Create the sounds of nature with a pondless backyard water feature!
The sound of falling water or a gurgling stream in a backyard water feature can be easily added to any yard in just a day...by yourself!
Even if you have a flock of songbirds nesting in your yard, inevitably a neighbor's air conditioner will kick on or traffic noises will float in and remind you that you're are living in suburbia and not the wilds of Montana.
With a day in front of you and a few tools and supplies, you can create a cascade of water that flows to an underground pump thus eliminating the hazards and upkeep of a pond and create a soothing sound to relax by.
- Long masonry drill bit to drill through rocks
- Cordless drill
- GFCI outlet or extension cord with one integrated
MATERIALS NEEDED
- A submersible pump...the size is usually measured in GPH (gallons per hour). Since this is a pondless pump and the water will drain directly to the pump that will be buried underneath, you need only take into consideration how high the top of the waterfall is from the surface of the ground. It needs to have enough pressure to get the water to the top.
- A plastic pond liner or preformed plastic tub big enough to completely house the pump you just bought.
- Exterior rubber tubing that is 1" or so in diameter, long enough to run from the pump to the top of your water cascade.
- Rock and gravel both to fill in the underground tub and to create the wall that the water will flow down.
- Water plants if you like, to sit in the gravel or around the edge of the feature.
Backyard Water Feature Installation
Dig a hole big enough to accomodate the plastic liner or tub.
Insert the tub or liner into the hole. Put a flat brick on the bottom to keep the pump off the bottom and away from the sediment that may line the bottom of the tub.
Place the pump inside the tub making sure to keep it level. This is very important for the pump to work properly.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for attaching the hosing.
Fill in the tub with some larger rocks and fill in the gaps with pea gravel.
If you will be using heavier rocks on the surface, you may want to use a grate to cover the underlying pump to help support the weight of the rocks.
Build your rock wall or just put one larger rock on top if you prefer. The hose will need to go to the top so you will need to have the hole drilled all the way through the rock keeping the diameter of the hole large enough to accomodate the hose.
You can stack rocks instead and snake the hose in between them using exterior, waterproof and very strong adhesive to keep the rocks in place.Arrange and rearrange the rocks until you get the sound and look you want.
If you are going to install an outdoor outlet, you may need to consult an electrician but if you're just running an extension cord to the pump make sure that the cord is protected from the lawnmower and other potential hazards like kids, dogs or wild animals. Now fill the underground tub with water and switch on the pump. The water will be dirty at first but will eventually clear up.
With a pondless backyard water feature, you get the sights and sounds of falling water but none of the hazards that a pond presents to children.
Mosquitos are not attracted to running water but birds are and it can be turned on and off as you please. Remember that standing water is a haven for mosquito eggs so if you turn off the pump remember to turn it back on the next day.
This project can be done on a small or a grand scale depending on how much room you have.
The bigger the feature though, the more costly it becomes.
Now, lets get some lemonade!
