How to Build a Fountain in a Bucket

Choose your size of bucket. You can use any size you want, but a 5-gallon bucket is the most commonly used.

Determine the size of the pump that you need. The size of the bucket that you use will determine what size of pump you need. You can get great advice on the proper pump size by talking to an employee at a pet or aquarium store. The bigger the pump, the more expensive it is; prices usually range between $20 to $80.

Choose a location for your fountain. You will need a location that is near a power source because the pump requires electricity to run.

Dig a hole in the ground at your desired location and place the bucket inside.

Drill holes in the bucket's lid. This is for the water to drain back down to get to the pump for the fountain effect.

Place the pump at the bottom of the bucket, enclosed in pantyhose. The pantyhose serve as a filter and will help to prevent the pump from clogging. Weigh the pump down with something heavy like a rock, as the suctions cups on pumps can come up easily and cause your fountain to stop working properly. Make sure the power cord to the bucket feeds up through the lid (you may have to disconnect the cord and feed it down backwards to get a connected to the pump). Do not plug it in yet. Set the pump for your desired setting, depending on how much water you want to shoot out the top--a trickle, solid flow or blast.

Attach the black hose to the pump. Leave the length of the hose long until you know how long you need it to be.

Fill the bucket with water and run the tube up through one of the holes in the lid. Put the lid on the bucket securely.

Cover the bucket top with whatever decorative thing you'd like. If you're planning to have an item like a watering can or flower pot as your fountain feature on top, run the tubing up through the item, then cover the other exposed areas of the bucket top with stones. Make sure your stones are large enough that water can trickle easily through them. Your fountain depends on the constant feed of water through the stones.

Run your tubing up through whatever decorative thing you'd like. Cut the hose length 1 inch or so above the top so that it is not exposed but still near the top.

Plug in your pump to the electrical source. You can hide your cord with rocks or bury it slightly, but be sure not to dig or put it across a well traveled area so that it is not a safety hazard.