Who hasn’t dreamed of having at least a small decorative fountain in their garden or personal plot, near which you could sit and admire the beauty of flowing water. A DIY decorative garden fountain created for your dacha and garden will not only become a design element, but will also guarantee air humidification during the hot season.
This water feature can be created in different styles - classic, country, oriental, avant-garde. Despite this, the design will be an excellent addition to landscape design and will decorate any recreation area. In this article we will talk about a few of the many ways to create this unique element of landscape decor.
Types of fountains
This landscape design element can fall into one of several classifications. Depending on the general characteristics, the following types of fountains are distinguished:
- Submersible. In this case, most often they use a real pond that is present on the site. It could be a small pond. A pump is installed in it, which will take water and then supply it up through the pipe;
- Stationary. The object can decorate any country house. The bottom and banks are decorated with artificial stone, pebbles and other natural materials;
- With falling water. In fact, this variety is not a classic fountain, but a waterfall. Water most often flows onto a cascade of stones, and the cycle itself is closed in the bowl.
Depending on how exactly the water is supplied, there are several more varieties:
- jet fountain (the direction is strictly upward, the height of the jets is determined by the pressure level);
- bell (thanks to the nozzle, water shoots up in the form of spherical disks, which form a dome at the intersection);
- tulip (the flow is directed upward at a certain angle so that a funnel is formed in the center, imitating a flower);
- fishtail (similar to the shape of a tulip, but the water shoots out in separate streams);
- ring (the pipe is installed in a circle, it has holes with nozzles at equal distances from each other);
- spinner (rotating nozzles imitate twisted spirals);
- Roman fountain (has several different levels).
How to make a decorative fountain yourself without a pump
Country houses have long ceased to be just an occasional, temporary refuge. Today these are beautiful, equipped homes with many decorative decorations. Convenient, practical, and inexpensive, decorative fountains offer all residents of a country house the necessary coolness in the summer and a beautiful, relaxed landscape at any other time of the year.
For the home, small installations are an ideal economical option for little money.
How to choose a place on the site
When choosing a location for a garden fountain, you need to consider several main factors:
- The area on which the object will be located must be in a place protected by shadow. It is undesirable for the water tank to be located directly under the sun's rays, otherwise flowering will quickly begin.
- In this case, the trees should be located at a slight distance. A developed root system can harm the system. In addition, leaves and branches will get into the water.
- Construction should not start next to the house. Constant humidity can contribute to the formation of mold on the walls.
- Preference is given to areas protected from drafts so that splashes do not fly in different directions.
- If we talk about where it is better to place it - in sand or soil, you need solid soil that will not “walk”.
Ideally, the place where the fountain will be located should be visible from different parts of the garden. An object surrounded by flower beds or small shrubs will look good. They also provide partial shade, which is necessary to protect against flowering.
Reviews
There are no people who would not like the famous Dubai singing fountains. Everyone is impressed. Some say the only disadvantage is that you have to pay for the best places to view the fountains, but, as you know, you have to pay for everything good.
The world's most luxurious attraction can turn from a dream into a reality if you allow yourself to travel to this amazing country to enjoy a mind-blowing water light show.
If you are planning a visit to the UAE, we definitely recommend visiting this attraction to watch an interesting spectacle: the evening water dance at the famous skyscraper.
Necessary equipment
Designing fountains involves selecting the required equipment and future location. Much depends on the area of the site, the relief textures, and other features (garden fountain: cascading, jet, etc.).
Whatever type of object is planned, several basic details will be required for its construction:
- water tank;
- nozzle;
- fountain pump.
To construct the structure, you can purchase a ready-made container. It can be plastic, metal, stone. It is also possible to build a reservoir directly on the ground.
Next, you need to decide on the power of the pump and how the jet forms a pattern. The type of nozzles used and the height to which the water will rise will depend on the desired picture.
The pump can be surface or submersible. In the first case, it is located outside the boundaries of the reservoir, which makes access easier if repairs are required. In the second case, the equipment is installed under water.
It is also necessary to take into account the planned performance of the device:
- to create jets about 50 cm high, a pump that pumps up to 850 liters per hour will be sufficient;
- in order for the water to rise up to 100 cm, the productivity must be 2 thousand liters;
- a pump pumping 3-5 thousand liters per hour will create jets with a height of 1.5 to 2 m;
- the most powerful equipment (8 thousand liters per hour) raises water up to 3 m in height.
Other technical elements include a filtration system. It clears the water of small debris and prevents it from blooming. The fountain lamp is already a decorative object.
Selecting a location
The selection of the site on which the homemade fountain will be placed depends on the type of design adopted, landscape features and aesthetic feasibility. To place decorative cascade fountains for a summer residence, it is more profitable to use an artificial or natural break in the relief that logically coincides with the direction of water flow.
