Thanks Jim, David and Dan... woW! i did do the google seach and
found more information than i could handle! lol! for some reason i
thought it could be molded by hand like clay rather than like cement
that has to be poured like in a form. i did some checking at all the
plant places and came up with something that really looks nice without
any lifting and pouring and molding.

i had already, several years back, created three cement basins 16
inches in diameter by 3.5 inches deep with concaved top to hold water
and two of them with lips for the water to pour over. bought one 13.5
tall by 14" diameter opening for reservoi (overall is 16 dia) and a
3.5 " x 14" dia tray to go on top of it,; cut a hole in the tray so
the basin without the lip can sit on it and water go back into it. cut
a hole near the top of the reservoi to insert the pump hose and
electric line.

got two 11 x 11 dia pots, (overall 12" dia) one upside down and other
up right on top of it then a 3.5 x 11 dia tray to put upside down on
top of that then put the basin with a lip on top of that aranged to
overflow into the reservoi basin.

got 2 more of these 11 inch pots with two of the 3.5 x 11 dia trays
,one upside down on the top of the stack, the other up right on top of
that then the basin with a lip and a hole to put the pump hose through
and arranged it to overflow into the second stack basin. these had to
have holes in them to put the hose through and also to come out and
into the reservoi. used a drill like is used to drill a door knob
hole.

the pots are sculptured, some type of really pretty plastic or
something that is quite strong but saws like wood, and a lovely soft
shade of terracotta which goes well with my deck.
the three columns are arranged in a triangle and really look nice.

i just got tired of looking at some of the monstrocities that are
created from cement and wanted something different. some of the
concretes are beautiful, but the ones i would die for were too
expensive for me to live for! lol.

i will take one of the larger matching pots and plant a holly tree or
something to place near by for the critters to take refuge in case the
hawks threatens them. there are at least two big hawks in our
area....they have to eat, too, so we don't intervene, but the little
ones should have a bit of a safety net.

it's been raining and haven't been able to get out and put the
elements all together on the deck, but have had them together in the
kitchen an pleased with them. can't wait to finish the project.
lee h