Water Features Ideas

In landscape architecture and garden design, a water feature is any indoor or outdoor décor that incorporates water. All components must be present in order to be considered an ecosystem since all components interact to keep the pond naturally balanced, thereby minimizing maintenance.

 Beginning in ancient times, fountain designers relied on gravity, channeling water from a higher source in a closed system to provide water pressure with the exception of the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon. (Described by Strabo as supplied by an Archimedean screw)

Archimedes' Screw has been used to lift water to higher levels since ancient times. Archimedes (287-212 B.C.) is the traditional inventor of this device, which was originally used for irrigation in the Nile delta and for  removing water from the hold of a large ship.

In the past, the power source was sometimes a steam engine, but until the early 20th century, it is almost always powered by electricity.  We are looking for future green energy pond water fountain is powered by solar panel. There are many advantages of using Solar energy, for small ponds and water features where cost effective, cable-free, convenient and environmentally friendly.

There's a catch, of course with using a solar powered pond pump. If you have Koi fish you would not use a pond that only operates during daylight. The persistent functioning of the pond filtration system and pump are important. The pond has special needs because the Koi fish need extremely clean water  help them survive.

You would rather use a solar pump for fountains without fish. They are great in the ecological sense and virtually cost nothing to run.

Modern water features are typically  self reliance, meaning that they do not require water to be plumbed in; rather water is recycled clean and safe from either a pond or a hidden underground reservoir, also known as a sump pit.

Water features often offer additional benefits to homeowners, such as increased curb appeal, home value, reduced noise pollution (due to the sound of water overpowering outside noise), and improved air quality.

A showcased water fountain could be the perfect centerpiece for your garden. There are many themes to choose for your garden fountain. The set may be as basic and simple or a complicated extravaganza project, it all depend on the depth of your wallet.

 Great ideas water features for garden fountains, from simple bubbling jars to classic urns, cupids and how about using famous icon building in Malaysia?  Isn't that cool!

Can you name all the buildings chosen for the fountain here?

 

You probably want to come up with a material like Aluminum.  It is light weight, solid and durable non-corrosive properties.

 It would be much more better if there's  red flashing lights on the top of buildings of Petronas Twin Towers and with Led lighting system so that some windows will light up at night.

If you haven't  figured it out by now, what are the building icons used in this water fountain theme, here are the answers.

Roundabout fountain at night by Floodlight.

A collection of Aluminium cut profile shaped into the continents of the world.

Feng Shui is a term composed of two Chinese words: feng (wind) and shui (water).Successful businesses and happy people dwell in places where either by accident or design, Feng Shui principles have conspired to nurture them.The element of “WATER” plays a major part in the discipline of Feng Shui practice. It is also a good idea to construct a small pool or fish pond in the  vicinity of office building.

Office building blend seamlessly into the forest as if nature had been the architect dictating . The landscape feature looks like a door leading into another world that gives a relaxing and calming atmosphere like a Zen-like environment. Additional water fountains bring the feelings of peace, serenity, and calm to even the most hectic working environment.

The surrounding area or setting of a water fountain also affects its potential to drowned out the noise and delights of  two fountains of gushing water brought cooling effect of water in motion. It works just like a natural air-conditioning effect .

As we all know, in order to have a healthy pond, filled with happy fish, our pond water must contain plenty of oxygen. Aeration is the process of adding of oxygen into the water. One of the simple way is fountain or multi-waterfall by adding a water feature to your garden pond. It will provide needed oxygen while while adding a sense of beauty and prestige to any landscape.

When water tumbles vigorously over rocky streams and waterfalls, it comes into greater contact with air. Harmful gasses are released and oxygen is incorporated into the water. In deeper water ponds oxygen production is thus limited only to the surface region of the pond. Such production cannot meet the oxygen demands of the deeper layers of the pond.  To further provide additional oxygen and circulation to a pond, subsurface aeration  is essentially wherein air is pumped from an on-shore air compressor.

The indoor water feature, provides you with soothing sounds of nature. There's nothing like the sound  of the garden waterfall provides continuous motion, the relaxing sounds of running water. It will magnetize outdoor creatures to your water sanctuary, creating good energy (sheng chi) for all.

The advantage of twin fountains it's for safety over reliance on a single fountain . After all, if one pumps fails, well, you can be sure that the oxygen was adequate and safe till you get the one repaired.

Fengshui tips: If a home or business  failed to attract money then water needs to be introduced into the right zone outside. It can not be placed just anywhere because it also can brings more harm than good. 

You must place water fountain or water feature in your wealth corners- south east, south west and north. As long as the water seems to flow into your office building is auspicious but if it flows out of your house then its a catastrophe. It is  imperative to have water facing the front door and water flowing in. In other words, more money comes in, rather than flows out.

 The fish symbol which sound like the yu 馀, it  has long been associated with abundance and wealth in feng shui.  Fish also keep the water flowing and  it is this flow that directs the qi to bring fortune. Koi are the most spectacular ornamental pond fish to add to a garden pond.Generally, Koi fish symbolism came from the Chinese legend of the Dragon Gate where the Koi has triumphantly swam up a waterfall and transformed to a dragon afterward. This is why Koi has become a favorite icon as it stands for a lot of things.

