How to Choose a Fountain?

Fountains are one of the best ways to improve your pond's look, and the sound of the water is also calming to onlookers. Fountains improve aesthetics and also add oxygen to the water. As the water comes out of the fountain, it then makes contact with air and then returns into the pond as oxygenated water. But the question would be, will the fountain provide the correct amount of aeration to the pond's need? The answer is your pond's depth, and shape will determine if the fountain is the proper aeration method for your pond needs.

Shape:

The shape of your pond will determine the efficiency of its circulation. A pond with isolated areas, irregular shorelines, bends, and curves will be less exposed to the fountain's oxygenated water. In cases like this, the pond might require multiple fountains or the addition of a sub-surface aeration system. So if the correct aeration system is designed correctly for your pond and it will receive the proper amount of oxygen. The system will keep weed and algae growth under control.

Depth:

The perfect aeration scenario would be when the entire body of water circulates at the same time. The fountain circulates water by pushing water through its submerged water pump and pushing it out the top, creating a spray pattern. If your pond is deeper than 6 feet, the fountain on its own will not work properly. The addition of a subsurface aeration system will reach the parts of the pond that the fountain can't reach.

Fountain Size:

If your pond has a uniform shape and is less then 6 feet deep than a fountain would be correct aeration solution for you. Next step would be to decide on Horsepower and the spray pattern.

• Horsepower - The best rule to follow for best aeration results is to go with 1.5 HP motor per acre. If your priority is using the fountain for decoration, go with 1HP per acre.
  

• Spray Pattern - The most used and most-effective shape for better pond aeration results is the V-shaped pattern. Almost every fountain on the market will have more decorative spray pattern options. These will be less efficient in moving water because most of the energy will be spent creating the pattern instead of moving water.