Garden fountain

Questions and Answers

What's the best way to make a fountain pool (in a garden)?

Q) Going into lawn

A) There are many ways and they depend on your budget. The simplest involves buying a kit from a garden centre, this would be a plastic tub to hold the water and a pump to for the fountain. The tub comes with a lid. You cover that with stones of your choice and a pipe comes through it into the water feature of your choice, it could be at its simplest a large stone with a hole drilled through or some fancy sculpture from the garden centre. You'll need to dig a hole for the tub and bury the cable that powers the pump and have a safe power socket somewhere nearby. This method gives you the fountain but no pool. If you have a pool already then you just need the pump with a spouting nozzle in the pool. All can be found at aqua garden centres and advice too.

how do i go about installing a garden pond with stone surrounds and fountain?

Q) have a dugout hole approx 12-14 ft wide, looking to put large pond with stone walls and waterfeature in, how much hard work is it, has anyone done similar project?

A) A pond needs attention and I guess you can call it work. Does the hole hold water or is it sandy soil that drains quickly? If not you will have to buy a big liner – not cheap. Once made you will need a pump to circulate the water – probably at least a 1000-2000 gph pump. It will need to circulate 24/7 to avoid the mosquito and stagnant issues. If lined you will need to line the bottom and landscape it with rock – both in, out and on the edges to hold it down- you have to have something for the plants to grow in and the fish to hide in. Until it gets established you might have issues the first few years with green algae. The plants once established will use all the nutrients that the algae needs to live. Put fish in it and these should be self sufficient. We put feeder goldfish and bait shop minnows. We now have two dozen goldfish and about 5000 minows every year. How deep is it compared to your frost line in the winter? Our frost line is 20 inches so a pond around here has to be at least 24 inches deep for the fish to survive the winter. I keep a cow trough heater ($20 at TSC) in the pond all winter to keep a hole in the ice to help with this issue. Do you have a power source out to the pond? You will need it for the pond pump and heater. You will have to buy plants to put in the pond and if they are lilies they will need fertilized at least 2-3 times a year. Preditors like heron, raccoons, cats, other birds might be an issue so expect to deal with them. To me it is not work. It has been fun.

How can I stop my garden pond pump from blocking up?

Q) I have a fountain type garden pond pump for my fish. It keeps blocking up with water snails and general stuff, how can I stop this?

A) http://www.mvwgs.org/filter.htm This site will give you instruction on how to make a filter. It protects the pump from debris, mine has been running all summer without being cleaned. You can make the filter any size that fits your needs, you will just have to find a container to start with. Any plastic box that allows water to flow freely will work. It protects the pump and also provide biological filtering. Works great for us.

I've always wanted a water feature in the garden. Would a fountain pen look good?

A) how about a shower curtain

Where can i get advice about how to best maintain a garden pond with fish and frogs in etc?

Q) I've just moved into a house that has a pond in with plants fish loads of frog spawn and a pumped fountain. What i need to know is when should i feed the fish and how much? Should i leave the frog spawn in there with them? Should i clean out the pond? Any good advice or weblinks would be appreciated?

A) Please let you give one advice from a "Once bitten, twice shy". Here is the story for all who will start this odyssee with pond in the garden A local Ikea store offered last year some ponds for the garden. Because my gf pledged I bought it. The first 2 weeks it was a useless nice thing . But then ... Be aware of the frogs barking in the night and the flies breeding in the warm water. Hords of mosquitos bite ne. All my neighborhood are now at the edge to insanity. now we use it as a playground for my cat

Is there anywhere on the internet that can give me ideas on how to create a garden?

Q) I would like to have bird tables, water fountain, pebbles and anything else that anyone can suggest.

