Indoor Water Fountain - Pump Guidelines

Pump Maintenance
To keep the fountain pump functioning properly, take care to be certain it is always submersed in water. 99.9% of the time, a pump is making noise because of lack of enough water. Add water until the sound abates. It may take some time for the pump and tubing to clear out any bubbles which will make some additional sounds but it will stop once the air is vacated. To keep the pump functioning quietly, discourage it from vibrating against any copper by isolating the pump using an old sponge positioned beside it or underneath it to decrease the vibrations.

Factors that contribute to a shorter pump life span:
- Low water levels
- Frequently turning the fountain off and on
- Poor fountain maintenance
- Dust and animal dander accumulating
- A good way to prevent this is to use a section of pantyhose to cover the pump and tie off the ends tightly with rubber bands.

NEVER RUN THE PUMP DRY!

Pump Troubleshooting
If you haven't been running your pump without water and it ceases to function most likely there is air trapped inside the pump. Try the following:
1. Unplug and re-plug in the fountain several times in succession to prime the pump and get it started.
2. To give the pump a little jump start, plug in the pump, then quickly lift it out of the water and place it back.
3. If the above has not helped, follow the manufacturers’ instructions to disassemble and clean the pump. These instructions come with your fountain installation guide.

Pump Replacement
Indoor water fountains are designed to last for many, many years. Inevitably though, the fountain’s workhorse, the pump, will eventually die out. The pumps that come with FountainCrafters.com are built to withstand reasonably heavy usage. We guarantee a warranty on the original pump for twelve months, but only if maintained properly. Never run the fountain pump dry.

However, most fountain owners enjoy their fountains for 5, 10, 20 plus years, long after the original pump has served its purpose. The type of water pumps found in our fountains can easily be replaced by pumps found in almost every home improvement store, like Home Depot or Lowe’s.

Smaller indoor fountains do not require much water power, too powerful of pumps will cause excessive splashing. Small tabletop fountains up to 10" in height generally need a pump with a GPH (Gallons Per Hour) between 45 - 65. This will progress the water effortlessly up the height of the fountain and allow it to flow down the face of the fountain without splashing. If your fountain is splashing excessively, your pump is too powerful for your fountain. Home Depot carries the Beckett M60AUL Small Submersible 60 GPH fountain pump, an ideal pump for the small indoor fountain.

Medium sized fountains can be tabletop, floor, or wall and up to 36" in height. These fountains will require a pump with a GPH between 100 and 200. If your fountain is taller than 12” it is recommended to purchase a pump that may be too powerful as opposed to not having enough force. Home Depot carries the Beckett M200AUL16 Medium Fountain Pump that has 185 GPH.

Larger floor and wall fountains, up to 6 feet in height, will require a GPH of 250 -345. Home Depot carries the Beckett M350AUL16 Large 340 GPH Fountain Pump.

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