how to..water feature

THE EMERALD GARDEN
AUSTIN'S MOST UNIQUE NURSERY

PRODUCTS
AQUATICS
FISH
FOUNTAINS
LANDSCAPE ROCK
TREES AND SHRUBS
LINER
STATUARY
COLOR
PUMPS AND FILTERS
F.Y.I.
PHOTO GALLERY
NEWS
and
EVENTS

NEWSLETTER

How to build a Disappearing Water Feature
Location, location, location..! Under a nice shade tree? Wonderful, until the leaves start to fall and clog up your pumps filter. Great sunny spot? Algae love the sunlight. This is not to discourage you from installing a water feature, but to help you under stand that even though it's man made, it's also a part of nature, and that requires balance. The next thing would be, do you want a formal fountain, or a Tinja stone. Would you like one made out of old clay pots? Square shape? Round? Irregular? The skies the limit! Now you have to gather up materials. Liner, pump, shovels, someone to use that shovel. Click Here for a complete parts list

After you've chosen your location, outline your feature with a garden hose, rope, ect, and start digging. Make sure there are no irrigation lines or gas pipes running under where you plan to dig. Try to dig it as deep as the block or support you are using. Allow for padding and liner. If you support is 8" then dig your hole around 10 or 11 inches deep.
	Next, lay in a buffer for your liner. That could be old carpet padding, carpet, sand, ect. Just something to act as a buffer. Lay out your liner. Make sure you have enough to have at least a 1' overlap all around the perimeter. You'll have to do some folding and creasing, so keep in mind the only ones who will see it, are you and the friend you got to work that shovel. Be as neat as you can. Fill now if you want, but I usually wait. Your call.
The tricky part Leveling the grates is the key to a safe water feature. When you put in the supports (the blocks..), be sure to lay down some scrap carpet so the bricks don't puncture the liner. This is where the worker of the shovel either shines or stinks. If you measured correct, your bricks should come up to ground level, and you can lay your grates down, creating a level platform for your water feature
	Your feature is only as sturdy as the ground it sits on. We use black plastic reinforced 2x4 grates to set the feature on. Something needs to support the grates. Blocks or stacked bricks is the best for my money. I also make my hole a little smaller than the two grate put together (4x4) so that the edges of the grate rest on solid, level ground. Our grates lock together and I usually try to put my supports along that seam.
At this point all you have left to do is set up your feature, hook up the pump, add some rock to hide the grate, add a few plants, then sit back and enjoy the sound of disappearing water.