Very nice, HollyAnn... a striking accent for the garden. It's amazing how just a little moving water can add so much to the atmosphere of any garden. I hope you have a great gardening year!
Bubble Rock - Converting a small pond to a bubble rock
How do you keep green algae from growing all over the rocks?
FrillyLily: Since this type of water feature doesn't have any live critters to worry about, it's very easy to prevent algae. Usually about once a week during late spring through early fall, depending on the size of the reservoir, simply pour some common household bleach into the reservoir (or over the rock, ball, etc. where the water spurts out). The bleach kill any algae present and serve as a preventative for a week or so, depending on the temperature and amount of sunshine the water feature receives. If what you add doesn't seem to work, you need to increase the amount until you work it out. There are also algaecides on the market, but they are much more expensive than chlorine bleach. I've had great success with this procedure. Of course, in cooler weather, this is not necessary since algae growth is usually not a problem.
Also, if your bubbler is on a time so that it shuts off at night, that'll give the whole surface of the bubbler time to dry out so that it is difficult for algae to get a start.
hmm the timer is a good idea and w/o it flowing at night, there may not be as many critters visiting!
Is there any danger of birds or other creatures drinking this water? If so, then I wouldn't use bleach as I'm guessing the bleach could kill the critters.
My .02
Mike
A little beach is fine. I had a friend that raised homing pigeons and he used a very little in their water from time to time.
I would imagine if much was in it, they could smell it and wouldn't drink it. It has a pretty strong smell.
You wouldn't use that much bleach in any case. And, it dissipates fairly quickly through the bubbling action as it's aerated. If in doubt, use the bleach in the evening and by morning it will have done its work and it's pretty much diluted to almost non-existent. The concentration is just a little stronger than chlorinated drinking water. I have birds drink out of mine daily, and I've never seen a dead one anywhere around the house (Well, there was that dove that flew into the picture window.)
(Well, there was that dove that flew into the picture window.)
it must have been a kamikaze dove they are a rare breed but weve all seen some type or another at times....lol
(sorry I just couldnt help myself...lol)
HG, I love this thread and appreciate your taking the time to provide step-by-step instruction. I'm in the process of making a fountain with a small reservoir, and I was wondering what size pump you used for the bubbler? The reservoir I'm planning to use will hold 8 gallons and I'm trying to determine what size pump I need.
Thanks.
Sarah
I'm not sure of the size (it's in the reservoir and the box is gone... ), but it cost about $40. I would think it'd depend on the type of fountainhead you are using, etc. Do you have a water garden supply store in your area? If not, describe (or photo) your setup and I'll see if I can help.
HG, Thanks so much for your excellent posting. Lots of food for thought, thanks to you!
HG,
This is a concrete form I found last year at an antiques store. The top shell part is solid with an opening at the back. The base is hollow. I plan to put this on an Aquascape aquabasin that holds 8 gallons. I don't know if I'll use the spitter that's shown in the pic or another of similar size but in any event the water won't have to travel more than 3' from the pump. This fountain is 12" h x 26" w x 22" d.
The aquabasin can accommodate pumps up to 350 gph, but I think something in that range is far too powerful for this little fountain. What do you think?
Thanks. Sarah
Great form to use. I bet it'll work just fine. Am I correct in that this setup would normally recycle the water without it spilling over the bottom base form, but you are planning to have it overflow into the Aquascape basin?
In any case, pumps usually have a control valve to adjust the flow of the water. I did remember that I used a Rio brand pump. I think it is 600 gph. The Rio brand has smaller pumps and all are relatively inexpensive. If you open any pump box carefully to test it out, you should be able to repackage it and return it to trade up or down for another one.
John
I just wanted say a big, BIG thanks to HG for giving this step by step photo tutorial!! I have been searching for a long time, looking at birdbaths, fountains, etc but am very put off with the big ticket price. I want something for birds and butterflies and also a place for our dog to drink from. He is a big lab and drinks a lot in the summers! And of course he prefers his water cool and freshly drawn...boy has he got me trained! :) It's very hard to find a design I like that will fit my needs for utility and aesthetic as I prefer very natural, either made of real rock or Asian styles. Fountains and BB's like that are usually the most expensive. I'm so excited because I think this is a very doable project for my hubby!
I also wanted to offer a natural alternative option (per treelover3) for clearing the water of any algae growth. Agrisept-L. I purchase if for my own consumption at the health food store. It was originally developed to clean city sewage systems. All natural made of citrus oils. It is more expensive ($25/30ml.) I know that sounds like a lot but you would probably only need a few drops for a container the size of this bubbler resevoir. Not sure how much but online they say that only one drop will keep an aquarium algae free. I'm planning on trying it in our soon to be acquired hot tub.
~Karen
Has anyone constructed a bubbler this summer? I would love to see how anyone's worked out
Share some photos please!
I've got everything I need except for the gravel, hoping to get to it next month. I picked up a round rigid pond liner, probably 42" across, and that will be dug into the ground. I liked your suggestion of using perforated drain pipe to fill up some of the reservoir space, especially since I had a length of it just hanging around LOL.
I think using a bucket to enclose the pump as you suggested will help keep debris out of the pump... junk should settle in the bottom inch or so of reservoir and not get up through the holes in the bucket. Of course, with the gravel & fabric, hopefully that's not much of an issue anyway.
I'm thinking that I will try to sink some 2 or 3 gallon landscape pots so that the base is in the water. I'll put them in when I'm arranging the drain pipe and pump bucket, before adding landscape fabric & gravel. It seems to me that this would be a good way to add some bog plants, maybe LA irises or pitcher plants. :-)
I don't actually know what I'll do with the water feature yet.. I have some rocks, so I may let it bubble up and dribble down a couple of stacked rocks. Or I may just use a bell fountain attachment for the pump. I figure once I have the pump and water reservoir in place, I can play with different options for the water fountain/fall/bubbler feature. DH will probably be keeping his eye out for a really neat rock that we can get drilled.
Thanks for an excellent tutorial!
critterologist: Sounds like a great plan. Good luck, and be sure to post a photo(s).
WOW
Am I glad I checked here before calling landscapers in to do a water feature.I love the bubble gaqrden better than having the responsiblity of koi fish.
Ive got the location, a hard pondliner etc.(from prior attempts), numerous nice size rocks and many irises! A good plan and water plants and im good to go.
Thanks folks! I think Ive saved several hundred dollars and countless hours (possible decades - they live long time) of koi care I didnt want !!
Yeah! Another person who has benefited from Dave's Garden. Enjoy your bubble rock and let us know how it works out!