It may come as no big surprise that water is an important component of a water fountain. It may come as some sort of surprise that there are wrong ways to manage your fountain water. That is right. Water fountains are part decoration and part machine. While it is easy to focus on them for decorative purposes, it is important to remember that almost any machine has its own way it should be operated if you want to keep it working for a long time. After all, fountain owners ought to want to keep their pumps healthy so they can continue to enjoy their investment.
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.
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