Make a Recirculating Bird Bath

(Here's a link to another fountain created that might offer alternative ideas: • Making an Asian Style ... )
This video is about making your own recirculating bird bath to keep your garden’s feathered friends happy. It is also a way to add an attractive feature in the yard. I guess you could say that it’s about creating a functional and aesthetic spa to comfort overheated birds during the sweltering summer when temperatures easily move the mercury past the 100 degrees mark.
One fountain and two tops will be shown. This recirculating bird-bath fountain is something you can do yourself. I attempt to show every important detail in each step. When watching the video, it is hoped that you see the potential to create your own bird bath, using your style of pot and fountain top. Though I made my own tops, you can purchase your own and make it work for you. I say that because next summer I am going to pick out a blue and white porcelain dragon pot. I will then go in search to find an interesting dragon plate, also known as a charger, to purchase. Then I will turn it into a fountain and use it in the Asian themed area in my yard. I am really excited about it because it allows me to choose what I want to look at, not at what someone else has determined for me.
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Below is a list of materials and tools used on this project so you might do it yourself:
Pot dimensions: Inside top diameter--17 inches, its bottom 12; height - 16 inches. Water capacity: Approximately 10 gallons
Waterproofing paint for untreated terra cotta pot: Drylok water-based, tinted Chinook salmon.
Water pump: Pulaco 10 watt adjustable to 160 gallons per hour. The submersible pump came with ¼ inch tubing and adapter. I used ½ inch adapter it came with and my own ½ inch tubing to get more volume and less pressure to create a bath and not a shower or spout that would be attained using a smaller tubing or hose.
Electric Drill
Drill bits: ¾ masonry for ½ inch PVC pipe installation; 13/64 inch for rubber stopper or cork
Utility Knife to cut rubber stopper
Rubber Stopper: #6 for pot’s 1 inch diameter drainage hole
Caulk: G.E. 100% silicone and 100% water proof
Cinder blocks: 6x8x8 inches
Fountain top: Custom made from mold (Either purchase or make your own of cement or exterior-molded plastic, terra cotta, porcelain, bronze, brass, et cetera...)
And enjoy the natural beauty it attracts!
Here is a link to casting multi-colored concrete molds: • Multi-color cement cas...
And this is how I perform maintenance on the bird bath:
Clean when water is less than clear. Start: Unplug pump. Remove topper and two cinder blocks. Use a small bucket (2quarts) to scoop water from pot. Pour small bucket of water into larger bucket (2 gallons or larger). Recycle water by using in garden. Rinse out pot. If inside of pot is dirty, use soft brush and dish soap to clean, otherwise rinse out. Clean out pump suction screen if necessary. Reassemble, fill with clean water, and plug back in.
Links/details below to specific items used:
Amazon.com : Betonex Sun&Moon Concrete Plaster Plastic MOLDS Stepping Stone Garden Path #S11 : Garden & Outdoor
www.statuarymolds.com/steppin...
Pump: Amazon.com: PULACO 10W 160GPH Submersible Pump with 3.3 ft Tubing for Aquariums, Fish Tank, Pond Fountain, Statuary, Hydroponics, Water Feature, Indoor Fountains : Pet Supplies
The terra cotta pot was purchased at Home Depot (dimensions are in the description).
Early High Yield Strength Quikrete Concrete and colorant can be purchased at Home Depot or Lowes. (The yellow colorant was purchased in powder form on Ebay, the only place I could find it, at that particular time.)
The cement blocks and DryLok (tinted pink salmon) were purchased at a DIY Center. I believe either HD or Lowes will have what you need.
Rubber stopper/Cork : 12 Pack - CleverDelights Solid Rubber Stoppers - Mix Pack | Sizes 000 to 10 | 1 Each Per Size: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

[@pershop4950]

i like it that you show the birds actually using it. so many videos talk about the bird bath building aspect and then ends when putting it together is all done.

[@HeatherB..]

The nicest diy bird fountain I've seen thus far! Thank you for such a beautiful and simple design!!

