Do It Yourself Patio Fountains

Turn a ceramic pot or urn into an attractive patio fountain.

Making a fountain is a lot simpler than most people imagine, especially if you are after a smaller fountain for the patio or deck. There are many different ways you can go about building a patio water fountain, from using a large metal tub with a watering can fountain head or an Asian-inspired bamboo fountain, but one of the simplest and most elegant fountains for a patio is made from a large ceramic pot.

Things You'll Need

• Large ceramic pot
• Silicone sealant
• Fountain pump with tubing
• River stones
• Scissors
• Fountain nozzle
• Wire (Optional)

Instructions

1. Fill any drainage holes in the ceramic pot with silicone sealant to create a watertight basin for the patio fountain. Allow it to dry. A good sized pot is about 25 inches high with a diameter of at least 15 inches.

2. Position the ceramic pot on the patio then place the fountain pump on the bottom of the ceramic pot. Attach the pump tubing to the hose nozzle of the pump and run the cord of the pump over the back of the ceramic pot.

3. Obscure the pump with river stones, ensuring the pump tube is coming up out of the stones unhindered. Trim the fountain tube so that it is about 2 inches below the rim of the ceramic pot then attach the fountain nozzle. Most fountain tubing is stiff enough to sit upright and support the fountain nozzle but, if need be, wrap a length of wire around the tube to keep it upright.

4. Fill the ceramic pot to the rim with water. Plug the power cord of the pump into an outlet and turn the power on.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan to keep goldfish in your patio water fountain, choose a pump with a built-in filter.

• Fountain statues are available from most garden centers and can easily be incorporated into a patio fountain.

• Top up the fountain every week to make up for evaporation.

References

• University Of Hawaii: Building Your Own Indoor Water Fountain