Dreaming of a beautiful outdoor water feature or backyard fountain, but not quite sure whether to choose an electric fountain pump or a solar one? Here I’ll give you some of the pros and cons for electric vs. solar pumps so you can determine which one is right for your project!
Here are the things to consider when deciding whether to purchase an electric or solar fountain pump.
There are a few key areas that I think are important in determining whether to go with an electric fountain pump or a solar fountain pump:
Location of the fountain
Price of electric vs. solar fountain pumps
Wire considerations for electric vs. solar pumps
Amount of control you want over your water feature
Aesthetics to consider for electric vs. solar fountains
Power of electric vs. solar fountains
Key Area
Electric Pump Wins
Solar Pump Wins
Fountain location
X
Pump price
X
Least wire hassle
X
Most control
X
Best Aesthetics
X
Most Powerful
X
X
Note: This is just for fun and it’s my personal opinion which type of pump is better in each category. It’s just to give you an idea of the differences of electric vs. solar pumps for water features.
Keep reading if you want to see all of the pros and cons I considered for each key area.
Location of the fountain
If your pump is near an electrical outlet, there’s really no issue regarding using electric vs. solar. But, if you plan to put your pump somewhere far away from an electrical outlet, this can be a major consideration. In order to get an electrical pump cord to an electrical outlet, you may need to hire an electrician to install underground conduit. This can get expensive really quickly. In this situation, I’d definitely recommend looking into a solar fountain pump.
If you’re leaning towards solar, you should also consider the amount of light near your water feature, as the solar pump comes with a solar panel that will need to have exposure to the sun in order to work. So, you’ll need to site your fountain in a sunny location, or purchase a solar pump with a long enough cord that you can place the solar panel in the sun. A battery backup is also a great option to have, as that can take the solar energy from your panel and store it into the battery so your pump will run continuously instead of turning on and off when the sun goes behind the clouds.
Most location options: Solar Pump Although both electric and solar pumps have wires, solar pumps can definitely be placed in a wider range of locations because they don’t need an outlet to function.
Price of electric vs. solar fountain pumps
If you want to determine the cost to run an electric fountain pump, head over to this water feature electricity calculator to get a pretty good idea of how much it will cost. Then you’ll be able to determine if the extra upfront cost of a solar pump will balance out the electricity costs associated with the fountain pump.
Best Price: Electric Pump Even when considering the electric usage over time, are a lot less expensive than solar. The price advantage may learn to solar pumps, though, if you need to hire an electrician to install underground wiring for your fountain.
Wire considerations for electric vs. solar pumps
I think the biggest thing to realize when determining which type of pump has the least amount of wire hassle is that BOTH electric and solar pumps have wires. Just because a pump is solar does not make it wireless. Solar pumps will have a wire running from the pump that connects to the solar panel. So, while you don’t need an outlet near by to run a solar pump, you’ll still have to figure out how to disguise the wire and ensure the wire is long enough for you to position the solar panel in a full-sun location.
However, electric pumps are known for issues with wiring. If you don’t have an outlet nearby you are kind of screwed. Or, you’ll need to hire an electrician to run underground conduit in order to get your water feature in the location that you want. Then… what do you do if something goes wrong with the wiring? You may have to dig it all up. What if, years later, you accidentally hit the underground wiring with a shovel when trying to plant something or dig a hole? There are a lot of things that can go wrong with outdoor electrical and I think that it can be a lot more dangerous dealing with these wires. Especially because the voltage of electric pumps is much higher than the voltage of solar pumps.
So, despite the fact that solar pumps aren’t completely wireless (like I used to think), I still believe that wire considerations are less of an issue when it comes to solar pumps.
Least Amount of Wire Hassles: Solar Pump Although both electric and solar pumps have wires, solar pumps are more versatile in where they can be placed. And, with less voltage they are safer, too.
7 tips for choosing the RIGHT plants
This FREE guide has 7 key questions to help you pick the perfect plants for your landscape. Pop in your email below for instant access.
Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.
Hey, since you’re already signed up for my emails, you may be interested in my Printable Garden Planner Kit. It includes 5 printable worksheets that you can use to plan and organize your landscape. Check it out here.
Amount of control you want over your water feature
Most Control: Electric Pump An electric pump will allow you to set on a timer so you can control when the pump turns on and off. This is difficult if not impossible to control with most solar pumps.
Aesthetics to consider for electric vs. solar fountains
Aesthetics Winner: Electric Pump: Electric pumps have wire but the wire is pretty easy to disguise. Unfortunately solar pumps always have a large solar panel and this can be quite an eyesore.
