The COOLEST Water Feature to DIY
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I’ve put a 400 GPH pump on the water feature and it runs pretty nice, a little quieter with the less water. When you’re picking a pump size anything between 400 and 800 gallons per hour should work.
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:40 - Fountain Explanation
2:05 - Concrete Pour
3:50 - Install
5:00 - Test Run
5:30 - Final Thoughts and Details
8:20 - Cost Analysis
[ below is the self-introduction I wrote when I published this video and I'm leaving it for later reference. ]
Hello my name is Travis Jantzer! I'm a vlogger from Oregon in the PNW. Online I go by TJantzer. My wife’s name is Cassie and our daughter born in spring of 2019 is named Hazel. If you watch our videos you’ll learn we love rock climbing (particularly bouldering), ultimate frisbee, road trips, diy projects, and drones. We converted a van to a camper for vanlife and take road trips when we have time. We play ultimate in the fall. Climb in the gym from fall to spring. Play Frisbee again in the spring. And play sand volleyball with our friends through the summer. I wrote a book and love writing poetry. Cassie loves watercolor painting and pencil sketching. We both enjoy cooking though she is way better at it. I started on KZhead in 2011 but did not take it seriously until 2018 and even then I was inconsistent. In 2020 my resolution is to make one video every weekend and post it by Tuesday of that week. My passion is video editing. I started doing wedding videos last year and this year got a job shooting real estate photos and video. I still consider myself an amateur, but I’m learning something new with every video.
My goals for 2020:
1 video every week
500 subscribers on KZhead
$10,000 earned from local video and photo gigs ($1000 earned but, Covid..)
Subscribe to my channel to follow along. Comment below if you relate to anything you see, or have any questions.
I’ll respond to as many comments as I see!
You can find me on Instagram and Twitter with “TJantzer” and visit my website to see my writing and blog posts at TJantzer.com
Thanks for stopping by!
I’ll see you next Tuesday.
-Travis Jantzer
Music:
Song: Till - Lucid Dreaming
Title Sequence:
Track: Tritan - Hollow Life (feat. Ratfoot) [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds.
Watch: • Tritan - Hollow Life (...
Free Download / Stream: ncs.io/HollowLife
Hey all! I recently bought an Acre of land to build a homestead for my family. Its a huge project and I'm documenting all my work there. Go check it out in this video playlist :) Thanks for Watching! kzhead.info/channel/PLs3aM0rQNXUh0Jih7S2UCuaohvtxppEQQ.html
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😢😢😢😢😢😂😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😮
Pro Tip: Use Cooking Oil. I’m a Licensed Tankeman. I have 13 years experience with Jet Fuel, Diesel and other Hazardous materials. Cooking Oil works just as good. Don’t Use Petrochemicals (Diesel) There are many chemicals additives that you don’t want on you, your fountain/pond that your kid/ pets will most like taste when your not looking 👍 Great Looking Fountain. Thanks for the Great Video👍
no one cares
@@HishamX you cared enough to type a comment🤣👍😉lil video game hero.
I have so much respect for professionals that take their time to make a helpful comment to Young DIY people! It shows a lot of class!🏅🙏💝
@@HishamX I actually do and appreciate the comment. Yours, otoh, was entirely pointless.
@@HishamX I care!!!
Great! A few things I would do different: 1. Add some rebar in the concrete: will make the structure much stronger. Your top edge is currently VERY fragile. 2. instead of rigid pipes with right angles use PE with no joints and smooth angles. If you want rigid pipes use 45° angles instead. Both these implementations will improve water flow, which means you will need a less power-hungry pump to move the same water.
I poured concrete for 6 years and have done lots of art projects since then using concrete, in projects like this I tend to use thick wire instead of rebar, you can work it alot closer to fragile edges.
I was thinking the same.
All Very good ideas to consider.
What is PE for the novice?
@@navydog1777 I second that question
A fun (expensive) thing to do would be to sheath that deflector board in copper. It would corrode in cool different shades.
that is what I thought it was at first and I thought what a cool little add on and I was surprised when he said it was wood.
