Scott Aerator Fountains

A pond with little circulation can build up surface algae, bottom muck, odors, and low oxygen in the water your fish live in. A floating fountain pulls water up and throws it into the air, and the falling water adds oxygen while keeping the surface from going still.

Floating fountains help most in ponds that have:

• fish, ducks, or other aquatic life
• leaves, grass clippings, or other organic debris entering the water
• little natural inflow or outflow
• warm summer conditions and long calm stretches
• mosquitoes breeding on a still surface

A fountain helps improve circulation and can support healthier pond conditions, but it does not fix every water-quality problem on its own. For deeper water, see the note on pond depth below and compare our pond aerators.

Scott Aerator units fall into a few groups, and the difference comes down to the spray pattern and how much water the unit moves.

Display fountains

Amherst, Clover, Cambridge, Atriarch, Skyward, Gusher, and Jet Stream are built around one signature pattern. The Cambridge uses an arching two-tier spray, the Amherst a multi-tiered display, the Clover a multi-stream pattern, the Skyward and Atriarch a tall V-shaped spray, and the Gusher a vertical column of water.

Choose a display fountain when the look of the spray is the main reason you are buying. The Jet Stream is the extreme case, with a vertical jet reaching up to 80 feet high.

Multi-nozzle fountains

The Triad comes with three brass nozzles (Gusher, Skyward, and Cambridge) that swap without tools, and the Great Lakes comes with five interchangeable brass nozzles.

Choose a multi-nozzle model when you want to change the display for different seasons or events without buying a second unit.

Aerating fountains

The DA-20 Display Aerator uses a trumpet-shaped spray and the North Star a tall, narrow V-shaped spray. Both are built to move a lot of water as well as put on a display.

Choose an aerating fountain when water movement and oxygen matter as much as the appearance.

Solar-powered fountains

The DA-20 Solar runs on solar panels and is made for ponds where electricity is not easy to reach. Its trumpet spray measures up to 5 feet high and 20 feet wide.

Choose the solar model when running power to the pond would be difficult or expensive.

Start with the shape of the pond and the job the fountain needs to do.

Spray height against pond width

A tall, wide spray needs a broad pond. Wind will carry a high spray, such as the Jet Stream, onto the bank if the water surface is narrow.

Display against water movement

Ornamental patterns like the Amherst or Clover are chosen first for looks. Wide-spray aerating units like the DA-20 are chosen first for circulation. Pick the one that matches your main priority.

One pattern or several

A single-pattern unit gives one consistent look. The Triad and Great Lakes let you switch patterns later, which suits ponds used for gatherings or seasonal displays.

Pond depth

Floating fountains aerate the top layer of water. In ponds deeper than about 8 feet, which can separate into layers in hot weather, add bottom aeration rather than relying on a surface fountain alone.