How to Make a Water Fountain

Co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams

Last Updated: February 12, 2022 References

Water fountains are the perfect way to add a little Zen to your home, bringing beauty, calm, and nature to your doorstep. In this wikiHow you'll find three fountain designs, all of which can work indoors or out. These are easy projects which require few skills or tools and can be completed on your own in just a few hours. Just get started with Step 1 below to learn how!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Flower Pot Fountain

1
Gather your materials. You'll need a 14", 7", 6", and three 4" terra cotta saucers. You'll also need 6" and 4" flower pots, a fountain pump, 1/2" rubber tubing, silicone sealant, clear spray sealant, a round file, and a drill with a masonry bit.^{[1]
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2
Prepare the base. Spray the inside of the 14" saucer with the spray sealant.^{[2]
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3
Drill and file the pots and saucers. Soak the rest of the flower pots and saucers to make them easier to shape and drill. Drill a 1/2" hole for the rubber tubing in the 7" saucer, with a wood block underneath it for support. Then file four notches in the lips of the 6" pot and one of the 4" saucers.^{[3]
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Research source} File downward angle large notches in the 7", 6", and one of the 4" saucers. These will be the downspouts.
4
Assemble the main fountain. With the pump on the 14" saucer, attach the rubber tube to the pump and then then side it up through the hole at the bottom of the 6" pot (with the pot upside down). Arrange the pot so that the cord for the pump goes through one of the notches on the lip of the pot. Now place the 7" saucer on top, facing up. Trim the extra tube, leave about a 1/2", and then seal the edges around the tube with silicone.
5
Assemble the rest of the fountain. Place the 4" flower pot upside down and top it with the 6" saucer, and the 4" saucer with the lip on top of the 4" saucer with no cuts. Arrange the saucers and pots so that the downspouts pour into each other. Finally, place the 4" saucer with the notches upside down so that it covers the hole with the tube.
- Water should flow up from the bottom, pour out the 7" saucer, into the 6" saucer, into the 4" saucer, and then back into the 14" saucer so that the process can start again. The notches allow for water flow, so if you're having circulation problems, try making the notches bigger.
- You may need to stabilize the fountain by gluing these components together, or by lashing them down with twine.^{[4]
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6
Add finishing touches. Fill your saucers with river stones or other flow-friendly materials, and then add plants or other decorations to your fountain. Enjoy!^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Bamboo Fountain

1
Get a nice, large bowl or pot. This will be the main part of your water feature. A wide opening is important here. ^{[6]
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2
Get and cut your bamboo to size. You'll need 3/4" diameter bamboo cut long enough to fit over the opening of your pot. You'll also need a larger ~2" diameter piece of bamboo, cut to about 6" in length. Miter one end of this piece to create the spout.
3
Assemble your platform. Using twine or string, lace the three narrow pieces of bamboo together into a platform which can be fit over the back half of the pot. Attach the larger piece of bamboo to the platform using glue, but attach it at an angle (using a wedge) so that the spout is angled down towards the center of the pot slightly.
4
Assemble the fountain. Place the pump at the bottom of the pot. Connect the tube and run it up and behind the platform. Place the end of the tube in the bamboo spout so that it goes about 2" in, and then tape the tube in place against the pot (not anywhere that will get wet).
5
Add water and start the pump. Add water into the pot and then start your pump. Everything should be working. Now you just have to make it pretty!
6
Add finishing touches. Fill the bottom of the pot with river rocks and add some fake plants around the spout to cover up evidence of the pumps. Enjoy your new fountain!

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Seashell Fountain

1
Get a large decorative bowl or pot. It should be glass or something else that is waterproof. It should not have any holes or method for water to escape.
2
Get shells. You'll most importantly need a large whelk or conch seashell. The rest of the seashells can be random jumbles. You'll also probably want some river or beach rocks.^{[7]
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3
Drill the hole. You'll need to run a tube from the pump and into the large shell. Get a rotary tool with a ceramic drill bit and start with the smallest size, then work your way up until the hole is large enough to fit the tube through. This will probably be around 3/4". If you run out of rotary bits that are large enough, use a round file to get the hole to size.
- Sand the hole smooth afterward to remove any glass burrs and rough edges.
4
Assemble the pump. Place the pump in the bottom of the bowl. Attach a rubber tube to the pump and then fit the other end into the large shell.
5
Seal the tube. Use silicone sealant around the opening to make it watertight and help keep the tube in place. Allow the sealant to set.
6
Finish the fountain. Cover the pump in rocks and then shells or other waterproof decorative items. Set the large shell on top and angle the spout slightly downward.
7
Add water and turn on the pump. You're done! Enjoy your fountain!

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I get water fountain construction plans?

Anthony "TC" Williams
Experienced Landscaper
Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.

Anthony "TC" Williams

Experienced Landscaper

Expert Answer

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In general, plans for construction may be available where supplies are purchased.
Question

How do I make a fountain without a pump?

Anthony "TC" Williams
Experienced Landscaper
Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.

Anthony "TC" Williams

Experienced Landscaper

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

The water source would have to be above the top of the fountain and allowed to run down into pots and drain out the bottom to be carried away. The water source would have to be constant.
Question

Why do I need to seal the holes that I drilled into the bottom of a flower pot when making a small water fountain?

Community Answer

The seal is to avoid the water leaking back into the pot. If you notice, there is a tube that comes out through the hole and sealed around it.

Warnings

Make sure you have enough water in the fountain when you turn on the pump and that you occasionally refill the fountain. The pump running dry will cause damage to the pump.

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Make sure that there is enough room in the water storage area to hold all the water the pump is circulating, in case the pump is unplugged.

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Keep the area around the fountain clear of objects vulnerable to water damage.

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