How to Install a Pond Spitter Fountain

Pond spitter fountains are a beautiful, eye-catching way to spruce up existing ponds, or to pair with a new pre-fabricated pond basin. Pond spitters are essentially just statuary with fountain tubing inside them; water is pumped up through the inside and comes out through a spout somewhere on the statue. Pond spitters come in many forms, and are equally at home poolside at posh resorts or in small residential garden ponds. Setting up a pond spitter for your pond is quick and easy, and will give you an instant focal point that provides the musical, pleasing sound of flowing water. You can even pair one with a decorative bowl, half barrel, or other watertight container for an instant tabletop fountain.

First, determine what type of pond spitter you should get. Browse the selection at KineticFountains.com for ideas. If you're planning to put it in a swimming pool, the sky's the limit - you can get even the largest pond spitters available, such as the Five Dolphins Pond Spitter pictured top. Your choice for a garden pond will depend upon the size of the pond; smaller ponds would look great with the Wildflower Pond Spitter, pictured left, or the Leaping Frog Pond Spitter. For mini water gardens or containers, compact pond spitter fountains such as the Crazy Frog Pond Spitter, pictured below left, make a big impact in a miniature size.

When you make a decision and go to purchase your new pond spitter, be sure to also purchase the pump package that is available under 'Needed Accessories'. This kit includes a re-circulating fountain pump and tubing that connects to the pond spitter itself. It will save you the hassle of trying to pick out a pump in the correct size and water flow for your pond spitter.

Once you've got your pond spitter, pump kit, and instruction sheet, attach the tubing to the pump and the pond spitter as specified in the instructions (this varies by model). Please note that large, heavy pond spitters will need to be permanently set in place using concrete or bolts; you can find more info about this in your instruction sheet or by calling the manufacturer. When installing poolside pond spitters, it's best to call local contractors to have it professionally installed; you'll want to ensure the safety of your family and guests who use the pool. It won't take long and isn't very expensive; call around for the best price.

For small and medium size pond spitters, the process is simple: place the pond spitter in the desired location. Be sure that your pond spitter is positioned so that the spray of water will be contained within the pond or container. If you're placing it on the edge of the water, run the tubing around the side and place the pump in the water. The pump should be supported - you can do this and hide it at the same time using upside-down terracotta pots, rocks, or bricks. Aquatic plants placed around this area will also camouflage the pump.

If you're placing your pond spitter inside your pond or container, an upside down terracotta pot (placed on bricks if necessary, depending on depth of water) can not only serve as a pedestal for your pond spitter, it will also hide the pump beneath it. Run the tubing from the bottom of the pond spitter through the drainage hole in the pot, and place the pump inside the pot. This is the quickest, simplest method of installing a pond spitter fountain, but can only be used if the water is deep enough.

Run the pump's electric cord to a nearby outdoor power socket. This socket should have a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protecting it, since the cord will be partially under water. Once the pump is plugged in, water will begin to flow out of your pond spitter.

Some pond spitters have special instructions for installation - be sure to read the papers that come in the box. If you don't already have a pond, pre-fabricated resin ponds are the quickest and easiest way to achieve an instant garden pond; check out the selection at KineticFountains.com.