When it comes to choosing the best fountain for your pond, you need to recognize what purpose the fountain will serve for your body of water. Do you need something purely for looks or aesthetics, a fountain that can aerate the water or something in between? If you don’t know the answer, keep reading to find out!
The top things you need to consider when picking a fountain include:
- Fuel Source
- Spray Pattern
- Motor
- Aesthetics
These are all important factors to consider when picking the perfect fountain for your pond. Read on to learn more about different types of fountains for ponds.
Electric Fountain
A free-floating electric fountain can be a great addition to any pond. Electric fountains utilize power ranging from 120 volts up to 460 volts. Small fountains (smaller motors) require less power and are able to operate using a 120-volt electric supply. The larger fountains (larger motor) draw higher amps and operate more efficiently with 230-volt or 460-volt electric supply.
A handful of manufacturers also offer solar-powered fountains, which are easy to maintain and great for sustainability.
Interested in a solar-powered fountain? Contact AEC to learn about your options!
Typically, these fountains are controlled from the shoreline with a shoreline-mounted power control panel. It is best if the control panel is located at or near the pond’s edge. It’s also important to have a power supply source near the pond prior to purchasing a fountain. The fountain panel contains all the safety and operating controls for the fountain, so it won’t work without a power supply.
From the fountain control panel, electricity is supplied to the fountain using a rubber-insulated waterproof cable. This cable is specially designed to operate underwater. The supply cable connects to the fountain motor with a waterproof connection in the pond.
Spray Patterns
When choosing a fountain for your pond, it is important to choose a fountain that has an appropriate spray pattern. An aerating spray pattern will move the highest volume of water. They are usually in the shape of an inverted cone and do not have a nozzle to restrict water flow.
A decorative spray pattern is more ornate or decorative and therefore has a nozzle with small holes and openings to create the pattern. The water is more restricted, so you may have taller or wider spray patterns but not as much water is pumped through the unit. Because of the small openings, decorative spray patterns can clog easily, and it is not a good idea to install them in a pond that is subject to a lot of debris.
It is important to match the size of the pond to the appropriate size fountain. Fountains come with different size motors measured in horsepower. As horsepower increases, the spray pattern size also increases. A pond that is 0.25 acre or less should consider a fountain that is 2 HP or less.
A pond that is between 0.5 acres and 1.0 acre should consider a 3-5 HP fountain. Ponds larger than 1.0 acre should consider at least 5 HP fountains or having more than one fountain. Fountains larger than 5 HP are available for customers looking for extraordinary displays.
Oil Cooled Motors
Fountains that utilize oil-cooled motor technology tend to provide the best longevity. The motor is immersed in an oil bath to provide cool, smooth-running performance.
Many fountains on the market utilize ‘well pump’ style motors. The well pump style motor utilizes water to cool the motor as it runs. These motors are great for pumping water in clean locations. In a pond, however; there tends to be a lot of debris and sediment that can clog the water intake on the motor. Without water flowing through the motor, it will quickly burn up and become useless.
Two of the leading manufacturers of oil-cooled fountains are:
AEC supplies and installs fountains from both manufacturers, and all include a 5-year warranty. These industry-leading warranties are offered because these fountains are constructed from the finest components available. In fact, many of the components are manufactured on-site at their factories.
AEC, Inc. also employs several factory-certified technicians that are trained to diagnose and repair Otterbine and AquaMaster fountains. We can supply, install and fix your fountain to keep it running for years!
Contact AEC to Discuss Your Pond Fountain
If you’re looking for the best fountain for your pond with the best deal in the industry, let the experts at AEC help you. Our knowledgeable technicians will guide you through the entire process and help make the best choice for your pond. Contact us today to learn more!
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