Posts

How Lake Fountains Keep Your Lake Healthy

/1 Comment/in , , , , , /by

Lakes are ecosystems in themselves. While a statuary fountain is always at odds with the elements and unwanted lifeforms, a lake naturally has vegetation and even fish that need to be cared for. A lake fountain aerates the lake and that is a great task that will add to the live and beauty of the lake ecosystem.

Aerating a lake keeps oxygen within the water. Ever wondered how fish can stay alive in a frozen lake? They are taking the oxygen within the water to support themselves. Likewise, much vegetation also benefit from this present oxygen.

Aeration also keeps the lake from becoming stagnant. We know what a stagnant body of water looks like. It isn’t pretty and it can smell. Stagnation and low aeration can cause an excess of unwanted vegetation to form and destroy the balance of the ecosystem. Fish will die from an environment like that.

What do you need to know to when buying a lake fountain for a better ecosystem? Start off with deciding if you will need a floating or diffused water system. A floating system is appropriate for shallower lakes because the pump takes from the top two feet of the lake. The surface water is what is being shot in the air and what creates the visual aspect of your lake fountain.

A diffused lake fountain works a bit differently. The diffused fountain is appropriate for plus 10 feet deep lakes. These fountains create aeration deep in the lake, forming bubbles that circulate from down deep to the top of the lake.

Water Feature Pros sells plenty of lake fountains that will suit your needs. Peruse our online catalog and you will be able to gauge which fountain is best for you. All of our lake fountains have specs and categories that we encourage you to consider when choosing a fountain.

The Benefits of a Beautiful Lake Fountain

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , , /by

When the winter weather finally breaks, it’s always great to go out and enjoy the warm breezes and blue skies. And, there’s nothing like relaxing next to a calming body of water on a summer afternoon. Some of us are lucky enough to have a lake or pond in our own yards. If you are one of the lucky ones, you should consider the benefits that come along with installing a lake fountain in your private body of water. The right lake fountain will transform and enhance your scene, aerate your water, and mitigate unwanted surrounding noise.

Stunning Visuals

The most obvious benefit of installing a lake fountain is probably the aesthetic value. When people think of lake fountains, the image of towers of water and beautiful moving shapes begin to inundate the imagination. There are a wide variety of spray patterns and strengths available to create the perfect visual for any setting. There are even LED lighting kits available to bring the most of your nighttime scene. If you thought your fountain was impressive during the day, just wait until the streams of water reflect the light and create bright and colorful shapes in the night.

Water Aeration

One of the most useful benefits of having a fountain installed in your pond or lake is the occurrence of aeration. Aeration is the process of increasing the amount of dissolved oxygen in a body of water. Keeping your lake or pond aerated is extremely beneficial to the health of your water. This is especially true if you have fish in your water; they need to oxygen to survive. Aeration also prevents the development of organic matter that can build up in your water. Remember that your body of water is an ecosystem, and it requires a healthy balance to thrive.

Noise Mitigation

Another wonderful quality associated with lake fountains is the soothing sound created by the steady flow of water. There is a profound serenity that overcomes a person when they allow such sounds to soothe and relax them. The water splashes continuously on the lake’s surface, mitigating surrounding noises that may be distracting. This is especially beneficial if your lake or pond is near a street or other noisy area. Once you hear the sounds of your new lake fountain, you will see that your outdoor scene is finally complete.

Make the most of the lake or pond on your property. Allow a beautiful lake fountain to transform your scene. With the wide ranges of styles and designs, you are sure to find the right fountain to complement your space. You (and your fish) will be pleased with the increased health of your water, and the soothing sounds will enhance the entire atmosphere. As beneficial as lake fountains are, they’re almost necessary!

The Importance of Water Aeration

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , /by

A beautiful pond or lake is always a beautiful feature to have present in your landscape. A fact of those bodies of water that people often forget is that they are living, breathing ecosystems of their own. If you have a pond or lake on your property, it is your responsibility to maintain the health of that ecosystem. The main thing you must do for your water is to maintain a healthy level of oxygen through a process called aeration. This process introduces necessary oxygen from the atmosphere into the water.

The Benefits of Aeration

In nature, the motion from the wind creates waves and introduces oxygen to the water at the surface, while the photosynthesis of the plants and algae underwater release oxygen from below. But, with the unpredictability of nature, it is easy for water to become stagnant or to be deprived of a healthy amount of sunlight. This leads to unwanted algae, dirty water, and unpleasant odors. Aerating your water is also necessary for keeping it fresh and healthy for your fish and other organisms.

Methods of Aeration

Aerating Fountains

One of the most popular choices for water aeration are floating decorative lake fountains. These devices allow you to keep your water fresh and to improve the look and feel of your landscape. They accomplish the process of aeration by pulling water from the surface of the water and shooting it up into the air in various patterns. The oxygen mixes with the water as it lands, agitating the surface.

