Controls and prevents algae growth in ornamental water fountains. Helps clear cloudy water caused by suspended algae in convenient block application.

Tranquility Tabletop Fountain

Rid yourself of the winter blues and achieve balance by creating a tranquil environment in your home. Indoor water fountains are an excellent way to bring harmony into your home as well as a wonderful way to reduce stress, promote relaxation and positively impact your health and wellness. Fountains are beneficial because they increase the humidity level which in turn decreases dust, pollutants and static electricity. Optimum humidity is essential for a comfortable environment in two ways.

First, the added humidity provided by the water makes the air easier to breathe, especially for those with allergies and sinus conditions. In addition, increased humidity, especially during the winter months, plays an important role in moisturizing the skin and relieving dry eyes. Aside from the healthy benefits of adding humidity to what can otherwise be a dry, unhealthy environment, the sound of trickling water is soothing to the ear, creating a more calm, relaxing atmosphere for reading, writing, officework, etc. Also, excessive amounts of positive ions which are created by pollutants and other factors can result in sickness and depression. Flowing or moving water effectively removes pollutants by increasing negative ions in the air, and that is a good thing. So you see, there are many benefits to owning a beautiful indoor water fountain.

Here are a few tips on safety and maintenance of your fountain:

* Indoor water fountains can be placed in any room of your home- the bedroom, den, home office, or sun room. Just place atop a sturdy tabletop or shelf.

* All fountains come complete with pumps and polished stones or river rock and can be

End Table Fountain

assembled in minutes. Once it’s assembled just add distilled water. Using distilled water will eliminate salt and calcium deposits. There is no direct water supply needed. Just be sure to add more water to your fountain as it evaporates to avoid possible damage to the pump if the water gets too low.

*You can adjust the sound of water fountain by changing the water level; If your fountain is too loud, try adding more water to it. Some fountains come with an adjustable pump so you can adjust the speed with which the water flows.

*If you plan to be away from home for several days, unplug the fountain and fill it with fresh water when you return.

* A fountain in the bedroom should be turned off at night while you’re sleeping. If you find the sound soothing and it helps you fall asleep, use a timer to turn the fountain off after you fall asleep rather than letting it run all night.

Let your spirit soar. Indoor water fountains are a welcome addition to any room and will help create a soothing environment for you and your family.

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Connie Raines is an online entrepreneur, owner of http://www.conniesheavenlygiftsforyou.com the place to shop for gift ware, collectibles, decorative accessories for home, garden, seasonal decor, and personal use, all at bargain prices.

Garden Water Fountains and Feng Shui: Creating positive life forces and harmony with the age-old concepts of Feng Shui

Feng Shui Fountain

“Feng Shui” is a system of arranging things for optimal within your environment to ensure a peaceful, beneficial, and elevating environment. Water is one of the five primary elements of Feng Shui. In fact, the Chinese term Feng Shui can be loosely translated as “wind and water”. Because water possesses both qualities, a garden water fountain is a crucial element when using the principles of Feng Shui. Many individuals select a fountain with an Asian theme such as a bamboo fountain. Yet, a traditional Western fountain will do the job just as well.

Materials found in nature such as slate, stone, bamboo, wood, and copper are all complementary to the basic concepts of Feng Shui. In particular, a bamboo fountain merges water and wood energy. Tranquil Zen fountains made from a slab of marble combined with metal are modest, representing the sense of serenity and equilibrium. They are available as both freestanding and wall mounted garden water fountains. Whatever style you choose, be sure that the water in your  fountain is always clean, adequately supplied and free of debris.

When evaluating your garden, it is essential to take into account that in Feng Shui, every part of the space relate to a symbolic importance. There are numerous different implementations of Feng Shui. However, they all include some type of template that partitions the space into separate areas that affect one’s life. These include such factors as friends, fame, love, wealth, health, and more. In positioning a garden water fountain, said to facilitate the flow of qi (life energy), the most favorable placement would be in the southeast, east, or north portions of your garden.

Rounded objects are preferred in Feng Shui, so garden water fountains with curved basins and those featuring a sphere or orb are outstanding selections. There are many lovely water fountains made with a succession of pottery or earthenware containers that spill water into each other, which enables qi to both circulate and accumulate. Stone statuary of birds, frogs, or meditating figures also may enhance symbolism to encourage longevity, health, wealth, or luck.

Many gardens can benefit from having a soothing garden water fountain planned with Feng Shui principles in mind. Large wall mounted fountains, petite tabletop fountains, bamboo fountains, Zen garden fountains, and traditional garden fountains can all contribute to soothing and revitalizing the positive energy flow in your garden surroundings.

