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Artificial spring ( NOT ABOUT PLANTS! BE WARNED)


heres my directions for the very small water feature that i built (
after watching a TV show that showed it). It only takes up three feet
square and uses nothing more than a submersible pump, window screening,
beach pebbles, a bucket and various plants.
Why am i posting, well because it is a great addition that saves water
and it is extremely cheap ( well for the most part, compared to a pond)

you need:
A bucket
a bag of beach pebbles ( the small 1 1/2 inch or smaller size)
some aluminum or fiberglass screening ( the aluminum is stiffer)
 a submersible pump.

heres what i did:
Dig a hole in the spot you want. It could be the top of a mound or by
your porch steps ( like mine). Make sure the buket fits the hole and
make sure the bucket lip is higher than the surrounding ground ( About
1 inch higher) .  Carefully replace the soil around the bucket ( the
water will be cloudy for a while if theres soil in the bucket). Fill
the bucket partially with stones. I used an old pot with a hole to
further support the pump. This way you see the water gush up like a
small fountain ( no more than three inches high though). Youll want a
hole in the pot. Attach the pump to the pot using some copper wire
bringing the wire ends through the hole, secure with a nail an so the
wire doesnt slip out. Set the pump and pot into the bucket, nestling it
in the rocks ( so the pot doesnt slip around). You can use the bucket
lip/spot to conceal the pump cord.Dig a shallow trench to the direction
of your outlet to conceal the cord. Lay the cord within this trench (
it doesnt have to be deeper then a few inches) If youre not near an
electrical source youll have to use an extention cord ( which i kept
the connection dry with using some electrical tape ( or heavy tape) and
a plastic bag. I wrapped the bag around the connection and used tape to
secure the bag.  Bury the cords but leave the connection above ground.
You can mulch this to conceal. JUST MAKE SURE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN
THE PUMP CORD AND THE EXTENTION CORD REMAINS DRY!  IVe never had an
electrical shock even  digging in wet soil near the connection. Safer
yet, get an outside outlet installed ( if you dont have one and are
wary of this or have young children).
	You may want to fill the bucket up and test it. Make sure the fountain
of water sprays straight  up so you dont lose water! 
	Now cut a circle from the screening, large enough to cover the bucket
and extend 1-1 1/2 inches past the lip of the bucket. Place over the
bucket. You want to fold the screen edges under the bucket lip to
secure it or use old coat hanger pieces bent at one end and stick them
through the screening into the ground.
now you'll want to cut a small hole for the "spring" to come out
unobstructed.Cut this in the center of the screening over the spout on
the pump where the water comes out.  
Cover the screen with the rocks carefully. Its better if the screen
sags in the middle, it makes it look more natural. Lay the rocks so you
cant see the screening over the bucket, but keep the hole over the pump
clear. Cover the edges of the bucket as well. You might want to pile
the rocks up along the edge of the bucket to make it more natural.
Hopefully if this is clear youll have no problems

Plants: any grassy plants. ferns, mosses. The rocks keep the soil under
them moist so  ferns are a good choice ( Microlepia is good if you dont
get more than light frost).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------
 Ukyo: "Okonomiyaki became my life..I set up a portable griddle and
cooked it by             the raging sea!"
bystander 1: "Um, why the sea? Isnt that kinda pointless?"
bystander 2:" That's the point stupid! Havent you seen old Samurai
movies?:

-------------------Ukyo Kuonji's explanation of her
martial---------------------------------                              
Okonomiyaki cooking prowess         



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