subject: Tips for Removing Algae from Outdoor Fountains [print this page] Tips for Removing Algae from Outdoor Fountains
Outdoor fountains can make a wonderful and relaxing addition to any outdoor space. When you want to make your garden area a soothing haven where you can go to get rid of your stress, an outdoor water feature is an excellent idea. It can sometimes be a challenge to keep your fountain clean. This is because keeping an outdoor fountain can oftentimes be more difficult than cleaning an indoor water feature. Outdoor water features are typically left open to dirt, dust, animals, small insects and algae. These problems not only disturb the aesthetic quality of your fountain, but can also give off a bad small and even interrupt the operation of your fountain.
One of the most common problems that many people make is trying to clean their fountain with the use of bleach. Bleach should never be used because it has a corrosive quality that can actually damage your fountain. One of the best ways to clean your outdoor water feature is to rinse it and clean it by scrubbing it with a soft cloth or sponge. This alone can help to prevent algae from growing. You can also try cleaning it with water and vinegar. In addition, there are specialty cleaning products you can purchase that are made specifically for cleaning outdoor water features and will not damage them.
Keep in mind that it is usually a good idea to use distilled water in the operation of your fountain. In most cases, you should not use tap water. This is because the tap water in most parts of the country contains minerals that can be damaging to your fountain. Since the pump will re-circulate the water over and over it should not be too much of a problem or prohibitively expensive to use distilled water for the operation of your fountain. It is a good idea to change out the water on a regular basis, especially if you run your outdoor fountain throughout the day on a continual basis. If you have a particularly large fountain and it is not possible to use distilled water, you might try using a water softening agent. Hard water can result in calcium stains on the surface of your fountain. These stains can be difficult to remove if you do not treat them immediately, so it is often better to simply go ahead and use a water softening agent.
