Decorative fountains are visually appealing but don’t improve water quality. True aerating fountains circulate water, increase oxygen, and support beneficial aerobic bacteria that reduce weeds and algae. Aerating fountains combine aesthetics with functionality, making them ideal for large ponds, irrigation dams, and lakes.
Summary
Do Fountains Improve Water Quality? Display Fountains vs Aerating Fountains
One of the biggest problems we see commonly in dams, lakes, and ponds is poor aeration. So many water quality issues can be solved by quality aeration, but it’s missing from many sites we visit.
We want to talk to you about the difference between an aerating fountain and a display fountain. This is something that’s come up for us with various clients, and the differences are huge.
What Is Aeration?
Aeration is a pretty simple concept: it’s where you circulate the water, getting oxygen to the bottom, and removing other gases like hydrogen and methane. It’s absolutely essential for good water quality, especially in larger dams, lakes, and ponds. Improving oxygen levels in the water helps encourage good aerobic bacteria to thrive. These bacteria break down the nutrients that weeds and algae use to grow, and help keep your lake clean and healthy.
The aeration process relies on the movement of air and water through the water body. There are many kinds of aerators — surface aerators, sub-surface aerators, solar and wind aerators, and even aerating fountains.
The thing they have in common is that they actually aerate the water. They’re not just for display; they perform a vital function.
Decorative Fountains: Not an Aerator
We got a call from a potential client asking for help dealing with problems like weeds and blockages in their irrigation system. They had put in a fountain system, and they’d been told — likely by a pump shop or someone who doesn’t specialise in aeration — that it was going to help them aerate their dam.
Let’s get this straight: it couldn’t do that. This was a decorative fountain that will never, ever aerate a dam of that size. They ended up with a tiny little fountain that had a little submersible pump under it with an impeller. It won’t move nearly as much water as a propeller.
Aerating Fountains: Exactly What You Need
An aerating fountain is the best of both worlds: it’s a fountain and an aerator. The big difference between a decorative fountain and an aerating fountain is in the movement of the water. For our client’s irrigation dam, we installed a Carnival Aerating Fountain. It’s a three-quarter-horsepower aerating fountain with aesthetic impact… and water movement.
Unlike a decorative fountain, the Carnival system runs off a propeller and moves a hell of a lot of water. It produces a visually appealing fountain, too, although it has a more industrial-looking aesthetic than a decorative fountain. The key difference is that it actually does something: it’s an aerator that gets your water moving.
Choosing the Right System
If you’re wondering whether you need a decorative fountain or a true aerating fountain, think about these factors:
|
System Type |
Aesthetics | Aeration | Use Case |
|
Decorative Fountain |
Yes | No |
Purely decorative |
|
Aerator |
Not always | Yes |
Large ponds, wastewater irrigation dams, similar spaces |
| Aerating Fountain | Yes | Yes |
Decorative and practical aeration |
Ready for Aeration? Get in Touch
If you’re trying to improve water quality, don’t waste time and money on purely decorative “solutions”. When you’re looking for effective, practical solutions that work, contact us. We know aeration. We can assess your site, offer FREE advice, and design a water treatment system that works for your dam, lake or pond
