How to Build Your Own Garden Fountain

Throughout the ages, garden fountains have been the symbol of power, fertility and wealth. From the ancient hanging gardens of Babylon to modern day Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas, fountains have played an important role in human history.

While these fountains are in a league all their own, you can create your own basic garden fountain. With these great tips and inside advice, you can easily and economically build your own fountain in your yard, garden or deck.

Size matters. If you're thinking about building your own garden fountain, deciding on the right size is crucial to your success when building your garden fountain. Bigger isn't always better. Factors such as cleaning schedule, maintenance and upkeep cost can quickly make you think twice about having a thousand gallon pool and a six foot waterfall.

Location, location, location. Building in the proper location is another important factor in creating your garden fountain. Wind, sun and trees can all have a major impact on the health and well being of your garden fountain and its equipment.

Strong winds can blow water from the fountain, quickly draining it and destroying the submersible pump. Sun creates a very similar fate for the garden fountain; the water evaporates, burning up the pump. Trees can quickly devour a pumps life with intake clogging debris.

Fish can breathe life into your garden fountain. By adding a few fish, you take on a completely new level of care. Fish require intense maintenance on a daily schedule. If you can't look after them everyday or you don't have someone who can look after them in your absence, then you don't need fish.

Lighting can play an important role in the aesthetics of your garden. Focusing light in key locations can really make or break a garden fountain.

Safety is a great reason to have some sort of lighting around a garden fountain. It would be a shame to accidentally walk into a garden fountain. People who have children should defiantly use strategic lighting as a safety measure.

Power supply may be the last on the list; however it is the most important. Without power, pumps don't run, lights wont turn on and the fountain will not flow. It's not always as easy as running an electric cord to the pump. Make sure you install a GFCI outlet for your pump. Water and electricity don't mix and a ground fault circuit interrupter prevents tragedy from occurring.