Gethsemane Guidelines - Caring for Your Fountains
Installation:
Each fountain has its own Assembly instructions sheets and comes with
all of the fittings and tubing needed to do the installation. If you
find anything missing, please call and let us know, we’ll take care of
it promptly.
Fountains should be installed on a flat, level
surface to ensure proper water flow. If the fountain is going to be
installed on a hard surface like cement, stone or patio tile, we suggest
a thin layer of sand ½" to 1" thick underneath the basin in order to
prevent stress cracks. This will also help in leveling the fountain.
Bird Baths and Pedestal Fountains:
If you choose to install these in a planter bed area on dirt, we
suggest placing them on a paving stone or other support material.
Gophers and water runoff can erode the soil and topple your feature.
Water Level:
Be sure to keep your fountain full of water. If this becomes a problem,
adding a tube line from a drip system will help. If water levels get
too low, your pump will dry and burn out.
Pumps: For safety purposes, always plug into a GFI receptacle.
If
the fountain is installed where debris (leaves, etc.) fall into the
water, the debris is likely to clog the pump. If the flow of water seems
restricted this may be the cause. Simply unplug the pump, remove the
cover and foam filter and rinse it out. Be sure to check the impeller
and be sure there is no debris that keeps the impeller from moving. Once
the pump is clear, replace the impeller and filter and plug in the
pump.
Every so often the pump should be unplugged and the
impeller/rotor removed and checked for debris and lime scale. The pump
can be cleaned in warm water.
Foam: We suggest Jungle products "No More Foam" liquid. A small amount in the fountain water will do the trick.
Algae:
Green or brown algae may gradually cover the wet surfaces of your
fountain. Some people love the aged look it gives their fountains,
others don’t care for it. If you are the latter, we recommend using
Jungle Products, "No More Algae" or another product called "Fountec". Do
not use chlorine bleach. It is harmful to water plants and animals and
will leave a blue/green chemical stain. It may also damage your pump.
String Algae:
String algae are the stringy, mossy gunk that drapes from the surface
of the fountain. Jungle products "No More Algae" or "Fountec" will also
take care of this problem. If you like the green aged look but want to
get rid of string algae, we recommend "Barley Extract". If an excessive
amount of stringiness occurs, you will probably need to let the surfaces
of the fountain dry out and brush off the dried algae, then refill and
add the Barley Extract. Barley Extract can be ordered at: www.aquaticeco.com or by calling (877) 347-4788.
White Scale: This
residue is an accumulation of minerals from your water. In you live in
areas where water mineral levels are high or you use well water, this
can be a problem. It will get worse as evaporation of the water occurs
and the same minerals remain in the fountain. Occasional flushing of the
water will help. Using distilled water for smaller fountains is great
but a hassle and costly for larger amounts of water. We recommend adding
Jungle Products "No More White Scale" on a regular basis.
WINTER CARE:
Extreme and rapid changes in temperature and humidity affect all cement
based and concrete fountains adversely. Concrete has an inherent
tendency to expand and contract with climatic conditions. In the Chicago
area, where water will freeze in the winter, we recommend that you
fully drain and dry your fountain in the colder months.
Therefore, we recommend the following:
1) Do not allow waste to collect and freeze in fountain bowls or shells.
2) Do not allow water to collect and freeze in containers, saucers or birdbaths.
3) Do not allow statuary or pedestals to sit in a pool of ice.
Cement
based and concrete products left exposed to icing conditions may shale
or crack due to the mechanical force of water solidifying and expanding
along the concrete surface. If you cannot store your concrete containers
or fountains indoors during the winter season, you must protect from
ice collection or exposure.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FOUNTAINS DURING THE WINTER
For
fountains, first remove the stature and pump, storing them inside if
possible. Next, fill the bowl(s) or shell(s) with an absorbent material
such as burlap bags or blankets. Then, cover the entire fountain with a
fountain cover. Should condensation form inside the cover, they will be
absorbed by the material.
For birdbaths, planters or statuary
set the pieces on high ground, preferably on wood or bricks, so they are
elevated from the soil/ground which will freeze and where a pool of ice
will not form. Use fountains covers or burlap to cover these and
protect them from winter elements.
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