| Water is the essence of life. Creating your own | | | | can substitute polyethylene spray foam for bigger |
| table top fountains is a wonderful way to bring | | | | rocks thus reducing the need for heavy rocks. |
| out your creativity and self-expression while | | | | 4. Plants add greenery to your fountain. A small |
| simultaneously relieving stress and enhancing your | | | | clipping will do nicely. You could also use a small |
| interior décor. | | | | pot or glass bottle [baby food jar], fill it with |
| There are many unique benefits to having a | | | | water, put the plant inside and place it inside the |
| fountain at home or work: | | | | fountain bowl. |
| # The gentle soothing sound of flowing water can | | | | Steps: |
| help you relax and meditate in your bedroom | | | | 1. Place the decorative slate or tile on the table. |
| after a hard day’s work; | | | | Place the bowl on the slate or tile. |
| # Start the day listening to the music of the | | | | 2. Place the pump at the bottom of the bowl, |
| splashing water and enjoy the invigorating effect | | | | taking care to see the cord is draped to the back |
| it has on your mood. | | | | of the container. Use suction cups to make the |
| # Fountains humidify the indoor air, especially if | | | | pump stick to the bottom of the container. |
| your home or workplace is dry due to continual | | | | Add tap water to more than cover the intake |
| air-conditioning. This is extremely helpful in | | | | value [2 minimum]. Plug the pump into the |
| preventing your skin from drying out. | | | | electric outlet. (It is advisable to test out the |
| # Fountains release negative ions, said to | | | | pump in a bucket or sink before placing it in the |
| promote better moods and concentration. | | | | container.) Unplug the pump to adjust the water |
| Building a water fountain can be as simple as | | | | flow, if needed. |
| putting some stones and a small pump into a | | | | 3. Cut the tubing length to fit your container and |
| container with water. It does not have to be | | | | design. Fit one end of the tubing to the pump |
| expensive or fancy. Nothing can compare to the | | | | spout. Place larger rocks to cover the pump and |
| feeling of accomplishment from creating your own | | | | fill the bottom of the container. |
| fountain. | | | | 4. Arrange the smaller rocks and tiles /slate |
| Materials Needed: | | | | driftwood by stacking them so as to create a |
| 1 A waterproof container or bowl of proper | | | | diverse and irregular path for the water flow. You |
| depth. | | | | can reduce the water flow from a geyser to a |
| Choose a container between 8-16 inches across in | | | | gurgle by covering the open end of the tube with |
| diameter and depth of at least 4-6 inches. The | | | | tumbled glass. |
| water has to cover the pump; otherwise, the | | | | 5. Plug in the pump, adjust the water volume and |
| pump will burn out. You can use ceramic bowls, | | | | stones as needed to produce the sound that |
| plastic flower pots, glass, or wood boxes. The | | | | appeals most to your ears. |
| easiest and least expensive containers are plastic | | | | 6. Suction excess water from the container with |
| pots or ceramic bowls. Some plastic pots tend to | | | | a turkey baster. |
| vibrate when you put everything together. | | | | 7. Place figurines, plant cuttings, ivy, moss, shells |
| Ceramic bowls are more solid, lessening the | | | | or tiles to hide the tubing and electric cord. |
| vibration | | | | 8. Place a candle in a candleholder beside the |
| Look in your cupboard for a casserole, serving | | | | fountain, the light from the candle will glisten on |
| dish, punch bowl, or fruit bowl if you're in a hurry | | | | the water and reflect its light onto the fountain |
| to make a fountain. | | | | arrangement. |
| 2. A small water pump (less than 100 gallons per | | | | Maintenance tips: |
| hour) and clear plastic tubing (1/2" inner dimension | | | | Check water level daily for the first week, adding |
| or 5/8" outer dimension). | | | | fresh water as needed to keep the pump |
| Fish tank pumps are fine. The smallest ones work | | | | completely covered. |
| well for the typical size containers. Some shops | | | | Add a small amount of bleach or petri oil to the |
| supply suction cups with water pumps. Both the | | | | water to cleanse the fountain and keep the water |
| pump and tubing can be found at an aquarium, | | | | shimmering. |
| hardware, or garden supply store. To straighten | | | | Clean the fountain components every month to |
| the hose, boil it in water for a while. | | | | remove slime and algae. |
| 3.Rocks; pebbles; slate; crystals; semi-precious | | | | Every three months, take fountain apart and |
| stones; drift wood pieces; shells, anything that | | | | clean the pump. Pull off the front cover, remove |
| goes in water can be used. | | | | debris from propeller and screen, and wipe the |
| Each item can have a special meaning, thus adding | | | | bottom. |
| to the individuality of your fountain | | | | Reassemble your fountain, experimenting with a |
| If you select rocks from your garden make sure | | | | different bowl and accents. |
| you clean them well in a water-bleach bath. You | | | | |