Option 1: Tabletop Fountains
These are superb gifts for the professional in your life. They work great in someone’s office, whether it be at home or away. The gentle trickle of water can help mask the buzzing noise of electronics that we just could not live without. Tabletop water fountains are also a great addition to the home. Once they are up and running, they require very little attention or fussing. This makes them a considerate gift as well. Who wants to spend Valentine’s Day struggling with an overly complicated gift?

Option 2: Custom Logo Fountains
Now this may seem like it is coming from left field, but a customized water fountain can be a really special gift. You can put words and images in solid black or in color. One idea is to put the receipt’s favorite quote or mantra on it. How many people own their own logo fountain? You can even put their birth sign or family crest on it. There are a lot of possibilities, and it will come down to the individual to determine what the right one is. This unique gift idea is sure to surprise and delight.

Of course, there are other water fountains that make wonderful Valentine’s Day gifts. These examples are the most popular and unique, however. There are a variety of fountain trim and face colors and materials, so really shop around to find a combination your loved one will enjoy.

Take a look at the Orwellian nightmare you see above. Where are the loud speakers to voice the giant face’s many draconian edicts? Why aren’t its battalion of half-man, half-helicopter thought police standing at attention? Well, the simple answer is that this is not a vision of our bleak future. It is actually a really interesting modern water fountain called the Crown Fountain, located in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Take a look at our other pictures to see what it is like during the day.

This is a modern artistic structure that explores themes in dualism. This spectacle is composed of two fifty foot towers the face each other. The inner facing surfaces are covered with LEDs to display a video image of a random face, which span both a variety of ages and ethnicities. The intended effect is that the faces are having a “conversation,” which exemplifies the amount of diversity in Chicago. It was named after the Crown family, who donated about 59% of the project’s budget.

Another interesting aspect of this outdoor water fountain is that it is also interactive. Its scale is huge, which means people can gather in their bathing suits (or birthday suits, if they can outrun Chicago’s finest) and enjoy the torrent of water. While video displays, water streams from the face. At other times, water cascades down the face. It is collected via the drain, filtered, and then recycled into the system. This allows its impressive twelve mechanical pumps to use a responsible amount of water during operation.

Adding Water
The first step is adding the correct water to your wall fountain. Common tap water (by itself) is not fit for water fountains. It contains minerals, and minerals are really good at two things: adding a funny taste to water and building up on surfaces. Did you know that your fountain pump, however complex, can be thought of as a series of surfaces? Sarcasm aside, you do not want these minerals accumulating inside your pump. Instead, you will want to use distilled water, which is both mineral free and commonly sold at grocery stores. If you are already using tap water, Protec© is a water treatment solution that will help reduce these build-ups. If you also notice life growing inside your fountain, try Fountec© to get rid of it.

Water Level
Incorrect water levels lead to splashing or air to be sucked into the pump. Each individual indoor fountain has its own suggested level, so owners should read any literature included with their fountain. Also keep in mind that different climates cause water to evaporate at different rates. For the first week you have your fountain, observe how much water is lost. Use this as a way to see how often you should add water to your fountain.

Changing Fountain Water
Responsible fountain owners should change their water every four to six months. This water should be discarded down a toilet, as it may contain waste from tiny biological life, and it will not stink up your lawn or sink. Small fountains can usually be disassembled to remove the water. Larger fountains may require pumping or siphoning. You can typically find these materials at home improvement stores or wherever aquarium equipment is sold.

For more in depth coverage of these topics, please refer to our fountain resource center.

]]> http://www.fountaincrafters.com/blog/water-fountain-maintenance/complete-guide-to-fountain-water/feed/ 0 http://www.fountaincrafters.com/blog/water-fountains/guide-to-custom-logo-fountains/ http://www.fountaincrafters.com/blog/water-fountains/guide-to-custom-logo-fountains/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:24:37 +0000 admin http://www.fountaincrafters.com/blog/?p=870 A custom logo fountain can help your business or organization make a strong first impression, or it can add a personal touch to your home water fountain. Whatever your reasons for wanting a custom fountain, we offer a free mockup service to help you place your order with confidence. To get the most out of this service, and to take advantage of it in a timely manner, there are a few tips you should follow when you contact our representatives.

#1. Have a Fountain or Two in Mind
You do not always have to have decided which fountain you want when receiving your free mockup, but our graphic artists can process and complete your sample faster when they have an idea of what you want. Try sending us one or more fountains you are considering. We will be happy to show you your design on different models so you can make a confident decision.

#2. Add an Image of Your Logo (if you have one)
Our graphics team can work with almost any image format, so we are confident that any logo file you have will be useful. Logos with 1-4 solid colors (as opposed to gradients) work the best, as these show up the best on almost any surface. You can even request your logo in solid black, and our artists will attempt to modify it for maximum visibility and impact. If you are really tech-savvy, sending us a vector format is awesome. If you are not tech-savvy, do not worry about it! Simply send us the largest version of your logo that you have.

