| Pointers for Cleaning Your New Fountain. First of all, when beginning to clean your new fountain, unplug the fountain from any electrical sources to avoid shock. The best way to clean your new fountain is with an old tooth brush, warm water and dish detergent. DO NOT use chlorine as it may damage the pump and fountain. The secret to removing algae with dish detergent is to not let the algae buildup over an extended period of time.
Combining air, water, and light are the prime components for producing algae, making algae growth natural to any fountain, either an indoor fountain or outdoor fountain. Therefore, to maintain the longevity of your fountain pump, you should clean your pump, fountain, and rocks every 1-3 months. Remember that algae grows faster in bright sunshine, so if you place your new water feature in direct sunshine, you may have to clean your fountain more often. Cleaning with a commercial algaecide along with changing the water monthly will help maintain your new fountain pump for added life.
Check Water Fountain Levels. The most important part of fountain care is maintaining proper water levels. Checking the water level of your fountain daily will prevent the fountain pump from burning out due to low water level. After you have initiated the use of your new water feature, you should check the water level often until you have determined how much water evaporates from your new fountain. If you will be away for a few days, it is advised to unplug your fountain before leaving.
Use Distilled Water in Your New Fountain. Using tap water can shorten the life of your indoor fountain pump. Using tap water contains many harsh minerals that can be very hard on fountain pumps creating buildup within the pump and forming unsightly white and pink scale on the surface of your indoor water fountain. Using distilled water, which can be purchased at any big box store or grocery store, will aid in lengthening the life of your indoor water feature.
Copper Fountains. The finish on a copper fountain will change over time. It is your personal preference how you like the finish of your copper fountain to appear. You can choose to keep the bright copper finish by applying a polyurethane lacquer or allow a rich patina to develop over time. Copper is naturally anti-fungal and anti-microbial.
Measuring For the Size of Bamboo Spouts. Spout size refers to the horizontal length which is the part that rests on the bowl, not the vertical length. Since the spout should be placed close to the edge of the container, you do not need to measure across the center of the container. Use this table to determine the spout size you need.
| Spout Size |
Bowl Diameter |
| 7" |
6-15" |
| 12" |
10-20" |
| 18" |
B15-30" |
| 24" |
28+" |
|
