To make a fountain like this one, you will need:
-submersible fountain pump (I used a medium (max 338 GPH) pump from Home Depot, $32)
-10’ clear vinyl tubing, 1/2” inner diameter ($5)
-(2) 1/2” barbed tees for the tubing ($1.50/ea)
-hardware cloth or other durable screen-type material (ex: small hole chicken wire; I used expanded metal sheets, on hand)
-clear silicone caulk
-fountain base structure/ water reservoir (ie- small pool or pond liner, I used a clearance kiddie pool and )
-large planter or nice bucket
-wine bottles (I used 3 blue of different sizes)
-rocks and gravel (small pebbles/gravel for inside the bottles, medium gravel for on top of the hardware cloth/screening, and large rocks to go around the base to cover the edges. (I spent $15, but already had large rocks)
-sand to level the base ($4)
-stones or heavy duty buckets to go inside the fountain base and planter to bring things to the correct height (I used cinder blocks, 3 whole and 2 half size) ($9 total)
Special tools needed:
-tin snips to cut metal screening
-drill bit for glass (we used a 5/8” bit)
Have a question about this project?
What would you use instead of glass bottles if you have young children running in your backyard. It is a beautiful project, however.
Tony
How about vertical pipe? You could probably use any type. If using copper it will get the natural patina from being outside and wet.
Your instructions are awesome. What does a filter bag look like and where to you get them? Thanks, Tom
They are basically a mesh bag. You can get them pretty much anywhere that sells pond and fountain pumps.
No!! What was the point of the Kiddie Pool??
A contractor bag by itself would not have held the water well and would probably have to be replaced every year or two. The kiddie pool gives a solid structure underneath that will hold a good amount of water.