ONE WEEKEND WONDER -- PATIO FOUNTAIN

 A simple way to add sound and movement of water into your landscape
that is practically maintenance free.

 

Materials list:

Pot or rock

Rubber liner or preformed liner

Metal grid – comes in three sizes 24”-36”-48”

Concrete blocks (usually three)

Pump

Tubing

Metal cutters – used to cut hole in metal grid

Fountec or Algae Destroyer – for maintenance

Shovel

Gloves

Decorative rock – placed on top of metal grid and around edge

 

Things to consider when deciding on the location of your water feature.

1.     Soil condition: you will need to be able to dig a hole approximately 16 to 18 inches deep

2.     A power source: the pumps for most features have a 16 to 18 foot power cord, and they need to be plugged into a GFI outlet.

3.     Preformed liners vs. Rubber liner:

Rubber liner:

a.      easier disguise (to place rock around)

b.     Flexible: any shape or size of reservoir can be made.

c.     easier to set boulders and pots on

d.     you can make your water feature more natural looking

e.      rubber liner is a lot cheaper than preformed

f.       We offer a variety of liner sizes: 5’ on up.

 

Preformed liner:

a.      faster to set up

b.     not as much work to install

c.     harder to disguise and make look natural

d.     usually not deep enough for fish

e.      shape & size can not be altered

 

Creating a water reservoir for your water feature:

          The size of the reservoir (the hole) that needs to be dug depends on the width of the rock or pot, as well as the height. You will want to allow for at least a 12-inch buffer all the way around your rock or pot. Another thing to take into consideration is the amount of water to be pumped. The bigger the splash the bigger the reservoir.

 

Example: a column or pot that is 3 foot tall, and 12” wide needs a minimum of a 24 x 16 inch reservoir = small flow (water trickling over the edge) but…

If you want more splash or sound than a bigger reservoir is needed (as well as a bigger pump)

 

If using a rubber liner dig the hole with a 2 to 3 inch ledge. This ledge will be used to support the round metal grid.  We recommend the depth being around 16 inches. As this is the size of the concrete block used to support the pot or rock.

 

DIRECTIONS:

1.     Dig reservoir (see above)

2.     Install liner

3.     Place concrete brick in a triangular pattern on the bottom of hole to support rock or pot

4.     Install pump  - make sure you put it where it is easily accessible so it can be maintained

5.     Lay metal grid over hole, mark where pump will be so that a hole can be cut (with metal cutters) so you will have access to pump.

6.     Remove grid from reservoir, and cut hole

7.     Attach the tubing to pump, and work it through one of the holes in the grid as you are installing the metal grid.

8.     Place the boulder or pot on grid, on top of the concrete blocks: gently tip back boulder or pot and attach tubing and gently place boulder or pot back in an upright position

9.     Fill water reservoir

10.  Plug in pump

11.  apply decorative rock around feature

12.  congratulations your water feature is done

13.  remember, you will need to apply Fountec or Algae Destroyer by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals  to prevent  algae growth

14.  Never add bleach to water this may damage pump.

 

·        WARNING: water gardening can be addictive 

 

 
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