Build A Rock Fountain In 6 Steps

A rock fountain can add a lot of appeal and serenity to your private garden sanctuary. The following steps will show you how to make a bubbling rock fountain that is relatively small, inexpensive to construct and simple to build.

Step 1 - The Right Location

You will want an area that will show off your new fountain. Choose a place close to an electrical outlet where you will enjoy listening to the fountain. If the area you want to use does not have an electrical outlet close by, call an electrician to install a new one with a ground fault interrupter.

Step 2 - Prepare the Location

It is time to get dirty as you prepare the area for the build. Turn the container upside down on the spot where you want the fountain. Trace the outline of the plastic container with the spray paint. Dig out the area to the depth of the container so that it will fit snugly and level.

Replace the dirt around the seated plastic container, but be careful to not get any inside it.

Step 3 - Creating the Grid

The grid keeps water flowing properly and your rocks level. Put on a pair of heavy duty work gloves for this step.

Place the chicken wire over the hog panel lengthwise. Bend the wire around the short end of the hog panel until the panel does not have much give in either direction.

Step 4 - Placing the Water Pump

The pump makes a fountain a fountain or else it is just stagnant water. Before you can place your pump you need to attach the plastic tube to it. Then, put the pump in the container so that the tube is facing up. Move the pump as close to the center as possible.

Put the assembled grid on top of the container, making sure that the plastic tube is protruding from the center of the hog panel.

Step 5 - Drilling the Fountain Rock

The large rock is going to become the actual fountain. This is a job that can be dangerous so observe all safety precautions. If you are not comfortable with this step, you can have someone at a home store do it for you.

Prepare the hammer drill by putting it in the rotary position. Brace the hammer drill with your chest. This will prevent it from slipping away from you and aid with supplying even pressure when drilling.

Wear protective goggles as you drill over the center of the rock. With the drill against your chest, turn it on and put even downward pressure on the drill until it exits the bottom.

Step 6 - Finishing the Fountain

Move the large rock you just drilled into position on top of the plastic tube protruding from the grate. The tube should only enter the rock about an inch. If more than that is inside the rock, trim the tube.

Place about half of the small and medium stones on top, flat sides down and evenly dispersed in a single layer. Fill the container with water, plug in the pump and finish placing the rest of the rocks.

When your fountain is finished to your liking, you can hide unsightly things such as plugs and sockets by adding garden accents like bushes and garden gnomes.