Posts Tagged ‘Outdoor’

Fall is here which means winter is right around the corner.   For those of us that live in one of these wonderful states that has four distinct seasons and winters get COLD, below freezing, getting ready for winter is a small more work.   We live for our gorgeous summers when we can delight in outdoor water fountains on our deck and in our gardens, spend time gardening, even getting new, fun garden statues that we can delight in every day.   But, before the deep freeze there are a few vital things you must do if you have outdoor fountains or garden statuary. Cast stone, fiberglass and ceramic are typical materials used in outdoor decor as they are durable materials and lightweight enough to handle without too much distress.   These materials are made to withstand the elements but if it gets wet, freezes and thaws it can crack.   Below is a “how to” guide to keeping your garden fountains and statuary crack free and gorgeous this winter so when spring comes you can start enjoying! If size permits simply drain your fountain and bring it to your garage or shed.   With tiered fountains you can sometimes disassemble them to store them.   With large outdoor fountains or heavy cast stone fountains this is not always possible so you will want to take other steps to winterize your fountain. Before the freezing weather comes drain all water out of your fountain.   This is the most vital thing you can do. Remove the fountain pump if possible and store it indoors.   This is a fantastic time clean your pump thoroughly so debris, algae and dirt don’t sit in and on the pump all winter. It is recommended that you buy a fountain cover for your garden statues or fountains.   This will keep moisture out.   Outdoor fountain covers are waterproofed and UV stabilized and have a drawstring at the bottom for ultimate protection.   They also come in many sizes so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that will fit the size of your fountain or statues. If you don’t plot to cover your outdoor fountain you must place some type of blankets, towels or other absorbant material in the basin of your fountain and the tiers.   Water must not get in the fountain and freeze as it will cause the fountain to crack.   Hopefully these tips help you prepare for winter.   A fountain cover will last you years and may be the best investment you can make to keep your garden fountains and statuary gorgeous for many years.

I built a small pond and the liner from Home Depot and disquised large stones – some inside the pond as well. It is a pump to go water to a waterfall that I built. Can I place a Siamese fighting fish in a pond?

he choice to buy outdoor water fountains must be taken carefully. Once you have bought a fountain, you need to reckon about installation, maintenance, and other issues. Some questions related to outdoor fountains are dealt with below. Size Of The PoolIf you plot to have a pool only for the fountain, and not for keeping fish, then fiberglass pools are a excellent start. If you want to combine the fountain pool’s function with that of a mini aquarium, you should use a plastic pool. A plastic pool is deeper and allows fish and plants to thrive. Types Of FountainsAn outdoor fountain is about aesthetics and functional utility. Any visitor to the city of Venice will vouch for the intricate Renaissance era fountains in the city. These fountains have a visual appeal that is not affected by the lack of water. These sculptures and pieces of art can function as standalone pieces in any art museum. On the other hand, certain fountains are built in such a way that that the waterworks are the art in them. The way water spouts, gushes, and flows builds the aesthetic identity of the fountain. LocationThe shape and design of outdoor water fountains determines their location. A fountain can be centrally located in the garden or yard, giving visitors a excellent view from all angles. Outdoor fountains that form part of a company’s theme should be located near the entrance. The fountain can stand on its own and dominate the scene, and add to the beauty of the surroundings, as long as you know how to place it right. How To Install The FountainInstallation depends on the design and size of the fountain. While smaller wall fountains in the yard are simple to install, it is advisable to bring in experts to install the fount. Make sure that the cord and pump are not visible after installation. Maintenance
Maintaining modern outdoor water fountains is simple. While many experts recommend the use of bleach to remove algae, you would need to check with the manufacturers if that might hurt the end of the fountain. Fountain pumps can run throughout the day, without stopping. So you do not have to worry about them wearing out. Cleaning the filter and wire mesh inside the pump is necessary. Change the water if the fountain does not have a water inlet. Huge outdoor fountains need large volumes of water, so it may not be possible to use distilled water. In such cases, use of water softening agents is recommended. Hard water can cause calcium stains on the surface, which can be hard to remove if not treated immediately. Outdoor fountains collect dirt and debris as well, so they should be cleaned often. SplashingIdeally, the diameter of the pool should be equal to the height of the water. This ensures that the water does not splash outside the pool. But, if for any reason, the pool is smaller, then you have to ensure that the part that is splashed upon can stand constant wetting. These outdoor fountain basics will help you select the best water feature for your home, office, or community center.
 

