Your fountain pump is the most crucial part of your fountain, as it is responsible for circulating water, creating sound, and preventing the growth of algae by adding oxygen to the water. The pump you choose is very important for the performance and overall life of your fountain, which is why you need to understand the basics of pump selection before making a choice. The next few paragraphs will help you understand what to look for in a fountain and how to choose the one that is best for you.

If you have a large outdoor fountain, the water fountain pump that you choose will require a more powerful water flow. Essentially, you will want a flow of one hundred gallons per hour for every inch of width of the stream of water your fountain produces. In other words, if your fountain has a five inch water stream, you will want a pump that delivers five hundred gallons of water every hour. Most pumps have a switch to make the flow larger or smaller so that you can tailor it until you get the right result with minimal splash. Large pond waterfalls may require pumps that can handle 2,000 gallons of water or more per hour.

If you have a smaller indoor fountain, you will find that the requirements are much lower. In fact, too much water flow in an indoor fountain will cause splashing and can damage carpets, walls, furniture, and other items. Ideally, you will want about forty five gallons per water for the average tabletop fountain. Flow adjustment switches can also be found on these smaller fountain pumps, ensuring that you are able to prevent splashing without needing to give up the pressure needed for your fountain to perform properly.

For medium sized fountains, the average gallon per hour output is between one and two hundred. This is true for both indoor and outdoor fountains. Choosing the right water fountain pumps can keep your fountain running perfectly for a great deal of time without risking damage from overuse or from splashing.

In all, the pump you choose will perhaps be the most important choice that you make. Ensuring that your fountain pumps enough water to meet its purpose without pumping so much as to create splashing is the best way to ensure a long pump life. Learning which pump is best for your fountain can seem tricky, but once you understand how they work, the process is actually surprisingly simple.

When you purchase a fountain, you will quickly learn that one of the most important aspects of keeping it beautiful is maintaining your pump. Even the smallest problems can keep your pump from working properly. What follows are some of the most common fountain pump issues as well as some tips and tricks for getting your pump working without needing to call a repair person. By following these simple tips and keeping your pump well maintained, you can help ensure that your fountain and pump enjoy years of healthy and beautiful life.

If your pump is humming or seems to vibrate, you need to first ensure that it is entirely submerged in water. This is the most common cause of pump vibrations. You will also want to ensure that the water fountain pump isn’t bumping the side of the fountain or container. If this is the case, a piece of rubber or a Scotch Brite pad can be place between the pump and the basin to stop the sound.

If your problem is water overflowing the basin when the pump is turned off, then you likely have too much water in the fountain. The water level must stay at a certain level to prevent problems with the fountain, but too much water can actually be as problematic as too little water. When the pump is turned on, the water level should be no less than three fourths of an inch from the top of the basin. This will ensure that when the fountain turns off and the pump empties into the basin you do not get an overflow problem.

The third common problem is when no water flows from your fountain pump. If this is the case, the first thing you will want to check is the tubing. Make certain that the tubing has not disconnected from the pump or has not become crimped or twisted. If everything is intact, you can try gently tapping your pump on a solid surface to see if the impeller has simply shifted and needs to be moved back into place. If the taping does not work, most the pumps can be easily disassembled and the impeller examined. Sometimes, a piece of debris will cause the impeller to sick and not turn; if this is the case the impeller can be removed and cleaned.   Last, you should try cleaning the pump. Removing algae with a toothbrush will help to remove any buildup, and using a pipe cleaner in the tubing will remove any clogs or debris. Keeping a small section of pantyhose over the pump will act as a filter that can keep debris out.

These simple tips can help you extend the life of your pump greatly. These problems can start out as minor annoyances, but without attention, they can become major problems. Proper maintenance is crucial with fountains, and following these tips is a great way to keep your fountain working perfectly.

When purchasing a fountain, you will discover that the pump is by far the most important aspect. While it is the body of your water fountain that provides the beauty, the fountain water pump provides the sound and motion and prevents algae and other bacteria from building up in your fountain. In the next few paragraphs, we will take a deeper look at these pumps in order to help you better understand how they work and why their proper maintenance is so crucial to your fountain.

If you are looking to purchase a new fountain, you will want to ensure that it is a good fit for your fountain. This means paying attention to the height of the head, or the distance between the fountain’s basin and the point where water is discharged. You want to ensure that the head on your fountain water pump is higher than the height of the fountain. Water flow is also important, as you will want to ensure that you want 100 gallons of water per hour for every inch of width of the stream of water your fountain produces. Smaller pumps are required for indoor fountains to prevent splashing.

If your pump is showing problems, there are certain things you can examine before you rush to replace it. Always take time to clean the pump and remove any debris from the tubing as well as to remove buildup with a toothbrush. You also want to make sure that the water level in your fountain is high enough for the fountain pump to work. Make certain that the tubing is connected to the pump. Low water levels can cause the pump to make strange noises, while high water levels can cause overflowing. A small rubber kitchen mat can eliminate vibrating caused by the pump making contact with the basin.

Another common problem for water fountain pumps is tubing that does not fit properly. If the tubing is too small, simply place the end in boiling water for a short time and place it over the tube outlet while it is still warm. Upon cooling, it will shrink to form a watertight seal. If the tubing is too large, purchasing a small screw clamp can hold it tightly in place. In short, most fountain problems can be alleviated at home without the need for repairs. The key is to figure out the problem and to take the steps needed to prevent it occurring again in the future. Maintenance is certainly the key to a long lasting fountain.

Although many people insist that they are not mechanically inclined or are incapable of a simple DIY project, the fact of the matter is that fountain water pump maintenance is easily done by anybody. Whether the fountain is an indoor model or one that spends its time outdoors, the mechanics of most fountain pumps are very simple.

It helps to understand that implementing a regular amount of overall fountain maintenance is going to reduce the likelihood of problems with the pump. For example, relying on distilled water for indoor fountains will prevent any mineral deposits from accumulating on the parts and tubes. This is something that often causes poor pump flow and makes many owners think the machine is malfunctioning. If distilled water is unavailable in large quantities, most manufacturers make a chemical treatment available that can prevent and eliminate existing buildup.

If a pump is outdoors, the use of distilled water is not likely to occur, and this means that checking up on the fountain water pump throughout its active season is mandatory. Items such a leaves, algae, and various other debris can get into the pump’s impeller and wind around the drive shaft that makes it function. This can cause it to work very slowly or not at all.

How is this fixed? Whether fountain pumps are indoor or outdoor models, there is usually some sort of protective housing or pump cover in place. The owner must disconnect the pump from any power supplies before attempting to remove the cover, and will also have to clean this housing or cover before opening it to gain access to the components inside.

Once the cover is opened, it will be a fairly simple task to identify any debris or algae that has wrapped around the magnetic impeller. Using a gentle hand, the owner must free up this part and ensure that nothing remains to keep this vital area from functioning properly.

If this seems to happen too often, such as occurs in homes with many pets, the owner can safely wrap the entire pump (inside of its cover) in a piece of womens pantyhose and make sure that both ends are sealed. This will serve as a powerful filter that will prevent the accumulation of debris from entering the actual pump. This may still cause the speed or power of the pump to be reduced when debris gathers, but it will spare the owner from having to disassemble the pump continually.

It is also important to understand if the fountain pumps in a yard or garden should be taken indoors for the winter months. There are some systems that can survive the freezing temperatures, but a thorough reading of the manufacturer’s recommendations will indicate whether or not this is the case with a specific fountain water pump.