#3. If You Do Not Have a Logo Already, We Can Still Help!
Some customers come to us with a fountain idea but no logo. We can still help! There are a few tips on getting a great custom logo. There is no one best way to create a logo. Think of some of your favorite logos and try to emulate what they do successfully, and tell us about it. If you have pictures of what you want your logo to look like, go ahead and send it over, too.

Ordering a custom fountain does not have to be burdensome. Follow these tips, and you are sure to receive a free mockup that will help you place your order with piece of mind.

What you see above is not a set piece from the latest Michael Bay movie. It is an impressive modern water fountain located in France. Named the La Danse de la Fontaine Emergente (roughly translated to the Dance of the Emerging Fountain), it depicts a giant dragon tunneling into and emerging from the ground. It is an impressive project, combining metal work, water feature engineering, and artistic vision all together.

This outdoor fountain was commissioned by the City of Paris in 199 and completed in 2008. Sadly, the artist who designed the sculpture Chen Zhen died in 2000, but left his designs to his spouse Xu Min, who completed the project. The engineering was done by a Turkish company called UTS Engineering. Funding was provided by the Ministry of Culture of France. If you want to visit it, you can find it located in the Place Augusta-Holmes, rue Paul Klee, in the 13th arrondissement.

It really is a sight to behold. Water gets stream through the body with different colored lights. It might not be what one considers a typical water fountain; it is more like a water sculpture. Its combination of art and engineering is something most cities strive for. If you are in Paris, I highly recommend you check it out for yourself. The fountain has three parts. The first part depicts the dragon snaking out of the wall of the water-supply plant and tunneling underground. The other parts tunnel in and out of the pavement, where kids love to climb and adults love to take photos. If you like contemporary, industrial art, this water fountain is sure to please.

If you are like me and you try to avoid the Black Friday crowds, then you might have a few people left on your list this holiday season. Getting a little something for everyone can be a challenge, especially for extended family and people who say they “don’t want anything.” Unless you want your reputation to be the Sock King (or Queen), Cheese and Sausage Czar, or Gift Card [Insert Head of State], then you need an idea to save the day. A tabletop fountain is a great gift for practically everyone. Here is how it can save you from shopping madness.

There are quite a number of reasons that a small tabletop fountain is a convenient gift idea. Almost anyone uses some sort of desk, or has an end table or spare surface area in their home. These small fountains are easy to place, and are a nonintrusive addition to any room. The trouble with buying something for someone’s home is that if they do not like it, it becomes obvious to almost all parties. Large paintings or furniture are a lot harder to tuck away subtlety. We cannot guarantee that everyone will love the fountain you have chosen, but even if they do not, it will not become a nuisance, and no one will get their feelings hurt. Worst case scenario, they might use it in their office instead.

Tabletop fountains also require very little maintenance. They can run for a long amount of time, and only need to be filled occasionally to compensate for evaporation. No one wants a chore for a gift, and these small fountains will not become one. It is a sign of thoughtfulness to consider this before gifting. Also consider the fact that a fountain is a luxury gift. A lot of people tend not to buy such self-indulgent things, so they will be happy to unwrap a new tabletop fountain. Adding a fountain, even a small one, can improve the tranquility of a room. They release moisture into the air, which can make a room or stuffy office more breathable. They also provide white noise to help clear and focus your mind.

Giving someone a tabletop fountain this season is an easy way to make everyone happy. You will feel less stressed about giving a thoughtful gift, and your recipient is sure to find something they love. In the end, being less stressed this time of year is important. Having peace of mind will let you focus on what really matters in your life, your friends and family.

This stainless steel water fountain can be programmed to display the time, station name, and most impressively of all, draw intricate patterns like branches with flowers. I sincerely hope this technology catches on in the states. It uses programming that is similar to certain printers. This fountain is really suited for public places where the sound can be drowned out. I imagine that the plopping noise of the water would get old very fast if this was placed in a quiet, upscale store or small restaurant. Nevertheless, this is undoubtedly one of the coolest developments in fountain technologies.

You can find a variety of fountains to place your logo on, with almost any trim and face combination you can think of. If you like natural marble or stone, logos can be sand-blasted and hand painted to give your company’s image a grand look. Mirror or clear glass can be painted as well. The most popular brands and models are available as custom logo fountains. This means you can find stainless steel, blackened copper, copper vein, and many other trims for your indoor fountain. This provides your business with a lot of flexibility, so you can choose a fountain that will match your office design.

Yes, a custom indoor fountain is an indulgence, but it also has some practical benefits. Water fountains are dynamic art pieces that can make waiting for appointments less anxiety-filled. Indoor fountains also use white noise to cut down on grating high frequencies generated by most office electronics. The sound and image of trickling water itself is known to have a calming effect, and who could not use more of that in their workplace? This not only benefits clients, it also benefits your staff.

On top of all this, we offer free mockups. Simply check out our custom fountains page for more info. You can also take a look at our wall fountains and floor fountains for ideas.