Although fountains are often installed in a pond primarily to create visual interest or sound effects, they are also useful for oxygenating the water, benefiting fish and other wildlife.

The majority of fountains need an electricity supply and a pump - both are easier to fit at the same time as the feature or pond is built, rather than as an afterthought. (Read about solar-powered pumps for electricity-free fountains). Aquatic suppliers will be able to demonstrate the range of spray patterns available and advise you on the size of pump you will require.

You may also want to think about adding a statue to house the jet; although this isn't essential, a carefully chosen sculpture can add to the sense of drama that a fountain can provide. Try to choose one that comes complete with a brass fountain jet built-in; this will make installation much simpler.

Pump Placement

When fitting a pump for the pond, bear in mind that you will need to place it where you easily reach it to maintain it. If you have a small pond, then you may want to simply put the pump in the middle with the fountain jet directly above it. However, in a large pond, it is worth putting the pump at the edge (ideally under an overhanging edge), connecting it to the fountain jet with a flexible plastic pipe.

To reduce the amount of debris sucked into the pump, raise it up from the floor of the pond using slabs or an upturned terracotta pot. You may need to tie small, light pumps to the blocks to secure them in place.

The majority of pumps have a pre-filter supplied to prevent debris getting sucked inside; bear in mind that this will need cleaning every so often.

Electrical Safety

The safest way to power your pump is by using a waterproof plug connected to a proper outdoor socket with an RCD (residual current device), fitted by a qualified electrician.

However, if the pond is situated near the house, you can plug the pump into an indoor socket. Protect the cable by pushing it through plastic conduit, and then fit a normal plug. If your house does not have RCD protection, then you will need to make sure that you connect it using a plug-in RCD.

Adjusting the Flow

The flow of a fountain is usually adjusted by turning the flow adjuster, a screw in between the pump and the fountain jet. It is easier to carry this out with a helper; one person should turn the screw whilst the other turns the power off during adjustments and turns it back on to check the flow.