Most Power of electric vs. solar fountains
Most Powerful: Tie! Solar fountain pumps have come a long way. If you are building a small to medium sized water feature, there should be an equivalent solar pump to match the power of an electric pump.
Electric vs. Solar – Pump Recommendations
If you’re interested in seeing these very similar-spec’d pumps in a side by side test, check out the video below. I’ll also provide links to purchase the pumps in the video. I don’t believe the electric pump is available online, so I chose something with really similar specs.
Watch this video to learn which pump performs better in my side by side test.
Overall, choosing an electric vs. solar fountain pump really depends on your particular situation and what your needs are. I’d say that for 90% of people, solar with a battery backup is a great option and very versatile. If you’d like to know what SIZE pump to choose, head over to my article to demystify all of the fountain pump specs so you can make the right choice.
Finally, if you’re ready to build your water feature, head over to this easy DIY water feature tutorial that you can complete in one day.
Want to explore garden water features but don’t know where to start? Use this guide to help you choose which type of water feature fits your style and budget.
Trying to figure out what water feature pump size you need, but getting bogged down in all the jargon. Learn exactly what specs to pay attention to with simplified explanations for each.
Shop my Amazon storefront for my essential gardening books & tool recommendations!
When looking to DIY or install a water feature in your backyard, you may be wondering how to choose the correct pump size for your project.
When I installed my first water feature, I really struggled to find the right pump for the project. The numbers were really confusing and I ended up just choosing one at random and hoping it worked.
But, you don’t have to get bogged down in all of the fountain pump jargon like I did. Today i’ll show you exactly what numbers to pay attention, which to ignore and I’ll also provide simplified explanations for each.
There are several different specs that you need to be aware of in order to choose the correct pump size for your project. Many of the specs displayed prominently on fountain pumps really aren’t very useful in determining if the pump is the right size. So, the ones you need to pay the most attention to are:
gallons per hour (GPH)
head height and max height
lift and max lift
cord length (this is silly but important!)
I’ll also explain wattage and voltage near the end of this post, but the specs listed above are most useful in determining the right fountain pump size for you. So, let’s uncover in a bit more detail what each of these terms mean.
Watch this video to demystify the specs for a solar or electric fountain pump. What is gallons per hour (GPH)? What is the max lift for a pump? What’s max head or head height spec for fountain pumps? Does pump voltage and wattage matter when choosing the right fountain pump?
Gallons per hour (GPH)
Gallons per hour is a measurement to determine the circulation of the water in your fountain. It’s recommended that the water in your fountain should circulate at least one time per hour. So, you just need to determine how many gallons of water your fountain will be. If you are using a pre-made basin this is easy. If your basin holds 20 gallons, you’ll need a pump that says 20GPH (or higher).
Head Height and Max Head
The head height is another measurement you’ll need to know. The head height is the vertical height from the water feature’s water level to your fountain head (where the water spits out). The spec you will see on a fountain pump is not head height though, it’s max head or maximum head. And this is the maximum distance it can push the water straight up.
It’s fairly easy to get this vertical measurement for a simple fountain. However, some fountains are more elaborate so you may need to do a bit more measuring. A good example is when creating a fountain that travels down a river bed into a pond below. You will need to get the vertical height from the water level of the pond to the height of the waterfall. Just measure straight upwards, even if there’s quite a long horizontal distance between the two points.
Next you’ll need to measure the horizontal/diagonal distance (in feet) from directly above the pump all the way to the top of your waterfall (where the water shoots out). This will be pretty close to the amount of tube or pipe you’ll need to carry the water to the top.
Let’s look at an example so this makes more sense. Let’s say that I have a waterfall/river fountain with a vertical distance of 5′ from the top of the pond to the top of the waterfall. My river runs along my lawn at a distance of 20′ total.
First, take the total horizontal/diagonal measurement and divide this number by 10. So you’ll need to divide the 20′ by 10, with gives you 2′.
Next, add this number to your vertical measurement. So in this example we will add add 2′ to the 5′ of vertical distance and we get 7′ head height. Make sense?
In this example, you’ll need to find a pump that has a max head greater than 7 feet.
Lift and Max Lift
Lift is another measurement you’ll need to determine the right fountain pump for you. The lift is the distance (in feet) from your pump to where the water will come out. The difference between lift and head is that for lift we are measuring directly from the pump (even if the pump is under water). For head we measure above the water level.
Once you know the distance the water must travel between your pump and your fountain head, you now know the maximum lift, or max lift, you’ll need. Look for a pump that has a max lift greater than the number you’ve determined.
7 tips for choosing the RIGHT plants
This FREE guide has 7 key questions to help you pick the perfect plants for your landscape. Pop in your email below for instant access.
Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.
