Q. I really want a fountain, but am concerned about the maintenance. How much work is required to keep a fountain running and looking nice?

A. Water fountains require very little maintenance. Once set up, fountains simply need to be wiped clean every now and then, and the water level needs to be maintained to prevent damage to the pump. A good way to remember to re-fill your fountain is to make a habit of doing it whenever you water your plants. "Fresh Start Water Conditioner" and "Feature Clear" Water Treatments are recommended to prevent the growth of algae as well as the build-up of mineral deposits. You simply need to add a drop for each gallon of water contained in your fountain once a week.

Q. Is it necessary to use distilled water?

A. Using distilled water is recommended due to the fact that over time, your fountain will develop pink or white stains from mineral deposits in hard water that are aesthetically unappealing and can interfere with the function of the fountain. Sometimes, particularly with large fountains that require frequent refilling due to evaporation, it is simply not feasible to use distilled water. In this case, or when the customer would simply prefer not to use distilled water, we recommend the use of "Fresh Start Water Conditioner" and "Feature Clear". "Fresh Start Water Conditioner" and "Feature Clear" contains a unique blend of advanced organo-phosphonates for superior protection against both white calcium mineral buildup and metallic stains. "Fresh Start Water Conditioner" and "Feature Clear" will prevent and remove existing mineral deposits and metal stains on all types of fountain and statuary surfaces. This product will also help prevent pump damage due to hard water buildup. "Fresh Start Water Conditioner" and "Feature Clear" treated water is safe for birds, plants, and animals.

Q. I set up my fountain and the pump is too noisy. How do I fix it?

A. First check to be sure the pump is fully submerged in the water. 99.9% of the time, a pump is making noise because there is not enough water in the fountain. Add water until the noise stops. It may take the fountain a few minutes for the pump and tubing to clear out air bubbles which will make some noise but it will stop once the air is cleared out. If it is still noisy: make sure the pump is not vibrating against the side of the pan. If it is, you can isolate the pump by using an old sponge underneath it or beside it to minimize the vibrations, and thus quieting the pump.

Q. Can water freeze in a fountain during the winter?

A. Yes, and when water freezes it has approximately 500 pounds of pressure per square inch which will cause your fountain to crack or crumble. If you live in a climate with winter freezing conditions it is important to winterize your fountain properly.

A. Free shipping applies to the continental U.S. only. Because of the wide variety of dimensions and shipping weights of our fountains, customers in Alaska and Hawaii will need to email to get a custom shipping quote prior to placing an order. Please indicate the item number for the fountain you wish to purchase and your shipping address in your email. We cannot give you a quote without this information.

A. Make checks out to Internet Marketing Strategies and send them to:

Internet Marketing Strategies
6292 Laura Lane
Flint, MI 48507

When placing your order online, simply add the items to your shopping cart, and check out as you normally would, filling in all required fields except for the credit card information. Include in the ‘Comments’ field, “Sending Check” or “Sending Money Order”. If you do not include this, your order may be subject to cancellation due to lack of payment information.
Please note that your order will not be shipped until the check has cleared. If you would like to avoid this additional wait, send a cashier’s check or money order rather than a personal or business check. Be sure to include your order number on your check in the ‘memo’ section. You MUST include with your check or money order: Your full name and phone number, address, the name and product code of the item you wish to purchase, the price, and the shipping cost if the order is under $100.