Last updated on October 10th, 2022
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Following on from my reviews on pond pumps, pond UV clarifiers (for cleaning green water caused by algae), choosing the right pond aerator and even why you might want to consider an all-in-one pond pump with an integrated filter. This time, I want to focus on why you might want to consider a pond fountain and how to go about choosing the right model for your pond.
If you find your garden pond a little too, well, static, consider getting a garden pond fountain. Add some height to the visual interest of the pond with sprays of water and, perhaps, LED lights in the evening. They also help oxygenate the water which is essential for pond life and one of the reasons I added one.
My review looks at the best pond fountains, both decorative and those that aerate the water, suitable for ponds and other water features including bird baths, fish ponds and aquariums.
I look at the pros and cons of each model and discuss the features and my recommendations. My Buyer’s Guide covers the essential questions I would ask myself when choosing a water fountain or recommending one to friends. The FAQ section answers the most common questions (I asked myself in the beginning) about these fountains. So if you’re new to ponds, this is well worth reading as it’s what I wish I would have known when first starting out.
Best Pick
Runner-up – Aerating Pick
Best Pond Fountains Reviews
1. PowerBee Sunspray SE 500 Solar Fountain
Best Pick – Decorative
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The PowerBee Sunspray SE 500 Solar Fountain runs off the power provided by the 3.5W solar panel so no mains power is needed, which is why I like this model.
When the built-in 6V Lithium-ion battery is fully charged you have five more hours of fountain use when the sun’s not out. To maintain battery power, it actually comes on for 15 minutes every hour but you could manually turn it off at night if you wanted.
This pond fountain comes with five different spray nozzles but this is more about how you want your fountain of water to look. The strongest spray head sends water up to around 120cm (4ft) into the air which is pretty impressive. You can adjust this by changing the water flow rate too. This lets you control how high and how strong you want each spray pattern to be.
The solar panel comes with a stake to anchor it to the ground in a location where it gets plenty of sun. The fountain pump has an ON/OFF switch for you to control when the fountain runs.
An unusual feature of this PowerBee Sunspray is that it has a timer which I think is a great feature and helps maintain the battery. The switch for this is also on the fountain pump box. As already mentioned, when the timer’s switched on, the fountain runs for 15 minutes every hour. That is, as long as there’s sunlight for the solar panel or charge left in the battery. This feature is useful if you’re using the fountain to aerate your pond and don’t need it to run all the time which is what I actually recommend. This is something to consider for the winter, you will also need a pond deicer and I have talked about these here.
This model of pond fountain has several safety features. The dry run protection shuts down the pump if the level of water it sits in becomes too shallow. And the pump turns itself off when the battery runs out (obviously). If it’s a sunny day and your fountain isn’t running, check that it didn’t turn itself off the previous evening.
There’s no filter in this pump, so be prepared to clean it quite often or consider buying a separate filter and maybe hooking it up to the second flow tube.
Pros
- A floating fountain can also be used with deeper ponds.
- Lithium-ion battery backup (6V, 3.2Ah) runs for five hours so no mains electricity is needed.
- Five spray nozzles are included.
- Sprays water up to 120cm in the air.
- Has an ON/OFF switch.
- The timer function runs the fountain for 15 minutes every hour for oxygenation of the water and helps maintain battery power.
- Dry run protection that shuts down the pump if not enough water.
- Adjustable flow function to get the spray height and strength that you want.
- The solar panel has a spike for staking into the ground.
- The cable between the battery and the pump is 5m (500cm) long.
- Six-month guarantee (including battery).
Cons
- No filter.
Our recommendation
The PowerBee Sunspray SE 500 Solar Fountain comes with five nozzles for a variety of water spray patterns. You can adjust the water flow to change the height and strength of each of these flows. The On/OFF switch lets you easily control when the fountain works but I really like that it comes with a 15 minute timer to ensure it’s on for 15 minutes for each hour of the day and night.
The PowerBee Sunspray SE 500 Solar Fountain is a good choice if you live in a climate with many overcast hours during the day (most of the UK), at least in Manchester where I live. Overall, you can’t really go wrong with this model. I think for most ponds, this model is well worth considering, especially if you don’t have an outside plug socket. It is a great way to aerate a small pond, without having an aerator.
2. Blagdon 1054348 Inpond 6-in-1 9000
Premium pick
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The Blagdon 1054348 Inpond 6-in-1 9000 is a comprehensive pond care system that includes a fountain. It’s run by mains electricity so you need to plug it into an outside power outlet. Supply your own plug as, because of UK regulations, it doesn’t come with one, it’s easy enough and you can get a plug from online or B&Q for a few quid.