Hey, since you’re already signed up for my emails, you may be interested in my Printable Garden Planner Kit. It includes 5 printable worksheets that you can use to plan and organize your landscape. Check it out here.
Cord Length
Silly thing to discuss, I know. But it’s something I really did not consider at all. Some electric pumps have really long cords. Others have very short cords. So it’s always good to know how long of a cord you’ll need before you purchase.
Of course, the cord length is important for an electric pump, if the water feature will be near your house and you can plug it into an outlet. So, take a quick measurement of this distance. And make sure you’re taking into account that a submersible pump sits at the very bottom of the pond or basin.
If you’ve messed this up and your cord is too short, it’s really not the end of the world. To fix it, you can purchase an outdoor electrical cord (Amazon link) and an outdoor cord cover (Amazon link). The cord cover is a water-tight box that will keep the extension cord and pump connection safe from the elements. Don’t mess around here – you need outdoor rated cords and protective boxes to stay safe.
You may be thinking that if you purchase a solar fountain that cord length does not matter. Well, you’d be wrong, my friend. But don’t feel bad because I made this mistake, too. Just because you are using a solar fountain pump does not mean that your pump is wireless. There will still be a cord going from your pump to the solar panel that’s collecting the energy to run your pump. So, you’ll need to make sure that the length of that cord is long enough for you to place the solar panel in a place where it will receive as much direct sunlight as possible.
The only time that the cord length doesn’t matter much is if your fountain is somewhere out in your yard and you need to hire a contractor to run the electrical underground. In this case the cord length won’t matter too much because they’ll be running different wire and splicing it all together for you. In the case of this type of water feature, voltage becomes more important (see voltage section below for more info)
I hope I just saved you from the headaches I’ve been through with cord length.
Wattage and Voltage
You may see some other specs on your fountain pump and be wondering what these are. The two other common specs you’ll see are wattage (watts) and voltage (volts).
Wattage
The wattage spec will help you to determine how much energy your pump uses in order to, well, pump. So it’s a great spec for calculating the annual, monthly, weekly or daily cost of running your water feature.
Overall, wattage is not a spec I’d focus on much when choosing the right pump for you.
Voltage
If the voltage of your pump is not high enough, the pump will end up running on high amps all the time and this can either damage your pump or cause it to stop working.
Typically, your pump is designed to operate at a specific voltage which is determined by the manufacturer. If you are experiencing problems with your pump, often times checking the voltage will help you troubleshoot the issue further. If you’re a beginner, choosing a low voltage pump is safer and the wiring is usually easier to install.
Voltage can be important for larger water features and other types of large pumps. For a standard 120-volt pump, you will have to apply for an electrical permit, bury the wire deep underground and install a GFCI protected outlet. So, this is where the pros will come in.
Overall, for a small backyard water feature, I don’t see voltage as a very important spec to analyze.
Fountain Pump Recommendations
Here are two fountain pumps I’d recommend for a small backyard water feature. The specs for the electric and solar are about equivalent. I’d definitely recommend purchasing the solar pump battery backup if you decide to go solar.
When choosing a fountain pump, focus on the gallons per hour (GPH), max height, max lift and even the cord length. And, try not to get bogged down too much with the voltage and the wattage, especially if you are purchasing a small pump for a backyard project. I hope this post gave you all of the information and the confidence you need to choose the the right pump for you!
If you’re interested in DIYing your own water feature, you may want to read this post to learn how I made a super cool pondless water feature in less than 1 day. It was a really easy and fun project!
Want to explore garden water features but don’t know where to start? Use this guide to help you choose which type of water feature fits your style and budget.
Trying to figure out what water feature pump size you need, but getting bogged down in all the jargon. Learn exactly what specs to pay attention to with simplified explanations for each.
Shop my Amazon storefront for my essential gardening books & tool recommendations!
Thinking about installing an outdoor water feature but aren’t sure how much it will cost to run the fountain each day? You can use this calculator to determine the average cost of running an outdoor water feature or fountain each day, month or even year.
Water Feature Electricity Cost Calculator
You will need a few figures in order input them into the calculator:
Power consumption: The wattage of your fountain pump. Typically the pump you are using will display this in watts.
Energy price: Typically measured in cost per kilowatt hour (kWh) and the price can vary depending on where you live. If you aren’t sure, try using 0.2 to get an idea or look up your energy price here.
Usage time: This is how long you’d like to run your pump each day in hours per day.
Cost: You can use the little symbol next to “year” to determine the cost per day, week, or month as well.
How it Works
Using the calculator is simple but I know there are probably a few of you out there wondering how the calculations work. So, here goes.
