Popular Solar Outdoor Fountains
The soothing and relaxing atmosphere that solar outdoor fountains conjure up in the home and garden is unmistakable. Having a solar fountain is becoming an increasingly popular way to decorate any outdoor garden space. Just the mere sight and sound of running water incites a feeling of security and nourishment. Solar fountains can take the place of numerous and expensive relaxation CDs that only provide the sounds of water but offer no tangible aesthetics. The vision and the sound of water make your outdoor garden space very attractive and the place to be.
Ponds and waterfall styled fountains are often associated with being pricey and a hassle to install and maintain. On the other hand, free-standing solar fountains are much easier to install and have much lower maintenance costs. Solar outdoor fountains are much more functional and manageable in comparison to any other water fountain.
Solar fountains and regular fountains look identical from the outside. Some models of water fountains can operate either on electricity or solar power. The main difference between solar outdoor fountains and traditional fountains can be seen in the pump. Instead of being attached to an electrical outlet, the solar water pump is attached to the solar panel. The panel collects the sun’s energy and converts it into usable energy to power the pump. You will never need to place your fountain near an electrical power source since it runs purely on solar energy. As long as there is sunlight, your solar outdoor fountain will run.
Most popular solar fountain styles:
Pedestal
Pedestal solar fountains usually come in one or more tiers. The tiers sit atop each other and can come out to be a few feet high. The solar panel is discretely hidden away in the water basin. Water is pumped from the bottom and up towards the spout or the fountain head. You also have the option of changing the water pressure via the nozzle head to create a spraying or bubbling effect in the water at the spout. Pedestal fountains can easily serve as birdbath fountains as well.
Cascading
This style of solar outdoor fountain is new in design and becoming increasingly popular. Cascading fountains are typically shorter in stature than pedestal fountains but consist of more tiers. Each tier collects water and successively pours water from one tier to the next until it reaches the bottom-most basin. Here, the pump pumps water back to the top and repeats the process all over again. Cascading fountains are generally smaller than pedestal solar fountains, so they most likely will come with an external solar panel unit. The reason for this is because the design of the fountain does not allow for the panel to blend in without disrupting the flow of the water. However this allows you to place the solar outdoor fountain wherever you please as long as the solar panel is placed in an area with direct sunlight. Some models come with an AC adapter which enables you to switch between solar and plug-in use.
Single Bowl
Single bowl solar fountains are the most simple and basic model of outdoor fountains. They are generally no bigger than a foot tall and feature a variety of animals or human figures. Some classic figures include the peeing boy, dolphins, and lion head.
All three styles of solar outdoor fountains can fit appropriately in any garden setting or outdoor space in need of a unique centerpiece. Obviously, there are pros and cons to using solar fountains but for the most part, owners love their garden fountains.
When the fountain circulates the water, water from deeper in the pond is brought to the surface where it can “breathe” oxygen carrying it back into the pond. This additional oxygen increases the dissolved oxygen level in the pond. This process is called aeration. It is a necessary part of keeping a pond healthy.
On: September 17, 2011 at 7:32 pm |
Garden water fountains are more challenging to keep clean than an indoor fountain. They can accumulate flying debris such as twigs and leaves. Keeping the fountain pump clear of leaves and debris is important for pump longevity. These organic materials can release bacteria into the water causing the water to produce a foul odor.
On: September 20, 2011 at 5:58 pm |