LivingWaterAeration

Owners of large fish ponds are all too familiar with the challenges involved in the general upkeep of their ponds. Maintaining the appeal of a large fish pond certainly takes some doing, especially when it is at the centre of a carefully designed garden.

All ponds in fact are likely to undergo a variety of environmental changes during the course of the year. Each season brings climatic changes which directly influence the appearance of your pond. If your pond is not properly aerated it can deteriorate very quickly.

Rising temperatures for example, can have the effect of causing water stagnation by warming it near the surface and preventing natural mixing with the cold bottom of the pond. This tends to trap the oxygen starved water at the bottom and before you know it, a build-up of wastes starts to grow on the pond’s floor.

This happens mainly due to the fact that water lacking in oxygen levels cannot facilitate the natural decomposition of muck and grime. Even worse is when your pond starts to emit that familiar noxious odor that tells you need to start seriously worrying about the health of your fish.

Large fish pond owners are also not too fond of having to deal with the constant infestation of algae. The mere sight of algae is enough to ruin the view of a great pond. If left to grow, algae can reach the top of a pond where it often forms a blanket covering the water’s surface. When this stage is reached essential sunlight is blocked out tremendously and this can have a negative impact on both your fish and plant life.

The usual remedy in this situation would be the arduous task of having to rake out as much algae as one can. But it is by no means a permanent solution as any fish pond owner will tell you. It certainly doesn’t take too long for you to find algae in your pond growing wildly again.

Proper Aeration is the Key to a Lovely Pond

There is long term solution that can prevent all of these things from happening. Apart from fitting your fish pond with a suitable underwater aeration system, adding a floating fountain can do wonders to improve a pond’s resistance to changing weather effects. It can also prevent the build up of algae quite significantly.

Not only that, it also makes for an elegant water feature that will not only greatly enhance the beauty of your pond but also give it that special touch of charm.

During the summer a pond fountain can be very useful in keeping your fish at a happy temperature and prevent them from becoming over-heated.

Floating pond fountains can really be helpful in rejuvenating the oxygen supply to your pond. The constant splashing as water from the fountain returns to the pond’s surface - aids directly in promoting circulation and combating stagnation altogether. This also helps to prevent stratification where warmer and cooler levels of the water do not mix.

Aside from preventing algae, in cases where algae has already started to dominate a pond, people who have run pond fountains have experienced that they were able to reduce algae infestation rather dramatically.

The Key Differences between a Fountain and an Aerator

The function of what we call a Surface Aerator is to move large volumes of water not more than three or four feet into the air so as to improve overall circulation and promote oxygen in the water. These are not fountains and do not produce the same aesthetic effect.

A subsurface aerator obviously implies to an aerator that is submerged in the pond. Instead of pumping water into the air, these work by simply pumping compressed air into the water mostly from the bottom of the pond. They are fantastic solutions for developing healthy oxygen levels in a large pond.

Surface fountains are primarily attractive water features that double as surface aerators. They also work to increase the water’s quality by facilitating oxygen transfer from the air above the pond. The main difference is that a fountain typically can propel water to heights between four and fifteen feet. This is its main feature and is also how we recognize the visually impacting effect it can bring to a pond’s design.

Thinking of Buying a Floating Fountain?

No doubt the sights and sounds of flowing water have a very tranquil effect and a fountain would definitely bring out the character of any large fish pond. Fountains also have the added benefits of improved maintenance, heightened oxygen levels and also work hard constantly to ensure your pond is always clean without investing in chemicals.

If you are thinking of buying a floating fountain then there are some considerations to be aware of.

You would need to know if you will be able to provide the power required for the unit. Also important is the distance between your available power source and the fountain itself.

Other points to take into consideration would be the type of fountain you wish to install, the kind of height you expect from the fountain and also how deep into the water you wish to go for the fountain’s intake.

Also when buying any fountain you should consider the costs as well as the installation time that you might have to put in. Maintenance of a fountain also requires your attention from time to time so you should try to find out how often this would need to be done.

And last but not least, there will be the electrical costs involved for running your pond fountain.