First, we take the wattage of the pump and divide it by 1000 to get the kilowatts used
Next, multiply the kilowatts by the energy cost of a kilowatt hour (varies depending on where you live)
Then take this number and multiply it by the hours per day you intend to use the pump
This will give you the total cost to run the pump each day.
Multiply by 7 to get the estimated weekly cost
Multiply by 30 to get the estimated monthly cost
Multiply by 365 to get the estimated annual cost
How to keep the electricity costs down
If you think the fountain electricity bill will be just a bit too high for your liking, there are a few options to cut down the expense.
Use a timer
Setting your fountain up on a timer is a great way to control the energy costs so the fountain is not running 24/7. I use this particular timer (Amazon link) and I love it. Its really inexpensive (less than $15) and it’s super easy to program.
Reduce the size of the fountain
If the electricity costs are high, you can opt for a smaller, less elaborate fountain. The electricity cost is calculated based off of the wattage of the pump you’re using. So, by going smaller, you’ll be able to reduce the cost to run the fountain, too.
This is a great option if you haven’t built or purchased your water feature yet. You can basically take the amount you’d like to spend on electricity and work backwards to determine the wattage you can afford. Then, you can research pumps of that size to see what type of power you’ll get from it.
Turn off your fountain in the winter
This isn’t something that I originally considered when doing this calculation. However, if you live in a colder climate like I do (Pennsylvania), it’s not likely that you’ll be running your water feature for all 12 months of the year. In general, I winterize my pump by November and turn it back on in March. So, I’m only using it for 8 out of 12 months a year, or 67%. Just multiply the yearly electricity cost by .67 and you’ll see how much you can save.
Convert to a solar powered fountain
Instead of purchasing an electric pump, you can also choose to use a solar fountain pump instead. Solar fountain pumps have come a long way over the years and many of them are comparable to electric fountain pumps now. However, solar pumps are much more expensive than electric pumps. So, the upfront investment is more…. but you’ll never have to pay an electricity bill related to your fountain again.
The solar pump that I’m personally using is made by ECO-WORTHY (Buy on Amazon). I am really happy with it!
After years of using a submersible electric fountain pump, I really didn’t think I’d be happy with this purchase. But… what made all the difference wasthe backup batterythat you can purchase separately. This thing is a game-changer!
I would highly recommend purchasing the backup battery if you get this pump. You’ll get the best of both worlds as it will enable you to run the pump completely of solar energy… and the solar panel will also CHARGE the backup battery. This will ensure the your fountain isn’t turning on and off as the sun goes behind a cloud for a few minutes. I am really impressed with this setup.
Not directly related to your electricity bill… however… it will reduce your costs.
According to Home Advisor, home owners spend between $862-4,335 on the installation of a backyard water fountain (making the average cost around $2,400). It also appears that this estimate does NOT include the actual purchase cost of the water feature… it’s just for the installation.
So, if you make your own water feature instead of purchasing one and paying a contractor to install it, you’ll be saving tons of money. So, I’d consider this another creative way to save on the costs associated with your fountain.
If you’re interested in building your own DIY water feature, you can learn how I made my super cool and easy pondless fountain in less than a day!
Want to explore garden water features but don’t know where to start? Use this guide to help you choose which type of water feature fits your style and budget.
Trying to figure out what water feature pump size you need, but getting bogged down in all the jargon. Learn exactly what specs to pay attention to with simplified explanations for each.
Shop my Amazon storefront for my essential gardening books & tool recommendations!
Sitting in my backyard one day I decided that the calm, bubbling white noise from a water feature is just what I needed when relaxing after a long day of work. But… water features are just so… overdone. A fake rock or a fake pot or a fake lion mouth that spills water gracefully into a cheesy bucket where you can usually see a tube that carries the water back up to the top.
Honestly… this type of stuff is just not for me.
So, I created a pondless water feature instead… one that actually looks real. And built-in. And like it took you way longer than a few hours.
Yep… that’s right. You can build this in a few hours… with very little DIY skills or know-how.
What’s so interesting about this particular design is that the basin is “invisible” so it looks like water from the fountain is just seeping into the ground. How the heck does that work?
Keep reading to find out how it works. And how you can build this easy and super cool pondless water feature in literally just one afternoon!
A pondless water feature is a really easy DIY project that will add a lot of peacefulness to your backyard landscaping or curb appeal to your front yard. It can also be a pretty cool visual effect, as the water will disappear into your base.
Pondless water features have like ten different names… but most commonly people call them disappearing, pondless, or invisible fountains (water features, waterfalls, bubblers, etc etc).
Why choose a pondless water feature?
Well there’s a few reasons why you may want this type of fountain:
It’s a great option if you have a limited amount of space.
