skip to main content

Gardening in Oz

Building a low cost water feature.

21 years ago

Hi everyone, one of my backyard projects I would like to complete will be a nice water feature. I must admit the sound of running water is very relaxing. But my criteria has to meet the following.

1. It cant be bigger than about 1 metre square on the ground. (can go upwards)

2. It needs to be kidsafe. (I have young children)

looking at a covered sump.

3. To be able to get the materials cheaply. On a budget, some water features at garden shops and nurseries can be $300 plus.

I guess I am after some creativity here. (it's not one of my strong points). If anyone has some ideas and/or pictures of ones they have done or seen, and the materials they used in building, it would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

rogerthedog
21 years ago
I built a small formal pond 1.5m x 2.5m x 1.5m deep.
The return pipe from the external filter/pump was above the water line and it made a nice gentle running water noise.
The materials were just pump/filter, liner, a small amount of lumber and a liberal dash of back breaking effort.
Bryan_FGS
21 years ago
You can make a simple water feature by using a bucket as a reservoir to hold the water and pump, then get hold of a few bits of sandstone to put around it.
Dig a hole so the top of the bucket is just above ground level. Make a little wire support to hold river pebbles about halfway into the bucket so the pump is at the bottom immersed in water. Build up the area on one side of the bucket with sandstone (3-4 layers but 2-3 wide of sandstone) and place the outlet pipe of the pump between the top two bits of stone. You have to fiddle around with the angle of the stone a bit so that the water will trickle back into the bucket (can be a bit tricky). Then place a ring of sandstone around the rest of the bucket and put a thin layer of river pebbles over the whole area.
You'll get the trickling noise of the water going down the rocks and into the bucket, and it is child safe because the water is underneath the heavy rocks.

Another way of doing it is the same with the bucket, but feed the outlet pipe of the pump into a copper pipe attached to an old tap so that it looks like the tap is running but it is going straight back into the bucket.

Hope you could understand all that!

B
Related Discussions
Installing fountain water feature with water supply or not?
Q
Comments (15)
This will be difficult to decide, I don't want to have to worry about leaks like the first person who replied said, but I also don't want to worry about burning out the motor if it runs dry. I also don't want to have to refill it with a hose more than a couple times per month in case I forget to turn it off before leaving town for a couple of weeks. Now I'm a bit more inclined to go with the autofill and take my chances that it may leak someday. The water flow rate should be too low to have any concern for it flooding the patio since the faucet feeding the line should only need to be opened a crack to provide enough water to cope with evaporation. Maybe there is a way to set the base so that it will be obvious if it develops a leak.
...See More
Clearing out invasive brush // sharpen a water feature
Q
Comments (3)
Beebalm, Monarda didyma would do well there, that is something deer will not eat. Also some ferns, Ostrich fern would grow in those conditions. I would also plants some small understory trees around the stream ( eastern redbud and flowering dogwoods). That area has a lot of potential.
...See More
Hello!! Water feature control question...
Q
Comments (7)
Yep. Ideally, for what you want, a controller is best. But, it is stand alone. If you have 30k in water, you program it to run at a lower speed to consume the least amount of energy and still deliver the flow you need. Within that window, you can add up to 7 features that will run at whatever you set them. The first 2 features are programmed to work from the pump directly. There is another feature on board that is cool for water features that will allow it to crank up the flow for a short time ant specific intervals. Keep in mind your 4x160 version will run at low speed for filtering and even though you don't want to go out and turn a valve, you will need to go out and hit a button for the higher speed in the absence of some sort of control system. Whatever speed your clock turns it off is the default speed for restart the next day if you let it stand alone. There are non-Pentair options for doing this but it will cost you more than the more sophisticated 3.2kw version. Two pumps 011012 VS3050 4x160 four-speed 011013 VF3050 3.2kw variable The 4x160 has certain limitations when considering controllers and the 3.2 does as well but less.
...See More
Need help review a Build's features
Q
Comments (3)
These features are bare minimum but some need upgrading regardless of the budget. There is no description of the footing. The foundation wall design depends on the ht. of unbalanced fill so without that info I can only suggest 10" CMU possibly with some vert rebar and non-shrink grout fill. Exterior of foundation should have at least 2" of extruded polystyrene insulation. Waterproofing of CMU wall is important and should be accurately described. Slab vapor retarder should be thicker Typar is good if installed with cap nails and all joints taped. Zip system sheathing is better. Sub floor should be AdvanTech OSB or CDX plywood for better water protection Roof sheathing should be 5/8" OSB or plywood for better nail withdrawal with full coverage ice &water shield (Grace only) for your climate. What is a lid? Sheetrock is a trade name, use blueboard veneer plaster if available. Just an observation: the content and terminology of this list seems to be from a past era. I would be a little worried about the use of up to date construction methods and systems.
...See More
brother_joe
Original Author
21 years ago
Thanks for the feedback guys. Most appreciated.
cheery_mel
21 years ago
I once bought a used steel shower tray about 4 inches deep. The plan was to place it on top of a box shape hebel square and place the pump inside and have a small fountain, like I said it was a vague plan, which is yet to come to fruition.
The wonders of second hand stuff, it's endless.
Cheers, Mel...

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES 8 Ecofriendly Roof Options for Low Budgets and Up

By Laura Gaskill

Save resources with a cooling or sustainable roof or add-on that looks great and fits your price range

INSIDE HOUZZ See a Couple’s New Spa-Like Bathroom From Lowe’s and Houzz

By Becky Harris

The sweepstake winners’ master bathroom gets a makeover with a new shower, tile and storage space

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Gorgeous Plant Combos With Low-Water Ornamental Grasses

By Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Use a variety of plant heights, textures and sizes, as well as leaves and flowers in varying colors, for a pleasing design

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Luminous and Low Maintenance in New Orleans

See the new build that replaced a hurricane-ravaged house, beginning a new chapter for a retiring couple

SAVING WATER Lush Gardens With Low Water Needs

Drought tolerant doesn’t have mean spindly, brown and thorny

PLANTING IDEAS 7 Stunning Plant Combinations for Low-Water Gardens

By Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Find inspiration in these beautiful drought-tolerant companion plantings

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Parry Manzanita Stands Out in Low-Water Gardens

By Debbie Ballentine

Make a dramatic architectural statement and feed wildlife in woodlands and more with Arctostaphylos manzanita

EARTH DAY How to Build a Greener Driveway

By Jen Dalley //

Install a permeable driveway to keep pollutants out of water sources and groundwater levels balanced

GREEN BUILDING Just Add Water: Rain Barrel Magic

By Marianne Lipanovich

Take your rainwater storage from practical to beautiful with a new breed of design-friendly rain barrels

GARDENING GUIDES Alpine Plants: High Performers at Low Altitudes Too

By Matt Kilburn

So Heidi and the goats aren't your neighbors. Alpine plants can be lovely and low maintenance on difficult sites beyond the mountains

Sponsored