Congratulations! You have just unboxed your new tabletop fountain. You are ready to plug it in and drift away to Zen paradise.
Stop! Don't just fill it and plug it in. Many new owners make small mistakes during setup—like forgetting to rinse the dust off the rocks—that lead to cloudy water or a noisy pump right out of the box.
Follow these 5 simple steps to set up your fountain the professional way.
Step 1: Rinse Everything First
The "Cloudy Water" Prevention. Your fountain likely came with a bag of natural river rocks. These rocks often have rock dust or sand on them from the packaging.
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The Action: Before putting them in the basin, place the rocks in a colander and rinse them thoroughly under the tap until the water runs clear. If you skip this, your fountain water will look muddy instantly.
Step 2: Connect the Pump
The Connection. Place the pump inside the basin. Connect the small plastic tube from the fountain top to the pump's outlet.
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Check: Ensure the tube isn't folded or kinked. A kinked tube stops water flow and can make the pump loud. (See Troubleshooting Guide if you have issues).
Step 3: Add the Right Water
The Long-Term Investment. Now, place the fountain top onto the basin and add water.
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The Golden Rule: Do not use tap water. Use Distilled Water only. This prevents white scale buildup from ruining your new decor.
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How much? Fill it until the pump is completely submerged.
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Why distilled? Read the science here: Tap Water vs. Distilled.
Step 4: "Prime" the Pump (Crucial Tip!)
The "Silence" Trick. Before you plug it in, gently shake the submerged pump underwater or tap it against the bottom.
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Why? This releases air bubbles trapped inside the pump (called a "vapor lock"). If you don't do this, the pump might make a loud grinding noise when you turn it on.
Step 5: Plug In & Adjust
The Final Touch. Plug the cord into an outlet. You should see water start to flow within seconds.
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Too splashy? Most pumps have a small dial on the front (+/-). Unplug it and turn the dial toward (-) to slow the flow.
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Too quiet? Turn the dial toward (+) for a more vigorous stream.
Conclusion
Setting up your fountain correctly takes less than 5 minutes, but it ensures you get crystal clear water and a silent pump from day one. Now, sit back and enjoy the relaxation.