You like to be different and you like cool things (yes and yes).
It’s more eco-friendly than a traditional fountain (requires less water due to less evaporation).
You have children or pets that you don’t want to worry about falling into the pond, destroying the pond, jumping into the pond, etc.
You don’t want the extra maintenance of having water plants or fish in your fountain.
Because I said it was easy to make.
Materials you’ll need to DIY your water feature
Here are the materials you need. The links go to (mostly) Amazon products that you can purchase. Note that I may receive a small commission when you purchase items through these referral links.
Submersible Fountain Pump
Option 1: Electric Submersible Fountain Pump — I got mine on sale at Harbor Freight… just make sure it’s adequate for the size and depth of your basin (about $20).
Plastic Tubing— You will need plastic flexible tubing to connect the pump to the top of the water feature. Be sure to read the specs on your pump so you know what size tubing to buy. Some pumps will come with the correct tubing so that’s a great option, too (here’s an electric pump with tubing on Amazon).
Water basin — I got mine at the big box for about $20… there are lots of sizes and shapes to choose from… I got one that looks like a planter… it’s very deep and about 2ft in diameter.
Grate to cover water basin — look around your house before buying. An old metal grate from your cooking grill will work, or one of those expandable cooking grill replacements should do the trick. I actually used a piece of metal with holes in it from an old steel desk I had laying around. Here’s an alternative option since the grate above has been out of stock.
Hardware cloth — need enough to cover the length and width of your water basin.
Garden staples — you’ll use these to secure the hardware cloth.
Cover/Filter for Pump (optional)
Option 1: Submersible Flat Box Filter — You can enclose your pump into this box and it will act as a filter (about $20).
Option 2: Make your own filter — check out this video to learn how I made my external filter for $3.
Outdoor Extension Cord — If you’re using an electric pump and your outlet is not near the pump, you may need to connect the pump’s power cord to an outdoor extension cord. In that case you should also pick up one of these water tight cord protection cases .
Pond Nozzle Kit (optional) – this will give you some of the extras you need like different fountain heads and the diverter tool I talk about in the video.
Rocks or stones – You can just use what’s available to you in your yard or in the woods like I did. Or you can purchase decorative stone at hardware stores and landscaping yards. These are some 3-5″ river rocks you can buy online.
Shovel, dirt, hose, etc.
What Blooms with What?
Never know what to plant together? Find out with this FREE Plant Pairing Guide and become a pro at combining plants for the best garden design possible!
Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.
Cost of a pondless water feature
This particular pondless water feature project should cost you a total of $75 – $100 depending on what materials you need to purchase. You may have some of these items at home, already! If you decide to go the solar route, this will cost closer to $200.
This cost does not include any decorative rocks you may purchase (I just searched around the woods, etc. for the ones I used).
How to build a pondless fountain
So how to do you build this thing already? It’s actually quite simple. I broke them down into a really easy to follow steps.
Dig a hole to fit basin
Place basin in the hole
Assemble the pump
Cover pump with cloche or cheese cloth and anchor to bottom of basin
Place metal grate on top of basin level with the ground
Cover the grate with hardware cloth (screen)
Cut a trap door into the hardware cloth for servicing the pump
Make the pump easy to access in the future
Bury edges of screen with soil
Add rocks to the screen area above the basin
Fill your basin with water
Turn on & enjoy
To make it even clearer I drew out a diagram of how the water feature works and all the parts you need.
This diagram explains all of the parts of the pondless water feature and how it works.
1- Dig a hole to fit basin
Dig a hole to fit your basin. I actually built my fountain inside a raised garden bed, which worked out great…. A lot less digging. But, you can put this anywhere. Just make sure that you bury the basin but keep the top of the basin level with the ground so that you can set the grill on top at exactly ground level.
Here’s the water basin I chose. They come in many different shapes and sizes so choose one that works best for your situation.
2- Place basin in the hole
Put your basin into the hole and backfill the outside to make sure it’s nice and secure.
3- Assemble the pump
Assemble your pump and place it at the bottom of the basin. An electric pump will have a wire that you’ll need to plug into an outlet. A solar pump will have a solar panel attached to a wire that you’ll need to set in a really sunny location (solar does not mean wireless)
You’ll also need to connect the pump to the top of your fountain using pipe or rubber tubing. Be sure to read the specs on your pump so that you know what size tubing you’ll need. Also, measure the distance from the bottom of your basin to the top of the fountain so you know the length of tubing you’ll need.