A) Here's some sites to get you started: Gardening websites http://www.gardenguides.com// Landscape Designs: (Click on each picture for more detail & info) http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=landscape+design&rs=2&fr2=xpl&_adv_prop=image&ei=UTF-8&fr=ush-ans&vf= Meditation Garden http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/resources/garden_plan.html Stone Patio & Path http://www.dataexe.com.au/eds/townhouse.htm Classic Landscape http://www.classiclandscapes.co.uk/portfolio/planning_graphics/plan2_large.jpg http://www.arcadiagardendesign.biz/img33.htm Garden design winners http://landliving.com/articles/0000000139.aspx Small Landscaping Plans http://www.addis-gardendesign.co.uk/plan2.htm Better homes & garden also has a garden planner. Here's a free interactive landscaping website from Better Homes & Gardens. You'll have register to log on to their website (You don't need to buy anything or subscribe to their magazine). http://www.bhg.com/bhg/story.jsp?storyid=/templatedata/bhg/story/data/planagardenhome_03022002.xml "Plan-a-Garden lets you design anything from a patio-side container garden to your whole yard. Use your mouse to "drag-and-drop" more than 150 trees, shrubs, and flowers. Add dozens of structures like buildings, sheds, fences, decks -- even a pond." P.S. Click on the refresh buttom (at the top) if the page doesn't come up at first. You may also have to close their magazine ad. by clicking on the x Easy-care perennial rock garden: http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/design/2006sp_rockgarden.html Top 10 Tips for Do-It-Yourself Landscaping: http://landscaping.about.com/od/designexamples1/tp/do_it_yourself.htm Good luck on your gardening adventure!! Hope this is helpful.

does any body know a good web site for outside garden ponds with pictures?

Q) first time pond builder put pond in with stone around the pond liner with fountain in centre and a filter box with flowing water down stones

A) My favorite subject and my hobby. This website is one of the best on line for all information/I keep it bookmarked. PondMarket.com is an integral part of: The Alternative Pond & Gardens Mart, Inc. 500 South County Centerway St. Louis, Mo 63129 http://www.pondmarket.com/about_us.htm Welcome to PondMarketPhotos.com http://www.pondmarketphotos.com/ Great Ponds of North America JUST click on the photo to enlarge http://pondmarketphotos.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=410 If you Mouse-Over your State, http://pondmarket.com/pond_installers/ you will be able to see if we have any Pond Installers who have signed up in your State. When you click the state, it will take you to those people and their contact information. This is a fairly new endeavor for us so please check back often for new additions. ********Other sites******************** http://www.flickr.com/photos/montanaraven/20094062/ ********2006***** http://watergarden.com/Pond-Photos/pondphotos_2006.php *********2007******* http://watergarden.com/Pond-Photos/pondphotos_2007.php http://www.vpandg.com/ponds1.html You can click on any picture to view it or click the first picture and use the "next" and "previous" buttons to browse our work. From Around the world Garden Paradise in Pakistan From the Gardens of Shahzad Ahmed http://gardening.about.com/od/yourgardenphotos/ig/Water-Gardening-Photo-Gallery/Water-Garden-Pond-in-Pakistan.htm ****************EDITED******************** To :just me highlight the address in the address bar click on copy and then paste it in your answer.

Remove stagnant water and protect wild life?

Q) Hi, We have got an artificial fountain in our garden and wild birds are coming to drink it. This fountain has not been used for 3 weeks and we have got now stagnant water (green, cloudy...). Is there any product on the market which could clean the water and be drinkable by birds, fox etc.... Thanks for your answers

A) your local aquarium centre should be able to help, or just syphon out the water and put some fresh in, algae should be dying off now so it shouldn't grow back until at least the spring, the dirty water will also be a good treat to those special plants in your garden, my Lilly's love the water from my pond filter, they grow massive in the summer and you can almost hear them slurping it when i pour it on them, the neighbours cant fathom it out, there's are half the size of mine

tips please on placing and setting up a fibre glass pond?

Q) I would also like a little stream running in to it. so i would like advice on filling round the sides,with a garden, also i would like a fountain in the pond, so i need advice on pumps and filters,also to mention that i would like the pond to be raised .also how to prevent blanket weed from the begining.