Pond Aerators

For people who would like to put on less of a show, there are options that are not as commanding. One of these options is the floating pond aerator. This device uses the same method as decorative fountains for introducing oxygen into the water without shooting the water up to such great heights.

Diffusers

Decorative fountains and aerators are useful for many applications, but they aren’t quite capable enough once the water reaches certain depths. If a body of water is greater than 8 feet deep, diffused aeration is sure to be more beneficial. This method occurs by releasing compressed air into the bottom of the water and creating motion that affects more than just the top few feet of water.

No matter your method for aeration, it is a necessary process for maintaining the health of your pond or lake. If you have fish or other organisms in your water, this process can not be overlooked. Create a new scene with a floating decorative fountain, or maintain a peaceful scene with a pond aerator of diffuser.

What’s That Smell? What to do About It

/1 Comment/in , , , , , /by

One of the worst ways to ruin a beautiful setting and a relaxing moment is with a foul odor. The smell of stagnant water is an odor that is overwhelming and terribly unpleasant. If you have a fountain, pond, or other water feature installed at your home, it is important to keep the water clean and fresh, so you can avoid unwanted odors. The main culprits when it comes to these smells are algae, decaying organic matter, and anaerobic bacteria. With proper use of your pump, regular cleaning, and proper use of fountain chemicals, you can avoid that smelly annoyance.

Pumps are Necessary

One of the best ways you can avoid the smell of stagnant water is to use your pump properly and regularly. Using a pump aerates your water. This process dissolves oxygen into the water, and that keeps the growth of anaerobic bacteria at bay. It will also pump any cleaners or fountains chemicals you may be using throughout the entire fountain. Keeping your water moving and aerated is probably the most important factor to consider when it comes to keeping your water fresh. The only time you will want to turn the pump off is for a monthly deep cleaning. If it off for two or more days, you will want to replace the water in your fountain.

Remove Organic Debris

While paying attention to the pump is important, it isn’t the only thing that needs to be cleaned. In order to have fresh, clean water, it’s important to be aware of keeping the water itself free of debris. You will want to make sure there is no buildup of leaves, sticks, or other organic materials. When those materials begin to decompose, they release toxic gases that give off foul odors. Not only is a buildup of leaves and sticks unattractive, it poses several water quality and health threats.

Fountain Chemicals

Not only is debris buildup an issue, but so is the buildup of algae and white scale. There are several fountain chemicals available to keep these nuisances at bay. Adding a little to your water can provide stunning results. Vinegar and bleach can also be helpful, but only on certain materials and rocks. Regular cleaning with chemicals that combat the growth of unwanted materials is a sure way to keep your water clean and free of bacteria and algae.

The best way to keep you fountain from giving off a foul odor is simply to keep it clean. Regular maintenance is the key. The use of the pump is extremely important to water circulation and aeration. Physical cleaning is also a crucial part of the process. You want you fountain to be free of organic debris, and regularly using fountain chemicals keeps algae and white scale at bay. If you stay on top of things, you won’t have to worry about a bad smell creeping up to ruin your time.

What Can Lighting Do for Your Water Feature?

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Your fountain will completely transform with the addition of lighting. A fountain without lighting only has a life after dawn and before dusk. While that might seem like enough time to truly enjoy your water feature, it sets a curfew on how late the fountain will be able to entertain guests. As soon as the party starts to get lively the fountain will fall flat, but with lighting you will be able to host a light show in your own back yard.

Here are some things to consider when choosing lighting:

Halogen or LED?

We recommend that you always go with LED lighting. Halogen lighting propagates some serious heat, which can cause unwanted evaporation and other malfunctions.

Submersible or otherwise?

The choice is yours. Many LED light kits can be submerged so that the basin of your fountain will be illuminated. What if you want to highlight the waterfall of the fountain? Then you can also consider clip on lighting for smaller pieces or easel style lighting for more substantial pieces.

Adding colors

Many LED lighting kits come with a colored filter to add color to your lighting apparatus. The filter might be interchangeable, allowing you to change colors according to your mood or the guests you will be having at your place.

Watts and sizes

5 to ten watt lighting fixtures are appropriate for most fountains. For a pond or lake fountain you could go up to 15 watt lighting to see the beauty of it all from far away.

Other types of lights

For lake fountains you can also get Lilly pad lighting kits that will looks lovely in a vast open pond.

Add lighting to the entire space

For entertainment purposes we recommend that you add lighting to more than just the single water feature. You will be able to extend the party into the late hours without feeling awkward. The lighting should set the mood you want. For a festive fill add lighting in key places where you might be serving drinks or having a discussion. If you want a calm and minimal outdoor space for relaxing, then add a few key lighting elements to just the pathways and trees of your back yard.