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Contrary to its name, a floating fountain, also known as a floating aerator fountain, doesn't mean that the actual fountain is floating at all. Instead, a floating fountain actually refers to a self-contained submersible pump with a float device, which produces a spray of water. This spray of water can be just a few feet into the air to a few hundred feet into the air. The floating fountain spray nozzle and float of the float fountain reside just over the surface of the water, while a flexible hose, submersible pump and waterproof cord lie under the water. An anchor rope secures the floating fountain in place. You can place one floating aerator fountain in the center of a water feature or place several of them at varying spray heights for a dramatic effect.
The floating fountain can be a spectacular water feature. One of the benefits of the floating fountain is that the possibilities for aerator patterns are endless. Aerator patterns can be a single stream of water or several streams, creating a multi-layered pattern. We've gathered some design ideas for your floating fountain here.
The Fan – The floating fountain begins with one spray of water and fans into one sheet of water before it comes down in a gentle spray pattern.
The Spider – A number of aerators cluster in a circle and spray outward into a series of low streams that descend into a pool.
The Geyser – A number of aerators cluster in the center and send a gush of water up into the air. The effect is like a spectacular geyser.
The Arches – The arches are characterized by multiple streams of water spraying upward and out, which eventually fall into a body of water.
The Tier – The tier has multiple layers of water flowing out of variously angled aerators. The bottom layer may be a misty rush of water. The middle layer may be an arch pattern. The top layer can be a single, upward spraying stream.
Floating fountains can create a striking water world to many environments. You can turn any otherwise placid body of water into a masterpiece. Or, you can provide a practical solution to the ecosystem of your water feature. Here are some ideas for places to use floating fountains.
Natural body of water – A floating fountain can be a practical solution to adding movement where there is a variable water level.
Amusement parks – Create a nighttime spectacular show with floating fountains, complete with lighting and plumes of water 100 feet into the air.
Public fountain – Create a classic three-tier pattern or a more unique stream of water with a customized design.
Pond or Pool – Add oxygen to a pond or pool with a surface aerator. You can prevent algae growth and an ideal water environment for your fish and plant life.
Home water feature – Create a breathtaking water feature in your home fountain. With the addition of lights to play up a series of water streams dancing gracefully in the air, you'll have a beautiful centerpiece for your home.
If you're considering a floating fountain, you'll be glad to know that installation is a simple, straightforward process. Floating fountain units vary, but you can get a ready to go unit which only requires minor assembly by hand. All you need to do is select the appropriate nozzle and thread it onto the top of the unit. Position the entire unit in the area of the pool you want. Then, anchor the floating fountain into position with the anchor rope, which should come with the assembly. Plug in the floating fountain and that's all it takes to operate it. Models typically either come as 120 volt versions, requiring a three-prong electrical plug or a 240 volt version requiring a connection to a breaker box or a remote switch.
Although the beauty of a floating fountain stream is something to behold on its own – especially if you place several in a pool to create a breathtaking display of water, you can add an accessory to enhance the natural beauty of the water itself.
A light kit is the perfect accessory to compliment any floating fountain. A light kit highlights the appearance of a floating fountain and can make an especially dramatic appearance after nightfall. You can obtain them with clear lenses or colored lenses, as well. A light kit typically comes pre-wired with an underwater power cord. Many just need access to a 120-volt power source. Installation is easy and only requires a screwdriver for attachment.
A floating fountain rests on the still waters of a garden pond. Without a submersible pump there is no circulation, no movement, and no fountain. Size matters. To choose the best floating pond fountain you must know the volume of the water feature. Large ponds features require more pump capacity than small ponds. An undersized pump produces a disappointing trickle in an over-sized pond and an over-sized pump overwhelms a small garden pool.
Most floating fountain system suppliers recommend selecting a floating fountain with a pump that will move about half the total volume of the water feature per hour. Thus, 100 gallons of water would require a pump that circulates 50 gallons of water per hour; 500 gallons needs a pump to move 250 gallons per hour. When considering a floating fountain for a garden pond fountain feature look for the abbreviation GPH. It stands for gallons per hour. A fountain selection calculator is also helpful for ensuring that an outdoor water fountain meets expectations.
In addition to fountains that float on the surface of bodies of water, there are also indoor fountains and outdoor fountains with floating elements that use Feng Shui principles to produce pleasing effects and attract positive energy.
Sparking clean moving water is associated with nourishment and wealth-enhancement. Metal bells and chimes bathe spaces with balanced yin and yang energy and summon good news and chi. A bell chime fountain brings each of these good fortune elements and yin and yang balance to play inside the home.
Water bubbles from the center of a striking black acrylic bowl with brass bell chimes. Six stationary brass bell chimes are positioned in the fountain. The circulation of the water moves two additional brass bell chimes among the stationary chimes producing a soothing melodic symphony of water and music. An added bonus: the floating bell chime fountain can also be used on a covered patio or balcony for outdoor enjoyment.