A) Raising the pond puts it at higher risk of freezing as the ground acts as insulation for the water. The pumps and filters you need will depend upon the volume of water that the pond holds. You need to go to a reputable pond company for advice on this. I would avoid garden centres as they don't tend to know what they are talking about. To keep the green out of the pond avoid putting it in direct sunlight. It also needs to be well stocked with plants to keep the pond balance in check. You should also avoid placing the pond under plants that shed, i.e, trees. There are chemicals to treat blanket weed, but make sure you check all new plants for traces of blanket weed. If planting around the pond ensure that the plants are not toxic to fish - a pond book or website could advise on these. Also try to avoid trailing plants that will trail into the pond. Also be aware of what size they will grow to as their roots could press against the pond and crack it. Hope this is some help.

Please help! My neighbour is copying everything I do????

Q) I have a boring garden and so does my neighbour 'Betty'. Last month I decided to improve my garden and planted many evergreens. The next day, I looked out of my bedroom window and discovered that Betty had copied and added twice as much evergreens as me. The following week, I decided to add a nice small fountain. Within two days, Betty had installed a massive artficial waterfall which was bigger than my house. Naturally I was upset so I decided to cheer myself up and bought a Land Rover. Then just yesterday morning, I looked out of my kitchen window and discovered that Betty had treat herself to a Porsche. BUT today was the last straw. Betty overheard me say to my friend that I was going to book flying lessons. Then this afternoon, I saw Betty fly over my house very low and the vibration cracked my new garden fountain. Is there anything I can say to her to stop her making me feel uneased???

A) Karl, I see the wonderful scenario that you present. I had a neighbour with similar aspirations once. I moved. Well before letting slip at a do to which she was invited, although I previously might of "missed her off the list", that I had planning permission to take over the feild at the bottom of our garden to keep a stock of pigs. To much amusment to myself, I have a record of paperwork from "Betty", requiring her fair share of said feild. Much mirth was had. All the best ! Bob.

outdoor garden fountain stream shooting?

Q) I am looking for a outdoor garden fountain that shoots single streams of water in short bursts. I have seen them at Disney and other places. Can you tell me where to find them or what they are called? The best way to describe the fountain is a leap frog jumping from lily pad to lily pad.

A) Doesn't the fountain head or nozzle give you options as to what type of water stream is projected.... http://www.cetsolar.com/lillysolarfountain.htm http://www.bizrate.com/outdoordecor/products__keyword--garden%20pond%20fountains.html http://www.bizrate.com/watergarden_irrigationsupplies/products__keyword--garden%20pond%20fountains.html http://www.pondmarket.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=31&CFID=54966&CFTOKEN=2456c71faa08d431-476D842E-0FC5-4F98-C3983CFDE0A8AC31

how do i run electrcal wiring underground twenty feet from a garden fountain pump cord to an extension cord.?

Q) the garden fountain will sit in the front yard and i wil run undergrond wire from the fountain to an above ground out door extension cord which wil run to the outlet approximately forty-five feet away.

A) DO NOT do the above - call a licensed electrician and have him install a GFCI- protected receptacle closer to your pond! Besides the fact that burying wire underground requires special cable and conduit, the amount of distance between your current outlet and your pond will almost certainly ruin your pump due to voltage loss. It will be cheaper (AND SAFER) in the long run if you do it properly and have a receptacle (or even better, a sub panel with several dedicated receptacles) installed closer to your pond. This way you can also have power for a UV light, air pump, lighting, or whatever else you may want to add later on.

Garden Fountain with Fire in the middle?

Q) My boyfriend once saw a large fountain that had a flame coming out of the centre of it. Anyone know where I can find one?

A) Kinetic Fountains might have what you are looking for. Check this one out: Oriental Tiki Torch Garden Fountain http://www.kineticfountains.com/oriental-tiki-torch-garden-fountains.asp *~Enjoy~*

non-electrical garden fountain?

A) get a bird bath

Does anyone know where I can find a garden fountain of a dog lifting a leg and peeing on a bush or a tree?

A) Man, you need life lol.

Want to create a rock garden with a fountain - suggestions?

