The Components of a Water Fountain Described | Water Fountain Parts

Virtually every water fountain, no matter how expensive, elaborate, or decorative, can be broken down into just a few critical parts. These parts include the pump, the water conduit (usually plastic tubing) and the water basin. Anything else you see in a fountain is there for the purpose of disguising these parts or enhancing the overall design.
When you purchase your water fountain, the necessary parts are usually included. However, at some point in time, you may find a need to replace a fountain part.

Water Fountain Pumps

Every fountain must have a pump to carry and push the water. There's simply no way around it. Submersible pumps are small, simple and reasonably priced (less than dinner for two at a nice restaurant). They work by pulling water in through an intake filter and pumping it up and out through an opening. Since this process defies the laws of nature—gravity, in particular—the pump requires electricity as an energy source.
Submersible fountain pumps are the mainstay of every water fountain, indoors or out. You can find a full supply of fountain pumps here at Serenity Health & Home Decor.
Several features are important and can affect the price of a water fountain pump. First, how high will the pump shoot water? The higher the pump shoots water, the greater the cost. Since most indoor fountains are fairly small, there's no reason to spend the extra money on a pump that will shoot water 20 feet into the air.
Second, notice the length of the cord. A short cord (12 inches or 0.3 meters) limits where you can display your finished fountain. Three to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 meters) is a much more versatile length. Note: Unlike most other small electrical items, the cordon a submersible pump is not replace­able—doing so would destroy the cord's waterproof seal—so you can't purchase a short-corded pump with the intention of adding length at home.
Third, note where the water pressure switch is located. Most pumps have two, if not more, different pressure settings. Some brands locate the switch on the electrical cord instead of on the pump itself. In most fountains, it doesn't matter where the switch is located. However, if you have a water fountain in which the pump is difficult or impossible to access after a certain assembly stage, having the switch on the cord is a wonderful feature.

Water Fountain Conduits

Plastic tubing is used to move the water from the pump to the area you want it. Tubing can be found at a hardware or plumbing store as well as in the aquarium section of larger pet stores. Many fountain pumps do not give required tubing sizes, so you may need to bring your pump with you when you shop for tubing. It's generally very inexpensive and can be easily cut down to any length with a utility knife or sharp scissors.
You can experiment with several different tubing widths if you wish. The general rule of thumb is that the narrower the tubing, the greater the force will be exerted on the water, therefore the higher the stream. Also, you may find adapters that bridge the seam between the two pieces of different sized tubing. These adapters may be found in most auto supply stores. Keep in mind that when you purchase a pump, it does not come with replacement tubing as that is part of your fountain, but you can get it at the aforementioned places.

Water Fountain Basins

There is a world of great basins out there in all sorts of surprising materials and designs just waiting to be discovered. Two popular materials for water fountain basins are cast stone concrete and copper. We typically see outdoor fountains in either a fiberglass construction or cast stone and indoor fountains in copper, slate, glass, stainless steel and many more.
The last component that is found in water fountains is water itself. The water should not be too acidic as this can weaken the pump’s seals over time. Water temperature is another important consideration. Water fountain pumps need water to be between 32 and 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme temperatures will also weaken the seals in the pump.

Learning the ins and outs of your water fountain parts can help you save on costly fountain repairs in the future. If you understand the functions of different outdoor water fountain parts, you can more easily diagnose and solve any problems that may arise. Having this knowledge may also prevent you from having to seek out an expensive fountain repair specialist. Most fountain repair jobs are much simpler than you might expect and are easy for the average person to complete, even with a basic knowledge of water fountain parts. Visit our useful water fountain tips and advice center to find many more useful water fountain tips.

Author: , Net Health Shops, LLC