The six features of this inclusive system are the fountain, pump, filter, green water UV clarifier, waterfall, and automatic LED spotlight. This unit provides all the necessary appliances for your pond to stay healthy and clean as well as the fountain for visual entertainment. This really is an all-in-one setup and great if you’re just getting started as it includes everything you need without having to buy everything separately.
The 9000 in the pump’s name refers to the pond size of 9000L and not the water flow rate. This makes this model suitable for medium and larger-sized ponds.
The maximum fountain spray height is an impressive 2m (which is over 6ft). The spray heads you receive are the single daisy, the super daisy (aka the triple spray), the water bell (aka the dome), and the tulip. If you’re unsure what shapes these are, the sales website has handy diagrams of them.
The water flow is fully adjustable so you can have as powerful a stream of water to the fountain as you want. You can also adjust the width and height (to the maximum limit) of the fountain. There’s a lot to play around with here. And consider that you can run the waterfall and the fountain at the same time.
The automatic LED spotlight feature lets you bring your pond to life after dark. The light pivots so you can highlight the part of the pond that’s the most attractive. The manufacturer states to replace the bulb every year. It’s a good idea to replace the UVC lamp in the UV clarifier that kills algae at the same time, preferably in spring.
Lifting the unit out of the pond is not difficult to do either. The same handle that locks everything in place also serves as a carry handle. Just twist it upright and lift the pump up out of the water.
Pros
- All-inclusive electric pond solution with four fountain options.
- Suitable for a large pond.
- Includes a pump, a filter, green water UV clarifier, waterfall and automatic LED spotlight.
- The fountain head patterns are single daisy, super daisy (triple), water bell and tulip.
- Adjustable height and width for the fountain.
- Water flow is fully adjustable.
- The maximum fountain spray height is 2m.
- The flow rate is 3000L/hr.
- Can run fountain and waterfall together.
- Has ceramic bio media to house friendly bacteria.
- A rating of IP68 is so very waterproof.
- The locking handle doubles as a carry handle for easy removal from the pond.
- Comes with a long 10 m cable and no mains plug (as per UK regulations).
- Includes 30cm telescopic extension pipe.
Cons
- No separate light switch.
Our recommendation
If a pond fountain is just one part of your plan for a complete pond cleaning system, the Blagdon 1054348 Inpond 6-in-1 9000 is well worth considering. The six features that help clean the water include a fountain (and a waterfall) for decoration as well. The fountain comes with four spray heads, including the popular dome pattern not found on any of the other models in this review. This model handles a large pond, but there are other models in this series designed for mid-size and small ponds.
The Blagdon 1054348 Inpond 6-in-1 9000 is my choice for Best Pick – Premium for pond fountains. It really is a great piece of kit.
3. AllPondSolutions 2300L/H ECO Adjustable Pond Water Fountain Pump
Runner-up – Aerating
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The AllPondSolutions 2300L/H ECO Adjustable Pond Water Fountain Pump is an electric pump that’s designed to aerate your garden pond. It’s also decorative in that you receive a variety of nozzles for different spray types. But its main function is to inject oxygen into the pond water to keep your pond clean and healthy.
The main difference with this model is that it’s powered by mains electricity and not solar power. Don’t be surprised that it comes without a plug, though. The regulations in the UK require this so you can wire it into an outside power box if you want.
You receive different spray heads for different spray patterns. The fountain pipe is extendable and has an adjustable angle so you’re not limited to an absolutely straight-up fountain.
What you do get with this AllPondSolutions fountain pump is the ability to run two water features at the same time. You can run the fountain and a waterfall, or be very practical and hook a filtration system into the second outlet. The water flow for each outlet is adjustable so you determine how strongly you want the fountain or other feature to stream water through it.
The flow rate of the review model is 2,300L/hr. However, other models are available with other flow rates for more spectacular displays of fountains and for larger ponds. Choose from 3800L/hr; 4600L/hr; and 6500L/hr.
Pros
- Mains electric 35W garden fountain in a variety of sizes.
- Comes with a selection of fountain heads for varied spray styles and heights.
- A second outlet for another water feature such as a waterfall.
- The extendable pipe has an adjustable angle.
- Adjustable water flow-through rate for both outlets.
- Has a centrifugal impeller design for a high-flow rate.
- The maximum spray height is 2m for this model.
- The cable is 10m long.
- The flow rate is 2,300L/hr.
- Suitable for fresh and salt water.
- One-year warranty.
Cons
- Very poor assembly instructions but it’s simple enough to set up.
Our recommendation
If your interest in having a pond fountain goes beyond the aesthetic to the more practical of aerating the water, the AllPondSolutions 2300L/H ECO Adjustable Pond Water Fountain Pump is a good choice. The range of fountain pumps comes in a variety of flow rates to suit the size of your pond and its ecological needs. You can hook up your filtration system to this for a comprehensive pond care system or maybe include a waterfall for yet another spectacular garden water display.