When the weather warms up, it?s time to reckon about your garden again. An outdoor fountain is a well loved addition, and it?s a fantastic thought to reckon about getting one before spring starts in earnest. That?s the best time to save on outdoor fountain buys. Don?t worry about storage; modern water fountains are self-contained units with simple instructions for storage and setup. Outdoor fountains come in a wide range of prices. As one of the leading online water fountain merchants, Serenity Health provides the following tips for selecting the right water fountain for your budget.
Tip 1: Pick a Space Where Any Sized Outdoor Fountain Will Shine
Size is one of the main factors affecting an outdoor fountain?s price. If you want to save money, choose your fountain?s location carefully. Your basic requirements are level ground and access to an electricity source ? either an outlet or if you opt for a solar water fountain, an area with plenty of sunlight. Within these restrictions, look for a spot that?s simple to see without craning your neck. To maximize the impact of a smaller fountain, seek a spot on higher ground, or make it the center point of a landscape feature that contains a mix of heights, clustered around the fountain. A decorative wall, stacked, loose stone and planters are brilliant companions. Just make sure the elements near your fountain don?t obscure it, or throw a shadow on to it.
Tip 2: Outdoor Fountain Materials Affect Pricing
Materials are another factor in outdoor fountain pricing. Ceramic is usually the most cost-effective fountain material because it?s the simplest to manufacture. It can hold virtually any shape, color, sheen or texture. The drawback of ceramic is that it?s less suited to more delicate designs. That?s one reason copper ? a more expensive option ? is commonly used for more complex fountain designs. One well loved series molds the copper into thin leaves. Copper?s price comes from the metal itself, along with the processes used to shape and treat it for use in an outdoor fountain. Higher end outdoor fountains feature slate, glass, mixed materials and handmade designs. Pick what you like within your budget, but remember that it?s honestly simple to find a matching, inexpensive ceramic design.
Tip 3: Pick a Fountain You Can Maintain
Your outdoor fountain?s lifespan is a function of how well you maintain it. This article at Water Fountains and Relaxation introduces basic maintenance tips. Generally speaking, size, the number of parts and pump quality determine how much labor you?ll need to keep your outdoor fountain running in top shape. If you get a smaller fountain it can be as simple as keeping it clean and moving it indoor for the winter. If you have a larger fountain you may need to buy a cover and leave it outdoors. On the other hand, premium fountain models tend to have the best fountain pumps. The pump is your outdoor fountain?s heart; if it stops working, your fountain is nothing but a static sculpture. You can buy replacement pumps without too much distress. This is an added expense but, so it makes sense to take special care of your pump to keep it running for as long as possible. Maintaining any fountain is really honestly simple if you commit to a plot, but be honest with yourself. If you?re the kind of person with empty garden boxes and ancient weeds, you?ll probably be better off with the simplest outdoor fountain models. If you pick an outdoor fountain you can take care of, you?ll save in the long term.

There are some outdoor ponds that may not need to have filters installed in them, and these are usually those ponds that can be maintained with the help of certain plants that can sustain a natural balance in the production of nitrogen in the water. These outdoor ponds are usually those that do not have fish in them and are considered water gardens. If your ponds house fish but, you will need a pond filter or two to help keep the pond clean and free from harmful bacteria and microorganisms since the presence of fish in the water increases the nitrogen content due to the waste material that these creatures produce. The use of different kinds of pond filter variants for outdoor ponds is vital since each type of filter that you find in the market provides a different kind of clean for your pond. For example, the basic basket filter that you install for your pond can help clean out the debris that you find in the water like leaves, dirt, uneaten fish food, and other similar items that can cause the water to become dirty and filled with bacteria. UV ray filters and bacteria filters, on the other hand, clean out the water of the algae and the harmful microorganisms that can harm the fish you have in your pond, and this is achieved with the use of UV rays from a UV light that a UV ray filter has and excellent bacteria that a bio filter or bacterial filter has. Aside from the use of these various pond filter choices on your pond, you will also need other cleaning agents and materials to help keep your outdoor ponds clean and free from such unwanted pond problems like excessive algae growth and pond scum. For bottom dirt, you will probably need a vacuum to help keep the bottom of the pond free of debris that sink there and cannot be sucked up and removed by your basket filters. You may also need a hand net to help remove some of the larger debris that may dirty your pond?s surface as well. All of these are necessary to help keep your outdoor ponds clean and your fish free from the ailments that often plague them when they are exposed to certain elements that can make them sick. These different pond filter choices you have may cost you a bit of money, but in the long run, they serve their purpose well by helping keep your outdoor ponds clean and your fish healthy. You will need to choose wisely but since there are a lot of pond filters that do not really live up to the expectations of the people who buy them. Some of these filters also need some maintenance work on them over time so you may need to arm yourself with spare parts and the knowledge of how to assemble and disassemble these things when the need arises. You should question the advice of people who know about these things, and these are usually those who build ponds for a living and who sell fish that are suitable for ponds like the one you have.