Viewing post #128009 by HollyAnnS

A project like this can be pretty easy and inexpensive to put in.
We had some real expert help to dig the hole and you can see the 55 gal barrel we used. The top 1/4 to 1/2 was cut off. The barrel was buried with a few inches out of the ground to help keep groundwater and mud from washing in.



Since I have handy sons they made me a custom aluminum top but really any strong metal or plastic grid can be used to support your water feature and you can add cinder-blocks to the center for extra support if needed. I have a submersible pump down in the drum with plastic tubing going up thru the blue ball. There is an underground electric line to the water feature with an on off switch and extra outlet put in but that is also a nice extra that you don't have to have. It is pretty easy to hide your electric cord if you need too. This picture shows the cut out they made for the electric connection to the pump. Mine is wired in and I don't pull it out. After it is all hooked up make sure it is sitting nice and level.




Then start covering the working parts and add your finishing touches.