Caring for Your Solar Garden Fountain
Ok, so you have your fountain or you are seriously considering buying one. Here is a quick rundown of the care and feeding of a solar garden fountain.
For basic maintenance, your solar garden fountain should be emptied and wiped down at least once a month. An old towel will usually do the trick to help remove any instances of lime scale or light algae build up (if this maintenance is done on a monthly basis). So here is a reminder, waiting longer than thirty days to clean your solar garden fountain usually equals more scrubbing. If you find that you do need to scrub use soft brushes like tooth or bottle brushes and fresh clean water.
If your fountain has a removable pump I always recommend removing it and giving it a scrub with a toothbrush and clean water paying attention to the intake vents. Some larger models have removable covers if this is the case with your fountain pump then please do remove the cover and use that toothbrush to give the insides a gentle scrub.
Some pumps have removable clear plastic tube that connects the pump to the water jet (where the water actually comes out). If you can see a build-up in this tube it can be cleaned by working a small bottle brush, often called a “nipple brush” through the tube. These small brushes can usually be found in the ‘baby’ isle of most grocery stores and are designed to clean soft plastic and rubber.
For built in pumps (like many birth bath style solar garden fountains) it is only necessary to give the pump a gentle scrub around the intake and dispensing nozzle with the soft brush.
Another important reminder is to keep your fountain clear of debris. Outdoor fountains are subject to wind and rain and it will be best to give your fountain a peek after a storm or very windy day to be sure that no leaves, small twigs or dirt has been blown into it. This small kindness will keep your pump running for years.
I did mention ‘feeding’ above and I want to explain. Keeping water in your fountain is important. Please check the details on the pump for your particular model. Most pumps run best when they are completely covered with water. If you live in a rainy climate you can probably maintain your fountain with only the monthly cleaning, being sure to fill it properly after the cleaning. However I happen to live in the southern United States where several weeks go by with out the thought of rain. I check my fountain about once a week to be sure it has a proper water level.
I have a friend who lives in Arizona and has a fountain in her rock and cactus garden. Every morning she pours herself a cup of coffee and fills her watering can to go out to her solar fountain and fill it up. She has one of the small bird bath styles so what appears to be a lot of maintenance is actually easy not to mention she only has to perform the cleaning ritual every other month. Alternatively I have a reader who lives in south Florida who gets rain nearly every afternoon in the summertime. He rarely checks water levels in the summertime but in the fall and winter when there is less rain he tells me that he can tell if the fountain needs water by the sound of the pump. This is a good tip, when the optimum water level drops (the intake vents are getting too much air) the sound of your fountain will change. Some hiss and bubble while in others (like mine) the sound of the pump itself increases.
So there you have it. Being aware of your local climate and giving your solar garden fountain a simple cleaning when needed will give you years of enjoyment.
My thanks to Ian Britton at www.freefoto.com for the wonderful picture.
Caring for your Solar garden fountain Part 2
I received an email question regarding the article titled, Caring for Your Solar Garden Fountain. I believe more people out there would also like to hear the answer so I am posting this information.
The question: I have an indoor fountain that is a royal pain in the %#$ to clean. I have found that using an algae preventive product like XX* helps tremendously. Would something like this be helpful for an outdoor fountain? After reading your article my wife really wants a solar birdbath so the second part of this question is if we use an outdoor algaecide will it hurt any animals? (*product name removed due to unfamiliarity with it and how it works)
The answers:
My favorite product is called Fountain Fresh. It is manufactured by a company called Smart Solar (who is probably the largest manufacturer of solar garden fountains). This product was designed specifically for solar garden fountains and ponds. It is safe for fish and other aquatic life along with water plants, birds and mammals (kids, dogs, cats, deer, rabbits, etc.). I use this product on my indoor and outdoor fountain.
Another good product is called Fountain Protector manufactured by a company called Care Free Enzymes. This product was recommended to me by a reader who has problems with lime scale. She also has pets and uses it in her non-solar birdbath. I did quite a bit of research on this product and ran across a very good article regarding enzymes and how they work. If you are interested please check it out here: http://carefreeenzymes.com/id3.html (This article is part of the company
site for Care Free Enzymes.) I would like to also point out that this product has received some really great
reviews, the only downfall seems to be that the product’s users would like for it to be available in larger bottles (LOL).
There are a large number of algaecides available on the market. It is important to read the labels when making a decision about which one to use. My research has demonstrated that only about half of what is available out there is safe to use around children, pets, wildlife and fish. I also caution you that not all products work in all situations. My first purchase of an algecide from the local chain home and garden store did not work at all. When I complained to the manufacturer I was informed that the product was designed for outdoor fountains and ponds and did not work very well on the types of algae that form in indoor fountains. I guess just because the label stated that it was ’safe’ for indoor fountains didn’t mean that it was useful for indoor fountains….
Just be aware people that there is no substitute for giving your solar garden fountain (and indeed any fountain) a regular cleaning. The products I have recommended above will help you extend your time between cleanings and even make cleaning easier but they should not be used in place of a little elbow grease and clean water.
*If you are interested in purchasing either of the two products mentioned above you can click on the pictures. They are links to my favorite on-line solar garden fountain store: http//www.SerenityHealth.com