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

thank you for watching

[@bambamnj]

Two suggestions: #1) Put a second plug (you would have to drill the hole) near the bottom of the planter but on the side. This way if you have to clean it/clear out the water. You can just pull the plug and let it drain instead of taking the whole thing apart and tipping it over, to drain the water. #2) For your casting, make the inner circle of your casting drop down about 1/4"-1/2" so you create a little pool in the middle. Then drill 2 to 4 small drain holes, so water will circulate out of the pool (more than just run off). I think your birds will appreciate the small pool in the middle of the casting, the pump should be strong enough were you will still get the fountain and run off look and the drain holes will let water circulate out of the pool to keep it from getting too hot or stagnate.

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

You have some really interesting ideas!

[@bambamnj]

@@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732 I thought about this after posting my comment and finally decided to come back. I guess the plug idea really isn't needed as you can always just use a piece of hose and use siphoning method to suck the water out. Might take a little longer but kind of makes the plug idea moot. I guess it depends on how often you have to completely drain the pot.

[@c.a.5808]

Got to say... even with his beautiful design. Your thoughts and suggestions are good ones!!! Thank you for them as well, as indeed... it takes a village. 🤗🥰

[@elizabethmusso5946]

Could the holes be created during casting rather than drilling them after?

[@jeremypearson6852]

That hummingbird is so cool, I could watch this for ages. Good way to fall asleep with the sound of the bubbling water.

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Thank you for watching

[@j.t.1215]

If I was a little bird, or dog, I know where I'd go!!!

[@PatriciasPrimerJardin]

This world and birds need more people like you. Beautiful 👏

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Thank you for your thoughtful comment

[@Soo_Blessed]

God is so gracious that he's created these beautiful birds for us to enjoy 💗

[@N4MiK4Ze2]

millions and millions years of evolution of species: "are we a joke to you? 🤡"

[@Brogrl]

Amen 🙏 All creation sings ❤

[@patricebennett1100]

Could have watched those birds all day. Gorgeous. 🥰🇦🇺

[@susanwoodward7485]

Magical! Am definitely going to build a couple of these, but worried that I won't get anything else done - just watch the birds all day. Thank you.

[@Real_g.s.]

Thank you for adding the bird watching bit at the end. Lovely!

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Glad you liked it! 😊

[@madhuchandran7818]

this is by far the best bird bath I saw

[@beyourownforceofnature7291]

☀️🍃”This is what life is all about!”💛🌻💚

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

I agree 😊

[@c.a.5808]

Great job, Sir! Thank you for what you have done here, not just for the birds, but for us as well! I just love the fact that you consider the leaching of the concrete and the importance of the value... regarding the ph factor! Your time, also in reviewing and commenting to so many of your followers, sir, is so time-consuming, and yet, you make the time.! As such, I learn even more from it! Your care 😇 for nature and the help it provides is a wonderful blessing for us all! Thank you again!🤲 🤗🥰 Ps. You now have a new subscriber, too😉

[@BBare.]

Thank you so much for letting us see the birds! That was very beautiful! 💙🐰💙

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BirdBath1]

I have a Bird bath look🥰🦌

[@Author_Alyssa_Taylor]

@@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732 -- I'm aching to have "care" of a piece of land in the mountains to build a water system and hang bird feeders. I think I'd love to do this as one of the systems and hook it up to a solar power and a heating system in the winter.

[@mini-mum253]

I love how you let us enjoy the bathing birdies! And the b-bath is magical, well done!

[@TraceyMush]

Thank you for those minutes at the end to enjoy the results :~))

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks! 😊

[@GoatladyGetYerGoat]

I was just thinking the same thing.. :) nice video.. and I love this idea.. great instructions too

[@madisondameron142]

What a sweet and intelligent man. This was very informative, thank you.

[@pennygreenler4351]

just saw your Asian recirculating birdbath and now I have two bird baths to make...so excited to make this. Directions are very clear and manageable.Thanks!!

[@wolfsangeleyes]

So sweet and beautiful what you made for our feathered friends. The footage at the end was a very nice bonus, they sure love it.

[@BirdBath1]

I have a Bird bath look🐘🐿

[@carlapierle8623]

That was wonderful watching the birds enjoy their baths at the end!

[@johnwitkowski6596]

Beautiful Tom. What a pleasure to just sit in your garden and watch those cute little guys enjoying themselves. And great instructional video too.

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

So nice of you. Thank you!

[@user-wc6pn9ds2t]

ברוך

[@grai]

seeing those birds bathing made my day 🧡🧡

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

😊

[@pjcim1960]

I really enjoyed watching the birds come & go

[@kennyc388]

Very nice project, and thanks for showing the "users" !

