Fountain & Aeration FAQs
What are the benefits of a fountain or aeration system?
Fountains provide aesthetic value and aeration, circulation and agitation benefits to your pond.
Aesthetic Value
PLM offers a wide variety of fountain spray patterns to suit any area. The aesthetic benefits of a well planned fountain system can improve your property value while providing a pleasant, relaxing view to your family and friends.
Aeration / Circulation / Agitation Benefits
Aeration benefits your pond by introducing atmospheric oxygen throughout the water body. Aeration increases the life of your pond and helps maintain your investment in stocked plants and fish.
Circulation will help create more balanced levels of oxygen from surface to bottom. Oxygen allows bacteria to decompose plant matter (bottom muck) and animal waste quickly and completely, avoiding the “rotten-egg” smell common in ponds without aeration. Circulation can prevent seasonal fish kills, and generally adds to the overall health of your pond.
Agitation will help push any free floating plants or debris to the shoreline. Since most algae are attracted to stagnant water, agitation creates an environment that is not inviting to most algaes.
Aerating Fountain
Display Fountain
What is the difference between a display fountain and an aerating fountain?
Display fountains are built for aesthetics, while aerating fountains will move substantially more water and provide much more oxygen to your pond.
What fountain or aerator is best for me?
First, we need to look at what your expectations of a fountain or aerator are. If you want aesthetics with limited aeration, a fountain may be best for you. If you want the greatest benefit of aeration with some aesthetic benefits, an aerator should be considered. We have trained staff the can evaluate your property and help you determine which system is best for you. We can customize an order to fit not only your finances, but your particular aeration and aesthetic needs. A solution for your property is as simple as contacting a PLM fountain specialist to review the requirements and recommend a personalized system to meet your needs.
What size fountain do I need?
The size recommended by our specialists directly relates to the purpose or use of the fountain, the size of the body of water, and funding available. We can help you decide which system is best for you by completing a survey of your body of water, then reviewing the options available within your budget.
How much power does a fountain use?
Your fountain or aeration system’s power usage depends on the motor size and how long the system runs each day. Some fountains are run twenty-four hours a day and some as little as six hours per day. Power usage may also be affected by lighting options.
Is it best to let a fountain run all the time?
We suggest that a fountain or aerator system run twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This will give you the most aeration benefit from the unit. If you experience icing where you live, the unit should be pulled out of the water and stored during the months when the body of water is frozen over. PLM Lake & Land Management’s worry free fountain storage program includes: removal of fountain in the fall, cleaning, general maintenance check, storage in a heated building and re-installation in the spring. This program ensures that your fountain will receive the proper care needed to maintain the highest performance and life span possible.
What is the life span of a fountain?
The life span of a fountain will depend on your specific system, unit usage and the waterbody where the system is installed. All fountains and aerators are designed to run continuously. The biggest factor affecting the life span of a fountain is poor maintenance. PLM suggests regular maintenance including cleaning and inspection of the fountain. We have fountain maintenance contracts that can be customized to suit any fountain or aeration system. PLM Lake & Land Management is a certified repair center for fountain products. The typical lifespan of a fountain is over five years, with proper maintenance, and they have been known to last as long as ten years.
Will a fountain/aerator get rid of my weed/algae problem?
Fountains and aerators have the ability to lower nutrient levels in the pond which can lower the amount of algae growth. This process takes time and is not an immediate solution. A fountain or aerator will not have an effect on the rooted plant community.
Are fountains safe in a pond or lake that is used for swimming?
Yes. All fountain systems recommended and installed by PLM are equipped with a GFCI breaker to assure the safety of the unit.
Do I have suitable power available for a fountain/aerator?
Your PLM fountain specialist can help determine if enough power is available. Although, a qualified electrician will have to set up and make all connections.
Aerators dramatically agitate high volumes of water at the surface to maximize exposure of water to the air for valuable gas exchange, greatly improving your pond or lake aeration.
How long is the warranty on the fountains and aerator?
Warranties vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Most units carried by PLM have a three to five year manufacturer’s warranty. Typically, the larger units have a longer warranty. Contact your PLM fountain specialist to determine the best product for your property.
What is the service interval on a fountain?
Fountains and aerators should be serviced yearly. The service of a fountain and aerator should include, at the very least, a good cleaning and an inspection of the unit. The oil and seals should be replaced at least biannually if not every year. We provide fountain maintenance plans to accommodate all situations and to help the fountain last as long as possible with minimal down-time for your beautiful water feature.
Do you repair the units you sell?
We do repair and service a number of fountains in-house. PLM is a Kasco Authorized Repair & Service Center, and we service all other major brands of fountains and aerators. No job is too small, even replacing light bulbs. We make every effort to repair the units in-house, though occasionally the manufacturer will request that we return a unit for further inspection. All repairs are done in the most time-effective and cost-effective manner possible.
For answers to further questions, please contact your local PLM Division.
