Before a pond fountain can be secured, it is critical to find the best location for it. Picking the best spot for the fountain involves some key considerations, including:. Some ponds are quite deep, especially if they are not man-made.
However, the best spot for a fountain, especially an aeration fountain , is in water that is no deeper than six feet. Aeration fountains should be used on relatively circular ponds, as the unit is not likely to aerate all parts of an irregularly shaped pond. Decorative fountains will not have the same limitation, so where it is located is up to the pond owner.
Larger ponds require larger fountains. If the spray pattern is tall and wide, then that will affect where the fountain is located. Once a fountain location is chosen, it is time to decide which securing method is best for the pond. Depending on the size, shape, and depth of the pond, there are a few different methods to consider, including:.
A mooring is a structure to which an object can be secured. Typically, this term is used for securing boats, but it also applies to securing pond fountains. This method is used most frequently in small ponds but can be used in large ponds under the right conditions. The mooring method involves installing either duckbill anchors, wooden stakes, or rebar at the bottom of the pond to which polypropylene rope or stainless steel cable mooring lines are attached.
The fountain is secured to each line, which prevents it from moving out of place. Because mooring lines are underneath the water, they are barely visible. It plays a key role in keeping the pond healthy and protecting its livestock. There are two reasons for purchasing a pond fountain either strictly for decorative purposes or for use as an aeration device. If you are using the fountain to aerate and are concerned with water quality, then shutting off the fountain for long periods can lead to stagnation, which is harmful to pond life.
When deciding how long to run your fountain, consider the following points. A pond fountain pump uses a motor to power rotating blades that draw in water through a filter and then push the water out through a pipe into the fountain. A submersible pump is suspended under the water with a float to keep the nozzle near the surface.
Because the pump does not sink to the bottom of the pond, it is easy to access while remaining out of sight. When choosing a pump, look for a size that can process the volume of water in your pond in approximately two hours.
Running your fountain pump non-stop is the best way to keep your pond in good health. The constant circulation of water keeps the water clean and fresh and protects the flora and fauna that live in and around the water. The following are some of the top reasons to keep the pump running continuously.
Ponds that are deep or irregular, requiring aeration for a large area or multiple areas, will benefit from a floating fountain in the center of the pond, along with one or more aeration systems. Here are a few ways that a pond fountain can improve the quality of water and aquatic life in a pond.
Residential and Commercial Applications: These units are commonly used for both commercial and residential bodies of water. You can find commercial pond fountains in a lake of a resort, at a golf course, on the grounds of a country club, or in the courtyard of a hotel. Commercial fountains will not only help manage stormwater, but they will also add value to any property.
Residential pond fountains , in like fashion, will enhance the beauty and add value to any residential landscape. These floating fountains can be found in a neighborhood development or on a private property, where homeowners can hangout and enjoy the tranquil sight and calming sound of the splashing water. Stormwater ponds accumulate run-off from parking lots and high ground. Run-off that typically contains dirt, debris, or even trash.
In a stagnant pond, these materials settle at the bottom releasing gases and metals that cause contamination. Pond fountains help to improve water quality by de-stratifying the water column as it draws the water into the pump. Furthermore, the droplets that splash onto the surface contains oxygen, and oxygen-rich water supports the beneficial bacteria that breaks down pond sludge. Decreases insect populations: Stagnant ponds are a breeding ground for mosquitos and other pesky insects.
Due to the growing insect-related health concerns such as the Zika virus, many pond owners are adding pond fountains as a means of decreasing or eliminating insect populations. Fountains provide constant movement in the water, making it unfriendly breeding grounds for insects. Improved quality of pond life: Fish pond owners often add fountains not only to beautify their pond, but to assist with the health of the environment for their fish.
Decreased levels of dissolved oxygen in pond water is one of the biggest dangers for fish. Decorative fountains can improve their habitat significantly from the oxygen it provides, thus making it easier for fish to thrive in their habitat. Can Lake Fountains Aerate? Lake fountains are very beautiful, pleasant addition for your pond or lake. The beautiful splash of the water can sound so peaceful.
The sound of the water splashing down, especially on a warm summer day. You may be considering installing one as a way to aerate your pond as well. Adequate aeration for your pond is very important because without it, your pond water will become stagnant very fast.
If you have fish they will suffer without adequate oxygen and possibly die. So the question is, does it aerate the water and so, does it provide enough aeration for the whole pond? Here are the facts:. Pond Depth Matter A decorative fountain does not pull or mix water from very deep.
