommends using a pump with an output of less than 100 gallons per hour.
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3
Fill the container with enough water to cover the pump. Plug the pump in to make sure that it works and adjust the flow of the water as needed. Unplug the pump while you complete the tabletop fountain.
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4
Cut a length of tubing that is at least 8 inches longer than the depth of your container. You can shorten the tubing if you wish once the fountain is finished. Attach the tubing to the pump spout by fitting it over the spout with your fingers.
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5
Lay the stones or other decorative items in the container. Use enough material to hide the pump. Arrange the items so they disguise and hold the tubing in place.
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6
Place small stones between larger, flat stones to build layers and create small drops from which the water can "fall." This will create a waterfall effect similar to those found in nature.
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Arrange the tubing so the water spills over the highest point of your waterfall.
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Plug in the pump. Rearrange the decorative items and tubing until you have created the desired effect. Trim the tubing to size, if needed, when you are satisfied with your design.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose decorative items for your tabletop fountain that match your decor or remind you of a favorite outdoor scene. Driftwood, figurines, branches, crystals, semi-precious stones, coral and shells are suitable for this tabletop fountain purposes.
Do not allow the water level in your tabletop fountain to fall below the height of the pump. This may cause the pump to overheat and burn out the motor.
References
- Photo Credit water fountain. image by Tom Oliveira from Fotolia.com