The pressure structure will decorate the open space in the garden, giving it the missing three-dimensionality. A decorative fountain with a cascade will add dynamics to a static landscape, emphasizing the beauty of nature with the play of light on the water surface.
Place the fountain in a quiet, shaded area, allowing you to appreciate the flow of streams and freshness on a hot day.
Building a fountain at your dacha with your own hands
Before starting work, you should decide on the volume of the reservoir. Next, they proceed to the first stage - preparing a foundation pit, taking into account the required width, length and depth. Water should not pour out of the structure, so the recess should be sufficient.
Next, the prepared bottom is covered with a layer of sand. The walls are covered with bricks. If you are using a ready-made tank, this step can be skipped. After this, the entire surface is lined with a high-quality dense film that will not allow moisture to pass through.
Emergency drainage should be provided in advance. After all, after heavy rain, the water level can rise so much that it begins to intensively pour out of the reservoir onto the garden plot.
All joints and seams are sealed with sealant to prevent possible leaks. Next, stones are laid on the bottom. Pebbles with a smooth polished surface will look more harmonious.
At the next stage, install a hose and pipe with nozzles, and then a pump that will drive the water supply. Devices are most often already equipped with built-in filters. Then the backlight is installed (if planned), the container is filled with water and a test run of the system is carried out. Last on the list is decoration.
Another simple and quick way to independently arrange a reservoir involves purchasing ready-made fountain installations. The kit includes all the necessary equipment: reservoir, pump, etc.
In this case, a minimum of effort will be required from the owner. It will be enough to choose the right place, carefully study the instructions and install the equipment in accordance with it. The only difficulty will be establishing communications.
What is the Dubai Fountain?
In fact, the title is " Dancing Fountain"
" - popular, but officially it is called simply "
Dubai Fountain
",
Dubai Fountain
. This name won a competition that was held before the launch of the fountain on May 8, 2009, along with the opening of the Dubai Mall.
The Dubai Fountain is located on an artificial lake in front of the facade of the Dubai Mall and is a grandiose structure of five rings of different diameters, connected by two curved lines. They contain water jets and light sources. In total, 6,600 spotlights and 50 powerful spotlights were used to illuminate the fountain. These spotlights are technically colored, but in fact all performances take place under monochromatic lighting.
The design of the Dancing Fountain in Dubai uses water jets of various types - from ordinary pumps to water cannons that literally shoot water to a height of about 150 m. According to the designers, the maximum height of their jets is twice as high, but with such a load the fountain was launched only once , in test mode. Unfortunately, no documentary evidence of this has survived.
Because water cannons take a long time to reload, they fire only a few times per show. The rest of the time, other water cannons cope, whose movable nozzles allow you to change the direction of the jet and describe twisting figures in the air. All movements are performed in a rhythm that is set by the musical accompaniment, so that the fountain “dances” differently to each composition. In 2010, smoke generators were added to the water cannons and spotlights, which allow you to create the effect of a raging flame.
Each of the fountain performances, of which there can be 13-14 per day, corresponds to one musical composition. There are a limited number of songs to which the fountain dances, but they are never repeated during the day. There is no specific schedule for songs, but the evening shows always open with the anthem “Sama Dubai”, written in honor of Sheikh Mohammed and the emirate of Dubai as a whole.
Another musical composition that an evening rarely goes without is “Baba Yetu” by Christopher Teen. Its name is translated from Swahili as “Our Father”, and it managed to win the prestigious Grammy Award. Look at the video to see what it looks and sounds like:
Among other songs and instrumental compositions included in the program, there are both Arabic and international hits, including songs from popular films and TV series. Here you can hear famous opera solos and duets, the title theme of the movie "Mission: Impossible", songs by such performers as Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Luciano Pavarotti, Whitney Houston and Adele. The list even includes the South Korean pop group EXO and Alla Pugacheva with the song “Love Like a Dream”!
In special cases, these compositions are temporarily supplemented by others that become the highlight of the program. So, in honor of the release of the cartoon “Frozen”, the fountain began to perform the song “Let It Go”, sounded in the famous scene where the main character releases ice magic. Some of these songs remain in the fountain's repertoire forever.
Decor options for a country or garden fountain
After installing the main elements, you can begin the final part. The improvement of the reservoir and design ideas depend only on the personal preferences of the owner and his capabilities.
You can decorate an object with both living moisture-loving plants and artificial elements made from natural materials. Stone and clay figurines are often used as decoration; if size allows, small sculptures are used.
Another way to decorate is to arrange a fountain with lighting. For this purpose, lamps protected from water are used, as well as floating lamps or light strips.
There are several basic details that you need to pay attention to when decorating a pond:
- if a finished object made of polystone is installed, no additional decorations will be required;
- when using natural stones, you can choose both large cobblestones and small pebbles (unprocessed samples with sprouted moss look more natural);
- When decorating with stones, more than two rocks are not used at the same time;
- aquatic plants are placed on the water;
- Decorative grottoes can be used for decoration.
