Frequently Asked Questions About Floating Fountains

Why a floating fountain?
Flexibility. A floating fountain can be moved if necessary. It adjusts automatically to changes in water level. You can modify the appearance of your fountain by changing or adjusting nozzles. Additional fountains can even be added as your budget permits.

Where can floating fountains be used?
Anywhere with at least 30" of water depth.

What is the difference between an aerator and a fountain?
Aeration is simply adding movement and oxygen to water. Aeration systems have diffusers located on the bottom of the lake/pond that bubble air and move the stratified water from the bottom up. Traditional floating fountains aerate water that is near the top of the lake/pond, achieving some aeration benefits, but they are primarily designed for appearance. Onshore floating fountains create both deep aeration and an attractive display. This double duty comes from drawing water through an intake on the bottom of the lake and discharging it to the surface via a hose and display nozzle.

Which fountain should I choose?
See Nozzles for our different spray patterns. The Fountains section has a list of our standard fountains (Fountain Specs, under "Technical," contains additional technical information). We also prepare custom fountains—designed, engineered and built to your specifications. There are thousands of options when installing a fountain, so it is important for you to answer a few questions about your needs.

First, determine approximate dimensions of your lake or pond. Good rule of thumb: The fountain should be no taller than 1/2 the width of your lake/pond. Second, decide what you are trying to accomplish with your fountain. Are you looking for a certain look, feel or sound? If you can describe your goals, we can help you realize them. Third, determine your budget. This will help you narrow your choices.

How do I determine my horsepower needs?
More horsepower can greatly increase fountain cost, but a certain level might be essential to your fountain's success. The following factors determine your horsepower needs: pattern of display, size of waterscape and height of spray. Desert Rain™ will be happy to assist you with your decision.

Should my fountain have lights?
Lights are highly recommended for fountains that have nighttime traffic. Our lights are available in 250-, 500- or 1,000-watt varieties. See Lights for lighting options.

If I'm going to buy a fountain, I want it to be durable. What are your fountains made of?
Our floating fountains are made for commercial application. We engineer and build them to be high-quality, rugged workhorses, using components such as solid brass architectural nozzles, polyethylene floats, high-grade stainless steel and NEMA 3R control panels. Desert Rain™ only sells fountains designed and built to withstand the challenges of nature and time. We don't waste our time—or your money—on anything else.

How do I order?    
We accept phone and fax orders. To make sure you receive exactly what you're looking for, we would like to communicate with you before you place your order. Call 800-899-2565, fax 407-886-6787, send an email or request a quote from Aquatic Eco-Systems' Lakes Department. Before contacting us, you should decide what you want your fountain to look like, consider which operating system might be best for your lake/pond, determine your budget and think of any additional options you would like.

When will I get my fountain?
Onshore (1-5 hp) and Direct Line fountains are usually shipped within 2 weeks. We can give you an estimate when you place your order. Ground shipping time is approximately one week. Orders are considered placed when payment arrangements have been made.

Traditional fountains and 7 1/2- to 15-hp Onshore fountains are made to order and usually ship 4-6 weeks after the order is placed. Custom orders are considered placed when Desert Rain™ receives a 50% nonrefundable deposit.

What does a floating fountain need to operate properly?
For prolonged pump and motor life, an adequate amount of electricity must be supplied to the motor. Also, a steady flow of clean water is needed to keep the motor cool.

What type of electricity do Desert Rain™ fountains require?
115V single-phase, 230V single- or three-phase and 460V three-phase are the most common in the US. All other types of electrical sources are available but need to be specified. If you only have 115V available, your only fountain option is the 1-hp Onshore.

Can I properly install the fountain myself?
Our Onshore and Traditional fountains of 1-5 hp are geared for self-installers. The installation directions are straightforward and the fountain can be completely installed in about four hours. We advise using a licensed commercial electrician for your electrical connections. Your local pool pump dealer can usually recommend someone to mount your pump onshore for you.

Larger fountains (7 1/2 hp and up) are geared for our commercial customers such as irrigation companies, resellers and medium-to-large companies who have professionals on staff to handle the installation.

It's well worth the money for a licensed electrician to assess your electrical situation. In only an hour or two, an electrician can determine what power options you have available, estimate how much it will cost to get appropriate power to your fountain site and make recommendations that could save you money and time. Having an adequate electrical system in place before installation is critical. Our Manuals section has complete installation instructions in PDF.

Where do I put the control panel?
The control panel should be placed well above the highest water level line and as close to the meter as possible.

Where do I locate the Onshore fountain's shore-mounted pump?
The shore-mounted pump should be placed well above the highest water level line, but as short a pipe run as possible from water's edge.

Where do I place the fountain display?
The fountain should be positioned close enough to shore to provide an impressive visual and minimize friction loss while far enough out to avoid spraying anything you don't want wet.