In this article we will talk about how to make a fountain with your own hands in a summer cottage or at home. Any site needs to be decorated. If there are beautiful flower beds, beds, flower beds, then the eye will rejoice. But it is worth stopping at various reservoirs which are surrounded by vegetation. After all, you can endlessly look at running water, as you know. Rest at such a reservoir will be just magical.
And if you have knowledge of electrics, then you can make beautiful lighting for the fountain without much difficulty. It remains to put benches or swings around, so that you can comfortably sit down and enjoy this man-made miracle. However, often it looks not as man-made, but as natural. But read about it in our article.
Features of the fountain
When arranging a decorative fountain with your own hands, you do not need to invest large funds. Of course, the cost of the work depends on the size and number of jets. We can distinguish such constructions of fountains:
- Open.
- Closed.
The difference is how water is used. Closed fountains use the same water, drive it around in a circle constantly. Open structures are constantly taking new water, for example, in any reservoir.
Even in the case of a closed system, you constantly have to add water and change, since it acquires a not very beautiful color. Yes, and the smell leaves much to be desired, if not processed. But the flow rate of any closed system is not very large. Therefore, a home-made fountain, made with your own hands, will work for a long time. And the water will only evaporate - this is all a loss.
Water supply and discharge
When implementing an open design, you need to make a water supply system, constantly monitor its level. Also, be sure to make a system for draining water and drainage. Sometimes the capacity (bowl) of the fountain is used to warm the water before applying it to water the plants. It is worth noting that the fountain can work non-stop around the clock.
The simplest version of the fountain is the use of a small sealed container and a submersible pump. Any capacity is suitable - an old bathtub, a plastic bowl for an artificial pond, a barrel, even a tire or film. But here it is necessary to approach the choice of the pump responsibly.
A bit about pumps
Which pump you have to use cannot be, you need a special one with a built-in filter. Such designs are commercially available. Visit any small or large store to choose the right model. It is very simple to work with such pumps. The device is placed in a container, it is securely fixed so that it does not move during operation. Then it is filled with water to conduct tests. Only after these manipulations can we begin to make a fountain.
Pumps have different power and performance, can supply water to any height. Very often they are equipped with nozzle nozzles that can change the shape of the jet. The pumps are powered from a 220 V household network. But you can also find models that run on solar panels. You understand how to make a fountain with your own hands at home. Consumption of water and electricity are important points. And if the electricity will be constantly replenished? This is just crazy savings! But in fairness it should be noted that the price of a kit for solar power is quite high.
Pump connection
The pump housing is completely sealed, so there will be no problems with the connections. No step-down transformers are required. But if you want to protect yourself, you can install a transformer with a coefficient of 1 for galvanic isolation. In other words, if you supply 220 V to the primary, remove as much from the secondary. But in fact, a simple RCD and a circuit breaker are enough.
The cost of the smallest small-capacity pump is about 1000 rubles and above. More advanced models have a high cost. But in fact, any type of submersible pump can be used for fountains. The only thing you have to buy additionally are nozzles and filters.
And if without a pump?
But if you wondered, is it possible to do without this expensive element? The answer is unequivocal - you can! Of course, you have to confine yourself to designs. As a source, you can use a central water supply. Water leaving the pipe with the nozzle nozzle will be thrown out to a specific height. The nozzle allows you to change the shape of the jet. As you can see, making a fountain without a pump with your own hands is quite simple, you just need to arm yourself with a little knowledge.
But be sure with this type of design you need to consider where to discharge the waste water. This is a clean liquid, in which there are no detergents and other muck. Therefore, it can be poured into a well or used to water plants in the garden. There is another option - install a container at a certain height, fill it with water daily.
Under pressure, the fluid will flow to the nozzles of the fountain, which should be located much lower. But pay attention to the fact that in order to create a relatively decent stream, it is necessary to raise the tank to a height of at least 3 meters. And the supply of water to the tank must somehow be done - either by pump or manually. It is simple enough to implement such a design and make a fountain with your own hands. Photos of several designs are given in the article.
Making the backlight
Of course, LEDs should be used for backlighting. There are a lot of them on sale today - blue, red, and white. In addition, they need 12 or 24 V power - this is safe. On sale you can find lamps that run on batteries and solar panels. This is generally a system that does not require intervention during the entire service life.
In the manufacture of backlighting, it is recommended to use waterproof LED strips. They are covered with a layer of silicone, so the liquid will not get inside. But for the power supply you need a special adapter. With its help, you can make voltage conversion - from 220 V to 12 or 24. There will be no problems with the purchase of such adapters - there are a lot of them both in household appliances stores and on electronic platforms. Installation of devices will also not cause difficulties, the tape is attached to a double-sided tape or a stapler. But in the latter case, you will have to use staples whose length is greater than the width of the tape.
