Making an Outdoor Fountain

[beth1954]

Has anyone here made an outdoor fountain themselves?? I want something simple. I have a friend who might help me. I wanted to use a galvanized tub to hold the water, then I need a water pump, and something for the water to come out of on the the top....anyone got any ideas? Have you done this???

Any ideas would be appreciated!!

[cat lover]

A fish tank pump that you attach clear vinyl tubing will work as long as you stay on the small size with the whole thing. You can use clay pots for the water to come back out of as you can run the clear tubing right through the hole in the bottom of the pot. Use water proof things for any designs you need between the clay pot and tub you plan on using. You could use various pots or saucers if you like. Good luck!

[cbaalerud]

Hello, another thing you might consider would be using a metal
watering can if you have a way to hang it over the tub at an angle. You can drill a hole in the bottom, run your tubing up & into the spout on it.
I would use a small fountain pump capable of pumping atleast 150 gph.
Good Luck to you.

[Deidra]

Check before using an aquarium pump, most of these are not waterproof since they are not suppose to be outdoors, Walmart, Kmart, Lowes, Home Depot all have pumps and line, use clear line. I made a wishing well with an alumnium galvanized pail with water pouring out of it to place on my deck. Everyone loves it. Good Luck!

[beth1954]

After buying a galvanized bucket ($15) and a water pump from Home Depot made for outdoor fountains (small, $25) and a cute turtle that the water was to come out of his little mouth ($19) AND some rocks from a landscape co. that would be built up around the galvanized bucket for the turtle to sit on ($9) and a little extra tubing ($3) my mother decided that it would be too much of a bother, keeping the water clean, worrying about the outdoor cats and if they drank out of it, would the chemicals hurt them, etc. and so I bagged up the whole darned works this morning and I'm going to be able to return it all (I hope) except for the rocks.

Thank you so much for your suggestions, though....I truly do appreciate them!
Beth

[Deidra]

I put KOI fish in my wishing well pond, but the Neighbors cat had them for dessert, for 3 months she had not bothered them so I was so upset when I found her eating one of them. I no longer have fish. Too tempting to the cat.

Had not thought of the chemicals hurting them but I did not use many chemicals in mine, especially since it is constantly moving, recycling through the line, I tear it down and clean it good in the winter months. And I did drop some tablets recommended by local extension staff for ponds/water gardens but I purchased them at PetSmart so I am sure they were safe for pets. They have a good selection of this type of products at Petsmart (a local pet superstore- the only one we have currently).

Deidra

[beth1954]

Well, she's going to get a hanging bird bath now.
It has to be hanging so that the outdoor cats don't have such a good chance at getting the little birdies.

It's all good---this way it will be cheaper for me, and less "trouble."