How to build an Andy Goldsworthy cairn water feature

[@christineribone9351]

You're a handy guy to have around the house! You made it look so easy. I would have ended up with a structure that looked nothing like the plan, and plenty of leftover parts.

[@blackbird5634]

really neat video, got some ideas from it. thanks for posting!!

[@TonyDavisSaxophone]

Many thanks, Will!

[@JohnMoore-qv4vn]

Thank you.

[@bidders77]

Hi Tony. Getting ready to start mine later this year and was hoping you could give a few tips. What size pump did you use and any chance you are able to upload a video of the whole system in action?? Thanks. Ian. Ps- love the cloud pruning video too. Definitely trying that soon

[@TonyDavisSaxophone]

Hi Ian. Sorry for the late reply - I'm normally signed in with a different account. The whole system is now finished. Water is pumped to the top of the cairn the collects in the sump underneath before flowing back to the pond through a winding rill. I tried to do all of the calculations about 'head' height, number of bends in pipe, bore size, etc.. including what might happen to the flow rate as it went through the filter system... but it was beyond me. In the end, I decided to just buy a pump that might well be a bit too strong and added an in-line valve to regulate the flow. It all worked out great. I'll try to add a follow-up this summer. How did you get on?

[@bidders77]

nice! how much of that is planning and how much is just getting stuck in with the right tools and materials?

[@TonyDavisSaxophone]

Hi there. The plan I briefly show at 7 seconds in was crucial to getting the shape right. That, and also having a central column from which to monitor the diameters.. Hope you have fun building your own!

[@JD-ij3wr]

About to start mine tomorrow what did you place under the cairn?

[@TonyDavisSaxophone]

Great stuff, Jeremy. There's a large circular tub that acts as the water sump. On top of this is a galvanised steel grill. Bit if advice - make sure you have access through the grill to clean/service the water. Make sure you outflow pipe is the same size or preferably bigger that the inflow otherwise your sump overflows and you lose water from your pond (if you're linking it yo that!). Best of luck!

[@JD-ij3wr]

@@TonyDavisSaxophone Tony! You are measuring in CM in your schematic correct? Thank you so much for reaching out

[@TonyDavisSaxophone]

@@JD-ij3wr That's right. Hope it goes well!

[@JD-ij3wr]

@@TonyDavisSaxophone did you use cement or mud to bind each stone??

[@TonyDavisSaxophone]

Sorry@@JD-ij3wr , only just seen your note. As I was creating a water feature I wanted to be absolutely sure of its integrity for years to come, so it's very densly built with sand and cement. How have you got on with yours?

[@THE-VVATCHER]

How is this a how-to without instructions?

[@TonyDavisSaxophone]

Hi there. Hope you enjoyed watching the process. Rather than narrate, I just wanted to 'show'. There are only three key things to consider, which can be seen if you pause the video at 8 sec (for the drawing showing that you have to do a scale drawing, measuring your layers up the centre, then across for each a radius), the use of the radius wire for measuring the outer rim (which can be seen throughout, but most clearly at 1:33) and the substructure (which can be seen if you pause at 12 sec). This last bit shows a sump, as my cairn is a water feature. Are you going to have a go?