The AllPondSolutions 2300L/H ECO Adjustable Pond Water Fountain Pump is my choice for Best Pick–Aerating in pond fountains.
4. AISITIN 6.5w Solar Fountain Pump
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The 2022 Upgraded AISITIN Solar Fountain Pump, 6.5W has, as its name says, some changes to the previous model and they made some good improvements. This version works on a 6.5W solar panel and has a backup rechargeable Lithium-ion battery to provide the 2 hours or thereabouts of power on cloudy days.
This is a floating fountain with a separate solar panel that sits on dry land. The floating base is 12cm in diameter. Please measure this out on a piece of paper to see exactly the size this is. The solar panel has a stand at the back of it to prop it up facing the sun. Some online reviewers would prefer that it comes with a stake to anchor it well into the lawn for stability and security.
The spray head of this pond fountain is easily changed. You have a choice of six spray nozzles, each of which produces a different water pattern. Each of your choices is different spray patterns; there’s no dome/bell option.
There’s no ON/OFF switch on this Aistin model. You have to unplug the fountain pump from the solar panel to stop it from working but would look at adding a timer or alexa. However, as a safety feature, there’s the automatic power off function. If the pump is raised out of the pond or sits in a shallow amount of water, the fountain stops working.
This pond fountain, like most others, doesn’t have an integral filter. This means that the pump and the holes become clogged up with dust and other pond debris. This is a common problem with decorative fountains so having a separate pond filter and skimmer is something to consider if you’re having issues with clogged pumps. Having to clean the pump is just part of the process.
Pros
- Floating solar fountain water pump.
- Operates on solar power with 6.5W solar panels.
- Built-in rechargeable Lithium-ion battery.
- Six nozzles to create different heights and shapes of water spray types.
- Easy to change the spray head.
- Water shortage protection to shut off the pump if the water level is too low.
- Solar panel dimensions: 22.27cm by 19.27cm.
- Floating base dimensions: 12cm in diameter.
Cons
- No ON/OFF switch.
- The solar panel has a stand at the back and no stake to put it in the ground.
Our recommendation
The AISITIN 6.5w Solar Fountain Pump is a good size for a pond that is small to medium-sized. Your choice of six nozzles offers a wide range of spray patterns which is nice. The back-up battery kicks in on cloudy days and lasts for two hours to two and a half hours so not amazing but good enough if it’s more for decorative purposes.
5. THU Solar Fountain Pump
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The THU Solar Fountain Pump is another decorative floating fountain pump that uses solar power and is the last model I recommend. But this model comes equipped with six multi-coloured LED lights to give you a light show in the evening as well as a water display that looks amazing once setup.
Everything is contained in the 16cm floating disc. The fountain spray nozzle is surrounded by LED lights which in turn have the solar panel surrounding them. It’s a compact design and you don’t need to link the pump by cable to a separate dry land solar panel. The anti-collision bars on the floating disc stop it from bumping into plants and other items in your pond.
This affordable model includes eight spray nozzles, the most of any pond fountain in this review. The spray height of this selection ranges from 30cm to 70cm depending on the spray head chosen.
I’m not sure what the power of the built-in Lithium-ion battery is. However, it does run for four hours when it’s fully charged. That’s an evening full of light and water displays.
With no filter as part of this THU Solar Fountain Pump, you do need to clean the pump and the nozzles on a regular basis. Again it might be worth getting a filter system or an all-in-one pond pump and filter and having this as a standalone system.
Pros
- Floating 3W solar pond fountain with LED lights.
- Anti-collision bars stop the pump from moving around.
- The solar panel and battery are on a 16cm floating disc.
- Six RGB LED lights work when it’s dark outside.
- The fountain and lights work for four hours when the battery is fully charged.
- Spray height is from 30cm to 70cm.
- Comes with eight nozzles for various spray patterns.
Cons
- No filter.
Our recommendation
If the lights and water displays of the fountains in Las Vegas beguile you, the THU Solar Fountain Pump is a good choice. The choice of eight spray patterns gives you a lot to work with. And add in four hours (on a fully charged battery) of lights as well for a multi-media entertaining display. As this is an all-in-one unit, there are no cables to worry about. Just pop the floating disc into your pond and you’re ready to go.
Buyer’s Guide for Pond Fountains
Before you decide which pond fountain to buy, ask yourself the following questions to get a better idea of the best fountain for your pond and your needs.
Why do you want a pond fountain?
The two main reasons for acquiring a pond fountain are for decorative purposes (or to impress the neighbours) and to provide aeration for the water in your pond.
The decorative fountains are generally those that have interchangeable nozzle heads to provide a selection of spray patterns. Look for starbursts, jets, domes, and cascading tiers.