Pond fountains are not that much of a mission to install. In fact it is a simple process that you could very realistically complete in a few hours. It certainly wouldn’t require any advanced skills that pond owners do not already possess.

Getting Started on Your Pond Fountain Project

Most suppliers in the pond fountain industry should be able to sell you a pre-configured kit that you can choose based on the size of your pond. A good idea would be to use an independent pump to drive the fountain. Don’t forget that an air filter is necessary for any pond fountain. And finally to maintain electrical wiring make use of the special tubing that is available.

There are a variety of designs to choose from each reflecting a different mood. Some are more detailed than others, with the fancier types even featuring animal statuettes. At the end of the day you want your fountain to be the artistic extension of your pond. Many enthusiasts will buy a fountain and then plan their own rock features around it to give the design that personal touch.

A fountain in your fish pond can take on the form as the main feature or you could use it as a mere enhancement. This depends entirely on you so don’t be shy to let your creative juices flow on this one.

If you are building your pond from scratch you could also consider buying the entire kit for your pond that comes with a ready-made fountain attachment.

Fountain Installation Tips

Installing your fountain will require that you have only some basic tools in your possession. A basic shovel will suffice if you need to clear out rocks and dirt from the bottom of the pond. If your pond is lined at the base then this won’t be needed at all.

A simple basin will keep the fountain in place for you underneath the water while you make preparations to install. Remember to allow for clearance of the pump’s hoses as well as the electrical cabling inside this basin.

When you are satisfied with the location you have chosen for your fountain take an accurate measurement of the depth. Now the fun part starts. Drill holes into the basin to provide neat outlets for the hoses and electrical wiring. You can use rocks to keep the basin from floating to the top. Now you can run the hoses and cabling and attach them to the fountain and pump respectively.

Installation of Float Fountains is a Snap!

Fountains for use on lakes and larger fish ponds are referred to as floating fountains. Have you ever seen a fountain that seems conveniently positioned in the centre of a pond? This effect is created by the use of some pretty nifty equipment that comes standard with all ‘floating’ fountains. You can see where the name comes from.

Most of the pond fountains on the market today come preassembled with labor only required on the actual float device.

There are two main ways in which you can install your fountain, and these will depend on the unit you end up buying; each normally configured for only one out of these two types of installation:

Installation 1: The first type of installation makes use of two concrete blocks and a piece of nylon rope. When you are satisfied with the positioning you simply drop each of the concrete blocks about fifteen to twenty feet away from the float and this will prevent the unit from spinning in the water while your fountain is running. This method is ideally suited to much bigger ponds and lakes and installations can be done from a boat.

Installation 2: The second type of installation is even easier and suits large fish ponds just fine. No need to get nervous since no one is expecting you to launch a boat into your pond this time. Here we only have to fix a special stake called a “dog stake” to the bank of the pond.

This stake reaches out nicely to the centre of the pond or anywhere else you may prefer your fountain to be positioned. Your float device sits where you want it by being threaded to the dog stake.

You can use either a steel cable or dark colored nylon rope for the dog stakes. Remember to run them slightly beneath the actual waterline of your pond so as to camouflage them. This system also makes it a breeze if you ever need to retrieve the unit.

Sometimes the fountain’s float device can sit awkwardly in the water. A quick tip you can follow that will prevent this from happening - is to always allow enough slack on the power cord so that no tension remains on it.

Maintenance Tips

As with other features in a pond, fountains also require maintenance to keep them going strong for years to come. The filter is easily cleaned and you would need to clear it of algae and debris that is accumulated there every now and again.

Some fountains are equipped with a biological pond filter and you may have to replenish the bacteria compound according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Basket filters function to attract debris over time and cleaning them out will keep them in tip-top shape.

Fountain basins also need some attention as they can become a breeding ground for algae. The methods for cleaning out algae that you already employ in the rest of the pond will work just fine here. The easiest would be to turn the fountain off and give the basin a good scrubbing. Just make sure you rinse the components properly if you use any cleaning agents and then restart the fountain. After all you wouldn’t want your fish exposed to additional chemicals in the water.

