How to build a tabletop fountain???

Question

I have purchased the pump already, I am having trouble finding a pot i like, any suggestions? but my biggest question is what to make the fountain itself out of, I was thinking styrofoam covered with cement, I want it to look as real as possible, which type of cement would work best? styrofoam? glue for stryofoam? I am trying to minimize the weight while still making it look like a real chunk of rock with a waterfall running down it. I am also on a limited budget, i want to spend no more than $50 since i already have the pump i dont think that should be a problem

Answer 1

There are plastic kits that should come in at under that price. I got one as a gift and put it together. The first night I ran it, it drove me crazy because it sounded like a pipe had burst and water was pouring down all over the living room. It was just the natural sound of the tabletop fountain but it convinced me to unplug it and never use it again. The sound was not soothing - it sounded like the prelude to an expensive plumbing repair and that is never restful.

Answer 2

If you have all of the materials you have mentioned all you will need is a fountain pump (Lowes or Home depot) and a length of rubber tubing (found in the plumbing section of any hardware store). Place the pump in the pool and run the tubing up through the base of the pots. Don't forget to prime the pump, or it will not work. You do this by pouring water down through the tube after the pump is running. Good Luck, and Congrats!

Answer 3

Use hypertufa to make the stones. Remember water washed stone is smooth.

I would build the base from styrofoam, cover it with hypertufa, then assemble the fountain.

How big do you wish to make it?

Indoor or outdoor?

I bought a black plastic tray (28"x28") from a farm and home supply place to make my fountain. I used creek rock in various sizes, which I bought at Walmart to cover the bottom. I turned a large plastic flower pot upside down in one corner and built my stones around it with the hypertufa. This was for an indoor fountain. I have two orange trees sitting in the base and a couple of smaller live plants. I get lots of compliments on it.

I did not glue the stones together. I set them on top of each other trying to get a natural look. Some I have seen, have just made the rough design out of styrofoam and plastered the outside with hypertufa as one piece. You can look at some zoo pictures for ideas. Many zoos use this type of construction for building natural looking environments for their animals. You can also use chicken wire and wire screening for the base for the hypertufa. If you are planning a large backyard waterfall, I would suggest some wooden framing.

After you make the one main piece you could add miscellaneous rock (real natural stone or homemade ones) that are loose to give the finished fountain a more natural look.




Here are 4 proven, reliable and time-tested hypertufa recipes that will help assure your next project will be headed for a successful outcome. These have been used by scores of hypertufa novices and artisans alike. I've also included mixing tips and guidelines to help you cut out any guesswork.


There is one "ingredient" missing from these recipes … your expertise. However, the expertise is really rather simple to attain. Obviously, the more experience you have working in hypertufa, the better you will become at knowing when your ingredients are blended to the proper consistency andare ready to be applied to your mold.

It Takes Just a Little More Skill Than Making a Mud-Pie

You'll do just fine on your very first project by following all the directions, but once again, practice does make perfect. So, through experience you'll get the hang of:

knowing how much water to add to get the right consistency -- some projects need a little thicker mixture, some thinner;
getting used to working with the 'tufa mixture -- how it spreads, clings to objects, etc; and
knowing how to properly execute the form of the garden art object you are wanting to make.
If you've never tried working with hypertufa, then click here for a Beginners Hypertufa Recipe. I really suggest you start with this recipe. It's a little more affordable because you don't have to make a big investment in the various ingredients.

The following hypertufa recipes have two things in common -- Portland cement and peat moss. Also note that the ratios of one ingredient to another may vary in these recipes. Please follow the directions, OK? Thank you. I want you to be successful, remember? :-)

Portland Cement is NOT Concrete

I'll repeat this so you understand fully … Portland cement is NOT concrete! Portland cement is an ingredient of concrete. Concrete is a composite building material made from the combination of aggregate and a cement binder. I don't want you buying and lugging home the wrong 30lb., or worse, 80 lb. bag of product.

Also be aware that Portland cement is available in grey or white. Grey seems to be just fine for most projects. White lends itself well to a granite look -- just make sure to use small or medium size perlite in your mix. White would also be your choice if you are using cement/concrete colorants. **Start by adding one cup of powdered colorant to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Answer 4

maybe you could try wood instead. build like steps,
and have the pump, going thru the top of the steps, and running down