What Soothes Frazzled Nerves and can Quench your Dog’s Thirst? Garden Fountains!Adding garden fountains to your patio adds the soothing sounds of running water to your outdoor enjoyment. Garden fountains are one of the most popular amenities for patios both large and small. The trickling of water helps soothe your frazzled nerves after a day at work or after the children have gone to bed. Garden or patio fountains come in all shapes and sizes. They can be made from marble, stone, wood or treated concrete and can be situated in the middle of a large patio, on a wall or of the tabletop variety for smaller ones. There are also many attractive resin reproduction types available. Ground level garden fountains are great if you have pets, so you don’t need to have water dishes outdoors.
Decorative flower borders can grace garden fountains, adding a natural beauty to the patio. You’ll notice that garden fountains attract a variety of birds that may drop in for a drink, but this may not be a desired result. Bird droppings can cause nasty stains on wooden furniture and should be cleaned immediately.
Keeping garden fountains clean is a challenge in itself. If there are overhanging trees, leaves will constantly have to be cleaned from the fountain. Certain patio fountains require periodic, easy cleanings. Other may require you to use only bottled water to prevent the build up of calcium. In cold winter weather, some fountains should be completely drained and if possible stored indoors. Water pumps in fountains should never be allowed to operate dry. You should always make sure that there is water in your fountain as water evaporates from the fountain and can be dry without you realizing it. Accumulated dust and dirt should be wiped off regularly with a clean cloth to keep your garden fountain looking new. One word of warning: if you buy a large garden fountain and want to have fish swimming around happily in the base, you’re going to need a bio-filter. A few aquatic plants will also supply oxygen to the water making the fish even happier. If for some reason you buy the structure of the fountain and the pump separately you’ll have to make sure the pump isn’t too powerful, or not powerful enough. Most pump manufacturers state that the water in a small pond or fountain base should be turned between 1/2 time an hour to once an hour. As a rule of thumb, this means that a small 60 gph (gallon per hour) would be sufficient for turning around a maximum of 120 gallons of water. Another thing that is surprisingly often overlooked with patio fountains. Water doesn’t just flow automatically, it needs a power supply. Therefore, you are going to have to consider the issue of wiring. One problem that can arise with patio or garden fountains is that the water pump may be too noisy. Rather than soothing, this interrupts the comforting sound of the trickling water and may be irritating instead. You have to make sure that your pump is completely submerged and all the connections are secure. Water may not flow properly in the fountains so you’ll have to make sure that there are no kinks in the tubing and that you have the correct amount of water in the fountains. These problems do not arise very often and are usually easily fixed. You’ll find that garden fountains increase the serenity and peacefulness of your patio, now all you have to do is sit back and enjoy it! You will also find lots of valuable information about many different kinds of patio accessories by following the link:
Simple steps to build a Tabletop Water Fountain Water is the essence of life. Creating your own garden fountains, especially the table top variety is a wonderful way to bring out your creativity and self-expression while simultaneously relieving stress and enhancing your interior décor. There are many unique benefits to having a fountain at home or work:
Building a water fountain can be as simple as putting some stones and a small pump into a container with water. It does not have to be expensive or fancy. Nothing can compare to the feeling of accomplishment from creating your own fountain. Materials Needed:
1 A waterproof container or bowl of proper depth. Look in your cupboard for a casserole, serving dish, punch bowl, or fruit bowl if you're in a hurry to make a fountain. 2. A small water pump (less than 100 gallons per hour) and clear plastic tubing (1/2" inner dimension or 5/8" outer dimension). Fish tank pumps are fine. The smallest ones work well for the typical size containers. Some shops supply suction cups with water pumps. Both the pump and tubing can be found at an aquarium, hardware, or garden supply store. To straighten the hose, boil it in water for a while.
3.Rocks; pebbles; slate; crystals; semi-precious stones; drift wood pieces; shells, anything that goes in water can be used.
Each item can have a special meaning, thus adding to the individuality of your fountain. 4. Plants add greenery to your fountain. A small clipping will do nicely. You could also use a small pot or glass bottle [baby food jar], fill it with water, put the plant inside and place it inside the fountain bowl.
Steps:
1. Place the decorative slate or tile on the table. Place the bowl on the slate or tile. Maintenance tips:
Check water level daily for the first week, adding fresh water as needed to keep the pump completely covered. More Resources: Tabletop Fountain: "Mountain Seep" Click Here Simple Rock Fountain: Click Here Under $30 fountain Click Here Feng Shui Table-Top fountain: Click Here Copper Frame Garden Fountains: Garden Fountains
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