How to Choose a Fountain
Fountains are a great way to add visual appeal to the landscape and the stirring water is relaxing and tranquil to hear. In addition to their aesthetic qualities, fountains also add a great deal of oxygen into the pond as the tiny droplets make contact with the air and fall back into the pond. But do pond water fountains provide enough aeration? Similar to choosing an aeration system, determining if a fountain is right for your pond will depend on the depth, shape, and size.
6' Rule
If your pond is more than 6 feet deep, a fountain will not provide enough aeration. Why? Proper pond aeration is achieved when the entire body of water circulates at the same time. Fountains draw water from the top of the water column only, so the water that is deeper than the 6-foot mark remains untouched and oxygen deprived.
Subsurface aeration, like the Airmax Electric Systems are recommended for deeper ponds to provide complete circulation. For these units, air is pushed through diffuser plates positioned at the bottom of the pond. As the air bubbles rise, oxygenated water from the surface moves to the bottom, creating an aerobic pond ecosystem.
Significance of Shape
Bends and curves add a dramatic look to your pond, but they also restrict circulation. In ponds with an island, cove, or irregular shorelines, the oxygenated water created by a fountain may not reach isolated sections of your pond. Similar to aeration systems, multiple pond water fountains or a combination of a fountain and aeration system may be needed for uniquely shaped ponds. Keep in mind, you cannot over aerate a pond, but you can under aerate it - leading to more weed and algae growth in the areas that are not getting enough oxygen.
Sizing Your Fountain
Other Considerations
It is recommended to remove fountains for the winter so they do not get damaged during icy conditions, so your fish would be without pond aeration for the winter. Additionally, a fountain can get pretty costly when you are operating it 24/7. An aeration system is designed to be used in the chilly winter months and is an affordable alternative as it has lower operating costs. Whichever method you choose, don't go without aeration, because that could cost you more in the long run!
6' Rule
If your pond is more than 6 feet deep, a fountain will not provide enough aeration. Why? Proper pond aeration is achieved when the entire body of water circulates at the same time. Fountains draw water from the top of the water column only, so the water that is deeper than the 6-foot mark remains untouched and oxygen deprived.
Subsurface aeration, like the Airmax Electric Systems are recommended for deeper ponds to provide complete circulation. For these units, air is pushed through diffuser plates positioned at the bottom of the pond. As the air bubbles rise, oxygenated water from the surface moves to the bottom, creating an aerobic pond ecosystem.
Significance of Shape
Bends and curves add a dramatic look to your pond, but they also restrict circulation. In ponds with an island, cove, or irregular shorelines, the oxygenated water created by a fountain may not reach isolated sections of your pond. Similar to aeration systems, multiple pond water fountains or a combination of a fountain and aeration system may be needed for uniquely shaped ponds. Keep in mind, you cannot over aerate a pond, but you can under aerate it - leading to more weed and algae growth in the areas that are not getting enough oxygen.
Sizing Your Fountain
For ponds less than 6' deep and uniformly shaped, a fountain will be a good option for aerating the pond. Now we need to consider the spray pattern and horsepower.
- Spray Pattern - The most effective shape for pond aeration is the classic V-shaped pattern, like the one included in the Airmax Fountain system. It does the job simply and effectively. The more decorative the spray pattern, the less likely it is to adequately aerate your pond because more energy is being spent on creating the patterns than on moving the water.
- Horsepower - When using a fountain for pond aeration purposes, a good rule of thumb to go with a 1.5 HP motor per acre. If you are using the fountain for decoration only, you can go with a 1 HP motor per acre instead.
Other Considerations
It is recommended to remove fountains for the winter so they do not get damaged during icy conditions, so your fish would be without pond aeration for the winter. Additionally, a fountain can get pretty costly when you are operating it 24/7. An aeration system is designed to be used in the chilly winter months and is an affordable alternative as it has lower operating costs. Whichever method you choose, don't go without aeration, because that could cost you more in the long run!
Airmax SolarSeries Fountain Series
The Airmax SolarSeries fountain is ideal for customers looking for an alternative-energy option or those with a remote pond without access to electric power. The SolarSeries solar water fountain best suits ponds up to 1/2 acre, providing aeration to ponds up to 6-8 feet deep. The fountain reaches its full height in full sunlight, producing crisp, high-flow displays. As the intensity of sunlight changes, even with passing cloud cover, your fountain display will also change, and the pattern size will fluctuate, adding interest and variety to the visual display. Once installed, the SolarSeries fountain operates solely on 100% renewable energy, eliminating any operating costs.
American Made Solar Panels: The SolarSeries solar fountain pump features four American-made, high-output solar panels that provide direct drive power to an energy-saver direct-drive submersible Airmax fountain motor. This motor produces daytime displays for up to 12 hours per day, even in low-light and cloudy conditions.
Preassembled, Durable Mounting System: The EasyMount Assembly system comes preassembled for simple installation. Made from powder-coated, military-grade aluminum, the EasyMount system is corrosion-resistant, strong, and lightweight.
Maintenance Free, Energy Efficient Design: The oil-free motor is equipped with a cooling shroud to ensure maximum motor life and durability, reducing yearly maintenance costs. An oversized intake screen adds an additional layer of protection to prevent clogging for uninterrupted viewing enjoyment while providing your pond the benefit of aeration.
Spray Patterns: The SolarSeries solar pond fountain comes standard with 3 spray patterns; Classic, Trumpet, and Crown & Trumpet. More spray pattern nozzles are available in Single Arch, Double Arch, Double Arch & Geyser, and Blossom.*Classic pattern is pre-installed and does not require a nozzle.
Power Cord Lengths: Our solar powered fountains come with a 100' standard power cord, stainless-steel strain relief, and underwater quick disconnect. The strain relief cable prevents the power cord from being damaged if the cord is snagged or tugged. Power cords are also available in 50' increments ranging from 100'–300' lengths.