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Glad you liked it!

[@susoni1]

Thank you for the info and thank you for making the birdies so happy 😊

[@TuckerSP2011]

Aww thank you for taking care of the birds! So peaceful ❤️

[@pigeon-mu7fk]

The quiet moments at your finale were magical .....

[@tinamadden25]

I went yesterday and got me a big glazed flower pot, gonna give it a try. Love it. Thanks 😊

[@digsindirt4490]

I love this. The sunflower is beautiful and the grooves provide the perfect place for smaller birds to stand and bathe. Thank you for sharing.

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Thank you! 😊

[@Nancy-zk9dj]

Maybe butterflies too

[@50buttfish]

Where can the sunflower or others like it be found/purchased?

[@suziperret468]

Love it. The sound of water is delightful for everyone!

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Great. Thanks for watching!

[@barbraorndonia5831]

Love your fountain and also thank you for letting us watch the birds enjoy your fountain.

[@joydavis4087]

This is such a wonderful project. I am going to do it. Love, love, love this idea. I’ll have to try to get my hands on this pump.

[@Tinrebel]

Love your design, think it’s my favorite, want to make fountains for my garden, store bought are expensive and not made well, love the sound of water, the sound of your fountains are great! Thanks, I’ve subscribed!

[@yellowstonekv959]

I feed the birds and also have a birdbath with a "water wiggler" to keep the mosquitoes out. In the winter (in Illinois), I add a birdbath heater. I change the water every other day. Your creation is gorgeous! Wish I could tackle the regular cleaning. Love it! Thank you for sharing - new sub :>)

[@gingereaves4097]

What is a "water wiggler?" I would like to keep mosquitoes out, too, as I live in Louisiana. I have to put large pieces of ice in my birdbath as it stays over 100 degrees for weeks here in the summer. Our winters are normally pretty mild.

[@c.a.5808]

Yes, please, what is a "water wiggler" 🤔? and Thank you 😊 🙏

[@mistye277]

New project for the garden thank you!!Love the birds at the end enjoying the bath! Cute gargoyle too.

[@carmaela2689]

This fountain is beautiful! Went together so simply.

[@tonysopranosduck416]

Thank you for this concise and to the point instruction. . That method of yours to using a stopper and feeding the cord out through the bottom is the best I’ve seen as I can then fill up the water to any level without worrying about run off through a side hole. Thanks so much! I’m looking at constructing a couple of these in my yard so I can see from a few windows. Then likely making these as gifts to spread some critter care lovin 😊

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

You are welcome!

[@daureenesmith579]

I can't believe I missed this video! I'm always on the lookout for new ideas on bubbling birdbaths! This was just awesome and I can't wait to try it! Hopefully, it turns out as beautiful as yours! 😍

[@krazymammaw3040]

I'm getting so relaxed just listening to your water fountain now

[@dthomascful]

Loved the footage of the birds enjoying the bath!

[@scallaghan2118]

What amazing skills and creativity! Thanks for putting your knowledge to such good use!

[@iamspartacus7756]

This is so wonderful, am sending to my hubby so we can make one. Excellent instructions!

[@memyselfandeye8377]

How precious 😍

[@chrissforza6405]

It has such a lovely sound.

[@cherigreen4471]

This is beautiful! So relaxing watching the birds, especially the hummingbird. Great job!

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Thank you so much 😀

[@nanette1942]

Love this video Tom. So relaxing to watch this in your garden.

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Thank you!!

[@juliahelland6488]

Thanks for sharing this! 💯

[@lorraineroettger9861]

I agree wonderful idea I also will be making 1 or 2 of these little gems thanks so much for the videos and being so thoughtful to the little critters love it!!.

[@slicee_of_life]

Thank you for this! Love the end result and the process. Also, love the footage of birds enjoying it!

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Thanks so much!

[@donnacrawford2850]

I want to make my own water fountain, and i fell in love with your sunflower!!! Would you consider making just the sunflower for me so i can enjoy this at my home, i love watching the video its so relaxing!!! If you will ,let me the cost please. Thanks so much, my name is Donna

[@pennyclegg7728]

Beautiful bird bath!! Easy instructions also👍🥰

[@judybunn2744]

nice ...good idea on the stopper

[@bethleblanc656]

Wonderful ideas for my backyard little friends that iclude birds, squirrels and quails. All of them enjoy the water I place in a large container. Thank you. I'll improve this for them.

