A floating fountain is a beautiful and practically helpful addition to any garden, pond, or water feature. In addition to creating stunning visual effects, they also aerate the pond, improve water quality, and provide soothing water sounds in your garden. However, careful consideration must precede the buying of a floating fountain to ensure that it is the best choice when you have the goal of beautifying your pond. This article showcases some critical considerations when acquiring a floating pond fountain.
1. Size and Depth of the Pond
The depth of the water plays a significant role when it comes to choosing the right model. A very shallow pond would make most pond fountains clog up or under-perform. If your pond is only two or three feet deep, Kasco is recommended, and their pumps operate well in shallow water. If your pond is greater than seven feet in average depth, proper aeration of the whole pond at all depths requires bottom aeration (a diffuser system). For floating pond fountains, acre feet is not a necessary measure. You only need to calculate surface acreage (length x width). Figuring out the dimensions of the pond will enable you to know whether the floating pond fountain you're purchasing will fit its depth and the overall size of the pond.
2. Water Flow and Spray Patterns
Fountains offer various types of water flow and spray patterns. While some offer a simple, gentle stream, others provide power spray ranges or many different patterns. Each one helps you set different kinds of visual effects. If creating a calming and peaceful environment is desired, a fountain with a soft spray would suffice. For a mighty and thrilling appearance, one can consider a fountain that utilizes multiple spray patterns or pumps more water.
Decorative fountains use nozzles to create water streams, and patterns can be quite simple geysers or multi-tiered displays. Aerating fountains, on the other hand, do not have nozzles and create a single kind of display, the “V” pattern, but because a nozzle is not used, they aerate more.
3. Power Source
Electric fountains can be more powerful and reliable, especially with large ponds and less sunlight. However, another disadvantage is that they must have access to an electrical outlet, which can limit where they can be placed. Solar fountains, on the other hand, are environmentally friendly and save on monthly energy bills as they run solely on sunlight. But these are pricey and require plenty of sunlight.
As long as the pump cable is properly gauged, 115-volt motors do not use more electricity than 208-240v motors. However, most 1HP motors and larger run on 208-240v; otherwise, expensive, thick cable must be used.
4. Aeration
Floating fountains are used for both aesthetics and for aeration. Water movement helps bring oxygen into the pond, essential for fish, plants, and aquatic life. Positioned correctly, adding oxygen will help fight the growth of harmful algae and maintain a healthy pond ecology. If you would like a fountain for aeration purposes, look for models with adjustable flow rates; these give you control over the amount of oxygen introduced into the water.
5. Maintenance and Cleaning
Most floating fountains require very little maintenance. If the water flow suddenly decreases, likely there is a clog, and you will need to clean and keep the motor free from debris. If the fountain is installed in an area with much organic material, such as leaves or algae, keep an eye on it. Most fountain models include filter screens around the pump to keep out debris.
If your pond ices over in winter, most companies require the unit be brought inside during winter.
6. Budget
Lastly, you need to prepare a budget for your floating pond fountain. This cost will significantly depend on the fountain's size, materials, and features. Opting for a cheaper fountain would be tempting, although it would sometimes not be worth it in the long run. Consider what the fountain brings in terms of the long-term value, aerating the water and improving its look, then weight against the cost.
Conclusion
As we have seen, choosing a floating pond fountain requires a comprehensive identification of all related factors, such as pond size, power source, fountain material, and maintenance required. Through all this, you can answer just which kind of fountain fits into your pond while adding beauty and functionality to your outdoor space.