Hypertufa, a mixture of cement, peat moss, and pearlite is lighter weight and just as strong when properly cured. It is great for yard/garden structures.
Great tip.
Really nice project. What type of concrete did you use and how many bags do I need?
I like that idea, i'll look into it!
"Hypertufa", ~cost, and Source?
You could add a piece of steel angle in place of that wood. Every steel yard has a cutoff section where you can pick smaller pieces to avoid paying for a whole stick. They'll even cut it to the exact length you would need. It would rust to a natural patina that would look great there.
Absolutely. You could plasma cut or torch cool patterns in it too, and leave the slag on for an even cooler effect.
I feel like if we were your neighbors, we would NOT mind the relaxing water sound. 😎
It seems my neighbors all agree :)
Hmm, tend to agree that the sound of splashing water around 2:00 am is concerning. I turn my own water feature off with a timer so if I do have a real leak during the night in my sprinkler system or in the washroom, I become aware of it.
How about a Video at NIGHT so we can see the Fountain Lights
Suggestion .. cover the wood insert with copper sheeting. That would look really pretty.
Great idea. That would look awesome.
Pick Your Favorite :) kzhead.info/sun/ocNxhrZtbn2kY2g/bejne.html
Or behind ithe fall.
You took the words right out of my mouth! I thought the wood wS copper when I first saw it. I think an arch of copper,or maybe copper bent in the same shape as the piece if wood. Copper and concrete looks great together. I signed I'm on my phone just now to suggest copper! GMTA!!
I have five giant tortoises ranging between 100 pounds up to almost 200 pounds each that love having me spray water with the hose on the backs of their shells every day. I thought of this exact idea a while back but never got around to building it. Your video has re-inspired me and it’s so nice to see exactly how to do it. In advance all my tortoises say thank you thank you thank you! And so will my water bill.
Dude I would love to see it when you get it done!
how did it go? 😊
I've done 10 years of concrete. WD-40 would be the best oil to put on the forms. Normally people use a mix of used hydraulic oil and diesel.
True dat men
I’ve been a Licensed Tankerman for Jet Fuel, Diesel and Other Hazardous Products for over a Decade..... Cooking Oil is just fine. Plus your not introducing Petroleum products (and what can be some nasty Additives in them) to your backyard pond or water feature.
Thx
This is beautiful! Personally I love the wooden splash board - it adds a wonderful contemporary art feel to the whole water feature! Thanks for this inspirational water feature!!!
Turned out pretty cool man. Nice work.
Thank you!
Wasn't expecting this comment here haha.
Nicely done. A real world guy doing realistic projects. This is doable for the average person with basic skills and desire. You deserve more subs! Gary
I wanted to thank you! I made one and I absolutely love the final result! I’m still trouble shooting the amount of water I’m losing from the overspray- I ordered all equipment you recommended. This tutorial was amazing! Thank you again!!
I want to see it! send me a picture or video tjantzer@gmail
I LOVE your humble character, and your water feature is just lovely
Hey guys so I’ve put a 400 GPH pump on the water feature and it runs pretty nice, a little quieter with the less water. When you’re picking a pump size anything between 400 and 800 gallons per hour should work!
So thats what u recommend for the 3ft tall one?
How did you make the bubbler at top?
@@Mikes_ASMR_guns_and_crypto I’m not sure I understand your question
@@travisjantzer I wasn’t sure if you put a cap on the end of the pvc tubing protruding from the top or if it’s open🤔🧐
It bubbles out naturally. It doesn't spray high in the air, as there isn't that much pressure being it. Think, drinking water fountain with low pressure, the water 'bubbles' out.
That looks awesome great idea. Also the wood you use to dampen the sound gives it a nice touch.
This is really nice! I might try this as my first concrete dyi with a small version. And thank you for the cost analysis!!! Highly appreciated!!
Estefy N I would love to see yours if you make one! Good luck!
