When we think about fountains, what comes to mind are the large, splendid looking ones in front of mansions, hotels, or public parks. However, fountains can come in all shapes and sizes. You do not need to reside in a mansion or hotel to put up your very own fountain. You can set up a pond fountain right in your front garden or backyard.
If you already have a pond in your garden or are thinking about setting one up, then you might as well consider adding a fountain, too. There are many styles that you can choose from. And where you want to install it and which fountain design you choose is entirely up to you. With pond fountains, you can transform your garden into a beautiful haven for you, your family, and your friends.
Why you should install Pond Fountains
There are two basic reasons why you should consider putting up your very own pond fountain: aesthetics and fish pond benefits.
First of all, everybody will agree that a fountain is beautiful and relaxing to look at. The combined feature of running water and great aesthetics is just what you need at the end of a long day. Fountains also add a touch of elegance to your surroundings. Furthermore, your parties will definitely be more interesting, as your guests would want to take pictures and play around the fountain.
Secondly, installing a fountain will make your pond fish happier and healthier. Fish require adequate water aeration and circulation, both of which is enhanced by adding a pond fountain. Aside from keeping the water moving constantly, the fountain helps to increase the oxygen level in the pond. The continuous flow of the water plus the presence of oxygen are both essential to keeping the fish healthy. In addition, your water plants will be healthier, too.
Tips for Installing Pond Fountains
Before you install a pond fountain in your garden or backyard, you need to consider the following things first: dimensions, filter system, parts and accessories.
- Dimensions. Naturally, the size and shape of your fountain will primarily depend on the size, shape, and depth of the pond itself. A large, three-layer fountain may seem grand, but it could also be too large for your pond. Remember that the bigger the fountain, the more space you need to have for the water to splash into, particularly during a windy day. Larger pond fountains also need a greater amount of cleaning and maintenance.
- Filter system. This is something that you need to consider when installing a fountain to a water garden or a fish pond. If you do not have a filter system, the dirt in your pond will accumulate and clog more often. And so, rather than having to deal with the problem of a clogged pond fountain, you should install a filter system instead for easier maintenance.
- Parts and accessories. Prior to installing the fountain, you should be familiar with the different parts and accessories needed to keep it running. Typically, a pond fountain includes a spray jet as well as submersible drains. Depending on your preference, you may also want to add inlets, underwater lights, and other accessories.
More about Shape, Depth, and Size
As mentioned earlier, the dimensions of your fountain depend largely on the measurements of the pond itself. If your pond has an island, a cove, or an irregular shape, then you need to be careful with the location of your fountain. The more complicated the shape is, the greater the risk of the fountain’s aeration system not reaching the entire pond. In this case, you might need not only one, but two or more fountains to keep everything aerated. Otherwise, algae and weed will tend to accumulate in the pond areas that are not getting adequate amounts of oxygen.
A rather sophisticated pond fountain. For a water feature like this you need a powerful fountain pump.
When it comes to depth, the 6-feet rule comes in handy. You see, for ponds that go deeper than six feet, there is simply not enough oxygen to go around. This is because for the aeration system to work optimally, the whole body of water needs to circulate. Only the top part of the pond circulates, while the water below the 6-foot line remains untouched. Hence, if your pond goes deeper than six feet, then you need to install a system that is able to do subsurface aeration.
As for the size, two things that you need to look into is the horsepower of your fountain pump and the spray pattern of your fountain. The horsepower depends on the purpose of your fountain. If you installed it solely for decorative purposes, then you will only need a 1 HP motor for every acre. On the other hand, if you designed it for the purpose of aeration, then you will need a 1.5 HP motor for every acre. Meanwhile, one of the most effective spray pattern shapes is the v-shaped pattern, which is simple yet effective. Remember that the more complicated your spray pattern is, the less capable it will be of aerating your pond successfully.
Other Things to Consider
The other things that you should consider when installing a pond fountain is the length of operation as well as the season. Obviously, if you want to keep a fountain running for 24 hours a day, seven days a week – it will cost more. What’s more, fountains could get damaged during the winter, so you need to consider an alternative aeration system during this period. In any case, keeping a pond aerated is very important; otherwise, it will affect the ecosystem drastically and cost you more in maintenance and repair.
The Bottom Line
Whether you already have a garden pond or are just thinking about having one, putting up a pond fountain is a wonderful idea. Aside from enhancing the appearance of your garden, pond fountains also play a vital role in keeping your pond fish as well as your water plants alive and healthy. Always remember that you do not have to be super rich to set up a fountain. With the proper design, planning, and installation, you can set up a pond fountain right where you are!