Solar Powered Fountains

Fountains in operation tend to run constantly and can prove a little heavy on the electrical bill. A whole new range of solar powered fountains has gained prominence in the market. Not only do they save on your electrical costs, they also provide an environmentally supportive solution. They also give you the advantage of not having to run live electrical wires, albeit surrounded by tubing, into the water itself.

Light up the Night!

Many fountains you can buy today include the nifty feature of light placements. They are very customizable and you can change the focus to throw light on the rest of the pond or you can choose to amplify the fountain itself. Most pond fountains allow you to brighten the flowing water really bringing out the fountain at night.

A fountain can really do wonders for the good looks of your fish pond as well as earn you the envy of your neighbors. And remember, your fish and plants will thank you for the boosted oxygen levels.

fountain in place for you underneath the water while you make preparations to install. Remember to allow for clearance of the pump’s hoses as well as the electrical cabling inside this basin.

When you are satisfied with the location you have chosen for your fountain take an accurate measurement of the depth. Now the fun part starts. Drill holes into the basin to provide neat outlets for the hoses and electrical wiring. You can use rocks to keep the basin from floating to the top. Now you can run the hoses and cabling and attach them to the fountain and pump respectively.

Installation of Float Fountains is a Snap!

Fountains for use on lakes and larger fish ponds are referred to as floating fountains. Have you ever seen a fountain that seems conveniently positioned in the centre of a pond? This effect is created by the use of some pretty nifty equipment that comes standard with all ‘floating’ fountains. You can see where the name comes from.

Most of the pond fountains on the market today come preassembled with labor only required on the actual float device.

There are two main ways in which you can install your fountain, and these will depend on the unit you end up buying; each normally configured for only one out of these two types of installation:

Installation 1: The first type of installation makes use of two concrete blocks and a piece of nylon rope. When you are satisfied with the positioning you simply drop each of the concrete blocks about fifteen to twenty feet away from the float and this will prevent the unit from spinning in the water while your fountain is running. This method is ideally suited to much bigger ponds and lakes and installations can be done from a boat.

Installation 2: The second type of installation is even easier and suits large fish ponds just fine. No need to get nervous since no one is expecting you to launch a boat into your pond this time. Here we only have to fix a special stake called a “dog stake” to the bank of the pond.

This stake reaches out nicely to the centre of the pond or anywhere else you may prefer your fountain to be positioned. Your float device sits where you want it by being threaded to the dog stake.

You can use either a steel cable or dark colored nylon rope for the dog stakes. Remember to run them slightly beneath the actual waterline of your pond so as to camouflage them. This system also makes it a breeze if you ever need to retrieve the unit.

Sometimes the fountain’s float device can sit awkwardly in the water. A quick tip you can follow that will prevent this from happening - is to always allow enough slack on the power cord so that no tension remains on it.

Maintenance Tips

As with other features in a pond, fountains also require maintenance to keep them going strong for years to come. The filter is easily cleaned and you would need to clear it of algae and debris that is accumulated there every now and again.

Some fountains are equipped with a biological pond filter and you may have to replenish the bacteria compound according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Basket filters function to attract debris over time and cleaning them out will keep them in tip-top shape.

Fountain basins also need some attention as they can become a breeding ground for algae. The methods for cleaning out algae that you already employ in the rest of the pond will work just fine here. The easiest would be to turn the fountain off and give the basin a good scrubbing. Just make sure you rinse the components properly if you use any cleaning agents and then restart the fountain. After all you wouldn’t want your fish exposed to additional chemicals in the water.

Solar Powered Fountains

Fountains in operation tend to run constantly and can prove a little heavy on the electrical bill. A whole new range of solar powered fountains has gained prominence in the market. Not only do they save on your electrical costs, they also provide an environmentally supportive solution. They also give you the advantage of not having to run live electrical wires, albeit surrounded by tubing, into the water itself.

Light up the Night!

Many fountains you can buy today include the nifty feature of light placements. They are very customizable and you can change the focus to throw light on the rest of the pond or you can choose to amplify the fountain itself. Most pond fountains allow you to brighten the flowing water really bringing out the fountain at night.

A fountain can really do wonders for the good looks of your fish pond as well as earn you the envy of your neighbors. And remember, your fish and plants will thank you for the boosted oxygen levels.