How to Make Your Own Rock Fountain
Outdoor rock fountains have a peaceful effect on the landscape, and you can incorporate this calming element inside your home. It will cost you more to purchase a rock fountain in the size and style of your choice than if you took on the easy task of constructing it yourself. Making and personalizing your own rock fountain is not hard, and the needed materials are not as expensive as a ready-made fountain.
Things You'll Need
- Plastic sheet
- Aquarium pump
- 10-inch ceramic container about 5 inches deep
- Ruler
- Clear plastic tube
- Duct tape
- Knife
- Water
- Rocks
- Heavy duty scissors
- Seashells
- Small plant
- Tea light candle
Instructions
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1
Lay a sheet of plastic on the work table. Place the aquarium water pump in the ceramic container of your choice. Cut the clear 1/2-inch tubing with a knife at about 6 inches to start (trim later as necessary). Attach it securely to the small pipe on the top of the pump. If the tube does not stay put, wrap a piece of duct tape around it.
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2
Plug it into a GFCI wall outlet (as a safety precautions while working with water) to test the pump and adjust the dial, if there is one, for water pressure. Unplug and remove the pump and dump the water out of the container.
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3
Place your larger rocks around or in front of the base of the pump to hide it. Pile the slightly smaller rocks on the larger ones, surrounding the tube. Place the smallest rocks on top. Snip the extra tubing that extends above the rocks with a pair of heavy duty scissors. Scatter a few smaller rocks at the base of the larger rocks and on the bottom of the container. Plug the pump in again and see how the water flows over the rocks. Move rocks around to get the desired effect.
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Add any extra effects to the rock fountain, such as a few seashells, a small figurine or a small spider plant in the water. Place tea light a candle on a flatter rock and light it as the water flows around it.
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Tips & Warnings
If your pump has an adjustment dial on it, make sure it rises from the water for easy access.
Don't let the water go below the pump while it is running or the pump may burn out.
Make sure power cord curves upward to the outlet, so that no water can drip down into it.
References
- Photo Credit indoor waterfall image by Craig Hosterman from Fotolia.com