[@hearthandhomehayes6462]

This video is exactly the content I’ve been looking for! Thank you for explaining everything so clearly! This is a great DIY for a garden!!

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LetJusticeRoll]

Some great ideas here! I'm inspired to try this. I enjoyed watching the birds' refreshment too.

[@jamiesmith1343]

What lucky birds, they're enjoying it so much! This would make a wonderful screen saver.

[@jenniferdahl4475]

Thank you so much! I’ve been wanting to make a water feature/bird bath for awhile but could quite find the right design. Looks totally doable for me.

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

I'm so glad! Thanks for watching

[@sandrawaters5369]

This looks so cool. I really want to try it. I love to feed and watch the birds in my yard. Thank you .

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Go for it!

[@geraldinejames5827]

I found your video so calming and love seeing someone doing things by hand. Great job from Vancouver canada.

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Awesome up there in Vancouver

[@iahorvath]

Thank you for sharing these plans. I really enjoyed watching the birds at the end of your vlog.

[@heatherwheeler4334]

Such a cute idea and it looks super easy! Thanks for sharing! 🤗🐦💞

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Thank you! 😊

[@berniceziniewicz418]

I absolutely love your bird bath! I probably watched this video and your video on making the stepping stone at least 10 times already. I ordered the casting of the sunflower and purchased some flower pots and water pumps today. Can't wait to put it all together, thanks for this beautiful and amazing idea.

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sandysorge642]

@@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732 hey where do i order the mold for the sunflower

[@bfree6521]

love fountains!

[@shannondh83]

I love the simplicity of it all and I am seriously thinking about doing one of these myself. Great job!!

[@BrokenArrowPottery]

I love that! And it really attracts the birds. Very clever!

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Thank you! 😊 And a big shout out to your pottery skills. Artists like you beautify my garden.

[@BrokenArrowPottery]

@@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732 Ahwww, thank you!!!

[@adryawebb2556]

Thank you for this video! That little hummingbird made my day!

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@guyboudreaux9261]

Excellent idea to help wildlife, I’m going to build one. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@HangoutByTheSea]

Looked at a few of these, this is the best to me. Very nice and I think I can do it by myself.

[@loisannward]

wow this is wonderful

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Thanks for watching

[@freeangie11]

I love those visitors having a blast. 😍😊So lovely! 😍

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

You are so kind. Thanks! 😊

[@GODSPEAKS898]

Wow! Beautifully done. Thank you for the tips, I think I will make one for my yard for my front and back yard. Thank you for sharing! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🤗🤗🤗!,

[@rhondaborders3452]

I really love this! Very easy & clear instructions.

[@rosea9737]

What a lovely paradise you've made for our fine feathered friends :) Thank you for that and the quiet moments of the birds clearly loving your results!

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Thank you too!

[@barbaracranford527]

Couldn't you make the hole in the sunflower when you cast it? One less bit of drilling:)

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

You definitely could cast a cut piece of pipe in the mold. It would become complicated when casting in multiple colors, though.

[@paulacraig8252]

I thought the same thing.

[@paulacraig8252]

Where are you did it's 103 degrees?

[@caroltrego1640]

Very creative for the birds, etc. You are so talented.

[@MomisDesigns]

OMG!! what a good ideal. I am going to show it to my hubby... thank you so much for sharing

[@leighann5308]

That’s really beautiful how do you make the sunflower topper?

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Thanks for the compliment. I have two videos on how to cast concrete molds. "Casting Concrete Sunflowers" and "Multi-color cement Casting Part II" will explain the entire process. There are a myriad of molds on E-Bay and Amazon, etc.. The nice thing about making your own, it is possible to find the right size mold for the pot diameter you wish to cast for. E-Bay has a great selection of colorant selections.

[@chrischristensen9476]

Bird baths don’t get particularly hot in the sun. I live in southern Arizona, today in my Arizona room it is 93.8, I have two bird baths in the sun the concrete bath is 94.4 and the talavera painted bath is 89.8. Evaporation keeps them cool.

[@gingereaves4097]

I live in humid Louisiana, and the water in mine gets really hot in the sun with daily temps over 100 degrees, so I freeze cups of filtered water (ice cubes melt too fast) and add to the birdbath 2 times a day. That keeps the water slightly cool.

