HOW TO BUILD A POT FOUNTAIN
Create a water feature in an afternoon
by Danielle Sherry
Nothing is more relaxing than the sound of moving water in the
garden. Hereʼs how to build a one-of-a-kind water feature in a weekend.
This water feature consists of an underground, waterproof basin;
sturdy grating; and a pot of your choice. Most of the supplies you will
need can be found at a plumbing supply or hardware store or a nursery
that carries water garden supplies.
STEP 1: PLUMB THE POT
For this step, youʼll need your decorative pot, a 1 3/4” by 1” barb
fitting, a 1 3/4” PVC female adapter, plumbers epoxy, and a drill with a
half-inch masonry bit. First, using a masonry bit, create a drainage hole
in the bottom of the pot. If yours already has a hole, itʼll probably need
to be widened by slowly rotating the masonry bit around the sides of the
hole. Put the barb fitting into the hole so the threaded end goes inside the
pot. Next, thread the PVC female adapter onto the end of the barb inside
of the pot. Finally, put plumberʼs epoxy around the base of the fitting to
seal it in place and make the container watertight.
STEP 2: INSTALL THE RESERVOIR
For this step, youʼll need a waterproof catch basin, a few cinder blocks,
some sand, a heavy duty plastic grate, four feet of flexible tubing,
a submersible pump, two hose clamps, flexible screen/mesh, and a
reciprocating saw.
TIP: A pot 30 inches tall or less will need a pump rated at 950 gallons per
hour (gph) or less. A taller pot requires 950 gallons or more.
Dig a hole deep enough to allow your catch basin to sit slightly above
ground level.
Shovel in a 1” layer of sand. This allows you to easily level the
reservoir by shifting the sand.
Joel Dean, Licensed Independent Broker
928.277.6123
11888 E. Stirrup High Drive East, Unit B
in the Prescott Country Club
[email protected]
16 April 2017
pccnews
Bubbler
Spray
Tabletop
Place two or three cinder blocks in the center of the basin to give
additional support to the pot.
Cut a trap door in the corner of the plastic grate that is large enough for
the pump to easily pass through. This gives you easy access to the pump
for maintenance without having to disassemble the entire fountain.
Cut a small hole in the center of the grate for the flexible tubing.
Attach the one end of the tubing to the pump, clamp it in place, and poke
the other end out the hole in the center of the grate. Place the screening
over the grate and cut a corresponding hole for the flexible tubing.
STEP 3: PLACE THE FOUNTAIN
• For this step, you will a length of 3/4” PVC pipe, black spray paint,
and some decorative stones.
• Cut a piece of 3/4” PVC pipe so that it is the same height as the pot
and spray the top 6” with black paint.
• Place the PVC pipe (black side up) into the PVC female adaptor in
the bottom of the pot.
• Bring the pot over to reservoir. Twist the flexible tubing onto the
barb sticking out of the bottom of the pot and clamp in place.
• Slowly lift the pot into a standing position. If you have a large pot,
you may need a friend to help you with this step.
• Place decorative stones on top of the screening to disguise the
reservoir.
• Fill the reservoir with water, turn on the pump, and enjoy.
Get Creative and check out the many styles you can create online.