Its looking like a couple of people are making these, I want to feature some in a video. If you finish one and want to share, upload a video of it to your channel and let me know, and I'll show it in a video :)
@@travisjantzer Oh awesome thanks for letting me know. I'm still at the process of molding the concrete so we'll see XD
I think the organic nature of the wood really makes the whole thing. Very nice!
Just found Travis! ! Wow! Loved his straight to the point no nonsense diy video’s and loved his fountains! I’ll watch him again..hope to start making fountains for our new home! Thanks Travis!
Thank you! Glad you like my videos and projects :) I would love to see any fountains you build!
My concern is the wood you used for the base. Will that not rot and ruin the water feature?
The wood will rot, not doubt there, but what a brilliant cool water feature…
You could create the sloping base in concrete by adjusting your mould.
Stupid is as stupid does!! You sir are not awesome in any way. Your momy & dady lied to you
A bigger concern is the toddler who walked past the frame at the end of the video. If the child tries to climb it, and kids do wacky, unpredictable things, the concrete will fall on them. That is a significant weight accelerating downward. Not cool at all. If two rebar spikes are inserted or cast into the feature then corresponding slots can be cast into a basic footing so it won’t fall over. Or, at least slow the fall so it’s not child-lethal. But seriously, never build anything tippy out of concrete when there is any chance kids will be there, ever.
That was my concern as well so I would use a wood composite instead.
Looks awesome, I think if you added some "rain chains" in the center you would get the sound you want with less slapping noises. You could also bury the base so the water drops onto the stones. It looks awesome. Thank you for the video.
Doug Reamsbottom rain chains like what you hang from a downspout on a drain? That could be cool. Good recommendations I’ll consider those. Thanks for watching!
Amazing, the wooden wedge in the middle is actually a nice aesthetical feature if you ask me. I would make one too if I had a garden. Nice video!
Thanks!
I love this! I live next to a busy road and I've been looking to build a water feature to help drown out the traffic noise. This is BEAUTIFUL.
Thanks! I definitely love the sound :)
Travis you've got a winning channel here man! *Great production, presentation & well thought out* Subbed. ✔
CANDIDE - thanks! I appreciate it :)
This is really great! The noise is the best part and it attracts birds so I will absolutely be trying to do this project. Thank you for the video.
Now you need a frog bog. Put some reeds and such around the edges of one end, and some mesh shaped beautifully shaped eg like a dome so they have protection from birds or rodents etc while they are rock baking!
I love it! Sounds so pretty! If you're concerned about the sound and the over splash, maybe try making the bottom "splash zone" converted (not pointing up, but pointing downward). The water would collect and spill over the edge into the recycle pit. I would love to have one. So relaxing!!
Great videos, and you make some really cool water features. I especially appreciate the cost analysis you share at the end of this one - so helpful.
My pleasure!
Brilliant execution. But even more impressive is the presentation itself. Thanks for not droning on as some do. Informative and to the point. I only hope I can make this ! Cheers
This has got to be one of THE easiest fountains to make- thank you!!! I was thinking, you can just add that pivoted angle at the bottom of the fountain (post mold)..... just use dryer cement to build that “wood board”. :)
It’s also possible to make that triangular piece into a mold by putting ends on it, and using that to create the piece in concrete. Then just use some cement to attach that dried piece of triangular concrete to the base of the fountain.
Adorable little girl. I truly loved the water fall.💯👑
Thanks for this easy to make novel, modern art, water fountain. It's the best design I've seen for a DIY fountain. I plan to make a small one - 15" tall with a container underneath covered with rocks for water storage and pump, to put on the raised platform of my wood stove as a work of art that provides soothing water sounds. Concrete is perfect in an area close to a woodstove.
Thanks for the feedback! Your idea sounds great and I would love to see it when its done :)
Very clever just found your channel, glad I did cheers.
Hey Travis. Paint the muffle board gold or bronze. It will add to the esthetic. Thanks for sharing.
Or even better, get a sheet of copper and bend it, then it'll get a gorgeous patina!
This is awesome. Well done & thanks for sharing! I’m gonna make one for our backyard. Thanks!!
