This is a simple, 3 step process to create your own floating fountain!

The premise of this design is a bucket with a small pump that sits at the bottom, pumping water up the attached tube. The tube will stick out of the bucket, supported by glass beads, and will have a spigot on top. Where the tube attaches to the spigot there are small holes for the water to come out of and flow over the pipe, creating the illusion that the water is holding up the spigot.

Supplies

Supplies Needed:

1 1/2 inch brass spigot - Brass Spigot on Amazon We got ours at Home Depot

1 1/2 inch plastic tube - must be rigid and around a foot long, however you can cut the material with a hacksaw if needed Acrylic Pipe on Amazon

1 bucket, you can find this at most craft stores

1 small submersible water pump Pump on Amazon

Enough glass beads or rocks to fill your bucket, you can get these at most craft stores

Tools Needed:

Hot Glue Gun

Power Drill with 5/64" drill bit

Wire Cutter/Stripper

Step 1: Drilling a Hole for the Cord

First you'll need somewhere for the pump's cord to go, so drill a small hole about half an inch above the bottom of the bucket. Next, cut the cord, string it through the hole and strip both sides about half an inch. Then, put a small heat shrink tube around each side and carefully apply heat for a few seconds in order for it to shrink over the wire and insulate it properly. After, you'll want to water proof the hole in the bucket so I applied some hot glue around the wire and the hole which held it fine.

Step 2: Gluing the Pipe

Start with drilling eight small holes (5/64") about and eighth of an inch from the top, drilling through the top of the pipe and out the backside. Before you apply glue, it's a good idea to sand down the top of the tube in order for the glue to bond with it better. Then, use a two part epoxy or superglue to secure the spigot to the pipe, being careful not to cover up the holes. Hold or clamp the pipe in place for about 5 minutes or the amount of time recommended on the glue's instructions. Be sure to keep the pipe very straight with the spigot. I also decided to lightly sand mine just to add some extra detail but this is optional and doesn't change it much.

Step 3: Putting It All Together

Take the pipe and spigot and fit it over the nozzle on the pump (use hot glue to seal it if it doesn't fit snugly). Then, fill the bucket up with your beads or rocks which will also hold pipe in place. Finally, add water! We filled ours up to just below the top of the beads but you can do whatever you think looks best. There you have it! Your own magical, floating fountain!