Have you ever wanted an outdoor pond, but didn’t have the space for one? It can be a hassle to set up and maintain a full-sized aquarium as well. Luckily there is a great alternative that still gives you all the joys of watching the water flow, without having to compromise on space or time: Aquascape fountains! These decorative water features are small enough to fit in most yards and require very little upkeep.

Building an outdoor fountain is a fairly simple process that takes just a few hours, but can make a huge difference to your yard or garden. Here’s what you’ll need:

  1. A pump – You will almost certainly want one with adjustable flow, even if your fountain will stay in one place.
  2. Plumbing/Tubing – This is what the water flows through to reach the actual water feature itself. You can usually find this at hardware or garden stores that have a pond section. Just make sure it’s versatile enough to fit your pump and water feature together!
  3. Water basin – This is where the water for your fountain is stored along with the pump
  4. A water feature – You can choose from a variety of assorted aquascape fountain features.  Slate-stacked urns, spillway bowls, and bubbling rocks are just a few of the amazing options.
  5. Decorative gravel – This is what you will use to cover the basin.  The colors of these decorative rocks look amazing when wet.  
  6. Plants! – If you want to add some plant life around your fountain, go ahead! Just keep in mind that plants may not grow very well with the extra mineral deposits from the running water, so you might need to clean out your reservoir more often to keep them healthy.

Now that you have everything you need, it’s time to put it all together! Here are seven easy steps to follow:

 

  1. Choose your location, keep in mind you may want to place the fountain near an outlet that your pump cord can reach.
  2. Mark the area for excavation and begin digging out a space to place the water basin.  You will want to compact the soil in the bottom of your hole. Once you’ve dropped the basin in the hole begin to level it to the best of your ability from side to side and back to back.  
  3. Set up your water feature in the center of your basin or container, making sure it doesn’t go over the edges. Keep in mind that most fountains work best with a taller back and a shorter front, so you can view the flow.
  4. Connect the plumbing and pump.  Once it’s all connected and the basin is full of water, plug in the pump in and turn it on to make sure everything fits together properly. If your water feature has an adjustable attachment or nozzle, set it to its widest setting so the water isn’t forced through too much. This will save energy and also prevent damage if something is slightly off.
  5. Cut your tubing to the appropriate length, and attach it to both the pump and water feature where they meet. Make sure everything is nice and tight so there are no leaks or spills!
  6. Make sure your reservoir is full of water and add some decorative gravel and plant life on and around the basin to your liking. Give everything one last check for leaks.
  7. Sit back and enjoy your new fountain! You can keep the water fresh by replacing it every three months, if you choose, along with checking for leaks if you notice your pump sucking air.  

If you follow these easy steps then you too can have an outdoor fountain that is not only beautiful but also functional and reliable. If you need any help or have more questions, please feel free to reach out to our team!