Gift - to the studio
Aren't you scared by the front of work? For those who find a significant amount of work burdensome, the current market can offer a ready-made solution, and at a very low cost. Garden and country fountains made of polystone just need to be installed on a flat area, pour water into the container and turn on the power.
Just add water.
Perhaps an unfamiliar term needs clarification. What is polystone?
The origin of the term is obvious: poly - from “polymer”, stone - a transcription of the English “stone” (stone).
The exact composition of the material is not widely available and is probably a trade secret of the manufacturer, the Chinese company Acrilica; however, since it is marketed as an acrylic stone, it is not difficult to guess the main components.
- Aluminum trihydrate Al(OH)3 (more precisely, white clay consisting of a little less than entirely of it).
- Acrylic resin (in solid form, better known to us as plexiglass).
- Mineral pigments that give artificial stone a natural appearance.
Since our material is a typical thermoplastic that can be cast (as well as glued, cut and sanded), it can be used to produce products of any complex shape. How is it different from natural stone?
| Property | A natural stone | Polystone |
| Pores | Eat | No |
| Pollution | Inevitable | Practically do not accumulate; dust and lime deposits can be easily removed with any detergent |
| Frost resistance | Limited (water freezing in the pores leads to cracks) | Not limited |
| Chip resistance | Absent | The viscosity of acrylates allows them to withstand impact loads |
The cost of products starts from approximately 1,500 rubles.
Please note: many manufacturers supply garden and country fountains of the lowest price category without a pump.
Care and maintenance rules
We have already understood how the fountain works, based on the required equipment, but we should not forget that the fountain needs to be periodically looked after and serviced. To avoid equipment breakdowns and other problems, you need to follow a few simple rules:
- regardless of the type of tank (concrete, metal, plastic), you need to regularly check it for integrity;
- change the water in the bowl as it gets dirty (if there is a filtration system, this can be done less often);
- chemical cleaning agents are effective, but can harm plants or fish (if present);
- maintaining an optimal water level (in reservoirs with a closed system it quickly evaporates);
- before the onset of cold weather, the water is drained, and the structure is dismantled and sent to a place protected from moisture and frost;
- the tank itself is covered with a protective film (if cracks are detected, additional treatment will be required).
How to get there
On one's own
Getting to the fountains is quite easy, just take the Dubai Mall as a guide.
- By metro, take the red line to the Dubai Mall station, then go to the shopping center and from it there is an exit to the singing fountain.
- buses No. 81, 29, 27, F13. Stops: Dubai Mall Terminus and Burj Khalifa.
- Taxi. Convenient, reliable, expensive.
- They also say that all roads in Dubai lead to this place, so it’s very difficult to get lost.
With excursion
To profitably combine viewing of several attractions, many people prefer group or individual excursions that include visiting the fountains in Dubai. There are options: pedestrian, car and bus.
How to make a homemade one without a pump at home
In some ways, installing an artificial fountain in your dacha with your own hands without a pump is even easier. To do this, you just need to place a water pipe in the reservoir, through which the stream will shoot upward under pressure. If desired, you can even install some kind of attachment on its end.
At the same time, we must not forget that a fountain without a pump will require other efforts on the part of the owner of the site. After all, you will need to decide where the used water will be poured. If it is a natural body of water, then it will return there. In other cases, you can still provide a pump. For example, to supply water to a well or other suitable place.
Where is the best place to watch shows?
The fountain was designed in such a way that the water would not fall on the spectators, but in reality, in the wind, the splashes are still carried away and you can get wet. This is something to consider if you plan to watch the show up close.
Despite the fact that upward jets and searchlight beams can theoretically be seen from a distance of 30 km, there are more and less optimal places to observe it. Access to some of them, unfortunately, will require temporary
x or cash costs. I will write about all of them below.
- The embankment in front of the Dubai Mall
is the most popular place, but also one of the worst. Firstly, the observation position must be taken in advance, at least 15 minutes in advance, so as not to have to push through the crowd to it later. Secondly, only a small part of the fountain is visible from here. Thirdly, there is a very high chance of getting wet here. - The bridge leading to the Souq Al Bahar market
is more convenient.