By day, floating fountain waters sparkle in the sunlight. By night, the sound remains pleasing, but visual appeal is lost. Lighting turns outdoor water fountains into dazzling displays for nighttime enjoyment. Some floating fountains come with built-in lighting; others require an in-water light kit.
Serenity Health's Sunjet Magic 290M floating solar fountain is an example of a small garden pond floating fountain with built-in lighting. Illuminated at night by its solar charged batteries, it features multi-color display at night with up to 20” fountain sprays.
For a floating fountain without built-in lighting, a floating fountain light kit adds drama with white, colors and even special effects. For safety's sake, follow manufacturer guidelines and instructions carefully when adding in-water lighting to a floating fountain. Unless you are experienced in working with electricity, it pays to hire a qualified electrician to install submerged lighting for a floating fountain. If a light kit does not include a timer and remote control for inside the house, both are wise investments. Automation conserves electricity and allows you to control fountain operation without going outside at night or in inclement weather. Motion control sensors also add a layer of security and safety to the outdoor pond area at night. Intruders (animal or human) are usually deterred by the sudden appearances of light.
Finding the volume of a garden feature is a first important step in choosing the best floating fountain. If you are currently creating a garden pond it is easy to calculate its capacity. Simply check the water meter when you start the garden hose running into the empty pond. Note the reading. When the pond is filled, immediately note the meter reading again and convert the cubic feet of water used into gallons. (Multiply cubic feet by 7.48 to convert.)
Finding the volume of existing floating pond fountains requires more creativity, especially for irregular forms like kidney shapes and for oblongs and circles. With rectangles and squares, simply, multiply length by width in feet to get the surface area. Circles require finding the radius (length in feet from the center to the edge) and multiplying the radius by itself and again by 3.14 for the surface area. Similarly, for ovals measure from the center to the most far away edge and the center to the closest edge. For area, multiply both numbers and the total again by 3.14. Break an oblong shape into a square and two half circles. Measure the square and treat the two half circles as a whole circle to get the area. Treat kidney and other irregular shapes accordingly, break them into standard geometric shapes and do the math for the area of each shape. A final key step is to multiply the surface area of any outdoor fountain by the average depth to get the approximate volume and convert cubic feet to gallons.
One of the attractions of outdoor water fountains is the variety of fountain spray patterns. Varying spray patterns are produced by simply changing fountainhead nozzles, also called the spray head. Different spray patterns have aesthetic appeal and set the tone for formality or informality, relaxation or stimulation.
When choosing a fountain nozzle, consider the diameter and height of the spray. Too much spray overwhelms a small water area. A trickle is lost in a large pond. For the most pleasing effect, match the spray pattern to the shape of the pond or pool pattern and the garden setting ambience.
Samples of popular fountain spray patterns: Geyser nozzles offer dramatic and spectacular displays of fountain waters gushing upward reminiscent of Old Faithful Bubblers are always informal and fun. Rotating jets have a stimulating informal and decidedly dazzling modern effect. And, mushroom, fleur d' lis, bell jet and multi-tiered nozzles create a more formal feeling and complement circular ponds/pools.
There are several types of floating outdoor fountains used in commercial and residential settings.
Grand outdoor fountains grace water features of palatial estates around the world. Floating fountains are used to create spectacular water effects at hotels, amusement parks and corporate offices. They are popular additions to ponds and lakes in city parks. Unlike traditional stationary fountain that sit firmly in one place, a floating pond fountain rests on the surface of a pond, lake or pool, moving up or down with water levels changes. Floating fountains are operated by a submerged pump via electricity or solar power.
Today's affordable floating fountains offer many advantages for home garden ponds. A backyard floating fountain enlivens a still pond with Feng Shui auspicious properties of moving waters. Dancing waters of a floating garden fountain are mesmerizing and relaxing. A floating fountain creates a more healthy environment for wildlife by oxygenates the waters of garden fish ponds. Floating fountain aeration prevents still water stagnation that breeds mosquitoes and helps prevent algae bloom. In the summer, a floating fountain assists in cooling sun-heated garden ponds. And in winter, the circulation of a floating fountain helps prevent ice forming on the surface of a pond.
There are many reasons to use a floating fountain as opposed to a fountain with a standard submersible pump. The floating fountain not only produces spectacular visual effects, they produce other benefits, as well.
Oxygen – Using a floating fountain produces oxygen-rich water. Oxygen-rich water provides an ideal environment for fish and other life in a water feature.
Algae Control – By using a floating fountain to aerate your water feature, you help minimize algae. The rippling movement of the water diffuses sunlight, making it difficult for algae to grow in your water feature.
Water Quality – Aeration improves the color of water, as well as helps remove any unwanted smells. This helps make regular maintenance to your fountain easier.
Organic Regulation – Using a floating fountain helps speed the decay of organic materials like leaves. This helps to prevent staining that can occur in the water from debris.