With the combination of eight red and one black fish, the fish symbolize prosperity, energy and good fortune. The number eight is the major prosperity number for feng shui practices. The one black goldfish is most important since its purpose is to absorb any negative energy that enters your home. If the black fish dies without any known cause, such as under-oxygenated water, overfeeding or lack of food, it is believed that the fish died from absorbing bad luck that was meant for you.

The fish at the office fish pond  may seem to have an uncannily accurate know what time it is. Every morning will gather at the other side of pond waiting for feeding time. Most of the time they will often be found playing in the strong currents from a waterfall or under water return.  

It is important that you keep water clean, clear of debris and circulating. Murky, stagnant water creates negative energy. This can lead to financial losses.With any pond, if you want it crystal clear and to be able to see the fish all the time then you need invest a good filtration system. 

 Larger ponds require larger size and capacity pumps and large filter units to efficiently handle the greater volumes of water. Therefore, external (out-of-pond) filtration systems are normally used for larger ponds.

This filter system works both mechanically and biologically. Water is drawn from the pond into the filter through  4-inch diameter  pipe, water then passes through filter brushes several chamber to remove solids before the water enters the biological filtration unit.

By mechanical filtration, the passing of the pond-water through a series of filters brushes and later biological filtration media (the foam pads and the bio-balls) which physically block the solids from returning to the pond. Biological filtration is the conversion of the toxins ammonia and nitrite (from animal waste and decaying organic matter) into relatively harmless nitrates. Friendly bacteria called nitrifiers form a colony on the filtration media and process the toxic compounds, converting them to nitrates, which are used by pond plants as food.

Maintenance on the filters is not difficult. About every six months, Pond Cleaning Contractor will take separation filer units apart and rinse the foam pads with water to clean out the collected "gunk". These pads are reusable. A large  Multi Chamber filter systems gives greater filtration and better pond water quality. Cleverly hidden and covered with wooden cover planks thereby keeping the filters system invisible from view.

This internal filtration systems conceals in a round housing. The filter brushes and the chamber should be  flushed using buckets of pond water. 

 Bioballs in a mesh bag clean out using a garden hose

The shape of the pond should be given some thought. A round pond is basically  ugly, or unattractive and unnatural in appearance. On the other hand, an irregularly shaped, like a puzzle piece, while perhaps more natural, can interfere with good water-flow patterns within the pond, resulting in  ponds become stagnant  which result algal blooms occur.  It's important to realize that current flow easily and circularly throughout the pond. 

The bottom contour of your pond is extremely important. The bottom and sides need to slope to one or more centrally located bottom drain. In this way, the pond is virtually self cleaning because all the sediment and debris that falls to the bottom will naturally be swept to this location for easy filtration.

Running water has a calming effect, that help you to de-stress doesn’t it? I’m not quite sure why we find that sound to be tranquil and relaxing, in which the brain is relaxed but focused. I guess that's just how nature works.

Whether you opt for buying an affordable premade fountain or decide to build your own, you’re bound to get some great inspiration from these gorgeous features that highlight nature’s most important element. 

Here are some to consider: ...

Rock Waterfall Fountains

Cascading Mountain Falls Outdoor Water Fountain w/ LED Lights 

Tiering Pot Fountain. Water pours from one jar top to the next and ultimately pools into the bottom of the elegant Fountain. A simple yet beautiful fountain.

Chinese Style-fountain

Carp Leaping Over Dragon's Gate Fountain

Dragon  Ornament fountain 

Chinese version of Manneken Pis , a landmark small bronze sculpture (61 cm) in Brussels, depicting a naked Peeing Boy

Follow the leader. Koi Spinning round and round.

Bird bath fountain: A bird bath is an artificial "puddle" or small shallow pond, created with a water-filled basin, in which birds may drink, bathe, and cool themselves

I went to Putrajaya to see this year Putrajaya Floria or the Putrajaya Flower & Garden Festival 2015( over 9 days from 30th May - 7th June 2015) together with my mum, sis and brother-in-law.  It showcase many water feature landscape ideas.

 Indoor wall fountains bring the beautiful ambiance of a natural waterfall into your home. Wall fountains are dynamic ..... It's called the backyard waterfalls.

Bamboo fountain popular in a Japanese Zen Garden.All of the products are built using solid pieces of bamboo. Solid bamboo makes the fountain stronger and less likely to crack. 

Waterwheel put to use to oxygenate water by bring the water up to the top with the water channeling down to the wheel buckets that drives the wheel. It is a real working water wheel.

Rocking on Bamboo Arms Garden Water Fountain 

Diy Outdoor Water Wall Fountain

Pond Fountain, What are they all about? A fountain sometimes is confused with a display aerator. Both shoot water out of the pond and have awesome display

 A fountain in the center of the roundabout. The fountain is beautiful during the day, but when the sun goes down and the lights come on, ... it will be romantic and beautiful scenery. 

Water feature fountain at Seremban town square roundabout 

Kids loves watching water fountain shooting up from it coming down in a splash! 

 Beautiful KLCC Park, the spectacular musical fountain display
starts at 8pm everyday.

Sophisticated computerized controls for synchronizing music to water

 In the near future,  water fountain has become much more sophisticated. Not content with just dancing fountain show but will have Holographic video that had much better resolution than Hologram of Princess Leia in the first Episode of Star Wars.

I will simply say that it never ceases to amaze me how humans have learned to convert creative water features ideas into reality  from ancient times to the present day.