Q) I would like to cover my back yard with a rock garden or with some kind of stone, and also have a pond or fountain somewhere in the mix. Any ideas, websites, photos, suggestions? Thank you.

A) ok i will tell you how to this a real easy way ... first you need to decide how much area you want to cover and how deep when you do this you can go to a lumber yard or hardware store and buy treated 4x4 or 6x6 yard timbers (that is the correct name for the wood you need) line the outside of your area with the wood and then depending on what kind of rock or stone you want you can go to a gravel pit or nursery and buy stone or pea gravel and fill the surround with the stone or such then after you get all the gravel level and where you want it you can decide on spots you want to plant things move the gravel to the side dig your hole and plant when the plant is in the ground you can recover the area with the gravel you moved now if you want a pond or little pool take a piece of paper and draw your area and figure where you want it and then you can go to a hardware store and get a can of yard spray paint or marking paint go to your spot you picked out and outline it with the paint get a shovel and start digging when you have finished you can go ack to a hardware store and buy a goldfish pond pump or a waterfall pump it comes with instructions and simpley install it yourself you shouldnt have any trouble

how can i make a water fountain in my small garden .?

Q) i am from india and looking to create a medium size water fountain in my garden any idea how to make water fountain low cost and min. maintenance pls

A) go to the handyman magazine website they have some plans from difficult to easy,also home centers like home depot or lowes,etc they have kits that you can buy (or copy).all you need is a small pump and a place for the water to collect then your imagination is the limit since you are in India i dont know what kind of stores you have but the Home depot has a good website and the magazine Good Housekeeping also will have links on their site to help

could someone help me Identify a fountain/garden fixture?

Q) A piece of bamboo is hinged on a small post at a T. It is longer and heavier on one side and because of this it tilts. Water flows into one side and fills up that side. That side grows heavier than the other side and tilts and dumps the water into the resevior. When this side drops the other side raises and knocks something, making a "goonk" sound. These fixtures are sometimes found in Japanese Zen gardens and Ive heard that they are also used as a wildlife repelant. Please help

A) Look on www.home.ivillage.com/decorating/crafts. They have instructions and supplies need to make your own Bamboo water fountain. Much cheaper, if you can find all the supplies in your area. HGTV did an episode about this also. Very relaxing and lovely garden feature, can be adapted for home or office also. Hope this helps

Powering a fountain/filter for a container water garden?

Q) This is my first time trying something like this. I’m making a 30 gallon half-barrel water garden with 2-3 goldfish, some aquatic snails, and appropriate flora (hyacinth, anacharis, parrot’s feather…). I would like a fountain and filter, but the closest electrical outlet is 50 ft away. I am trying to avoid the hassle of installing UF cable, and have considered as an alternative this solar fountain: http://www.siliconsolar.com/shop/catalog/Night--Day-Solar-Fountain-Pump-Kit-p-2.html I can’t tell if the fountain pump is also a filter, and it won't be running 24/7. I’ve been reading but haven’t been able to determine what degree of filtration is recommended for a container garden with fish. At least it will keep the water from getting stagnant, which may discourage algae growth, and it will help to oxygenate the water. If I were to couple the solar fountain with weekly 20% water changes, would this be sufficient to deter algae growth and keep ammonia/nitrite levels down?

A) from my experience one has to have a pump going 24/7. this keeps the water flowing and if the pump has a built in filter it also keeps the water clean. occasionally you may have to change the water as depending on how much sun your container pond gets it will have some degree of green water which is algae. the snails help to keep the algae that grows on the bottom and sides of your container cleaner,but a good filter is a definite plus. check with your local Earl May or where ever you are getting the container pond from. Sometimes less is better when it comes to small container ponds as you are wanting to do.

How can I use one of those outdoor garden fountains/?

Q) I saw at Lowes some nice garden water found kits and got a question. Do I have to have an electrician install underground electrical lines to the fountain pump or can I just use an outdoor extension plug

A) Until your happy with the fountain and it's location, I would think an extension cord would do fine. To be safe use a three prong cord plugged into a GFI outlet. RScott