That means a decorative fountain will not mix the water enough to aerate the pond adequately. However if your pond is less than 6 feet deep, you can install this unit and expect good aeration for a pond. The widest spray pattern is the best for aeration.
Different Pond Spray Patterns All of our fountains are available with several spray patterns. Installation of an electric line from a central power source must be done safely within local electrical codes and restrictions.
Some city and county codes require a not only a permit, but that work is done only by a certified electrician with a follow-up inspection. The pump is the behind-the-scenes workhorse in an outdoor fountain that is important to creating the overall effect with the water. How else would the bubbling sounds of moving water or the brilliant splash of a steady stream punctuating a fountain make its presence known?
If you're purchasing your outdoor fountain, you'll likely have a pump assembly which comes with your fountain. Even so, there are just a few considerations you should be aware of. Most pumps require electricity to run it, so it can push water up through the fountain and then allow gravity to bring it back down to the fountain base.
The exception to this is a solar-powered pump. However, solar-powered pumps do need daylight, so if you want to continue running your fountain into the night and through cloudy days, you'll need batteries for that. The manufacturer of the outdoor fountain typically provides a pump to go with the fountain. If for some reason you need a replacement, keep in mind that the pump needs to be waterproof and durable.
The pump also needs to have the appropriate water flow rate for the fountain it will be used for. A nice feature to have on a pump is a water flow regulator. It allows you to specify the water flow's strength. Fountains require a power source to keep water flowing. This power comes from one of two sources: electrical power or solar power compliments of Mother Nature. The closer you locate a water fountain is to the electrical outlet, the easier and less expensive installation will be.
Electrical power for a safe water feature also requires a ground fault circuit interrupter GFI outlet. GFI outlets have a sensor that automatically shuts off the electrical power if they come in contact with moisture. Voltage for water fountains and water fountains accessories also differs. Most fountains require volts to operate the pump, filters and lights.
Extensive project with a large pond or lake fountain feature may require a volt supply. Both volt and volt cables must be buried in protective piping and usually require a permit and installation by a certified electrician.
Note: Some fountain accessories, like outdoor lighting, only require low-voltage via a cable connected to a plug-in transformer that reduces household electricity to 12 volts. Solar powered fountains and solar powered fountain lights operate off sun's energy. No electrical wiring required, installation is easy and power is free.
To produce electricity through solar energy, fountains and fountain lights need a solar cell or solar panel. The cell or panel simply sits and collects photons within sun rays and transforms them into conduction electrons that carry an electric charge through a circuit to the fountain pump or light.
Sounds simple. However, location is the key to efficient operation. Solar cells need direct sunlight and lots of it. Shady locations cannot support solar power.
Climates with more clouds and rain than sunshine, especially during shorter winter days typically have a deficit of solar power. Avoid disappointment; before installing a solar powered yard fountain, ensure that an adequate supply of sun power is available.
Fountain pumps keeps water flowing through water fountains and it's hard work. Installing a commercial water fountain or a home garden fountain requires the right type and the right size fountain pump. There are two types of fountain pumps: submersible and external. External pumps are located outside of garden pool or pond, like the pump that operates a swimming pool. Submersible pumps are placed directly into the water. Some fountains contain a built-in pump; others have a separate pump that sits in the fountain basin.
When purchasing a fountain pump, it pays to go for quality above price. Saving a few dollars with an inexpensive pump, may cost more in the long run when the pump fails to work efficiently. Finding out how much power a pump needs can be complicated. You must first know the volume of the water in the pond or garden pool.
Typically, a pump should move about half of the total volume per hour. Pump filters are also a necessity. Some pumps feature pre-filters and others require a separate filter. For large garden ponds, the filter size must be sized for the fountain volume and pump power. If a separate pump and filter is required for a garden water feature or custom fountain, follow manufacturer's how to install a fountain pump instructions. Fortunately, most preformed indoor and outdoor fountains come with the correctly sized pump and filter, taking guesswork out of pump and filter requirements.
If you want to create your own tabletop fountain, regardless of the fountain type, there are some basic features that all of these mini-water features need.
This guide will get you started on ideas. You need a container to house the fountain. This could be a ceramic bowl, a pan enveloped by Styrofoam, or a terracotta pot.
Whatever it is, it needs to be watertight. You need a small submersible pump to circulate the water. You need a spout to deliver the water. This could be carefully hidden tubing.
Or the spout itself could be part of the fountain's design. You need a device to conceal the pump. This can be as simple as a plastic container placed upside down with openings to allow for the tubing access and water return.
You need decorative items for your tabletop fountain.
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