Travis, I wanted you to know, you inspired me to make the EXACT fountain you made. I put the 45 degree water "slide' on the bottom, excellent idea! Keep the creative coming!
That’s awesome! I would love to share it on my Instagram if you wanna send me a picture or video, @travis.jantzer
I really like this, I think I'm going to make one with a sheet of glass in moulded into the concrete. In the UK we have a wire mesh impregnated obscured glass called Georgian Wire Cast which i think would look really cool.
That sounds pretty cool. Will you do a video on the project?
If you cut a piece of 1/2" acrylic and fit it inside the opening, it will dampen the sound...give you more of a waterfall effect and then you could light the panel itself.
U mean under the acrylic? How
Ack! So many ideas in my head! Waiting on a pump right now but im designing a simple one for my rescue cats (28) on the back patio. Many of them, like most cats, really want running water to drink. Some like to play in it, so ill be using terracotta pots for my first go at making one. I have a bunch of projects i want to try with concrete though for out in my garden and yard. Thanks again for all your inspiration!
This is fantastic!! Great idea, thanks for sharing
WOW, best DIY video I've seen in a long time! Great job explaining everything and showing how you put it together, but even better - providing the cost breakdown. Yours is the first video I've ever seen (DIY-wise), that actually provides the cost of the materials. I was looking for a unique water feature for one of my gardens and this is perfect! - only problem is that the garden I'd have loved to put this in, is on a major slope - I could make it work, it would just mean a lot more creativity on the backside of it. Now, if I can talk my husband into the idea...
Thanks! I'm glad you like the video, I tried to be as thorough as I could. Yea hillsides can be kinda tough but I think you could make it work. Let me know if you do! I'd love to see it.
Its looking like a couple of people are making these, I want to feature some in a video. If you finish one and want to share, upload a video of it to your channel and let me know, and I'll show it in a video :)
Love love love thank you for your talent
Awesome Water Feature ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Glasgow Scotland , Thanks for sharing
Just amazing.. That is cool. My ponds are natural looking but I love what you did.
Very nice project and interesting video. I might avoid placing any wood / plywood under a wet concrete yard fountain if I did this one.
Marine epoxy over the wood will protect it
My thought on dampening the waterfall impact noise would be to just set larger creek or river rocks on the concrete sill. Something sized to be large enough to hold their position and not be knocked off by the flow?
We loved this video and the Q&A one you did in addition... we are 1/3 of the way through the process now of making our own. I used concrete die to make mine brown... wanted it to blend with the stonework I have on my house... we will see how that goes... Super excited to finish.... Thanks again! Oh and love the PNW, lived there all my life until the last 3 years, so this is getting the South Carolina Install...lol
Good luck! I'm sure it'll look great! I'll post it to my instagram if you share it there, @travis.jantzer .. Oh yea? I love the PNW too! :) Never been to South Carolina..
The only neighbor that’s concerned about other neighbors. Could we move in next to you?
Using Murphy's oil soap on a wood mold your going to reuse works really well.
Good to know!
I’ve been wanting to make one (or more!) of these myself, the water feature square made of cement not hard really, but for me the hard part is doing the rest of the water feature with the rocks and plants where it looks nice. That takes a certain talent I don’t think I have acquired yet? Your looked very nice though! I’m a bit of a perfectionist and I think that’s a big part of my problem? Things in nature aren’t perfect and more random than I am! LOL
Great video! If less splash is desired I think another concrete rectangle piece set a few inches around the base would look nice. It would need to be far enough out and tall enough to catch the water.
Thank you! Appreciate your sharing your knowledge!
If you wrap the board in copper sheeting that would look amazing
yea it would
love this. i have been looking around for tub sizes for the water, or how to set it straight, like on posts. but you just used pond liner and concrete blocks i think. sounds much simpler.
Chris C yea I like the pond liners because they’re flexible. And yea it’s on block. I covered the install a little better in my Q&A video.
It’s great i love how when you moved the wood the sound was blocking the other sound i need this !!