Small fountain design
And now let's talk about how to make a mini-fountain with your own hands. As you know, the main part of any fountain is its cup. You can even call it a pond (if the size is large). But there is additional equipment - a pump, a pipe system and nozzles. The pond can be made in any way possible. In this article, we will consider not how to make a cup, but how to organize a fountain and decorate it beautifully. To make a small fountain, you only need two components - a suitable volume tank and a pump.
On the tube that comes from the pump, you need to wear decoration. You can use stone slabs (drill holes in them in advance). Lay the plates on top of each other, as if it were a children's pyramid. But so that the water does not overflow, you need to make the right drainage system - it should be located slightly below the highest level. A pipe crashes into the container, its second end must be connected to stormwater or sewage. Water can be discharged into the garden. If there is a desire, then do it differently - install a water collector around the perimeter of the bowl. To do this, equip a groove of metal, plastic or concrete. But the collected water must also be discharged somewhere, so you need to consider this issue at the design stage.
How to make such a fountain?
So, let's now talk in more detail about what needs to be done in order to get such a fountain. You need such tools and materials:
- Flowerpot made of plastic for flowers. There should not be holes on it, preferably a square shape.
- A small pump for fountains.
- A pipe made of plastic - a length of about 70 cm, and the diameter must be selected based on the characteristics of the pump. It must be such that it can be connected to the pump outlet without any problems.
- Decorative pebbles - one bag is enough.
- Three bricks is enough.
- Red granite - it is desirable that it is already sawn into separate boards.
- Drilling machine - with its help you can make holes in granite.
In a pre-made hole, you need to install the bowl. Bricks should be placed as close as possible to the edges - they will make the structure more stable. In addition, less pebbles will be required when decorating.
Between the bricks it is necessary to put a pump with a pipe already put on it. Pour water immediately and check the operability of the entire mechanism. After that, prepare the plates - drill holes in them. It is recommended that they be placed as close to the center as possible. In this case, the stones with their mass will not be able to overturn the entire structure.
Plate installation
The first slab should rest on the bricks. The rest must be strung so that the center of gravity remains in place and does not move. After laying the first plate, it is necessary to fill the space with decorative pebbles. And after laying the last, make a mark on the pipe. Then remove the last plate, cut off the excess part of the pipe and return the stone to its place. The cut is done just below the mark. And if you turn on the pump, it will seem as if water flows directly from the stone. To make a design with such an effect is very simple, but everything looks unusual.
Some improvements
A similar design, only you need to use not a pipe, but a flexible hose. And decoration can be done not with stone, but with any suitable snag. Effective design, looks amazing. And it feels like it's a creation of nature, not human hands.
When manufacturing, you will have to use a grid - it will increase the volume of water, since the size of the pan is quite small. Pay attention to the fact that it is best to use pipes made of polyethylene - they are not afraid of ultraviolet radiation and bend perfectly.
Compact fountains - reality or fiction?
In the manufacture of mini-fountains, you can use any pumps, even those that are installed on aquariums. Only need to choose models in which there is no aeration. They have many advantages, and the most important is almost silent work. Of course, you will need a pump and a small tank (preferably ceramic, since it looks beautiful). You will also need a piece of bamboo (length about 70 cm). You can buy it at flower shops.
For decoration, you will need a growing living bamboo - one bunch is enough. And also a little fine pebbles. First, bamboo must be cut into several parts. The length of all elements should be different. As you understand, bamboo has a cavity inside, so it can be used as a pipe. In addition, it is a material that is almost not subject to decay. One side should be cut evenly, and the second sideways - this is the main condition. Bamboo can be cut with a hacksaw for metal or even a grinder. You can make a fountain at home from seemingly simple materials. It is only important to make a beautiful design.
Fountain decoration
It is necessary to install a small pump in the tank. Put on it the longest piece of bamboo. The length should be about 30-35 cm. On the other side, install a bunch of growing bamboo, and fill the space with decorative pebbles. The remaining two pieces must be tied to the resulting pipe. It is allowed to use a hemp rope (oddly enough, but the so-called fiber obtained from "illegal" hemp). But you can use any rope, if only it had an attractive appearance.
Conclusion
Well, that’s all, now you just have to fill the tank with water and turn on the pump. You can change the design of the pump, it all depends on your personal preferences, as well as on financial capabilities. You can use a pot made of ceramic or plastic (however, even an iron one will do). Make out as you wish. The main thing is to use containers without holes. You can put in a container some hygrophilous plant. Now you know how to make a fountain with your own hands from improvised materials. But it’s true, you can use everything that is literally bad in the yard or barn.