{"id":3818,"date":"2018-11-07T18:45:37","date_gmt":"2018-11-08T00:45:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lostpineslife.com\/?p=3818"},"modified":"2021-05-19T15:04:22","modified_gmt":"2021-05-19T20:04:22","slug":"installing-a-pondless-fountain-for-the-birds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lostpineslife.com\/?p=3818","title":{"rendered":"Installing a Pondless Fountain for the Birds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Pondless Fountain<\/h2>\n

Burbling water in a rocky stream, light bouncing off \u00a0drops and splashes–we are all attracted to flowing water. \u00a0In addition to the pleasure of sight and sound, fresh water attracts birds and wildlife. \u00a0Fountains and bird baths provide a water source any where you want to have one but most require frequent cleaning and filling. \u00a0Pondless fountains are a lower maintenance option.<\/p>\n

What is a pondless fountain? \u00a0\u00a0The reservoir for water lies below a stone covered grate. \u00a0This keeps the water clean, reduces issues with algae. and reduces evaporation. \u00a0I saw a beautiful pondless fountain built by Bastrop birder and photographer, Brian Burgoyne, \u00a0in his backyard, and began longing to have one of my own.<\/p>\n

Installing the Fountain<\/h2>\n

The first step was a visit to Hill Country Water Gardens<\/a>, \u00a0in Cedar Park, Texas, near Austin. \u00a0The friendly staff know the in’s and out’s of fountain building. \u00a0They led us to a pile of limestone rocks sorted by size. \u00a0Patiently stacking and rearranging the rocks, they worked with us until we found our three favorites \u00a0.The idea is to create the illusion of water flowing from one rock to another, even though in reality each rock has its own water source.<\/p>\n

\"Pondless
Hollowed Limestone Rocks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rocks were \u00a0hauled to a work station where they drilled a hole in the center bottom of each rock for a hose to fit through. \u00a0They gathered the rest of the materials and explained each step of the fountain assembly. \u00a0Installation and delivery are available, but we decided we could do it on our own. \u00a0Caveat: \u00a0It takes a very strong person to lift these rocks.<\/p>\n

Materials<\/h2>\n

We purchased the three limestone rocks, a<\/span>\u00a04′ x 4′ rigid pond liner with a grate, concrete blocks to support the grate, a pump, hose and fittings, and river rock.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Pond <\/a>
Pond Liner <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Cement <\/a>
Cement Blocks and River Rock <\/div> <\/div>
\"River <\/a>
River Rock <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

Choose a Location<\/h2>\n

Back home the next step was easy–choose a location for maximum visibility from the house and the future screened portch. The screened porch took some imagination.<\/p>\n

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Right Here!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Dig the Hole<\/h2>\n
\"Pondless
Digging the Hole<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Wash the River Rock<\/h2>\n

The river rocks have to be rinsed to prevent silt from ending up in the fountain. A giant colander would have worked well, but we settled for washing the rocks on the driveway then transporting by wheel barrel.<\/p>\n

\"River <\/a>
River Rock Needs to Be Washed <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"River <\/a>
River Rock Tops the Grate <\/div> <\/div>
\"River <\/a>
River Rock <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

The Tricky Parts<\/h2>\n

The next steps are best understood by watching this video created by Hill Country Water Gardens<\/a> and \u00a0Central Texas Gardener<\/a>. \u00a0I have to admit that I was so involved in the process of installing the poodles fountain, I forgot to take photos. \u00a0Basically, the liner is placed in the hole and leveled. \u00a0The cement blocks are put in place to support the grate. \u00a0The pump \u00a0is placed in the bottom of the pond. \u00a0The hoses are inserted into the large rocks. \u00a0After the rocks are placed, the hoses go through the grate and attach to a fitting that is attached to the pump. \u00a0(Thanks to Brian Burgoyne for help with the pump and heavy lifting.) \u00a0The pump cord cord comes up though the grate. \u00a0River rock covers the grate. \u00a0That’s it! \u00a0Then you can have fun adding the finishing touches like special rocks and landscaping.<\/p>\n

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Pondless Fountain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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