Water Fountains Buyer’s Guide

Indoor Fountains

Indoor water fountain options include tabletop, floor, or wall models.

Tabletop Models

Tabletop water fountains can be sealed or open.

Sealed
Sealed models include frame-type fountains that feature colored lights and air bubbling through channels in acrylic panels. These self-contained units just plug in, and often feature options for changing the color of lights or frequency of motion. These units are usually 12 to 24 inches high.

Benefits
The benefits of a sealed unit include ease of maintenance and cleaning. For the most part, you will not need to clean or change the water in a sealed water feature, and it will never spill or gather dirt.

Drawbacks
The drawbacks to this kind of fountain are that it remains fairly static in appearance, and if one part of it breaks or malfunctions, you will most likely have to replace the entire unit.

Maintenance
Sealed water features do not require maintenance other than the occasional dusting or wiping down with a damp cloth.

You will have to fill the fountain initially with distilled water. Should any residue find its way in, you may eventually see slime or algae and have to perform a water change at some point.

Cost
You can generally purchase a sealed tabletop fountain for $20 to over $200, depending on the size and features.

Open
Open-type tabletop fountains usually feature water cascading down some kind of panel or terrace. These units range from a few inches in size to a few feet.

Benefits
Tabletop fountains offer myriad possibilities in materials and combinations, from bamboo to glass, metal to stone. Some fountains incorporate built-in lights or areas for candles, allowing you to further mix elements.

A benefit to these types of water features is that they can be put anywhere you want to add visual interest as well as the soothing sound of falling water.

Drawbacks
The downside to these, or any open-type fountain, is that they require refilling water as it evaporates, as well as periodic cleanings.

Indoor water features can grow unsightly algae, as well as harbor the bacteria responsible for Legionnaire’s Disease. These issues are not major concerns as long as you clean the fountain a few times a year, or whenever you notice a build-up of slime. Clean the fountain parts and pump with hot water and soap; or add a small amount of bleach, vinegar, or a special water treatment to the fountain.

All open-type fountains will have some degree of splashing, so keep this in mind when deciding where to display your water feature.

In case of power outage, depending on what type of fountain you have, you may experience overflow.

Maintenance
Indoor fountains are typically powered by electricity, though some smaller versions may be battery-operated.

We recommend filling your water feature with distilled water, as tap water often has a high concentration of minerals that eventually leave stains and scale on the surface of your fountain.

Remember that indoor fountains have pumps that are not suitable for outdoor use, as they are not able to handle heavy debris, temperature extremes, or months of uninterrupted use.

Cost
Tabletop fountains can be found very inexpensively, for as little as $10 to $20 in some cases. Tabletop styles rarely exceed the $350 mark.

Floor Models

Indoor fountains referred to as floor water fountain models are larger than tabletop models. These fountain kits come in sizes up to nearly 6 feet. Anything larger usually needs to be custom-built. Like tabletop models, floor models come in both sealed and open varieties.

Sealed
Sealed floor models are the same as tabletop models, only on a larger scale. They usually have larger bases to support the weight of the fountain, as well as to house the pump and lighting mechanisms.

Some of these units feature unique shapes or incorporate artificial foliage to create sculptural effects like palm trees. These water features are usually 3 to over 7 feet high.

Benefits
The benefits of a sealed floor unit are the same as with a tabletop model—ease of maintenance and cleaning. In addition, sealed floor models have the added benefit of no spilling or splashing.

Drawbacks
The drawbacks to this kind of fountain include the same issues as with tabletop models. In addition, a sealed floor unit is quite heavy, and cannot easily be moved. Be sure you place your fountain where you want it.

Maintenance
A sealed floor fountain needs nothing more than an occasional dusting and glass cleaner to keep it sparkling.

Cost
You can generally purchase a sealed floor fountain for $400 to over $1000, depending on the size and features.

Open
Open-type floor fountains are the same as tabletop models, though obviously larger, and often feature a more sophisticated and natural design.

Floor units range from a few feet to almost 6 feet tall.

Benefits
Floor fountains have the same benefits as tabletop models, including bringing a sense of peace and serenity to any room. The larger scale of these pieces makes a dramatic statement and they create a positive, tranquil feeling.

Like smaller models, floor fountains offer plenty of options in materials and styles, and you are sure to find something that will complement your décor perfectly.

Drawbacks
Although you can move a floor fountain, it is somewhat more difficult than a tabletop model, and is not recommended as the risk of breakage increases.

Larger fountains tend to splash more than tabletop models, so do be sure to locate your fountain in an area that will not be damaged by water.

Floor fountains are more likely to overflow in case of power outage, so check your water levels and make sure they are not too high (they go down significantly when the pump is running), or be prepared to mop up if necessary.

