Fountains are wonderful water features. Adding them to a pond creates aeration for the water as well as gives it an extravagant look!!
You can operate the fountain in the late evening or at night for a few hours to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property. There are, however, various factors you should keep in mind when you buy pond fountain.
Factors to consider
Pumps
Before choosing any type of fountain, you must select a pump that suits your pond. A pump with a lip seal works best with lined ponds as they are usually clean and without much debris. On the other hand, a commercial-grade trash pump is good for a pond with a sand bottom as its water gets dirty after rain and particulates can clog a lightweight pump. Also, determining the size of the pond pumps will help you to know the volume of the water in the pond.
Waterfalls vs. Floating
A waterfall besides your pond will add the tinkling sound of music to the natural surroundings. However, while creating this type of pond fountain, you need to keep in mind that more pumping power is required for a higher waterfall. This pond fountain requires a deeper area under the waterfall to increase the sound of the falling water. Unlike waterfalls, floating fountains are kept in the center of the pond, and the water sprays about half the width of the pond. There are various types of floating fountains and adding different models can create a diverse water display.
Decorative vs Aeration
Although decorative and aerating both provide surface aeration, the latter provides more water movement through splashing, thereby allowing more aeration. If aeration is what you want, a V-shaped fountain will probably be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you want to make your pond pretty, a crystalline spray pattern fountain will give your property a stunning appeal, making it the center of attraction. In Crown and Geyser spray, a high spray of water is surrounded by lower sprays to make it look like a crown. Other spray pattern includes Plume and Plum Tree. An aeration fountain works better in a round-shaped pond with water less than six feet deep as it might not be able to reach all the areas of a pond with an irregular shape.
Horsepower
Another important factor to be considered is the horsepower of a pond fountain. A large pond requires more horsepower and a smaller one requires comparatively less. Usually, aeration and decorative fountains require 1.5 hp per acre and 1 hp per acre respectively. However, in the case of a more decorative fountain, it may require 1.5 hp per acre too.
Benefits
Improved Water Quality
If you have a sand bottom pond, it can release dirt and gases and reduce the quality of water. A pond fountain can improve the quality of water by providing the aeration and oxygenating it. As a result, your pond remains clean and healthy.
Less Algae Growth
Algae can make your pond dirty and cloudy. A pond fountain can provide aeration and remove the excess nutrients that catalysts the growth of algae. The aeration mixes algae spores into the deeper parts of the pond where the sunlight is less.
Less Bad Odors
As fountains enable the water to move from the surface to the bottom, it oxygenates the water and does not let hydrogen sulfide gas to collect at the bottom. This removes excess gas in the pond, thereby reducing bad odors.
Healthy Ecosystem
As discussed earlier, a fountain improves the aeration process and keeps your pond clean and healthy. It increases the level of oxygen and makes healthy surroundings for fish and other aquatic creatures. As a result, the pond enjoys a healthy ecosystem that is good for the environment.
Less Mosquito Activity
As well all know, mosquitoes need stagnant water to hatch their eggs. A fountain creates water movement and keeps away mosquitoes. A pond with a fountain, thus, acts as a natural solution for mosquito control.
No Accumulation of Bottom Sediment
The decomposition rate of organic matter is slower under low-oxygen conditions, this leads to a creation of bottom sediment in ponds. Aeration from a pond fountain reduces the accumulation of organic sediment at the bottom.
Pond Fountain Maintenance
Like any other thing, pond fountains require a little maintenance. You need to monitor the pump intake to ensure that the dirt and debris are removed. You won’t have to worry about clogging as the debris near the motor instantly gets crushed. Another thing that we should keep in mind is that the motor overheats if the pump intake gets clogged. Excessive mineral buildup can ruin various parts of the pump, such as the seals and bearings. You should remove the fountain once in a while and flush it with clean water.
A happy and healthy pond is a result of consistent care. You should buy a pond fountain only after thorough research. Besides a fountain, you can add plants, rockwork, and landscaping to make it look prettier. You need to create a perfect blend of everything to give a gorgeous look to your pond. Plants like water lilies and cattails can do the trick as they are simple yet colorful and attractive.
Leave a Reply