How to Make a Waterfall Out of a Fish Tank Air Supply

A waterfall is a great idea for your terrarium. A waterfall can help you to retain moisture in the air for animals that require a humid environment, like some frogs and jungle-dwelling reptiles. A waterfall is also a clever solution for owners of chameleons, a breed of lizard that will not drink water unless it's moving. A waterfall also just makes your terrarium much more interesting to look at. You could buy a waterfall, or you could easily make one at home.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 piece of soft rock
  • Drill
  • Aquarium pump
  • Clear plastic tubing, 3/16-inch thick
  • Aquarium sealant
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Instructions

    • 1

      Buy a rock. Buy a piece of soft rock to make your waterfall out of. When selecting a rock, find one that is porous because it will be easier to drill holes in. If you buy one from an aquarium store, then you have the added bonus of knowing the rock has been disinfected and is safe for your pets. Pick a rock that is about twice as tall as you want your waterfall to be, because half of it will be submerged in water and stones. Be wary of rocks that have sharp edges or are too rough. You do not want your pet to injure itself on the rock.

    • 2

      Trim the tubing. Cut the plastic tubing so that it is approximately three-quarters as long as your rock. Take this measurement as your rock is standing upright in the position you want it to be in when it is a waterfall.

    • 3

      Assemble the pump. Fit one end of the plastic tubing over the output nozzle of your pump. Secure the tubing with the aquarium sealant, being careful not to get sealant into the nozzle or any part of the pump. Allow the sealant to dry for 48 hours without getting wet.

    • 4

      Drill the rock. Take your rock outside and drill a hole through the entire length of it. You need a long drill bit to do this, and may need to drill from both the top and bottom of the rock to form a continuous channel. Angle the drill as if the rock were standing upright and functioning as a waterfall in your tank. Make the hole wide enough to fit the plastic tubing in, but not much wider than that. You should be able to stick the plastic tube in one end and have water come out the other. If you want to make your waterfall look especially cool, drill a few extra holes in the side of the rock that connect to the hole in the middle. Water will pour from these outlets as well.

    • 5

      Insert tube, attach pump and test. Fit the plastic tube all the way into the rock. Place the pump at the bottom of your tank, holding the waterfall upright. Fill the tank with several inches of stones, spreading the stones around the waterfall and thus securing it in place. Make sure the stones are large enough not to get sucked into the pump. Fill the tank to the top of the stones with water. Plug the pump into an electrical outlet. The pump should gurgle, then after a minute or so of working, water will flow from all the holes.