There are fewer people here and the view is somewhat better. The same applies to the embankment at the market
, where you can also conveniently install a photo or video camera on the parapet in front of the lake. But only if you are not afraid that your equipment will get wet! Splashes fly here constantly. - Dubai Mall restaurants
- expensive, but comfortable and safe. The main thing is to choose an establishment whose windows overlook the fountain and take a place with a good view. Restaurants include: Madeleine, Carluccio's, TGI Fridays, More, Burj Al Hamam, Wafi Gourmet and Joe's Cafe. - Restaurants near Souq Al Bahar
are similar, but if you choose an outdoor table, there is still a chance of being splashed. Restaurants and cafes where you can watch the fountain performance include Mango Tree, Urbano, Dean & Deluca Cafe, Margaux Restaurant, Bice Mare, Baker & Spice and Rivington Grill. - Kinokuniya Bookshop in Dubai Mall
. From the store you can go out onto the balcony, which offers an excellent view from above. - Observation decks At the Top and At the Top Sky of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper
. It is advisable to visit them during your stay in Dubai in any case, and you can just time a visit to coincide with the Dancing Fountain show. Evening Dubai with illumination is especially beautiful, so tickets for this time are quickly sold out. You can read more about visiting Burj Khalifa in this article. - The Arabian Abra boat
is another expensive option, but one of the best. You will be driven almost to the fountain itself, and you will see the performance from the optimal angle. The fact that the walk takes place on a traditional Arab boat, and not an ordinary boat, gives it a special charm. Such boat trips can either be booked online on this website, which I wrote about in a review article about purchasing excursions, or purchased directly on the embankment. - Finally, the last way (possibly the best in terms of price/quality ratio) is to purchase a pass to the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk
, a floating platform that approaches the fountain at a distance of 9 m. The platform is quite large, so you won’t fall overboard due to tight spaces threatens, but is slippery due to the jets of water pouring over it. For safety reasons, women wearing high-heeled shoes and small children are prohibited from entering. The cost of a ticket to Fountain Boardwalk is 25 AED (~340 rubles). Combo tickets for Dubai Fountain Broadwalk + Burj Khalifa are also on sale, and this is quite a good deal. You can buy both individual and combo tickets online →
Preparatory work
To arrange a pond with a waterfall and an alpine slide, you can do it on your own, the main thing is to adhere to a certain algorithm of actions and prepare all the necessary tools and materials in advance. To create a truly original composition on your personal plot, you need to think through everything down to the smallest detail, familiarize yourself with different schemes and choose the most suitable option for the existing conditions.
To make an alpine slide with a decorative fountain with your own hands, you need to prepare:
- stones, boulders of different sizes;
- crushed stone for the base;
- expanded clay;
- suitable soil substrate for planting flowering crops;
- cement-based working solution;
- construction foam.
In addition, to build an alpine slide with a waterfall, you will also need special water tanks, which are presented in a wide range both on the market and in retail outlets. An old bathtub without serious damage is also suitable as a budget option. Often, to build an alpine slide in a dacha with a fountain, owners use black dense film; it does an excellent job as a waterproofing material when constructing a pit under a pond.
For a working waterfall you will also need a pump or pump for a small pond. There are devices on sale with different powers, which simplifies the process of choosing them. Here it is necessary to compare the volume of the future reservoir, its height and the degree of water pressure. Thanks to such indicators, it is very easy to determine the specific power of a given device or pump.
If preference was given to a pump, then it will also require a hose for an uninterrupted water supply. Here it is important to correctly determine its length so that it freely reaches the maximum level of the alpine slide.
Important! If the size of the reservoir is quite large, then the presence of a pond filter is simply necessary. This device allows you to maintain the purity and transparency of the water during the operation of the rock garden with a waterfall.
In addition to consumables, a pump and a water filter, you will also need to take care of ornamental crops that will effectively decorate the alpine slide with a fountain and pond. When choosing plants, preference should be given to specimens that have a sufficient degree of resistance to high humidity. Because in such conditions they will have to constantly develop.
Unnecessary wheels and gas cylinders: how to use them?
Old tires that will never serve their intended purpose again are perfect for making a fountain with a small pond out of them. One wheel is enough, the main thing is that its size matches your recreation area.
- Cut off the top edge of the tire with a jigsaw. It is enough to grab the bending area.
- Dig a hole so that the tire goes halfway into the ground.
- Cement the bottom of the future fountain. You can use polyethylene film as waterproofing. Level it properly along the bottom and secure it to the outside of the tire.
- Install a water supply system and install a pump.
- Paint the inner walls of the wheel. If you used film, cover the bottom with a layer of gravel so that the polyethylene is not noticeable.
- On the outside of the wheel you need to make a decorative coating of stones of different sizes. They can be of any shape, but large flat stones are easier to cover the protruding edges of the tire. Secure them with cement, and when it dries, fill the fountain with water.
Use old tires to create a fountain
Using approximately the same principle, you can make a fountain using an old gas cylinder. You need to decide how to cut it into two equal parts - lengthwise or crosswise. Dig one of these parts into the ground so that the edges protrude 5-8 cm above the soil level. The main steps are the same - supplying water, installing a pump and decorating. You will not need to cement the bottom, but the inside of the cylinder should be cleaned of possible rust and painted.
Such a fountain will look great in a small area due to its size. And it will require fewer decorative elements than other fountains.
