Pond Fountains
Water features, such as pond fountains, can add elegance and beauty to your backyard pond. Backyard pond fountains come in a variety of spray patterns ranging from single jets to complicated tiered patterns such as the fluer-di-lis. They are also good aerators of pond water and provide oxygen to your aquatic life.
The Modern Pond Fountain
Modern pond fountains are much more advanced than their older counter parts. New materials and features allow for year around use, even during harsh freezes. This is mainly due to the pump systems being located in the slightly warmer water under the ice. In very intense freezes pond fountains may still need to be shut down, but can be reactivated again as soon as the ice begins to thaw.
Computer based controls and sensors allow pond fountains to operate with much less interaction. Top-of-the-line fountains have timers as well as photoelectric and wind sensors for programmable operation.
Aeration
As mentioned in the section on pond pumps, aeration is a key component to promoting a healthy pond ecosystem. Without a good system for aeration, fish will die and decomposing plant matter will enter a slower anaerobic decomposition that contributes to algae growth and the release of hydrogen sulfide. Pond pumps and pond fountains both provide oxygen to the water and help your aquatic life thrive.
If you decide to use a pond fountain to aerate your pond, your range of water patterns becomes more limited. Typically, a trumpet pattern of either 90 or 60 degrees is used for aeration. This is because this pattern disperses water in a wider diameter and breaks the water into smaller droplets. The smaller droplets provide a better oxygen exchange rate.
Pond fountain kit
Probably the easiest and most cost effective way to purchase a pond fountain is to purchase a fountain kit. These kits contain everything you need to get your fountain up and running.
Types of pond fountains
There are two main types of pond fountains:
- Floating pond fountains
- Easy to install. Simply attach a weight to the floating fountain and drop it in your backyard pond
- Best in large, deep ponds. If the pump is located in deeper water, the
fountain can run year around
- Stationary pond fountains
- Require more installation.
- Usually seen in smaller ponds
- Solar pond fountain
- Run off of solar electricity. These fountains eliminate the need to run
power to your fountain pump and cut down on your electric bill.
Maintenance
Like many of your other pond machinery, pond fountains must be cleaned on a regular basis. Biological filters, if they are present, should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Basket filters and basins should be cleaned
to ensure they don’t collect too much debris or become a breeding place for
algae.
When building a pond and purchasing a pond fountain, it is important to consider how much maintenance will go into keeping the fountain in proper working order. If it is a floating fountain, you will want to make sure the fountain has a top hatch for easy access to clean and perform maintenance. You do not want to have to take your pond fountain out of the water every time it needs something worked on.
Category: Fountains, Pond Equipment
