Water fountains are becoming more and more popular as home décor, but many people don’t know how to properly take care of them. Below are some helpful hints and guidlines to keep your fountain looking beautiful and running smoothly, as long as possible.
Be sure to read the instructions. Fountains can be made from several different materials and come in many different designs, so it is extremely important to read each and every fountains own instructions even if it is from the same manufacturer as a previously owned fountain. For example, you would not clean a bamboo fountain the same way you’d clean a copper fountain, or you may end up damaging the finish. Manufacturers usually include a sheet for care and maintenance along with the set-up instructions. This information is invaluable for keeping your fountain looking beautiful and new.
Change the water regularly. You will need to change the water in your fountain after approximately four to six months and earlier with smaller fountains, such as tabletop models. Even if you use water treatment reguraly, your fountain water could get slimy or begin to have an unpleasant smell. There are a variety of ways to clean your fountain water with limited hassle. View our "Caring For Your Fountain" page for more information.
Maintain the proper water level. Fountains are natural humidifiers for indoor spaces. The water will evaporate at a rate that varies depending on region as well as the size of the fountain. You will notice, if the water level in your fountains gets too low, that it sounds noisy or sluggish. Allowing the water level to go too low can cause damage to the fountain pump. Try adding water to your fountain every day, like with water your plants. Your fountain instructions may specify a certain recommended water level, but if not, a general guideline is to keep it no less than 2 inches below the lip of the basin.
Use water treatments to prevent algae & mineral stains. Distilled water will help prevent the buildup of mineral deposits, but it’s not always convenient to use, especially if your fountain holds more than 1 gallon of water. There are some really good treatments on the market today such as No More White Scale that will remove existing mineral deposits, and prevent new ones from forming. White scale deposits form on nearly any fountain that is filled with tap water and typically look like crusty white or pink layers of hard deposits that form a ring around the water line or develop in other areas that are in constant contact with the water. All fountains, including those using distilled water, can develop algae. To solve this problem, you can use an algaecide call No More Algae. It is a gentle, yet effective algaecide that has been developed exclusively for use in fountains.
Keep the pump free of debris. When you clean your fountain, change the water, or take the pump apart, be sure to remove any debris that may have been trapped inside. This will ensure that your fountain pump will be able to run smoothly and extend its lifetime.
