Photo by Michael Graydon
What you need to know about Rock Bubblers AKA Disappearing Fountains
Include a great water feature to your garden with these easy-to-follow instructions
We love the look and sound of a stone bubbler—or as they’re known in the industry, disappearing fountains. A fountain in your garden doesn’t have to equal high maintenance—if it’s installed properly. And it can be just the touch that turns your backyard into a “staycation” destination.
Want one for your garden? I spoke with Rowena Burns, co-owner of Burns Water Gardens, writer, and director and past president of the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society about what to keep in mind when considering a fountain. Here’s what you need to know:
##The ingredients:##
* Rock or other feature retrofitted for fountain fittings
* Smaller decorative stones
* Reservoir or liner
* Grate
* Fine mesh
* Pump
* Piping
* Hose
* GIF outlet
* Water!
**Good things to know about…**
**…the feature rock**
Choose a rock or container and have it retrofitted by a professional with the correct size hole and fittings for your piping and hose. Having a rock drilled can be expensive so try to find a predrilled one. Containers will give you a different look but can be just as effective. Use smaller stones around the base of the main feature rock to finish off the look. Try polished stones, river rock or quartz chunks depending on the look you want. **Tip:** Clean the stones of dust, which is bad for the pump and encourages algae growth. **…the site and digging the hole**
Make sure the spot you choose for your fountain is level, has access to power that is GFI protected, can be dug safely to a depth of 1-2 feet (no gas lines or shallow tree roots for example), and there’s enough space for a hole that is at least double the radius of the feature rock. **…the reservoir**
Once the hole has been dug you can line it with either a pond liner or plastic bucket. Specially made fountain reservoirs come with built-in grates that are safe (designed to withstand the weight of rocks and a person), have a built in port for easy access to the pump, and are made of plastics that can withstand our cold winters. Burns Water Gardens often tests product, like plastic reservoirs manufactured in the states in their gardens for a couple of years before they feel confident selling it to the public. A reservoir should be large enough to re-circulate at least three gallons of water. Make sure the reservoir is raised slightly above the level of your chosen area and graded away from the hole. This will keep debris from flowing into your fountain area during wet, rainy weather. **Tip:** After installing the grate cover it with a sheet of netting, like the koi netting that comes with the pre-made reservoirs, to keep debris out of the reservoir and pump. **…pump**
The size of pump depends on many factors like the height and diameter of the rock the water will be pumped up into, the rate of water flow you want, the diameter of the hose attached to the pump amongst other things. A professional can help you avoid expensive trial and error when it comes to choosing this important investment item. Burns Water Gardens suggests choosing a pump that is more powerful than you think you’ll need giving you more flow control options, which is what gives you the lovely sound. **Note on solar:** Unless you’re prepared to spend upwards of $1500 (and more for a battery to store power) for an off-grid pump, then sit tight until the technology develops and in the meantime ask for an energy efficient pump. **…hose**
The hose gets hooked up to the pump and is fed through the grate and into the rock feature. Make sure the hose is sturdy and doesn’t kink. **…water**
Fill the reservoir with water and note that the closer the water is to the top of the reservoir the less splash you’ll hear and the less water evaporation there will be. Place the rock feature on top of the grate and plug in your pump before placing smaller rocks around the base. Adjust accordingly and then place the decorative stone around the base. TIP Some birds like to drink from fountains so keep chemicals away—a little bit of algae can add to a natural feel. Look for a new product this spring called Mosquito Dunks if your water will be sitting for extended periods of time. These little pucks will keep mosquitoes and black flies under control and are harmless to plants, people and wildlife. ##Maintenance tips## * Keep the leaves away (your features biggest nemesis) by covering your fountain with a tarp in the fall. * Remove the pump through the port in the grate (homemade fountains may need to be disassembled to get at the pump) and store away from freezing temperatures for the winter. * Add water to your fountain ever week or so to avoid pump burnout in shallow water—and stay off grid by using rain barrel water. ##Other useful sources:## * Aquascape, Inc * Aquascape Ontario * Nelson Water Gardens
(continued below)
Choose a rock or container and have it retrofitted by a professional with the correct size hole and fittings for your piping and hose. Having a rock drilled can be expensive so try to find a predrilled one. Containers will give you a different look but can be just as effective. Use smaller stones around the base of the main feature rock to finish off the look. Try polished stones, river rock or quartz chunks depending on the look you want. **Tip:** Clean the stones of dust, which is bad for the pump and encourages algae growth. **…the site and digging the hole**
Make sure the spot you choose for your fountain is level, has access to power that is GFI protected, can be dug safely to a depth of 1-2 feet (no gas lines or shallow tree roots for example), and there’s enough space for a hole that is at least double the radius of the feature rock. **…the reservoir**
Once the hole has been dug you can line it with either a pond liner or plastic bucket. Specially made fountain reservoirs come with built-in grates that are safe (designed to withstand the weight of rocks and a person), have a built in port for easy access to the pump, and are made of plastics that can withstand our cold winters. Burns Water Gardens often tests product, like plastic reservoirs manufactured in the states in their gardens for a couple of years before they feel confident selling it to the public. A reservoir should be large enough to re-circulate at least three gallons of water. Make sure the reservoir is raised slightly above the level of your chosen area and graded away from the hole. This will keep debris from flowing into your fountain area during wet, rainy weather. **Tip:** After installing the grate cover it with a sheet of netting, like the koi netting that comes with the pre-made reservoirs, to keep debris out of the reservoir and pump. **…pump**
The size of pump depends on many factors like the height and diameter of the rock the water will be pumped up into, the rate of water flow you want, the diameter of the hose attached to the pump amongst other things. A professional can help you avoid expensive trial and error when it comes to choosing this important investment item. Burns Water Gardens suggests choosing a pump that is more powerful than you think you’ll need giving you more flow control options, which is what gives you the lovely sound. **Note on solar:** Unless you’re prepared to spend upwards of $1500 (and more for a battery to store power) for an off-grid pump, then sit tight until the technology develops and in the meantime ask for an energy efficient pump. **…hose**
The hose gets hooked up to the pump and is fed through the grate and into the rock feature. Make sure the hose is sturdy and doesn’t kink. **…water**
Fill the reservoir with water and note that the closer the water is to the top of the reservoir the less splash you’ll hear and the less water evaporation there will be. Place the rock feature on top of the grate and plug in your pump before placing smaller rocks around the base. Adjust accordingly and then place the decorative stone around the base. TIP Some birds like to drink from fountains so keep chemicals away—a little bit of algae can add to a natural feel. Look for a new product this spring called Mosquito Dunks if your water will be sitting for extended periods of time. These little pucks will keep mosquitoes and black flies under control and are harmless to plants, people and wildlife. ##Maintenance tips## * Keep the leaves away (your features biggest nemesis) by covering your fountain with a tarp in the fall. * Remove the pump through the port in the grate (homemade fountains may need to be disassembled to get at the pump) and store away from freezing temperatures for the winter. * Add water to your fountain ever week or so to avoid pump burnout in shallow water—and stay off grid by using rain barrel water. ##Other useful sources:## * Aquascape, Inc * Aquascape Ontario * Nelson Water Gardens
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