[@vivhendersonable]

I love that you are caring for the birds. So enjoyed this. Thank you!

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Thanks for watching and for recognizing how important birds are ...

[@sle28]

I’ve seen many diy fountain bird bath videos and I think this is the best one.

[@BURZZA3G]

How do you maintain it? I know it will remain cleaner with the moving water. but what other maintenance is required?

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Remove the topper and two cinder blocks. Use a small bucket to fill a larger bucket and pour into the garden. Rinse it out and clean it. Takes about 10 minutes.

[@evelynevandepoel1939]

It's beautiful! Thank for the video. In my area the chipmunks and squirrels would use it too. Does it need to be cleaned once a week? I don't want the birds to get sick. Stay safe and have a good day. 🙏💜

[@lesleyrobertson5465]

Would you like to come over to Scotland and work in my wee garden. Beautiful workmanship

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

You have a beautiful country. I would imagine you don't have to worry too much about droughts and water conservation as we do here in Los Angeles.

[@geraldinerice5371]

Yeah but we dont have hummingbirds.

[@stevewoodard2244]

What a nice detailed video. Very easy to follow and straight forward. Going to build one or five. Thanks for creating.

[@MsThePoint]

What an awesome project...Off to check in the garden shed and see what I have that might be suitable!

[@Sweetpatches24]

That’s nice but I’m wondering how often you clean it out? I’ve found that with these types of fountains all too often people forget that they need cleaned out at least every 2 or 3 days as debris gets in them and bacteria can grow even though the water is circulating. If not cleaned out, disease and illness can spread to the birds. Something to thing about and cleaning these fountains is time consuming.

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

I clean it when the water is slightly less that clear.

[@foofstarr4856]

@@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732 how? Do you take everything apart and dump all that water out in the heavy cast? Seems like alot of work and heavy lifting... I wonder if there is another way

[@batintheattic7293]

@@foofstarr4856 It looks like it might be freestanding so, perhaps, it gets tipped and then filled with fresh water. Something bigger, and more cumbersome, I think I'd drill (or cast) for a bung near the bottom. Surely it doesn't matter if it leaks a little bit? I might have a go at this but I'd probably go for a solar powered pump and rig it up to my rainwater butt. And I'd put it among plants that need a lot of water so that, if it leaked, it would be keeping their soil moist. Save having to keep watering them! I mean - it might be an idea to make the bird bath intentionally leaky. Then it would, kind of, keep it's own water refreshed from it's source. I'm not sure about the physics but the inlet pipe would have to enter at a certain height to stop the bath from constantly over filling.

[@jbean530]

Those last two birds were named Maude and Frank. Maude: oh, Frank, what in the world is this? Frank: Oh, Maude, it looks like water. Maude: Oh, Frank, you are so smart. I’m so glad that you are able to come over here for a little bit and help me. Thank goodness you are always very nice.

[@georginasalazar1204]

That’s beautiful ,,, pretty birds ..

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

😇Thanks

[@Shamshiadadd]

Wonderful job

[@Vinterfrid]

Nice design, but it really isn't a bird bath, is it? I'd rather call it a bird drinking fountain/shower. I would have used a plate wich would have allowed an amount of water to stay in it - a few centimetres deep. Most birds I know like to step into water if it's not too deep.

[@raybaby]

I love watching birds in bird baths. Great video ❤

[@JessieKlein]

So lovely!

[@sonyamlb]

Wow, this is beautiful!! Excellent video !!

[@deloresmcgehee2773]

Thank you so much for your instructions and I’m sure the birds thank you too.

[@scottmiller1956]

BEAUTIFUL!

[@bluesmon1329]

Thank you for creating a Zen moment.

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Great!

[@jimalford6359]

Awesome Thanks for sharing Beautiful and simple to make

[@matytj5738]

This is amazing! I've been wanting to make a birdbath for some years now. I've seen other ones but they were too complicated and too expensive. This gives me hope that I can actually make one with so little. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

[@patriciakloeppel9863]

love it great idea

[@gailbarrett9834]

BEAUTIFUL ❤❤

[@raeannuria5691]

Dude, this is BRILLIANT!!! Thank You for sharing!!!

[@doityourselferhomeandgarde9732]

Glad you enjoyed it!