Do It Yourself Pond Fountain Plans
Pond fountains are popular water features that serve a practical as well as an aesthetic purpose. They help to aerate the water, increasing oxygen and inhibiting algae growth. The pumps that supply water to the fountain also filter the water, which is especially important if the pond has fish. There are a few basic steps and supplies necessary for creating a fountain for a backyard pond---and as many variations as there are ponds. You can use a purchased composite "stone" fountain, spouts of hollowed bamboo, a drilled boulder that burbles water out a hidden pipe or a floating disk that sails around the pond. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pond pump
- Flexible hose or fixed pipe for water flow
- PVC pipe (optional)
- Spade (optional)
- Cement blocks (for pump and fountain base or securing marine lines)
- Marine line or rope (for floating fountains)
- Fountain (determined by pond's design)
- Decorative rocks (optional)
- Ground cover and foliage (optional)
- Outdoor solar lights (optional)
- Automatic timer (optional)
Instructions
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Plan in advance for a pond depth and size that will accommodate your design and available space, as well as the style of the fountain. Determine whether you will add fish---you'll need extra depth to keep fish alive in winter---and if the fountain will be stationary or floating. Check the distance to an outdoor power source and to the water source you'll use for topping off the pond and cleaning the pump and fountain.
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Choose the right pump for the job. Get a powerful enough pump to push the water to the fountain's height, and be sure it is large enough to handle the filtering job you anticipate. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for positioning the pump on the lowest part of the pond floor. Run the power cord over one edge and through a PVC pipe sunk in a shallow trench. You can also camouflage the cord above ground with shrubs or stones. Lay the water pipe or hose from the pump to the fountain.
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If you've chosen a fixed fountain, secure it at one end of the pond, attach the pipe or water hose and arrange decorative stones, planters or ground cover and foliage around it so the fountain looks like part of the landscape. If it will be stationary in the center of the pond, secure it in place on cement blocks or another stable base. If the fountain will float, attach marine cord or rope to it and fasten the lines loosely to two cement blocks spaced a recommended distance apart at the bottom of the pond so the unit will float in a controlled area.
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Fill the pond---or, if you have installed a fountain in an existing pond, just try out the pump to see how it looks. If the water is flowing at a good rate and the spill is the effect you planned, continue with planting grasses, rushes and water plants and edging the pond with stones and groundcover. Adjust the water flow if the fountain shoots too high and sprays outside the pond or if it trickles imperceptibly.
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Fill in any trenches you dug for power or water lines and replace the sod or other landscaping. Add solar lights positioned to highlight the fountain after dusk or a timer to turn on the fountain when you will be home to enjoy it.
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Tips & Warnings
Place a screen or wire mesh cover over the pump to prevent clogs if your pond collects a lot of fallen leaves.
You may wan to consider installing a clacking bamboo fountain that keeps away deer or other animals that may nibble the landscaping.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit fountain in the park image by Kathryn Palmer from Fotolia.com
