What does self contained water feature mean?

A self contained water feature is a type of fountain or pond that recirculates water so that it does not require being connected to plumbing or an external water source. The water is pumped from a reservoir up to the top of the fountain where it cascades down, and the reservoir collects the water again to repeat the cycle. This makes self contained fountains easy to install because they do not require extensive installation of pipes and pumps.

What are the components of a self contained water feature?

The key components of a self contained water feature are:

• Reservoir – This is the basin that holds the water. It should be large enough to contain all the water that will cascade through the fountain.
• Pump – The pump moves the water from the reservoir up to the top of the fountain. Submersible pumps are commonly used.
• Tubing – Flexible tubing runs from the pump outlet up to the top water distribution component of the fountain.
• Water distribution component – This could be a spout, nozzle, or other water-spreading component that distributes the water at the top of the fountain.
• Power source – The pump must be powered, usually by an outdoor electrical outlet.

The key advantage of this self contained system is that no external plumbing is required. The pump recirculates water from the reservoir through the feature again and again.

What are the benefits of a self contained water feature?

Some key benefits of self contained fountains and ponds include:

• Easy installation – No plumbing is required.
• Portability – They can be moved to different locations in the yard.
• Lower maintenance – The recirculating water requires less cleaning than water connected to an open water source.
• Flexibility – Self contained fountains can be customized with different water distribution components.
• Self-sufficiency – They don’t rely on external water lines or drainage.

For homeowners who want the aesthetics and soothing sounds of a water feature without major landscape construction, self contained models are an excellent choice. Their all-in-one design makes installing them a DIY project for many homeowners.

What are the different types of self contained water features?

There are many design options when it comes to self contained fountains and ponds. Some of the most popular choices include:

• Tabletop fountains – Small fountains designed for patios and decks. The reservoir is contained in the bottom basin.
• Freestanding fountains – Larger models that sit on the ground. Water cascades over multiple basins stacked on top of the reservoir.
• Wall fountains – Mounted against a wall. Water flows down the wall into a collecting reservoir.
• Pondless waterfalls – The reservoir is buried while water spills over rocks into a stream or basin.
• Disappearing fountains – The water source is concealed, creating the illusion of water appearing out of nowhere.
• Container water gardens – Self contained ponds planted with aquatic plants and surrounded by decorative rocks.

The style and size you choose depends on the space available and the aesthetic you prefer. The tubing and pump can be concealed for a more natural looking water feature.

What size reservoir is needed?

The reservoir size needed depends on the dimensions of the water feature:

• Small tabletop fountains – A reservoir of 3-5 gallons is typical.
• Medium sized fountains – A 10-30 gallon reservoir is usually sufficient.
• Large fountains – May require a 50 gallon reservoir or more.
• Ponds – Recommended to have a reservoir that holds 1.5-2 times the volume of the pond.

Having a reservoir larger than the minimum required is beneficial to provide extra circulation capacity and guard against overflow from the fountain.

How much tubing do you need?

The amount of tubing needed depends on the height the water needs to be pumped:

• Tabletop fountains – May only need 6-10 feet of tubing.
• Freestanding fountains under 5 ft tall – 25-50 ft of tubing.
• Large fountains over 5 ft tall – 50-100 ft of tubing.
• Pondless waterfalls – 100-200 ft to conceal and run tubing underground.

Flexible vinyl tubing between 1/2 and 1 inch diameter is commonly used. Go with larger diameter tubing for longer runs to reduce friction loss. Oversizing the tubing diameter is better than having tubing that’s too small and can restrict flow.

What pump size is required?

The pump must be strong enough to push the water to the full height of the water feature:

• Tabletop fountains – A small 50 GPH pump is usually sufficient.
• Medium sized fountains – Use a 150-300 GPH pump.
• Large fountains – A 500-1000 GPH pump is typical.
• Ponds – 1000-2500 GPH pumps are common depending on pond size.

It’s better to oversize the pump capacity compared to the minimum required. This ensures good water circulation and allows the pump to operate at lower speeds with less strain.

How do you keep water clean in a self contained water feature?

To help keep water clean and prevent algae growth in a self contained water feature, follow these tips:

• Use an algaecide like sodium percarbonate in the water per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Change out a portion of water every 2-4 weeks to lower nutrient levels.
• Clean pump intakes and tubing regularly to remove any buildup of debris.
• Add a filter like a foam pre-filter to get rid of dirt and organic contaminants.
• Use distilled or reverse osmosis filtered water to fill the reservoir instead of hard tap water.
• Keep the water shaded from direct sunlight to inhibit algae growth.
• Don’t overfeed fish in pond fountains as uneaten food can pollute water.

Conclusion

Self contained water features provide a gorgeous fountain or pond anywhere in your yard without needing extensive plumbing work. Just add water to the reservoir, connect the tubing and pump, run the power cord, and your water feature can be enjoyed immediately. With some simple maintenance like changing the water and cleaning the system periodically, the tranquil sounds of cascading water can be appreciated all season long without having to connect to external water lines or drainage.