Asked on Aug 04, 2014

Help needed on how to put together a water feature

Dee W
by Dee W
I snagged this hand pump today and would like to change it into a water feature similar to the picture below it using a galvanized tub instead of a pond. I am not sure what to look for in a pump kit or how I will stabilize it; I just have this idea in my head.
I am not confident in my skill or knowledge and would appreciate any helpful hints or ideas to make the job easier---my husband said I am on my own with this one.
original post: http://www.hometalk.com/1751521/old-hand-pump-fountain
  4 answers
  • Hey there Dee what a great score!!! that is my pump you have in the picture. I can guide you and it is a project you can do with him...go buy a stepping stone if you do not already for the base as I have done with mine. You will need to buy a masonry bit and screws to attach the pump to the concrete stepping stone. Ask the associates at your local home store to help on this one from the pic you need 3 or 4 masonry screws. You will need to buy a pump that will push the water up through the fountain-something around 80 gph. then you need a hose which is in the plumbing dept of your home store that will fit on the pump and how every many feet you will need to run the pump from the pond or reservoir you are using (for that pump you have about 5' is what i would get and it is so cheap). all i did was fish the hose up through the pump and at the edge of the spout- it rests inside. any more questions? just post it on here and i will get back to you
    • See 5 previous
    • Dee W Dee W on Aug 04, 2014
      @The Garden Frog with C Renee email on its way
  • Lillian Harris Lillian Harris on Aug 04, 2014
    I had a pump like yours hooked up to run in a whiskey barrel. I loved it. It sat on our deck. Hobby Lobby or Michaels should sell the motor set up. I think I got mine at Hobby Lobby.
    • Dee W Dee W on Aug 04, 2014
      @Lillian Harris Thank you--I am hoping it won't come to that since the nearest one is about an hour's ride.
  • Mary VonJess Mary VonJess on Aug 04, 2014
    My mother used water pumps from aquarium sets, Perhaps you have a fish nook type store near you or a big box chain like, Walmart or Lowes?
    • Dee W Dee W on Aug 04, 2014
      @Mary VonJess Good idea Mary, I had visited Lowe's after Home Depot and they had nothing I could use. Not sure about an aquarium set-up since I need to use solar power but I will check into WalMart and pet stores to see if they have anything---I have been looking around Amazon and they seem to have a good selection of solar powered pumps but I have not decided on exactly what would fit the need yet.
  • Katie Lloyd Mansfield Katie Lloyd Mansfield on Aug 05, 2014
    I got my pump at a nursery - Calloways or someplace like it. The pump for our fountain was about $70 and has lasted for years.