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How to Build an Outdoor Garden Water Fountain

Three Methods:Planning Your Water FountainPreparing Your Fountain PartsBuilding Your FountainCommunity Q&A

A water fountain can add a beautiful touch to any garden. It can introduce movement in your garden, and can heighten its sense of tranquility. Having a water fountain also means you can introduce aquatic plants into your garden, or bright splashes of color if you choose to put fish in your fountain. To build a fountain, you will first have to plan it out and familiarize yourself with some tools.

Planning Your Water Fountain

  1. 1
    Consider the area where you are going to put your fountain. Take into consideration the area’s size. The size of the area you plan to put it in will determine how large a fountain you can build.
    • Think about whether the area is conducive to handling leaks that your fountain may have. Will you be able to access the fountain easily in the area that you are planning on putting it?
  2. 2
    Remember that fountains can be very heavy. Once you install your fountain, it will be very hard to move, or even shift it slightly.
    • If you are planning on putting your fountain on a balcony, deck, or in a rooftop garden, keep in mind the weight of the fountain. Make sure that the surface you are planning to put the fountain on can bear its weight.
  3. 3
    Figure out how you are going to power the fountain. You will have to determine where you will run the line that will bring power to your fountain’s pump.
    • Another option is to install a solar-powered fountain. Solar powered fountains are easier to install and are environmentally friendly, but you have to work in a sunny area for the solar powers to efficiently power the fountain.
  4. 4
    Place the fountain in full sun if you plan to have a solar powered fountain. You will have to put your solar-powered fountain in an area that gets full and direct sunlight, as the sunlight will help to keep your water fountain running.
    • Understand that solar powered pumps are not a good option if you want to put fish in your fountain because the fountain won’t run at night. This means that oxygen levels will drop and your fish could suffocate.
  5. 5
    Consider purchasing a fountain that has an overflow mechanism if you live somewhere where it rains a lot. If you live in a wet climate and want to keep fish in your fountain, it is important to purchase a fountain that has an overflow mechanism. This is because when it rains, your fountain could overflow and the fish could spill out. The overflow mechanism will keep them alive.

Preparing Your Fountain Parts

  1. 1
    Pick your pump. The pump is what will propel your water into the air, thus making it an essential part of any fountain. Purchase either an electric or solar powered pump. When determining which pump to buy, consider how many gallons of water each pump can move; the larger your fountain, the more power it will require.
    • Tubes or pipes are usually supplied with the pump but you may need to purchase these separately, especially if those supplied with the pump aren’t long enough for your requirements.
  2. 2
    Buy your fountain. The fountain you buy will depend on your personal preferences and the size of the area that you plan to put your fountain in. Fountains can come in all different sizes, shapes and material.
    • Frost-proof ceramic vessels are a popular choice for garden fountains.
    • You can also choose to dig a pond, or add a large ceramic basin that has a stream of water that shoots up from the middle.
  3. 3
    Prepare your water supply. Don’t use freshly-poured tap water for fish or aquatic plants. Either use rainwater or leave some tap water to stand for 48 hours so the chemical level falls. You might also want to have some aquatic plants on standby for when your water feature is installed.

Building Your Fountain

  1. 1
    Figure out where your power line will run. Either run your power line to the area where you plan to put your fountain, or set up your solar power pump. Read the directions that come with the mechanism, as each power line or solar power pump is different.
  2. 2
    Set up the fountain you have purchased. Assemble it according to the directions that come with the fountain. Many time, you will have to run the power line up to the fountain.
    • You will then have to install your pump. However, you should make sure your pump works before you do this. To check that your pump works properly, fill a bucket or container with water and test the pump by running that water through it.
  3. 3
    Attach your pump to the fountain. Raise your pump as high as you would like your water to go. Make sure that the pump is on a level surface and that it cannot be easily displaced by a heavy flow of water.
    • You can hide the pump mechanism by surrounding it with river rocks. Keep in my that you will most likely have to access it later for cleaning and maintenance, so do not bury it too deeply under river rocks.
  4. 4
    Fill your fountain with water. Once the fountain is filled, switch on the pump and adjust the water flow. Remember to regularly check the level of your water, particularly during hot weather.
    • Hot air could make your water evaporate.
  5. 5
    Tailor your fountain to your fish (optional). If you want to have fish in your fountain, determine the kind of fish you want and then find out what sort of environment they need to survive. Keep in mind things like:
    • How much oxygen in the water they need.
    • The kind of food they need.
    • Hiding spaces.
    • How much space each fish needs.

Community Q&A

Ask a Question
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  • Ask your aquatics store for advice if you are having a hard time figuring out how to introduce fish to your fountain.


  • Children should always be supervised when playing around fountains.

Article Info

Categories: Garden Projects | Outdoor Water Features


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