Frequently Asked Questions - Page 2

I want to build my own fountain. Can you tell me how, or give me instructions?

You can find creative ideas for making tabletop fountains, garden fountains and more at our blog - The Joy of Water Fountains.

Can you send me a catalog, or some brochures?

We're sorry, but we do not currently have a catalog or brochures available. Our inventory changes literally every single day; we add anywhere from 10 to 100 new products every week, and some products get discontinued or the pricing changes. Due to this, it is impossible for us to keep updated printed materials. Our full line of products is viewable on our website. You may print pages from our website for your reference if necessary.

Can you help me pick out a fountain that sounds like a brook/waterfall/rain/etc.?

It is difficult to characterize the different sounds that fountains make, since it's really a subjective thing (some people might think a fountain sounds like a brook while others think it sounds like rain). It's really a matter of opinion.

What we can do is describe as best we can the sounds that different types of fountains make. For a dripping, highly audible sound, look for fountains in which the water has a good inch and a half or more to drip before hitting the water in the basin.

If a softer, 'gently flowing water' sound is what you're going for, fountains in which the water is simply dripping down several tiers of slate into pebbles, will do the trick. When the water has no distance to travel between the 'mouth' or 'spout' and the basin, or it is traveling over hard materials such as pebbles, the sound is deadened quite a bit.

Similarly, fountains in which the water is pouring from a spigot or other type of hole down into a basin that has rocks in it, the sound is more subtle, due to the water dripping into a shallow pool below and bouncing off the river rocks.

The loudest sound you will get from a fountain comes from those in which a spigot or other type of large opening pours water into the 'reservoir' or 'catch basin' full of water, with no rocks, slate, glass, or any other material in between.

Of course, the other factor in water noise level is the size of the fountain. Larger fountains make more water sound than smaller ones.

Why can't I find solar or battery operated pumps?

We at Kinetic Fountains work very hard to offer our customers the widest range of fountain products available. However, at the current time, the only solar and battery operated pumps sold individually on the market are not high enough quality for us to consider selling them. They are very hard to find, and the ones that are available are generally made overseas of low quality materials, and do not last very long. The manufacturer of our solar fountain products has chosen not to offer solar pumps individually at this time, and we have not found a manufacturer of battery operated pumps that meet our high standards of quality. We are aware of the demand for these items, and are constantly searching for new manufacturers so that we may be able to offer these to you in the near future. Solar products in particular are currently experiencing high market growth, and we are expecting that solar fountain pumps will be available from a variety of manufacturers in the near future. Please check back with us often.

Do foggers/misters require any maintenance or special care?

A few suggestions for the care of foggers are as follows: It is recommended to run the fogger for no more than 8 hours a day so that the unit does not burn out prematurely. The fogger sends up small jets of water while it's operating - please take care to place the unit where exposure to this water and the mist itself will not harm furniture, electronics, etc. Only use clean water, and never use household cleaners to clean the unit. If the mist output decreases over time, take out the ceramic disk and gently wipe it clean with a soft cloth; it may have become coated with mineral buildup.

How can I make a pump last longer, and if it does stop working, can I fix it myself?

There are a few reasons why a pump might stop working. The pumps used in fountains must always be kept submersed in water while running - the water acts to cool the pump and maintain proper operating temperature. Low water levels, turning the pump on and off, or poor fountain maintenance can contribute to a shorter pump life span. Dust and animal dander that gets into your fountain water can also accumulate inside a pump and cause it to stop working. A good way to keep this from happening is to cut a section of sheer pantyhose, slip the pump inside it, and tie off the ends tightly with rubber bands.

What's the difference between indoor and outdoor fountains?

There are quite a few vital differences between indoor and outdoor fountains, and good reasons why you shouldn't use indoor fountains outside. The most important difference is that outdoor fountains have specially modified lights, pumps, and other electrical parts (including wiring) that are protected from exposure to the elements. Using fountains that do not have these specially made electrical components outdoors not only risks damaging the parts themselves, but is a fire hazard. Also, outdoor fountains have UL-approved grounded plugs, while indoor fountains generally do not. Many outdoor wall fountains also have 'shrouds', or special parts that fit over the electrical components to protect them from moisture. Outdoor fountains are also often specially treated so that their finishes will not deteriorate while used outdoors. While it is normal and inevitable that most fountains will go through an aging process when placed in your yard or garden, building up a natural growth of moss or oxidation of copper, there are some indoor fountains which have finishes that simply wouldn't hold up outdoors. Also, any fountain marked "Outdoors Only" (and any fountain in our "Garden Fountains" section that doesn't specifically note that it can be used indoors) should not be used indoors. This is because outdoor fountains are often manufactured to allow for a little splashing, to provide a higher water sound or more dramatic water effect.

In the description for each fountain, you will see a line that says either "Indoors Only", "Outdoors Only", or "Indoors/Outdoors". Please follow these guidelines. Failure to do so can result in the damage cited above.

Do I need to use fountain water treatments? Is it safe around my pets and/or children?

We recommend the use of anti-algae fountain water treatments in all fountains. Algae can build up in any fountain, whether it is placed indoors or out, and regardless of whether you use tap or distilled water. Algae growth causes the water and fountain itself to become slimy, and often smells bad. To prevent the growth of algae in your fountain, you simply need to add a small amount of anti-algae water treatment per gallon of water in your fountain once a week. Read more about/purchase anti-algae water treatments.

Anti-white scale water treatment is recommended for use if you are not using distilled water in your fountain. While using distilled water may not be a problem for tabletop fountains or small wall fountains, it is often impractical for larger fountains which require many gallons of water. When using tap water, however, it is likely that your fountain will develop pink, grey, or white stains from the minerals in the water. Anti-white scale water treatment will remove and prevent these stains from occuring, naturally, without any harmful chemicals or unpleasant smells. Many of the other products on the market for treatment of hard water stains, such as CLR, smell very strong and could possibly harm the finish on your fountain.

Read more about/purchase anti-white scale water treatments.

What does 'EST' stand for?

EST stands for Eastern Standard Time.

For the product I'm looking at, why is the sale price higher than the retail price, i.e. $1499 vs $1075?

You may want to look a little more carefully - when customers ask this question, they are always mistaking the number 8 for a 0. In the case of the product above, the retail price was actually $1875. The slash going through the retail price makes some people think they are looking at a zero rather than an eight.

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