Okay, so no roasted bird for supper.
The pipe size really depends on your application and the size of your fountain.
The fountain can be virtually anything that holds water, can have trickling, running, or spraying, just depends on your style. You have to do that part, just whatever you think will look good in the area you are putting it. And yes,even an ordinary birdbath or similar would do. First comes the water and the water action, then the pump. Here again, depends on your water flow type. The smaller the orifice(s), the higher the pressure will be. So, if you have one jet or open ended pipe flowing water down or over rocks, say a 3/4 inch plastic or copper or whatever, you only need something like a little giant pump such as in a birdbath. If you reduce that pipe to a 1/2", you increase the pressure (called head) and need a slightly stronger pump. Of course if its plastic, it cant be too close to the fire.
The Fire: everybodys natural gas pressure is the same, from 4-7 inches of mercury, so all your part is; get it to the fountain. The 3/4" steel gas line running to your house is adequate, you can reduce it to 1/2" but don't go lower unless you want a tiny flame. You might consider the cheap black plastic roll pipe that you bury.
For the last fountain I had to heat and bend a 360 degree circle in 1 1/4" type L hard copper, not easy. Roll copper would work. The spray jets were simply 1/4" copper tubing cut in 2" lengths and soldered in a straight line 6" apart in the large pipe. I wanted 2" copper $200 per 20 joint, 1 1/2" $125, so I got the $73.00 1 1/4". I also used a 1/3 HP submersible pump to achieve the height I needed for the spray. Its actually a little more than i needed, has a throttling and a relief valve.
Don't know exactly what you want, but looking at your pictures, this would be an idea;
1: A water lily black plastic pool from home depot buried not in the middle of the yard but somewhat closer to the house entrance, garage, or front door, for a focal point.Of course, if you do put it in the middle of the yard, keep in mind the wind strength, might need a backdrop.
2: Several large boulders or good size rocks placed in the pool and stacked high on one end to create a waterfall effect. The broken slate you use on the back would be nice to use here to create uniformity front & back yard.
3: A medium duty fountain pump like little giant or similar, also sold at home depot in garden center.
4: Gas line. Bury 1/2 roll plastic to your pool, hide it your rocks and let the end be exposed just under the top slab or two. If you curve it down towards the water surface, it will spread across the surface and look like the water itself is on fire. The end needs to be metal of some type. You can rearrange after you get it going. Have a gas shut off valve close and convenient to your pool. If you are total electric then you'll have to do butane.
5: Enjoy.
a couple of things of note; uses a lot of gas $$$. Makes some soot, so watch your placement. It will not explode or fire back up the pipe. Do open the supply valve a little untill you are comfortable with starting it (I fully open my valve and mosey over and light with a torch, then adjust). The gas line on the end has to be curved downward or be constructed in a way so no water can get in. A small amount of water will plug the line. You can light the gas with the water flowing. You can roast birds or weenies in the yard.
Come up with your version and I'll help you with problems or questions. bc
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