Pond Fountains

What is the difference between a pond fountain and an aerating fountain?

A pond fountain and a decorative aerator are both floating units that float on the surface of the pond or lake but are anchored out there with cement blocks so that it is stationary. A pond fountain is a decorative floating unit that uses a high volume waterfall pump with an impeller. Generally the spray heights are higher than an aerator and this type of fountain is less expensive than an aerator. Although these units will aerate your pond, it moves less water than an aerating fountain.

A decorative display aerator is also a floating unit that uses a motor with a propeller. It moves a large volume of water compared to a fountain. It can handle dirty water environments, introduces a lot of oxygen into the water and retards the grow of algae and weeds. Great for lakes or pond with fish and algae problems.

Solar or Battery Pumps

Solar or Battery fountain and pond pumps are low voltage pumps. However, often customers will order the low voltage ac pumps, assuming they will work with solar panels or battery connection. That will not work. If you are looking for a pump that will work with a solar panel or a battery, you will need a low voltage dc pump. The low voltage ac pumps must connect to an ac transformer that plugs into a regular household electrical outlet.

The little battery operated pumps are great for science projects, company parties and weddings. For outdoor fountains or small ponds, where absolutely no electricity is available, the larger solar pumps work great with solar panels.

The low voltage ac pumps work great in outdoor applications also because you can run long lengths of low voltage cord without an amp drop, similar to low voltage lighting.

Sizing a pond fountain for your pond!

When selecting the correct size pond fountain, you will need to consider a few things:

A pond fountain is much more than just a beautiful display. It aerates, breaks up water columns, retards algae growth, and helps prevent water-born pests. In order to do all of this, it must fit your pond correctly. These tips will help you choose the right size!

1. The diameter of your pond.

• 10' to 70' - Any Calais or Vienna Fountain
• 30' to 150'  -The Amazing 1/2 HP Fountain
• 1/3 acre to 1 1/2 acre - Amazing 1HP or 1 1/2HP Fountain

If your pond is elongated, you might consider 2 or 3 fountains, as one in the middle might not aerate the ends.


If you have a lot of fish in the pond or extream algae problems, you might consider an aerator.


Our fountains are designed to work in fresh and salt water. In natural or lined ponds. The condition of the pond will dictate how often the pond fountain will need to be cleaned. Ponds with a lot of debri or algae will need to be cleaned more often. It is important to keep the intake of the fountain clear so that it will maximize the life of the motor.

Pro Tips For Inline Pond Pumps

Inline Pump Installation
Locate the pond pump as close to the source as possible. It is best to have your main (longest) run of pipe on the discharge side of the pump.

Flooded Suction
Install the pump outside the pond, and below the surface level of the pond to create a flooded suction. This will help ensure a proper and consistent supply of water to the pump. The inline pond pump will not operate properly and may be damaged if the water supply is not constant. A flooded suction may be retained with a supply line that runs up and over the pond wall and back down below the water surface, as long as all air has been removed from the line.

Non-Flooded Suction
If installation of a flooded suction is not possible, the following is recommended:
Position the pond pump as low as possible and as near the source as possible. Install a priming pot on the pump inlet. Install a foot valve or a check valve in the inlet below the water level. Always prime the entire inlet line, priming pot, and pond pump before turning it on. DO NOT RUN PUMP DRY!

These suggestions mey help you avoid most common installation problems.

POND BUILDING TIPS:

Why Knowing a Pond’s Volume is Important For Selecting a Pond Pump

1) Gallons in a pond will tell you the following

a. Size of pump for you pond

b. Size of filter for you pond

c. Approximate Number of fish for your pond

2) How to calculate approximate number of gallons in an existing pond

a. Volume for rectangle ponds:

avg. WIDTH x avg. LENGTH x avg. DEPTH = Pond volume (cubic ft.)

EXAMPLE: 10ft x 12ft x 2ft = 240 (cubic ft.)

240 (cubic ft.) x 7.5 gal = 1800 Gallons

b. Volume for circular ponds:

RADIUS X RADIUS X 3.14 X DEPTH = POND VOLUME (cubic ft.)

c. Volume of a pond can be most accurately calculated by using a water meter that can be connected to a garden hose while initially filling pond.

HOW TO MEASURE FOR POND LINER

Take measurement of pond opening and use the following formula:

POND LENGTH:
Maximum Length + Twice Depth + 3' = Dimension #1

POND WIDTH:
Maximum Width + Twice Depth + 3' = Dimension #2

Example: For 8' x 10' opening that is 2' deep,
Length: 10' + 4' + 3' = 17'
Width: 8' + 4' + 3' = 15'

For this example, unroll 17' from a 15' wide roll of EPDM Pond Liner.

Pond Building Tip: Best to dig pond opening, take measurements and then secure the liner.

Choosing a sewage pump!

I am often asked how to size a sewage pump either for replacement or new applications. We have several helpful articles on our website to help our customers choose the right size pump for their sewage application. Lets go over that briefly. First always check what the code is for your county or city. They might have certain requirements that you will need to know about before purchasing a new sewage pump. The next question is what are your specifications. What size pipe will you be connecting to? What is the measurement of elevation from where the sewage pump will be placed down in the tank up to the city main sewage line? What is the horizontal run of the pipe? Once you have that information, we will be happy to help you size the correct sewage pump for your needs.

Low Voltage Fountain and Pond Pumps

Spring is fast approaching and that means we will be outside attending our gardens, ponds and fountains.
If you are putting a fountain or pond out in your yard, you might want to consider using a low voltage pump. A low voltage pond or fountain pump uses a fraction of the electricity that a 110v pump uses, and is a safer alternative as well if you have kids and animals playing near the water.

For smaller applications, like birdbath fountains, small low voltage pumps come with an integrated transformer. For larger applications, like rock fountains and tiered fountains, you will need to use the larger low voltage pumps and those do not come with a transformer. You will have to purchase one separately or integrate into your existing low voltage lighting system. One thing to keep in mind is that the pump will turn on when the lights turn on, unless you use a multiple use transformer.