diy water fountain made out of old (full size) hand pump and whiskey barrel
#1
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diy water fountain made out of old (full size) hand pump and whiskey barrel
New project: I have an antique full size water hand pump that I would like to make a fountain out of. What I have so far:
hand pump
whiskey barrel
6 inch liner for barrel
The general idea would be that the hand pump would look like it would be flowing into the barrel. I would like to make it look like a pondless effect with small stones in the barrel. I am also considering a solar pump. I have an idea of what I would like it to look like, but no idea of how to actually make it work. Any ideas? Thanks.
hand pump
whiskey barrel
6 inch liner for barrel
The general idea would be that the hand pump would look like it would be flowing into the barrel. I would like to make it look like a pondless effect with small stones in the barrel. I am also considering a solar pump. I have an idea of what I would like it to look like, but no idea of how to actually make it work. Any ideas? Thanks.
#2
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Do you have any questions more specific than "any ideas"? If you are looking for general instructions a search online for "making a fountain" or "how to make a whiskey barrel fountain" will turn up many sites with basic instructions.
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several years ago i paid $300 for a 7w solar pump...this spring i donated it to Good Will...stay with conventional 110 unless you live in the Sun Belt...
you might want to think about running a 1/4" or 3/8" tube up the hand pump (this would be after you cleared the throat of the hand pump...
go on-line and Google 'Pond Pumps this will give you ideas as to the strength of the 'submerged pump you will place in the barrel...
you might want to think about running a 1/4" or 3/8" tube up the hand pump (this would be after you cleared the throat of the hand pump...
go on-line and Google 'Pond Pumps this will give you ideas as to the strength of the 'submerged pump you will place in the barrel...
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I did a search, but what I found involved a half pump size. The hand pump I have is a full size pump, like what you would see by a well. Also, trying to make it pondless adds a new dimension. I have read some articles that are giving me a bit of help, just trying to put everything together.
Chitown, thanks for the advice about the solar pump.
I have never done anything even remotely close to this, so I'm trying to figure out how to turn the vision of what I want the fountain to do, into reality. My thought is about 160 gph, not sure if I'm right on that. Fill the 6 inch (planter) liner with small stones (not sure if this will make it too heavy). Make a hole in the liner, seal in tube, tube goes down through the bottom of barrel, and up through the hand pump. A nice circle. Trying to figure out the pump though, where to position, etc. Thanks.
Chitown, thanks for the advice about the solar pump.
I have never done anything even remotely close to this, so I'm trying to figure out how to turn the vision of what I want the fountain to do, into reality. My thought is about 160 gph, not sure if I'm right on that. Fill the 6 inch (planter) liner with small stones (not sure if this will make it too heavy). Make a hole in the liner, seal in tube, tube goes down through the bottom of barrel, and up through the hand pump. A nice circle. Trying to figure out the pump though, where to position, etc. Thanks.
#5
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I think easiest is to not have a separate catch pan with a drain hole in the bottom. Submersible pumps are quite inexpensive and reliable and make it very easy to turn anything that will hold water into a fountain. If your barrel is water tight I would just use it as your reservoir and put a submersible pump in the bottom. If the barrel leaks I would like it pond lining plastic sheeting or find a large plastic bucket to fit inside. Farm supply stores carry muck buckets that make great reservoirs.
#6
In sizing your pump you need to take into account how much water your container holds. 160 gph is almost 3 gallon a minute. So you will need at least that big a bucket of water. After some of that water evaporates you will need a bigger tank or keep a constant watch on the water level.
A 5 gallon bucket fit in your barrel? Is there room above it to place wire screen?
If yes to both I would put the pump in the bucket then the screen over it, then the rocks on the screen. Feed the hose out of the bucket and out the side of the barrel at rock height. Rock hides the hose. Then run the hose up through the old pump housing to where it almost come out the spout.
A 5 gallon bucket fit in your barrel? Is there room above it to place wire screen?
If yes to both I would put the pump in the bucket then the screen over it, then the rocks on the screen. Feed the hose out of the bucket and out the side of the barrel at rock height. Rock hides the hose. Then run the hose up through the old pump housing to where it almost come out the spout.
#9
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You will just have to look at your creation and see the best way to hide the cord. Depending on how and where you have your hand pump located the cord probably could sneak out underneath or behind it.
#10
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Pump Cord
Where is you electrical receptacle in relation to the barrel?
Large stones covering the pump in the bottom of the barrel followed by smaller stones. Then the size stones you want to show in the top of the barrel.
The pump size is determined by the vertical lift distance of the water and the amount of flow you want.
Large stones covering the pump in the bottom of the barrel followed by smaller stones. Then the size stones you want to show in the top of the barrel.
The pump size is determined by the vertical lift distance of the water and the amount of flow you want.