Specs for pumps I’ve used:
Electric Pump: 110-120V, 220GPH flow rate, 15 watts, 5′ max lift, 6′ cord (alternative to mine) My exact pump specs: 120V (.23 amps), 264GPH flow rate, 16 watts, 5.5′ max lift, 12′ cord (from Harbor Freight)
Solar Pump: 12V, 160GHP flow rate, 10 watts, 5.6′ max lift, 16′ cord. I have been testing this ECO-WORTHY solar fountain pump along with the add-on battery backup and, so far, I’m very impressed. It was about $125 for both the pump and the battery and is a great solution if you don’t have an outlet near where you want your fountain. The battery can be charged via a wall outlet and it will also charge from the solar panel (AMAZING!). If you don’t get the battery backup, the pump will turn off a lot throughout the day. The panel needs completely full sun with nothing blocking it at all or it cuts out. I don’t think I would be happy with the purchase without the battery backup… you probably won’t be either.
4- Cover pump with food cloche or cheese cloth and anchor to bottom of basin
Set the mesh screen food cover tent over your pump, and then place some rocks/stones along the edges to hold the mesh down so it doesn’t float away when you fill the basin with water. If you don’t have a food cloche you can also wrap the pump in cheesecloth to keep out the debris.
Like I said, this is an optional step but it seems to make a lot of sense and will keep any debris from getting into your pump and causing it to clog up.
5- Place metal grate on top of basin level with the ground
Set your grate on top of the basin and dirt. Make sure it overlaps the edge of the basin so that any rocks or other items you place around the fountain won’t fall in.
FYI: I do recommend using a grate, although it will make it a bit more difficult to remove/replace/service your pump at a later date. You can cut an opening into the grate that aligns with the hardware cloth trap door (step 7) to alleviate this problem.
I also received an email from a reader that drilled holes near the top of the basin and inserted cut green stakes through the holes to add extra support.
6- Cover the grate with hardware cloth (screen)
Once your grill is in place, cover the grate with the hardware cloth.
This is basically chicken wire, and adds an extra layer of support for any rocks. Since the hardware cloth has really small gaps between the wires, you won’t have to worry about smaller rocks falling through the grate. (Note: There is no grate in this photo… but there should be! I had to go back later and add it).
7- Cut a trap door into the hardware cloth for servicing the pump
An additional optional step you can take at this time is to cut a “trap” into the hardware cloth.
I did this by measuring my pump and cutting 3 sides of a rectangle into the hardware cloth to create an opening I can put my hand into. I then folded the cloth back down.
If I ever need to access my pump I know that I can reach it through this hole without having to take the entire fountain apart. Why would I access the pump? To fix a clog, to service or clean the pump or to bring the pump inside for winter are a few reasons I use it. If you live in a colder climate where it freezes in winter, it’s best that you remove the pump from the basin and store it away for the winter.
Make sure you remember where the hole is. Yeah, that’s pretty obvious right? But… after this is all set up, it’s pretty easy to forget where it is so I’m going to say it anyway.
What Blooms with What?
Never know what to plant together? Find out with this FREE Plant Pairing Guide and become a pro at combining plants for the best garden design possible!
Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.
8- Make the pump easy to access in the future
Make it easy to access the trap in the future. That means you need to place your stones carefully around the trap so it’s covered but not a big PITA to move them. Trust me… this will save you a lot of trouble when you have to take your pump in for the winter. Or when have to replace the pump if it wears out from you running this every day of your life because it’s so awesome. ?
Use the garden staples to secure the hardware cloth to the ground so it won’t slide around.
9- Bury edges of screen with soil
Cover the edges of the hardware cloth and grill with dirt. Really all we’re doing here is camouflaging the edges of the hardware cloth and grate so that you can’t see them.
10- Add rocks to the screen area above the basin
Place decorative rocks or other objects onto the hardware mesh/grill area that is above the basin.
FYI: When I took this photo I did not have a grate installed. I actually went back and put a grate under the hardware cloth to remove the “sagging” look that you see here. It didn’t seem like the cloth alone would hold the weight of the stones.
11- Fill your basin with water
This is a pretty self explanatory step. Here we will fill the basin with water. Fill the water all the way to the top. The water won’t stay in here forever… some may evaporate over time (although it will stay a lot longer than an above-ground water feature). Be sure to check the water level every so often and refill your basin as needed. If you let the water level get below the pump, you can permanently damage the pump.
12 – Turn on & enjoy
Turn on your pump & enjoy! Make sure you check the water level of your basin from time to time so that you don’t burn out the pump.
Since the water is underground, you are less likely to have evaporation so you shouldn’t have to fill the basin up too often.
Watching this how-to video usually clears up ANY questions you may be having right now. I’ve also included an FAQ & Troubleshooting section near the bottom of this post.
Get creative with your pondless water feature project!
