How to Build a Fountain: Fountain Design

Fountains lend themselves to a myriad of different designs.

People have enjoyed the tranquility of fountains for centuries. The sound of moving water indisputably has a calming effect. A fountain can range from a spray feature in the center of a pond, to a waterfall tumbling down a series of balancing rocks, to a small tabletop fountain decorated with smooth pebbles. With the ready availability of a variety of pumps and components, designing a fountain has never been easier . Once the fountain has been designed, it should be fairly easy to construct, even for a novice.

Things You'll Need

• Reservoir or multiple-tiered reservoirs
• Electric pump
• Rubber or plastic tubing
• Decorative stones or pebbles
• Nozzles

Instructions

1. Decide what type of fountain you want to design. Outdoor fountains are generally larger and need a bigger bowl or reservoir to hold the water, and a stronger pump to move the water around. Tabletop fountains can take a tiny pump; they make a gentle tinkling sound.

2. Choose the bowl or reservoir. This is the vessel that holds the water at the bottom of the fountain. It can be made of any material that will hold water without rusting or collapsing, including ceramic, stone, brick, cement or plastic.

3. Select the pump. Large fountains can have submersible or exterior pumps like pool pumps, which can be hidden in foliage next to the fountain. Small pumps usually call for a submersible pump in the bowl. Locate the outdoor pond close to an exterior outlet, or have a licensed electrician run an outdoor cable to a new outlet.

4. Add a pipe. Submersible pumps have an attached pipe that leads to where you want the water to exit. Exterior pumps direct the water through a pipe from the bowl upwards. The pipe needs to exit at a location higher than the bowl so that the water can flow down, back into the bowl. You can use rocks, or place a series of bowls under one another for the water to cascade down.

5. Use an optional nozzle to create an extra feature. Nozzles can make whorls and spray patterns. Simple fountains have waterfalls: the water is brought up to the top of the fountain, and trickles or falls down back into the bowl.

6. Decorate the fountain. Plant tropical vegetation and ferns around the fountain to mimic a jungle waterfall. Add decorative rocks, stones or ornaments. Strategically placed lighting can enhance the fountain's beauty. Lights can be placed overhead, behind the fountain, floating or underwater.

7. Clean the water out regularly or install a filter to keep the water clean. Skim the water often to remove floating debris.

Tips & Warnings

• Plants, foliage, lighting and filters are optional extras.

• Do not place the fountain where water can splash onto the electrical outlet.

• Use a ground fault current interrupter, or GFCI, electrical outlet, which is designed to protect against electric shock; GFCI outlets are grounded and are safer to use near water.

References

• Long Island Fountain Company: Fountain Design Process & Guidelines
• Scott Forbes: All is Water: Fountain Design