Just recommended doing this job at my son's home, a great video, simple and to the point !
Awesome presentation in all respects! Recommend imbeding colorful stones so they're exposed and perhaps using cement dye. As I have obsidion for my flintknaping hobby will use that. A plus is its glass like sheen. Thanks for the great idea!
Good Ideas! Send me a picture if you make one! Instagram @travis.jantzer
I guess the joy in doing it as concrete is the ability to veneer anything you want to it without a permanent embedment of a particular material. Gives you more flexibility to make changes to design throughout the years
I just had to google obsidian as I wasn't sure what it was, that would look beautiful.
If Your Neighbor would complain of a running waterfall they have some serious problems, If it was a noisy Rooster I could understand but running water is really relaxing
I have an image of the neighbors getting upset when it rains
I had a neighbor ask me if I could put my fountain on a timer because the sound at night made him want to pee 🤣. I of course obliged
Looks great! Good job! If I only had a yard. My mother, rest her soul, would have loved this. 👍🏻🤍
A thick hammered copper sheet would look great inside your water feature. The hammered dimples would displace the water and when the sun hits it it would look lovely. And over time development a nice patina.
Yea that would look cool. I stuck a bunch of different things under it in my "pick your favorite" video.
I spray my concrete molds with Pam before I pour the concrete. Mold comes off easy.
Nice! I like the sound. It’s a good white noise to mask traffic and neighbor noises. Who knows but your neighbors might appreciate it running all night.
Beautiful and practical! I can't wait to give this a try myself!
Send me pictures if you do!
Its looking like a couple of people are making these, I want to feature some in a video. If you finish one and want to share, upload a video of it to your channel and let me know, and I'll show it in a video :)
Love the video, Travis! Thanks for sharing such a creative, great idea. Question: What is the approximate 'splash zone' from your 3' tall water sculpture? I'm thinking I may need to purchase an appropriately sized tote for my application/climate.
With the board dampener at the base the water splashes about 2.5 ft each direction. Roughly.
Thanks for the cost break down. You're right that it's a rare but extremely helpful thing to have.
Awesome water feature, excellent job, and the instructions were great and much appreciated. FYI: With our old water feature, my husband used a large paper clip on the hose from the pump, it restricted some of the water pressure, so there' was less splashing.
Thanks for the feedback! Not a bad idea.
That is cool I appreciate you showing how much the project is nice job nice video
Some pumps will also list a specification for "lift", which is the maximum height it will push water and the GPM at that height.
yup!
If you sunk the bottom of the square below the rocks, you would eliminate the splashing as the rocks lessen the splashing sound.
I think the splashing sound is part of it, it’s soothing sound
I kinda like the idea of a water feature similar to this, but maybe with a small solar panel or two to power the pump, and set up with a little stone bench so it can be used for washing dirty feet :)
Great DIY video Travis! It has a nice look and presentation. Thanks for the price breakdown at the end.
First time viewer. Keep it up!
I like this a lot! Is it just the force of the pump that causes the water to cascade over the entire top? I was half-expecting it to come out in one single stream.
Yea so I was a little worried about the water flow too but with the top surface flat, smooth, and (mostly) level, the water sorta pools on top before it cascades. Polarity of water I guess.
@@travisjantzer good to know! Thanks for the reply. I think I can manage this one once I find some time. Thanks for the inspiration!
This is perfect, I have nosy neighbors and my neighborhood is extremely quiet. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Glad it helped!
Way to cool! this will certainly be my next DIY project. Thank you for sharing
Thanks for watching! good luck :)
uhhh.... the woods gonna rot bro, then that thing becomes a kid-smasher. lol im gonna make one though- looks great
Uhh marine epoxy bruhhhh
I really like it! looks modern, but Cool not cheezey. Plus I really love the Cross behind you!
Nice delivery, and very thorough, Appreciate the time you put into it and sharing. It's a very cool fountain!
thanks! I'm glad you like the project.
This is a very cool design, Travis. Very clever. I'm subscribing to see more.