You can turn this same project into a pondless waterfall, pump station, or any other awesome idea you find on Pinterest. This type of fountain works the same as the regular pond fountains, so go crazy!
Experiment with all of the sprayers that come with the pump and see which one you like. You can also purchase packs of additional fountain nozzle heads if you’d like to.
Just be sure that when the water splashes off your stones that it will still make it into the bucket. Otherwise, you’ll have to keep filling your basin and that’s really no fun.
So, if you want a big, old splishy splashy fountain, you may need to get a wider basin than I used (like this 15 gallon oval tank on Amazon). They do sell options that look more like a pond or even a large plastic tote size if that’s how you roll. I like keep my fountain at a little bubble bubble not a big splish splash… so the round, deep basin I chose works really well for that.
Over the years I’ve received a lot of great questions about this project. So, here are some of the most frequently asked questions and problems you may need to troubleshoot along the way.
Can I use a solar pump or power this by battery?
Yes, you can use a solar pump for this project. I have purchased this solar pump and the add-on battery backup. This is not as powerful as the electric pump I have listed, however, I never used my fountain on “full strength” using the electric pump.
After using this solar setup for a few weeks now, I would definitely recommend it. The solar panel is also quite large (about 11×14″, which i something to consider.
My favorite thing is that the battery backup actually CHARGES via the solar panel. I think this is an incredible feature that you should look for. This means that any time the sun “cuts out”, the battery will take over and the fountain will continue to run. It also runs for hours into the evening using the sun’s charge from the day. Without the battery backup, though, I would not have been happy using a solar pump. It cuts out a lot without the battery.
Keep in mind that solar does NOT mean wireless. There’s a 16′ cord that runs from the pump to the solar panel. An extension cord is available for purchase separately. You will need to find a place to put the panel that’s going to get adequate sun and not be in the way… while still being attached to the pump.
Learn more about electric vs. solar pumps in this article. It will help you decide which is right for you.
Can I use pond liner instead?
Absolutely you can. However, I find pond liner to be a bit difficult to work with. And, since the water feature is underground and you don’t actually see the water reservoir, you don’t need to make your basin into an organic/fun shape… which is why I find that a bucket/basin easier to use.
Can I just use a plastic bucket? Why do I need a “pond basin”?
I suppose the answer will depend on where you live and the quality of the materials you want to use. Because this is a permanent structure and sits underground, I am more inclined to buy the type of basin that is made for this use. A plastic bucket could easily crack and leak and you’ll have to take the whole thing apart. And, if you live in a colder climate like I do (Pennsylvania), the ground will freeze and will likely cause a regular old bucket to crack. Pond basins are flexible and won’t crack over the winter.
How do I get the wire from my water feature all the way to my outlet?
However, if you are planning to put this water feature in the middle of your yard, you may need to hire an electrician to run underground wiring and connect it to your home. This is definitely something to consider when choosing the location of your water feature.
How do I get the pump out of the basin?
If you take a look at step 7, I’ve cut a trap door into the hardware cloth so I can “open” up that section and reach my hand into the basin to retrieve the pump. This makes it easier to take the pump out in the winter and to do any servicing you may need to do. If you didn’t cut a trap into the hardware cloth, you’ll have to remove all of the rocks/stones, then take off the hardware cloth and grill to retrieve the pump. So, thinking ahead and creating that trap door can save you a lot of time and effort in the future!
Do I NEED to put a filter on the fountain?
No… not necessarily. But I’ve found that using a filter will help to maintain the pump and make it last longer. If debris from above fall into your water basin they can get sucked up into the pump and clog it and/or break it. So, this is just a precautionary step to avoid that. Check out my video to make your own $3 external filter for your pump.
My basin needs to be refilled every few hours… what gives?
Over time, you will need to “top off” the water in your underground basin. However, if the water is running out within a few hours there’s a bigger problem. Usually the reason is that the splash of your fountain is going OUTSIDE of the diameter of your underground basin. The water needs to trickle down the rocks and go back into the basin for this to work properly. First, try positioning your rocks in a way that funnels the water back into the center of the basin. If you want a larger splashing fountain you may need to invest in a large and WIDE basin (or use pond liner as mentioned above).
My pump is pumping, but the water is not coming out on the top of the fountain!?
Likely, you have not connected your pump to the top of the fountain. If you don’t connect a hose, the water will likely not leave your bucket. You will need to use flexible hosing to do this. The hose connects to the pump and then travels upward to the top of the fountain (where you want the water to splash). You can watch my how-to video to follow along with how I did it.