Aerating fountains can also provide interesting spray patterns but they also work to add oxygen to the water. This is especially important if you keep fish, though it’s also good for water plants as well. You can also get pond plants that aerate the water. Fountains that aerate provide more litres per hour of water flow than decorative fountains.
How do you want to power your pond fountain?
Most pond fountains are decorative and use solar power as their energy source. Some come with back-up Lithium-ion batteries so you can use the fountain on dull days and in the evening. Solar-powered fountains may have a separate panel for solar connection to the pump and battery. You stake the panel into your lawn and hope there’s enough sunlight.
Alternatively, some models in our review include everything on one unit that floats on your pond. For these to be successful, your pond must be in direct sunlight for most of the day.
How disciplined are you at cleaning garden appliances?
None of the pond fountains in my review have built-in filters. This means that the pump and the nozzles can, and do, become clogged with dust and pond debris. Even the aerating fountains don’t have filters, but at least you can hook them up to your pond’s filtration system.
If your pond doesn’t have its own filtration system, you need to clean your pond fountain very regularly to keep it working. Just be aware that you’re taking on this task when you purchase a fountain for an unfiltered pond. I would invest in a good all-in-one pond system and a good pond vacuum cleaner. This will help reduce the risk of pond fountains becoming clogged up.
Are there extras that you really want?
Most decorative fountains come with four or more nozzles that provide a variety of spray patterns. If there are any patterns that you particularly want, e.g. a dome of water, make sure that the fountain has that nozzle.
Perhaps you want a fountain that looks like the ones in front of the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas at night time (we can all wish). Look for a fountain that incorporates coloured LED lights. Of course, these work off a charged battery after dark. You need to turn off the fountain for some hours during the day so that the sunlight hitting the solar panel can be used to charge the battery and not power the pump.
If you have a large pond that needs cleaning and filtering, you may want to consider a more inclusive pond fountain that has some or all of a filter, a pump, a water clarifier, and perhaps a waterfall built in.
FAQ
My fountain solar pump isn’t working. What’s wrong with it?
Here are the things to check out if your solar pump appears to have packed it all in.
Is the fountain’s solar panel now, or has it been, in shadow or shade?
Online reviewers of most of the fountain models in this review state that their fountain solar panels need full sunlight to work and to charge the battery (if there is one) and I have noticed the same. Partial sunlight won’t necessarily do the job. With this in mind, I prefer to get water fountains that come with backup batteries that charge.
Is the solar panel dirty?
You may remember to clean out the fountain pump if it doesn’t have a filter. But have you ever wiped down the solar panel? A grimy solar panel stops full sunlight from hitting the receivers which, in turn, cannot generate enough power to work the pump. Wipe off the solar panel and see if that solves the problem.
How about the connection between the solar panel and the pump?
Check both ends of the cable that runs between the solar panel and the fountain pump if there is one). And while you’re there, check along the cable in case your fish have begun to nibble it. You’re looking for loose connections or even loose wires.
Is the pump outlet blocked?
This may be the case if your fountain pump doesn’t have a built-in filter. It’s up to you to clean it every few days for dust and debris in the water. The pump outlet may be blocked by pond debris. The holes in the spray nozzles also become clogged with dust. Not having a regular cleaning routine for those may be the reason that your solar pump has stopped working.
Clean the pump and the nozzle holes. Keep the water in your pond clean and healthy – that’s better for the pond’s environment anyway.
Final Conclusion
Having a fountain in your garden pond adds both interest and contributes to the health of the pond and everything in it. Some of the models in this review that are more decorative are solar-powered with a battery backup. You don’t have to worry about running a cable to the outside power outlet and possibly creating a tripping hazard. Those fountains that are for the more practical purpose of aeration do run on mains electric. Don’t be surprised when they don’t come with a plug as UK regulations prohibit this.
My Best Pick – Decorative is the PowerBee Sunspray SE 500 Solar Fountain. As well as providing the usual fountain spray choices, this model lets you run the fountain for 15 minutes an hour to keep the water aerated.
My Best Pick – Aerating is AllPondSolutions 2300L/H ECO Adjustable Pond Water Fountain Pump. This model introduces oxygen into the pond water as well as provides a decorative fountain.
If your interest in water garden features has been piqued, check out the 5 Best Solar Powered Water Features With Battery Backup article. And don’t forget your feathered visitors. Surprise them with one of the Top 8 Best Bird Baths with some of our favourite picks.
For appliances to keep your pond clean and healthy, consider the 5 Best Pond Aerators – Oxygenate the Water Easily, the 3 Best All In One Pond Pump and Filter Units – My Top Pick For Small Ponds, and the 5 Best Pond Pumps – Choosing The Right Model and Flow Rate recommendations.
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
