Adding a Garden Water Fountain

Have you always wanted to add a fountain to your garden space, but thought the task daunting? There are many garden water fountains from which to choose. Most common are wall-mounted or freestanding fountains made of cement, metal, wood, pottery, plastic, rock, or resin, n a variety of material. Visit your local home improvement store or garden center, do a little online research, or peruse gardening catalogues to see what types of fountains are available. Choose a fountain that is closest to what you have in mind for your garden, while taking into consideration your budget, and your building know-how. Some important things to decide when choosing a garden water fountain are:

• Choose the location of your fountain based on power needs. Small water fountains can run on solar energy, while larger fountains usually require an electrical source nearby.
• Establish the size of the fountain you need. Do you want it to be the focal point of the garden, or part of the patio garden decor? A focal point will most certainly be a large fountain.
• Think about how much money you are willing to spend. Custom made fountains with expert installation can cost thousands of dollars, while one-piece ready-to-use fountains can cost very little.
• When choosing a fountain, make sure that you understand everything about maintaining it, from power needs to assembly, and winterizing to water use.

Once you've decided on the kind of fountain you want, you need to maintain it. While simple fountains require little attention, and more elaborate models might involve higher maintenance, all fountains need basic care:

• Treat the fountain with an algaecide made specifically for water fountains to prevent algae from clogging the pump and tubing.
• Change the water in your fountain regularly.
• Use an anti-scale formula to prevent mineral stains.
• Clean the pump regularly to prevent buildup of algae and leaves.
• While the fountain is running, make sure the pump is always covered with water.
• Keep the manufacturer's instructions that came with your fountain and refer to them if you have problems.

You can use distilled water in place of tap water to prevent algae, but doing so is feasible only for small fountains. When you clean the pump, you may need to remove the cover to remove debris from around the rotors. Do not use harsh cleaning solutions on your fountain unless the manufacturer recommends that you do. If you use a water treatment, make sure that it's environmentally friendly and not hazardous to wildlife or children. If you have a difficult time remembering to add water to your fountain, set up a rule; when you water your houseplants or outdoor plants, fill your fountain.