Versatile Fountain Water Feature for Your Patio or Yard

This project details the plans to build a self-contained outdoor water feature. It can be free standing on a patio or installed in the ground for a more natural look. Birds, pets, and wildlife are attracted to the gentle sounds of flowing water when the fountain is installed in the yard. I was able to build this fountain for $130 using local building supply stores and Amazon. I hope you will enjoy this project as much as I did!

Materials Used

5" by 5" by 96" Vinyl fence post cover

Mixing tub for cement approximately 30" by 27"

2'--1" PVC pipe

1--1" PVC elbow

3--1/2 PVC barbed to thread adapters

1--1/2" PVC threaded adapter

1--garden hose washer

1--1/2" PVC nut

1--1/2 plastic shut off valve threaded both sides

1 Bag Quick setting concrete mix

1--submersible pump (I used a 200 gph model)

6'--1/2" id 5/8" od vinyl tubing

4--12" flowerpot saucers (heavy duty and clear in color)

Submersible LED with remote

1--pack of plastic shims

1-tube silicone caulk

1--filter bag for pump (optional)

Krylon Fusion paint for columns (optional)

Tools Used

drill

saber Saw with fine blade

tri square

1/4" drill bit

3/4" spade bit

1 1/2" spade bit

2"-hole saw

small file

small bubble level

your favorite pencil

Before gathering your materials, you should survey your site to decide just how the fountain will work in various areas. A level site will be helpful if you are building the in-ground version. Also consider how you will power your water pump and light. Solar pumps are available as well as rechargeable LEDs, but the tech isn't quite there yet. I have a site with electricity from another project which is also level, so my choice was easy. If the size of this fountain is too big for your area it can easily be downsized with a smaller pump, posts, and saucers.

Calculate just how high you want your columns to be. I wanted the tallest column to be 34" and a drop of 7" per column and I also wanted to use most of the material I had purchased. So, 34" 27" 20" 13". Using a tri square, mark the post on all four sides and then cut them carefully with the saber saw flipping them as you cut. On one side of the 34" column drill a hole 1 3/4" from the bottom with a 1 1/2" spade bit. Give each column a lite sanding with 120 grit paper if you are going to paint them. Drill a 3/4" hole in the center of one saucer. Use the 1 1/2" hole saw to make a U-shaped hole in the side of each saucer (see pictures) making sure you don't get them too low on the sides. Be extra careful with these saucers, mine were made of heavy plastic, but seemed brittle. If you use saucers made from PVC, you can cut them with a razor knife. Take one end of the vinyl tubing and thread it through the 1" elbow and then the pipe. Press the pipe and elbow together. Assemble the pipe and elbow into the tall column as shown. Tape the top of the pipe to the side of the column to straighten and hold in place.

Find an area where you can work with cement without worry. Mark the inside of each column tube about a third of the way on the bottom. You will be filling each one with concrete so that they will stay in place when installed. Please use hand and eye protection when handling concrete. Empty half the bag into the mixing tub and mix with water. Place the tubes on a scrap of plywood and fill each one close to the line you made earlier. Clean that mixing tub well after use because it is going to be your water reservoir also. Take a couple of days off to allow the concrete to cure before going further.

Clean and spray the tubes. While drying put the 1/2" threaded adapter with a hose washer on it through the saucers with the center hole. Add the nut on the bottom side and tighten by hand. Push the vinyl hose into the saucer fitting, pull the bottom of the hose until the saucer sits squarely on the tube. Trim the tube to leave about three inches remaining. Install the barbed fittings as shown into the pump and shut off valve and connect to column tube.

Place your tub in the spot you have prepped. Add the columns as shown or your own configuration. Place the three additional saucers on the other columns. What you are trying to accomplish is to have the saucers in the middle of the column and the spouts overlapping the one directly below, so it creates the waterfall effect. Move the columns and saucers as needed. The more successful you are the less water loss you will have. And that's the key to having a minimal maintenance fountain. Use a small level and plastic shims under the columns to ensure the saucers are level. Add water to a level of at least two inches over the top of the pump and plug it in. Adjust the saucers and columns to get a nice even flow with minimal splashing. Adjust the shut off valve as needed for water level. If you are satisfied with the way it looks, turn off the pump and mark each saucer's location on the column. Dry everything well and apply a 1/8" bead of silicone caulk to the top rim of the column, replace the saucer as it was before and weigh down for 24 hours. Add your light for night ambiance and enjoy your new water feature!

I had problems getting the LED light to adhere underwater, until I put a dollop of Vaseline on each cup. I used the shut off valve to fine tune the water volume. I used a filter bag with the pump as an extra filter. It will save time during the spring and fall season when garden areas can get messy. If you live in an area that has cold temperatures in winter, you will need to remove all parts which could be ruined by freezing and drain the tub. You will have to clean the water occasionally so please UNPLUG. Submersible pumps and lights are made to be underwater, but it is still a great idea to unplug pumps and light before putting your hands in the water. Please feel free to ask any questions.