If this isn’t the problem, it’s possible that your hose is leaking or that the connection point where it secures onto the pump has come undone, is loose, or there’s an actual hole or leak in the hose. Try using a hose clamp to secure the connection of the tube to the pump.
What do I do with the pump/water feature in the winter?
That’s really up to you. Each winter, I usually drain the water basin as best as I can and use the trap door to remove the pump from the basin and store it. I’ve also left the pump inside (unplugged) and used a waterproof tarp to cover the entire fountain/rock area so that no water gets into the basin over the winter and freezes. If the pump freezes inside of the basin you’ll likely do permanent damage. If you live in a warmer climate you can probably get away with unplugging the pump and draining the water a bit, then refilling the basin in the spring.
What size pump do I need for my fountain? The specs are so confusing?!
If you have another question, feel free to contact me and I’ll do my best to answer it for you 🙂
Wrapping Up
I told you this was an easy DIY project! And, there’s just so much room for customization and creativity. Just think, in an afternoon you can have a beautiful, soothing pondless water feature to relax near all summer. First you’ll have to decide whether you want to go with a solar or electric fountain pump.
Then, dig a hole for your basin and put your pump in, cover it with a grill and hardware cloth, and decorate with rocks or other found objects.
I can’t wait to see what you guys come up with… so PLEASE send me a photo… the easiest way is to sign up for my email list then hit REPLY to one of the emails. It goes straight to me!!
Want to explore garden water features but don’t know where to start? Use this guide to help you choose which type of water feature fits your style and budget.
Trying to figure out what water feature pump size you need, but getting bogged down in all the jargon. Learn exactly what specs to pay attention to with simplified explanations for each.
Shop my Amazon storefront for my essential gardening books & tool recommendations!
Bird Baths and water features for your outdoor space can be so relaxing and enjoyable. And, if you add a bird bath, you’ll also have the additional delight of inviting wildlife into your backyard.
The best part is that you can make a solar birdbath fountain out of literally ANYTHING. Here’s a quick tutorial on how I made a DIY solar birdbath fountain out of a candle pillar stand, large bowl, spray paint and a solar fountain.
My total cost for this project was $36!!
If you want the honest truth I had most of these materials at home, which is how I kept the price down. But the price really wasn’t much more than that.
Candle pillar stand (I got mine at Christmas Tree Shop for about $15 with a coupon — but these are also a dime a dozen at flea markets)
Large bowl / vase — I’ve had this for years so I didn’t count it in my total, it was a steal at Burlington at $12.99
Glue — to glue your pieces together. I used ZEP Fast Gasket but I’ve heard great things about Gorilla glue as well.
Spray paint works wonders for making two seemingly strange pieces look like they were meant to go together, so I would highly recommend painting whatever you decide to put together so that it looks like it was supposed to be one piece.
7 tips for choosing the RIGHT plants
This FREE guide has 7 key questions to help you pick the perfect plants for your landscape. Pop in your email below for instant access.
Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.
Hey, since you’re already signed up for my emails, you may be interested in my Printable Garden Planner Kit. It includes 5 printable worksheets that you can use to plan and organize your landscape. Check it out here.
Assemble Your Birdbath Fountain Pieces
Here are my two pieces. I decided to paint the outside of the bowl and the candle pillar stand a shiny copper to match the color of the INSIDE of the bowl.
I then rubbed off some of the spray paint around the stand and touched it with some darker black paint to give it a more aged look.
We put some of the glue on the base of the solar birdbath fountain after the paint dried, and carefully put the bowl on the base. and let it dry.
Adding the Fountain and Water
Only a few more steps left to complete the solar birdbath fountain. Adding water and putting in the fountain of course! The fountain is a great touch and the fact that it’s solar makes it so much easier.
Make sure that you give the birds enough water but also some things to stand on so that they will play in the solar birdbath fountain. I’ve also read that if the water is squirting all over the place sporadically they may not like it too much. After playing with all the nozzles I just decided to keep it at a low bubble.
This DIY Bird Bath was a really low cost project that adds a nice focal point to my outdoor space. If you’re looking for a bird bath or other water feature to just purchase instead of DIY’ing it, head to this article to get 20+ more unique water feature ideas.
Want to explore garden water features but don’t know where to start? Use this guide to help you choose which type of water feature fits your style and budget.
Trying to figure out what water feature pump size you need, but getting bogged down in all the jargon. Learn exactly what specs to pay attention to with simplified explanations for each.
Shop my Amazon storefront for my essential gardening books & tool recommendations!
Want to explore garden water features but don’t know where to start? Use this guide to help you choose which type of water feature fits your style and budget.
The pros and cons of electric vs. solar fountain pumps that will help you determine which fountain pump is right for your water feature project.
(about $15)
