Overview Before you Start Fountain Pumps Fountain Maintenance

Fountain Maintenance

Routine maintenance will keep your fountain clean and clear. Improper upkeep can result in murky debris-clogged water, algae growth, poor pump or fountain performance, or a mosquito infestation.

TIP! Remember to keep your fountain full of water. Most pumps will burn out if not fully submerged, unless they have the patented Low Water Shut-off feature. Return to Fountain Pumps to learn more.

Routine Pump Maintenance

At least once a year or if your feature is not performing as it usually does, it’s important to disconnect your TotalPond® fountain pump and clean its parts thoroughly using a brush or cloth and warm fresh water.

Fountain Pump
Maintenance

For pump models: 52213 (MD11060), 52217 (MD11130), 52216 (MD11300), and 52228 (MD11500).

Low Water Shut-off Fountain Pump Maintenance

For pump models: 52299 (MD11170AS) and 52320 (MD11400ASL).

Seasonal Maintenance

Even though there may not be any living inhabitants, your fountain needs a little care during each season, depending on the weather conditions.

Spring

  • If you have winterized your fountain now is the chance to move it back outdoors and get it running. Wipe it down with a cloth and some water to remove any dirt and buildup that collected during winter storage. Clean your pump in a bucket of fresh water and scrub it gently with a clean sponge, cloth, or toothbrush.

Summer

  • During the summer, there are three main focuses for fountain care: evaporation, algae, and mosquitoes. If the water levels drop too low in the fountain, it can damage the fountain pump. Keep an eye on your fountain and add more water as needed. The hot weather speeds up natural evaporation, but low water shut-off pumps automatically turn off when the water levels drop too low to avoid any pump damage.

Fall

  • Fall leaves can enter the fountain and cause damage to the fountain pump. It’s important to scoop out the debris daily if your fountain starts to collect leaves. Ideally, if your fountain is small enough to move, place it in a spot farther away from trees that will shed their leaves. 
  • If you live in a warm climate where it does not snow or gets icy, you can keep your fountain running all year long.  
  • In colder climates, you may need to winterize your fountain as the season begins to change. Move your fountain inside before temperatures drop, and ice starts to form.

Winter

  • During the winter, your fountain should ideally winterize indoors to protect it from snow and ice.  
  • Large fountains can winterize outside, removing the fountain pump and tubing and keeping them indoors until spring. Protect your outdoor fountain from snow by covering it with a fountain cover or tarp, routinely brushing off snow buildup whenever possible. If you do not have a cover, place towels in the tiers and basin of the fountain to absorb the water to prevent it from entering the fountain and freezing.  
  • Small fountains can be moved indoors and used all year round, but please be aware of any small splashes while running fountains inside.

Water Treatments

Barley Pond Clarifier

 

WHEN: Use when pond water is murky.

WHY: Natural solution to help minimize the nutrient load.  

DOSAGE: For initial dose, add half a cup (4 oz.) per 600 gallons. One cap (5ml) treats 40 gallons.

DIRECTIONS: Once per month, apply a maintenance dose of 1 oz. per 150 gallons.

Algaecide

WHEN: Use when green water or algae appear.

WHY: Eliminates existing algae growth.

DOSAGE: Add 1 tsp (5ml) treats for every 50 gallons of fountain water.

DIRECTIONS: Thoroughly mix Algaecide into fountain by adding near the fountain outflow. Algaecide can also be mixed in a bucket of fountain water and poured into the reservoir. Repeat dose every three days until algae is controlled. Be prepared to siphon out dead filamentous algae. Once algae growth is under control, add one dose every 5 days. Weekly doses of Algaecide will control growth and reduce maintenance.

TIP! Read the labels carefully before applying Algaecide to your water feature. This product should only be used for existing algae. Contact us with any questions if you are unsure.

Mosquito Treatment

WHEN: In the summer months when mosquitoes thrive.

WHY: Quickly controls mosquito larvae in 24 hours.

DOSAGE: 1 pouch, 0.2 oz. will treat up to 50 sq. ft. of water surface (an area of approximately 7 ft. x 7 ft.).  

DIRECTIONS: When treating larger areas, distribute uniformly on the water surface to ensure adequate dispersion of the granules. A lower rate (1 pouch, 0.2 oz./50 sq. ft.) can be used in clear water, against low larval infestations or young larvae (from egg hatch to mid-third instar). When larger larvae (late third instar to early fourth instar) predominate, larval populations are high, or water is polluted and/or algae are prevalent, use the higher rate of 2 pouches, 0.4 oz. per 50 sq. ft

Pond Blue

WHEN: As needed.

WHY: Creates beautiful blue water and shades water from harmful UV rays.

DOSAGE: Add one cap-full (5 ml) per 40 gallons of capacity to a one gallon bucket of fountain water.

DIRECTIONS: Shake the bottle well. Gently stir and pour this mixture into the fountain at several points around the edge. Wait five minutes for the blue to disperse. Re-treat if a darker tint is desired. When the fountain loses its blue coloration, re-treat the water.

TIP! Wear gloves to avoid the pond tint staining your skin.