While most water fountains use pumps to facilitate the movement of water to the top of the fountain, gravity fountains manage to move water without the need for mechanical parts. Often referred to as "magic fountains," these fountains use a mix of gravity and pressure science to move water through multiple chambers and out into the open air. It's possible to build a small gravity fountain yourself out of little more than a few 2-liter bottles and plastic tubing.
Cut the top third of one of the 2-liter bottles off to serve as a basin for the fountain. Discard or recycle the bottom portion of the bottle.
Drill two holes side-by-side in the top of each bottle lid using a drill with a 1/8-inch drill bit.
Pour water into the two uncut bottles, filling them approximately half full. Attach the lids to the uncut bottles and the top section of the cut bottle.
Arrange the uncut bottles so that one bottle is approximately 5 to 6 inches higher than the other, placing it on a wood block or similar riser as necessary to create the height difference.
Insert a short length of 1/8-inch tubing into one of the holes in the lid of each of the bottles with water in them. The tube should be long enough that it extends approximately 1 to 2 inches into each bottle.
Insert a metal 1/8-inch tube though the unfilled hole in the lid of the higher bottle, feeding it through until it almost reaches the bottle's bottom. The tube should be long enough that it stands at least 5 or 6 inches above the lid.
Slide the lid of the cut bottle onto the metal tube with the cut portion of the bottle facing up. Position it so that the metal tube sticks up approximately 3 inches inside of the bottle.
Run a longer piece of 1/8-inch tubing from the cut bottle portion to the lower bottle. The tubing should stick up within the cut bottle approximately 1 inch and reach almost to the bottom of the inside of the lower bottle.
Apply a silicone adhesive around the tubes in each lid, giving the adhesive time to dry after application. This will help to hold the tubes in place, and will also prevent air and water leaks.
Pour water into the upturned bottle section once the adhesive has dried. The water will travel down the plastic tubing into the lower bottle, shifting the air pressure within the system and causing water to move up the metal tube. Add additional water as needed until water comes out of the tube, at which point the fountain will supply its own water to keep the system going.
Build a frame around the bottles to provide added support and make the fountain look better using wood, brick or other materials that accent your landscaping. Make sure that you include a hinged panel or other means of access so you can access the bottles within to add or remove water as needed.
Things You Will Need
- 3 2-liter bottles
- Drill with 1/8-inch drill bit
- Wood block or similar support
- 1/8-inch plastic tubing
- 1/8-inch metal tube
- Wooden boards, bricks or other materials for frame construction
- The fountain will only operate as long as water is in the bottle that the metal tube emerges from. Once the water level is low enough that the tube is no longer underwater, the excess air pressure in the bottle will vent through the tube.
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