Water fountains will last a very long time with regular cleaning and maintenance. It is easy for foreign items to find their way into outdoor fountains, so keeping it clean is important. Additionally, anywhere light from the sun combines with still water, algae can form. In order to prevent this, there are some basic ingredients that can be mixed into the water, such as vinegar, sea salt, or hydrogen peroxide. Some people opt for putting bleach into the water, but the downside is that it harms wildlife - so it should be avoided.
Every 3-4 months, garden fountains should have a serious cleaning. The first task is to get rid of all the water. When you have done this, scrub inside the water reservoir with a gentle detergent. If there are any tiny grooves, use a toothbrush to get every spot. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the inside of the fountain to make sure all the soap is gone.
It is highly suggested taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and get rid of any plankton or calcium. To make it less strenuous, soak it in vinegar for several hours before cleaning. Mineral or rain water, versus tap water, is ideal in order to eliminate any build-up of chemicals inside the content pump.
Lastly, make sure your fountain is always full by checking it every day - this will keep it in tip-top shape. Allowing the water to reach below the pump’s intake level, can cause major damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!