Gardens around the world are beginning to sprout beauty through features other than flowers, shrubs and trees. Take a peek at some of the nicer backyard gardens and you will likely find a wide variety of garden water fountains enhancing their designs.

With the gift-giving season approaching, many garden lovers will be receiving their first garden fountain this year. Garden water fountains make wonderful gifts at any time of year. They are beautiful to view and are available in a wide range of styles that blend with any type of landscape design.  They are very serene and the sound of gently flowing water has an amazing calming effect.

If you are giving, or receiving, an outdoor garden fountain this year, here are a few maintenance tips you may find helpful:

Avoid Ice Build-Up In Your Garden Fountain

– If winter temperatures in your area often drop below the freezing point you should be aware of potential problems with expansion and contraction of the fountain’s materials and connections. These days, many outdoor fountains are light enough to be moved indoors during the winter months – a good feature to look for when shopping for a garden fountain in colder climes.

– If the fountain is too large or heavy to move indoors, be sure to drain the fountain before cold weather strikes. In addition, make periodic inspections to ensure that water is not collecting in the fountain as a result of rain or melting snow. When water freezes, the expansion of the ice may cause cracks to appear in your fountain. For proof, just take a look at the potholes that appear in roads over the winter.

– If the fountain will remain outside during the winter you should also remove the pump and store it inside to avoid damage. Wrap your fountain with an old blanket, towels or other absorbent material. Then cover with a plastic tarp or a similar protective cover to help shield it from water and cold temperatures.

– As warmth returns, make sure you thoroughly clean the fountain, removing any leaves, twigs, and similar debris that may have accumulated. Throughout the spring, summer and fall, get in the habit of checking the fountain for debris at least weekly. Pay particular attention to the pump’s inlet area so that foreign objects do not result in clogging.

– To keep your fountain clean and free from algae growth, add an animal-friendly cleaner  to the water. Adding beneficial bacteria and enzyme products such as Algae Fix or barley straw extract should be effective. Even if pets will not have access to the pond water it’s important to use non-poisonous cleaning products as your fountain will undoubtedly be visited by birds and other wildlife.

Taking just a few simple maintenance steps will help keep your outdoor fountain in great shape for many years, providing countless hours of serenity and relaxation in your garden.

Finding the Perfect Indoor Water Fountain for Your Home

“A Man’s Home Is His Castle” – This expression addresses the principle of a man’s (or woman’s) right to enjoy your individual privacy within your own home. Your “castle” provides refuge from the outside world and the stress that that world induces. It is that special place where you can relax and do what you want to do, when you want to do it.

Floor Mounted Indoor Water Fountain

It’s only natural to want to make your environment at home as peaceful and personally pleasing as possible. One way to enhance your home’s ambiance is to install a relaxing indoor water fountain. Reducing stress, attenuating unpleasant noises, and providing a visually appealing focal point are among the many benefits that a water fountain offers.

There are a seemingly endless number of indoor water fountain styles available today. Choosing the type and design of fountain that best fits your needs may seem to be quite a challenge. However a general review of your home decorating scheme can make that decision quite a bit easier. No matter what style you have chosen for your personal living space, it usually can be enhanced by an indoor water fountain that adds that special touch to your decor.

Does your home decor make use of rich colors, organic materials, natural textures, or exposed wood? Does your interior decorating style have a multi-cultural feel? If so, you may want to choose a fountain that is made from natural materials such as sandstone, granite, copper or slate. These types of materials would coordinate well with your decor.

Fountains that make use of stainless steel or brass combined with polished black stone or glazed ceramic would probably look great in a home with a contemporary decor. Modern floor mounted fountains can do double duty as a piece of fine art, adding to the contemporary style. Similarly, wall mounted fountains can make a bold statement and serve as an eye catching focal point.

Another Beautiful Floor Mounted Water Fountain

For those homes that have an Asian design theme, or if you are incorporating feng shui into your decor, there are many Asian inspired indoor water fountains that will enhance the atmosphere your are working to create. Many tabletop fountains are available that are made from stone, ceramic and bamboo. These materials when used with the element of water can be incorporated into your feng shui theme. A number of Zen garden themed indoor water fountains with simple yet elegant lines are also available.

Homes with traditional decor are well suited for fountains with a classic look. Scalloped edges, delicate scroll work and tiered basins work well together giving a traditional home a stylish look. Classic fountains can be found made from a wide range of materials. Finding one that works well with your particular decorating style should not be very difficult.

Finding the perfect indoor water fountain for your “castle” is your first step toward a new level of serenity. The perfect indoor fountain can help you counteract the stress of daily life through the peaceful sight and sound of gently flowing water.