Fountain Basin 220L

Creating a decorative water feature in a garden or public space traditionally involves expensive, permanent concrete construction: excavation, formwork, reinforcement, pouring, waterproofing, curing — a process that takes weeks, costs thousands of euros, and permanently alters the site. If the fountain needs to be relocated, the concrete must be demolished.

The only prefabricated alternatives are closed-system fountain basins (OASE, Finia, BlueThumb) — products designed for the same purpose. However, available European models are either too small (OASE 80 Round, ~120 L at €287), too expensive (OASE 120 Square, 290 L at €600), or offer unknown engineering specs (Finia, ~250 L at ~€260 with unspecified wall thickness and load capacity).

Important distinction: Pond liners (Heissner, Ubbink) are a fundamentally different product category. They are designed for open ponds — visible water surfaces with optional central fountains. The GARTENDEK Fountain Basin is a closed concealed system: the water infrastructure is completely hidden underground, and the decorative element sits on top. Water appears to flow over stone and disappear into the ground. These are two entirely different aesthetic and engineering concepts, and direct comparison is not meaningful.

The Fountain Basin 220L resolves all constraints of traditional fountain construction simultaneously:

• No construction: installs on levelled compacted ground — no concrete, no foundation, no waterproofing. Two people, one afternoon
• Compact and lightweight: at 20.5 kg, significantly easier to handle than the 600L (36.5 kg) — ideal for smaller gardens and sites with limited access
• 220 litres of reserve: provides ~5 weeks of autonomous operation without rain in summer — sufficient for moderate climate zones with periodic rainfall
• Maximum structural rigidity: the round, tapered (conical) shape with 10 radial ribs and ~8 mm HDPE walls creates a structure that cannot be deformed by earth pressure or water pressure — the strongest geometry possible for an underground container
• Absolute freeze resistance: water can remain in the basin year-round. Even if the water freezes completely solid, the HDPE structure sustains zero damage — only the pump should be removed for winter storage
• Install once, forget: fill the basin with water, start the pump — the system runs autonomously with no regular maintenance required
• ≥500 kg / ≥1,000 kg load capacity: ≥500 kg with lid alone; ≥1,000 kg with the included central support tube — supports natural boulders, artificial stone, and multi-element compositions
• Reversibility: the entire installation can be disassembled and relocated without destroying the surrounding landscape
• Longevity: 50+ years in ground — outlasts any concrete basin (which cracks, leaks, and requires maintenance after 15–20 years)
• Affordable entry point: at €390, the most accessible professional-grade fountain basin on the European market

The Fountain Basin 220L operates on a closed water cycle principle — no connection to water supply or drainage:

1. The basin is installed in a ground excavation, levelled and compacted
2. A submersible pump is placed inside the basin on the reinforced central pedestal
3. A water supply tube runs from the pump upward through the service hatch in the lid
4. The tube connects to the decorative fountain element (artificial stone, sculpture, or water feature) positioned on top of the lid
5. The pump circulates water upward through the decorative element
6. Water flows over and around the decorative element and drains back into the basin through the perforated lid (multiple ∅10 mm drainage holes)
7. The cycle repeats continuously while the pump is powered

The system requires only an electrical connection (220–240V) for the pump. A weatherproof electrical cabinet (IP65) is installed nearby.

Recommended pumps: GARTENDEK offers pond-grade submersible pumps as part of the complete fountain kit. These are professional pumps designed for continuous 24/7/365 operation.

Control options: Standard: wired remote control — on/off and flow rate adjustment. Premium: Wi-Fi control via smartphone app — on/off, flow rate adjustment, scheduling.

Water loss occurs only through natural evaporation. Top-up frequency depends on climate — typically every 2–4 weeks in summer. The 220L volume provides adequate autonomy for moderate European climates with periodic rainfall.

The basin is manufactured from HDPE — High-Density Polyethylene, a material specifically engineered for long-term underground and water-contact applications.

HDPE is the global standard material for underground water infrastructure: municipal water pipes, sewage systems, geomembranes, and underground tanks.

Wall thickness advantage: At ~8 mm, the GARTENDEK basin walls are approximately twice as thick as standard preformed pond basins (Heissner ~4 mm, typical market ~3–5 mm).

Production: CNC-cut HDPE sheets → welded into three-dimensional structure → reinforcing ribs formed → quality control.

Maintenance is minimal: occasional water top-up, pump maintenance per manufacturer instructions.

Warranty: The GARTENDEK warranty on the fountain basin is 10 years from the date of delivery.

The warranty does not cover:

• mechanical damage;
• use other than intended;
• modifications not agreed with GARTENDEK.

The warranty applies in addition to the consumer's statutory rights under applicable EU legislation.

• Compact garden fountain with artificial stone — the basin houses the pump, the lid supports a GARTENDEK artificial stone fountain, water circulates in a closed loop. The most common application.
• Patio or terrace water feature — compact footprint fits into smaller outdoor spaces
• Architectural accent — integration into landscape design with custom decorative elements
• Alpine rock garden (alpinarium) — basin integrated into a rock composition with flowing water
• Indoor water feature — self-supporting construction works without ground support, suitable for lobbies, conservatories, and winter gardens
• Temporary / event installations — lighter weight enables easier setup and teardown

The Fountain Basin 220L is the compact model — lighter, more affordable, ideal for smaller installations.

Choose the 220L if you:

• have a small garden, compact installation, or limited budget
• live in a moderate climate with periodic rainfall
• need a lightweight, easy-to-handle solution

Choose the 600L if you:

• have a large garden, heavy stone/sculpture, or hot, dry climate
• want maximum autonomy and operational reliability
• need the largest available volume

The basin is 100% recyclable — HDPE is a recyclable plastic (♻ 2).

50+ year service life — reduces replacement waste to near zero.

No concrete — eliminates cement production emissions (cement accounts for ~8% of global CO₂).

Closed water cycle — no water waste (only evaporation loss).

EU manufacturing — short supply chain, reduced transport emissions vs imports from Asia or North America.

Reversible installation — site can be fully restored to original condition.

How much water does the basin hold?

The basin holds 220 litres of water in a closed circuit.

Is the basin frost-proof?

Yes. The HDPE material is freeze-tolerant to −15 °C. Water can remain in the basin year-round. Even if the water freezes completely solid, the HDPE structure sustains zero damage. Only the pump should be removed for winter storage.

How heavy is the basin?

The empty basin weighs 20.5 kg (basin 10.8 kg + lid with hatch 9.7 kg).

Do I need a building permit?

No. The basin is not a capital construction object and requires no building permits or project documentation.

Do I need concrete for installation?

No. The basin is installed on levelled compacted ground — no concrete, no foundation, no waterproofing.

How long does the basin last?

The service life is 50+ years in ground. The warranty is 10 years.

Can someone step on the basin?

Yes. The static load capacity is ≥500 kg (lid only) and ≥1,000 kg with the central support tube.

Is the pump included?

The pump is not included — it is available as part of the complete fountain kit or separately.

Where is the basin manufactured?

Manufactured in the EU (Italy / Slovenia) under the GARTENDEK brand by VSDN d.o.o.

How is the basin delivered?

The basin is delivered assembled on a pallet. Pallet freight only.