Pump for a garden fountain

[Spinney]

I want a small fountain - just a bit of water bubbling up out of some pebbles. I know I need to sink a plastic reservoir with a grid for the pebbles to rest on, and put a suitable pump in it with nozzle sticking up.

The question is, how many litres per minute do I need? I'm assuming the smaller capacity end of the range, as I don't think I'd want the water spurting up more than a metre at the most. The idea is to make a nice bubbling noise to try and distract a bit from the noise of passing traffic! Already have outdoor sockets to plug it into.

Any advice, cyclechatters?

 

[Night Train]

Can you buy a complete kit that does that, from a garden centre?

It will save a lot of searching around for items and the sump will be like an upturned 'top hat' so the sump is small but the catchment area large. Alternatively, go to a garden centre and see what size pumps they use if you already have the rest of the stuff. I think the pumps are variable for flow rate anyway.

 

[Arch]

Yes, I'm sure there are ready made sets available, look in a good garden centre.

 

[Beebo]

Or fish and aquatics shop

 

[ayceejay]

Many quality pumps are adjustable but failing that Little Giant offer a gadget that squeezes the pipe restricting the flow (obviously this won't increase the flow so don't buy the smallest pump), you can also buy various fountain heads to arrive at the effect you want. If it is a bubble sound you are after rather than a dripping sound the top of your nozzle should be just below the water level. Make sure the pump is accessible and not sealed beneath your pebbles and if you are not plumbing it in be prepared to top up regularly.

 

[Pauluk]

You won't need much power for what you want to do so buy an efficient low power pump and save on your electric bill.

 

[Spinney]

Thanks all

 

[Over The Hill]

They do all sorts that you just put in the water at the right height to do what you want. Most have a spray head to have a fountan type or just have the top sticking out for a tinkle of water. My one has a regulator like a bunsen burner that opens a vent rather than choking off the flow to change the level of flow. Has been fine in a builders bucket size container.

You can put stones all around it to hide it.