Maintenance
You will not be able to clean a floor fountain as thoroughly as a tabletop model, but do take the time to scrub off any visible slime or algae, and treat the water with bleach or a fountain water treatment to kill any bacteria.

Cost
Floor fountains start at just over $100 and can exceed $5,000.

Wall Water Fountains

One stunning option in indoor fountains is a wall fountain. Mounted on an interior wall, these fountains are beautiful as well as relaxing.

Benefits
Wall fountains offer the same benefits as other indoor fountains, plus they take up less floor space.

Wall water fountains also tend to lend a more professional and sophisticated air to your interior. These kinds of fountains are especially nice in foyers and waiting rooms.

Drawbacks
Wall fountains are quite heavy, and you need to make sure there is plenty of support before installing one. You will also want to be certain of location, as wall fountains are not easy to move.

Maintenance
Maintenance for wall fountains is the same as for large floor fountains—you will have to perform cleaning and water conditioning with the unit mostly in place. Remove any easily detachable pieces for cleaning.

Cost
Wall fountains start at around $150. The most expensive model offered by WaterountainsAndFeatures.com is $6,600.

Outdoor Water Fountains

Outdoor fountains add beauty and interest to your landscape. Fountain options include garden, birdbath, or pond styles. Like indoor fountains, outdoor fountains can range from a few inches high to several feet.

Garden Style
Garden style fountains are typically freestanding structures that feature some kind of cascading action that recycles water through a hidden pump.

Benefits
Garden fountains are a great focal point for your yard, garden, or deck.

Bacterial build-up is not as much of a concern with outdoor fountains, as fresh water is usually being introduced on a regular basis to compensate for evaporation, and temperature extremes from day to night typically kill most harmful bacteria.

However, outdoor water combined with sunlight is the perfect breeding ground for algae, and you will find you need to control it much more often with an outdoor than an indoor fountain.

Drawbacks
If you opt for an especially large outdoor fountain, be sure of its placement before you set it up. Large fountains are quite heavy, and become even heavier when water is added. They need to be on stable, durable surfaces so they are not prone to movement or tipping. Also make sure you can safely get power to the area the fountain will be placed.

Maintenance
Outdoor fountains may use electricity or be solar-powered.

Like an indoor fountain, you can control algae and slime growth by taking apart and cleaning your fountain parts a few times a year. However, if your fountain is large or difficult to disassemble, you may need to clean it by overflowing it and scrubbing out what you can reach, then following up with a water treatment.

If you do not have ornamental plants or fish in your fountain, there are many options, such as vinegar, bleach, or commercial algaecides. If you do have plants or fish in your water feature, be sure to use an algae killer that is safe for them.

Cost
Garden fountains are available from just under $100 to over $2,000 for large pieces.

Birdbath Style Fountains
Birdbath water fountains feature bowls on pedestals and a central fountain that provides a shower for your feathered friends.

Benefits
A birdbath with a circulating pump helps keeps the water fresh, which is very important. Birdbaths of all types need to be kept clean, as they are exposed to dirty conditions and dirty birds, and can become fouled easily. Plan to clean your birdbath at least once a month in the warmer seasons, whether by overfilling and scrubbing it, or adding a specifically designed cleaner.

Drawbacks
The drawbacks to this type of fountain are that it may require more frequent cleaning than other types of fountains, as it is exposed to dirt and debris, and will be frequented by animals of different kinds for both bathing and acquiring drinking water.

Maintenance
Plan to clean your birdbath every month in the warm seasons, and disassemble the fountain or remove the pump in winter if you live in a climate that experiences freezing temperatures.

Cost
From $100 to $300.

Pond Water Fountains
Pond style water fountains are meant to create spray or cascade effects in your garden pond. There are many styles available; some are fixed to a central point, and others freely float, attached to the pump with a flexible tube.

Benefits
Pond fountains not only look pretty and create a nice sound, they also help to aerate your pond, which can control algae and mosquitoes, as well as make for a healthier plant and fish environment.

There are even special effects fountains, and ones with colorful LED lights. There are also aerators and floating misters available to further customize your outdoor water feature.

Drawbacks
Pond fountains may require some wet working conditions. If your pond is very large, you will have to wade in to place them. Make sure you install your pump right the first time to save yourself from frequent forays into the deep.

Maintenance
Typically, you will not have to clean pond fountains more than once a year, when you perform annual pond maintenance.

Cost
Pond fountains cost from 50 to several hundred dollars, depending on size and features

No matter what kind of water feature you are interested in, WaterFountainsAndFeatures.com has something for you. Most of our products are eligible for free shipping, and our outstanding customer service representatives are happy to answer questions or assist with your purchase in any way we can.