You don't need a pond to have a water feature. But a water feature can make your backyard pond an attraction that will add great interest and character to your outdoor space. The way to do this is to incorporate a specific feature of some sort within your pond.
So, where to start?
First of all you need to be clear in your own mind what you want from your pond. For instance, if you want to build a pond to breed koi fish, adding a lavish fountain in the centre may not be such a good idea, because the volume of water that showers back into the pond can upset the fish. But a model in the pond will add interest, or maybe a tiered fountain that allows the water from the fountain to flow back gently.
If you want to add a extra interest to your backyard, you may like the idea of one of the relatively new theatrical inventions that incorporates color and even music with the movement of the water from the fountain. If the pond is big enough, the fish probably won't mind at all.
There are a huge whole of separate fountain features on the store that are intended for pond use. There are also a lot more that you can adapt for ponds and pools. The simplest type is attached to a submersible pump and it then simply sprays water out of the pond so that it returns with gravity. The fountain head that you use will rule what the pattern of the water looks like. For instance, it may shoot into the air like a high-pressure spray, or it may look like a dome, or even imitate the shape of a water lily or tulip. There are those that shoot into the air in imitation of a hot water geyser, and others that generate a much more complex and formal tiered spray.
Then there are fountains, like the tiered fountain mentioned earlier, that incorporate some sort of embellishment or statuary. There are two basic types:
1. The sort that you position within the pond, so that it sprays up into the air, and
2. The sort that you position on the edge of the pond, so that it sprays into the pond.
There are even fountains that will "dance" to music, with the pump yield pulsating in tune to the music of your choice. Add lights and color to this and you have your own home theater! One of the latest designs appears in the form of a rainbow that continuously changes color. Relatively inexpensive, it doesn't use batteries, but simply relies on a organery hose or a pool return line for power. Other quite modern water feature from the same maker is powered by batteries. This one creates an illuminated, color-changing consequent in the fountain that can be seen both above and below the water in the pond. The shifting patterns of colored light generate an unbelievable kaleidoscope that is magical to watch. This singular water feature can be tethered within the pond, or it may be allowed to float, adding to the effect.
Of course to be effective, these astonishing theatrical features do need space. So before you rule which water feature to buy, make sure your pond is suitable.
