Terra-cotta fountain
Decorative three tier fountains are focal points in any landscape. Make a three tier fountain with a terra-cotta planter and staggered sizes of terra-cotta saucers. This fountain is simple to construct with limited building skills. Paint the terra-cotta or cover it with tile before you make the fountain for added color and design. Stand the three tier fountain in the center of the yard, on the patio or in a corner of the garden. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Cut a length of copper pipe the desired height of the three tier fountain. Drill a 3/4-inch hole 6 inches from one end of the pipe. This end of the pipe will stand inside the planter reservoir.
2. Place the 24-inch terra-cotta planter in the location for the fountain. Place the fountain pump inside the planter, off to one side. Thread the cord through the planter's drain opening. Seal around the cord with silicone.
3. Place two stacks of three to four bricks side by side in the center of the planter. Separate the bricks by 3/4 inch. Glue the bricks to the planter and to each other with waterproof construction adhesive.
4. Stand the copper pipe between the two brick stacks. Make sure that the drilled hole in the pipe is facing the pump, not the bricks. Glue the pipe to the brick. Allow the adhesive and the silicone to dry.
5. Cut three 6-inch strips of copper tubing. Wrap one strip around the copper pipe as a brace for the bottom tier of the fountain. Place the brace on the copper pipe between 4 and 8 inches above the rim of the planter. Solder the copper tubing to the copper pipe.
6. Drill 3/4-inch holes in the center of each terra-cotta saucer. Thread the 18-inch saucer over the copper pipe to the brace.
7. Wrap a second strip of copper tubing around the copper pipe as a brace for the middle tier of the fountain. Place the middle tier between 4 and 12 inches from the bottom tier. Solder the copper tubing to the copper pipe. Thread the 14-inch saucer over the pipe to the second brace.
8. Wrap the third strip of copper tubing around the copper pipe 6 inches from the top end of the pipe. Solder the tubing to the pipe. Thread the 10-inch saucer over the pipe to the top brace.
9. Run a bead of silicone sealant between the copper pipe and the drilled openings in each saucer. Allow the silicone to dry.
10. Cut a length of plastic tubing equal to the length of the copper pipe. Attach one end to the pump. Thread one end through the drilled hole in the copper pipe. Feed the tube as far as possible into the pipe.
11. Fill the planter and each of the saucers with water. Start the pump.
Tags: copper pipe, copper tubing, pipe brace, three tier, around copper, around copper pipe