Building a Decorative Water Fountain

Do you enjoy the soothing look and sound of cascading water? The water fountain is a wonderful and eye-pleasing addition to any home and can be made to fit your sense of style. The styles and types of fountains that exist are limited only to one’s imagination and building one is much easier than it may seem. You just need an idea and a few basic supplies found at every pet and hardware store.

The idea

The first thing you must do is come up with an idea of how you would like the fountain to look. This requires choosing an area where it will be placed and making sure there is an electrical outlet nearby. Do you want the fountain to match the colors and/or style of the room? Do you want a natural looking fountain or something simple and modern? This decision will allow you to know which supplies to purchase. Some types will require more supplies and labor than others, so if you don’t have too many hours of spare time you should keep it simple. A Japanese style might include a small rectangular, wood-paneled container usually used for outdoor plants. Another contemporary style might be a large glass, acrylic or pyrex container or bowl decorated with smooth river stones and a flowering bulb. Almost any bowl or boxed shaped containment object will do. Even a beautifully glazed pot can be used and can be placed among potted plants of various sizes. Whatever you decide, just make sure it fits in well with the surroundings.

The supplies

Once you have decided upon the aesthetics and location you can now gather the necessary supplies. Different styles or types of containers will require different water containment methods. For all basin types you will need these basic items:

– A power head or submersible water pump which can be found at your local pet store.
– Extra plastic tubing that fits the pump, found at your local pet store.
– Silicon aquarium sealant, also found at your local pet store.
– Different types of smooth river stones (such as a bag of small gravel and a variety of larger stones). These can also be found at your local pet store.
– Water plants and/or flowering bulbs, such as water lilies. These can be found at your local pet store or gardening center.

For a wooden rectangular basin you will also need 5 measured pieces of acrylic or plexi-glass.

The construction

Let’s start with the easiest first. For any non-porous container, such as glass or acrylic, you needn’t do much but figure out a creative way to hide the pump and cord. If it is a submersible pump then it is best hidden under some large flat stones. You can also hide the cord with some creative stone placing. You can adjust the flow of water from the pump, just read the instruction manual to find out how. The water can be bubbling up from between some stones or pouring down into the basin from a high point in the fountain. Either way, make sure to adjust the water flow enough so that splashing doesn’t occur.

For a porous basin such as a ceramic or wooden container you will need to create a water-proof interior. For rectangular objects it is best to measure and cut 5 pieces of acrylic or plexiglass in order to fit snugly inside the container. This is easily done with a tape measure and a glass or plexiglass cutter. You will then use the aquarium sealant to connect the pieces inside of the container. After it has had time to dry try filling it with water and test for any leaks. You may need to do some touch-ups with the sealant. When using a container such as a clay or ceramic pot you will need to spread the aquarium sealant with a disposable spatula. You will then quickly disperse small river stones or aquarium gravel over the sealant pressing slightly to ensure they stick. You may want to do this in small sections. After you have completed the interior, continue adding sealant and stones wherever you notice any bare areas. You should also use the sealant to fill in any open gaps between stones. Allow it time to dry before you begin filling the container. If you did a thorough job with the water-proofing there shouldn’t be any leakage problems.

You can now decorate your newly fabricated water fountain with anything that appeals to you. Be creative in hiding the pump and cord with different stones and plants. There are many flowering bulbs that are great for small water fountains, but avoid putting in direct sunlight as this promotes algae growth. If the basin is large enough you can even put a few small goldfish or guppies in the fountain. Just make sure use a fish tank thermometer so the water is at the appropriate temperature. Some fish are also very sensitive to chemical fluctuations so make sure to check with your local tropical fish dealer about water quality and care. A water fountain is a beautiful addition to any space. Not only is it a great conversation piece, but it will create a new level of tranquility in your home.