How To Prevent Bacteria Growth

There is absolutely nothing worse than a dirty water feature. It instantly takes away from the overall aesthetics of a room, and creates a negative feeling in the atmosphere, which is the exact opposite of what it is supposed to do. However, before you turn your nose up, assuming your fountain could never become dirty because your house is spotless, you should know that it definitely can. Bacteria can grow in water whether it is in a sterile environment or a cluttered, dusty mess. Here are some simple ways to prevent bacteria growth in your water feature.

Nojoqui Falls Triple Wall Fountain

Distilled Water

The simplest trick is to simply use distilled water when filling your fountain. Now, obviously this is not necessarily very practical for a large wall or floor fountain, but it is certainly recommended for a tabletop or small wall water feature. Keep in mind that water evaporates as the fountain runs. Therefore, it is recommended to keep distilled water on-hand, so you can add to the water level as needed as the pump must remain submerged.

Water Treatment

If you have a larger fountain, then using distilled water all the time will be quite expensive. Fortunately, a product, such as Fountec will help. It features organic polymers that have the natural ability to prevent algae and bacteria growth, thereby keeping the water clean and clear. Fountec can be used on both your indoor and outdoor fountains, and it is safe to use around pets and wildlife. So, if Miss Whiskers drinks from the inside floor fountain and you regularly see birds helping themselves in your garden fountains, rest assured they'll be just fine.

Ultraviolet Lights

This is an effective method for large and extra-large water features. Ultraviolet lights get placed in the basin of the fountain where all the water eventually ends up. As the water passes through the light, bacteria are destroyed. These lights also help to rid a fountain of green water by clumping algae allowing them to be caught by the filter.

Regular Cleaning

All fountains need to be cleaned regularly. Cleaning your fountain pump and stones will eliminate algae and bacteria, and will help to prevent the buildup of scale. Upkeep is much easier when cleanings are done regularly, rather than waiting until algae or bacteria has gotten out of control.