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Water Guidelines
Adding Water To Your Decorative Indoor Water Fountain
Always Use Distilled Water Most tap water contains minerals like calcium that can build up over time. When these minerals accumulate in your decorative indoor water fountain, they can damage the pump and leave ugly spots on your fountain's surface. Distilled water is available in many grocery stores and costs about as much as other bottled waters. Distilled water contains no minerals that can effect the performance of your decorative indoor water fountain.
Use Protec®
If you do decide to use tap water in your decorative indoor water fountain, you should definitely use a water treatment product called Protec®. This additive prevents and removes mineral deposits and metal stains, preserving your pump and the beauty of your decorative indoor fountain. Protec® is available in many aquarium, pet and pool supply stores. It is also safe to use with pets in the home.
Use Fountec® if Necessary
Algae generally does not form in a decorative indoor water fountain, however, if the fountain is not maintained well, it is a possibility. If you do have algae buildup, a product called Fountec® can probably solve the problem. Fountec® is sold in many of the same places as Protec.®
Change Water Regularly
The water in your decorative indoor water fountain should be changed at least every six months. If you live in a dusty or smog-filled environment, you may want to change the water more often than this.
Maintain Proper Water Level
Water will naturally evaporate from your decorative indoor water fountain, so you will need to add some water periodically . In most cases, a small cupful per week is all that is necessary. If you live in a a very dry environment, you may find yourself adding water more often than this.
Don't Add Anything Else To Your Water!!!
Your decorative indoor water fountain is just that... a water fountain! Please don't add any oils, perfumes, dyes, bubbles, beverages, glitter or goldfish. It’ll damage your fountain and void your warranty. So, please don’t!
Protecting Your Fountain's Finish
Indoor Water Fountains With Natural Finish
Indoor water fountains that use copper components will naturally change in appearance over time. As it ages, copper begins to take on a bluish green patina called verdigris (pronounced “ver da gree”).Different indoor water fountains will develop this coloring at different paces, depending on the water used and the climate in which they are kept.
Most people simply let the copper's natural changes unfold, and enjoy the unique patterns that nature provides. If you would prefer to slow the development of the verdigris coloring, you can apply a thin film of Pledge® or other furniture polish once a week. However...
Powder Coated Fountains
Powder coating is a finish, either clear or coated, that is baked on to some indoor water fountains. It helps to slow the oxidation process.
Whether the powder coating on your indoor water fountain is clear or colored, apply Turtle Wax Hard Shell® wax about every three months to help the coating last. A household polish like Pledge® will work well for weekly cleanings, and will maintain the durability of your finish.
It is best to keep the copper portions of your decorative indoor fountain dry. Even small droplets of water will speed the formation of verdigris.
DO NOT USE COPPER CLEANER
This will damage your indoor fountain’s powder coated finish. In some areas of the country the water has a large amount of minerals which will cause white spots to appear on the copper parts of your indoor water fountain. On powder coated copper, these spots can be safely cleaned off with CLR® (Calcium Lime Rust Remover) following the instructions on the bottle. Make sure that you thoroughly rinse off all cleaning agents before refilling and restarting your indoor water fountain. Don’t get any wax or Pledge in the water! See section below “How to Maintain the Water” regarding Protec® to minimize minerals in the water.
As mentioned above, over time, all copper oxidizes – even if powder coated. Powder coating merely slows the process. On clear coated fountains, particularly in the creases where water and moisture collect, a rosy color will ultimately develop. This “blush” will generally stay localized and will not affect the performance of your fountain. Maintaining your fountain, as above, will delay and minimize the blush.
Cleaining
Indoor Waterfall Cleaning Instructions
Indoor waterfalls should be cleaned occasionally. If you use distilled water or the Protec® solution, you will have much less mineral buildup.
- If the Face is Made of Slate
If you do have mineral deposits on your indoor waterfall, the best way to wash them away is with CLR® (Calcium Lime Rust Remover) and a soft bristled brush, according to the instructions on the bottle. Remember that slate is a natural stone, and while the slate used in all of our indoor waterfalls is of a very high quality, excessively hard scrubbing could cause damage, so be careful.
- If the Face of Your Indoor Waterfall is Made of Pebbles
Use the same process listed above for slate. Don't use any bleach or strong solvents that could damage the material behind the pebbles.
- If the Face is Italian Marble
As with slate indoor waterfalls, use some CLR or a mixture of warm water and white vinegar.
- If the Face is Made of Glass or Mirror
For cleaning a glass indoor waterfall, the best solution is to use some white vinegar and water. If water doesn't seem to run smoothly over the glass, dry the surface thoroughly, and apply a thin layer of Jazz® Window Prep, available at many art supply stores.
IMPORTANT: In all cases, remember to keep the runoff of mineral deposits, soap, vinegar, etc. from getting into the water supply of your indoor waterfall.
How to Maintain the Lighting and Electrical
All light bulbs eventually burn out and need to be replaced. The bulbs used in our indoor waterfalls are found in most hardware stores. Listed below are the specifications for replacing the bulbs. This information is also found in your indoor waterfall's instructions.
Underwater Lights:
Use a 10 watt, 12 volt halogen bulb (JC Type) S3459.
Standard Lights (Not underwater):
Depending on which indoor waterfall you own, use either a 75 watt flood bulb or a 25 watt reflector bulb.
When handling a halogen bulb, never touch the glass with your skin. Oils on your skin can shorten the lifespan of the bulb, or even cause it to shatter. To change a bulb, first unplug the indoor waterfall, and remove the glass tube cover. Next, remove the old bulb, and replace it with the new one. Then, replace the glass tube to protect the bulb from water.
The Bulbs in My Indoor Waterfall Keep Burning Out
If a standard (non under water) bulb keeps shattering or burning out frequently, it may be because water is splashing onto the bulb while it is hot. Make sure the water flows evenly over the top of your indoor waterfall. You may also want to adjust the flow of the water, or if necessary, adjust the light hood so that water is no longer contacting the bulb. If the light bulbs on your indoor waterfall continue to burn out frequently, try replacing them with lower wattage bulbs. For example, in place of a 75 watt bulb, use a 50 watt bulb.
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