How do you keep the system from drying out with water evaporation?
I'm assuming using a hose to water the rocks at the base to fill up the reservoir.
Yea we just top it off occasionally. The pump says it’s supposed to shut itself off it it starts to overheat. So far it seems to be retaining water really well!
Animals are drinking much of my water. The rock covered pool will help with animals and evaporation.
Regarding your mold, if you were to use Formica surfaced boards you'd have a smoother surface contacting the concrete and easier to remove. Also, how about some rebar or even chickenwire/farm cloth to help the concrete's ability to hold up. Another suggestion is if you cast a trough on the top surface, the water will then cascade in a sheet rather than random drips. That might control the noise as well
I agree with all you said, but with my thoughts...the Formica if you’re going for a clean/modern look, however if you want more rustic I’d suggest the thin packing material (thin wrapping with small air bubbles). The trough is a great idea especially coupled wit three water spread evenly on top would definitely make a nicer “rainfall” effect. To lessen the noise I’d say build your form so the base comes to a triangle where the water meets it.
It looks fabulous,I love it. Its really nice of you to consider your neighbours, regarding the water running throughout the night. Not every one is as thoughtful. Thank you, I’ve subscribed. 😉
Man, great video! Simple, once you showed it, and very elegant too. I like the louder water sound of this one so it will drown out street noise when in use.
x Steel thank you! Glad you enjoy my work :)
You are awesome. And I really like that you are respectful of the audience and don't slow things down to crayon speed LOL you've got a good pace and you know we can understand. I'm so glad I found you
Thanks for the feedback! I to keep a balance of Info and Entertainment.
Maybe by hanging some metal chains over the top which would hang down like a curtain plus it would dampen the harsh sound of the water dripping down the chains and onto the concrete surface below 🙂
Such good stuff. Thanks for sharing this brother.
Outstanding and complete instructions. Thank you.
Thanks!
This is super nice - thank you so much for sharing! This is going to be our next DIY project, wish us luck.
You can do it! If you finish one send me a pic on instagram @travis.jantzer
Hey Travis, Just want You to know You Are Awesome! You Think of Everything, even giving a breakdown of cost ... Thanks for All You Do. Keep Up Great Work Love Your Videos Chris and Rick from Chicago❤
thanks Chris and Rick from Chicago :)
I enjoyed this video, your idea was absolutely fantastic, I’m sure your neighbors won’t mind that sound pouring out of your fountain, I find it soothing.
Liked how you explained this build so well. Good job.
Thank you!
Wow - You did an awesome job on this project. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Love love love it! The wood gives an organic touch. I wouldn’t change it (until it rots enough to need it lol!)
Yea its been a year and that wood wedge is still not rotted. Definitely adds to the aesthetic.
Great project, I’m currently building it in Costa Rica, close to a big glass window so trying to figure out the splash, thanks man for inspired me!
Thanks! That sounds awesome. I would love to see picture of it if you build anything. HMU on Instagram @travis.jantzer
I’m going to build this. It’s exactly what I’m looking for. Thanks for sharing. I love it
Glad you like it!
Usually you can control the water flow on pumps... You're an artist for sure! So off you go into the beautiful world of creativity. Will sub just for the pleasure of watching you evolve in your designs, methods... Thanks for sharing.
Wow, thank you! lots more to come :)
Thanks Travis. Nice video. I made a real nice fountain three yes ago, but my above ground basin (6 gallon) wasn’t large enough during the hot summer days due to evaporation. So I’m redoing it with a 50 gallon reservoir. Mine is square with wood, 6 ft tall with 1/4 tempered glass in the middle...it has a nice shimmering effect as it runs. I like your concrete design. Mine is heavy...I imagine the concrete one to be a beast!
Nice! yea this one was super heavy.. Yours is wood? thats kinda cool.
The wood looks good and adds a visual dimension. Also you can add coloring to the concrete. It should be in the same area with the concrete at the store.
Yea I like the wood and I thought about coloring it but didn’t. It’s darkened a little over the last year though.
This is beautiful! Great job.