Glass Ball & Sphere Fountains
Allison’s first Aqualens Sphere Fountain was designed as the centerpiece of her award-winning “garden of reflection” at the 2000 Chelsea Garden Show. Since then, Allison has installed her Aqualens Sphere Fountains at restaurants, universities, corporate campuses, stores, and private residences all over the world.
You can see photos of all recent Sphere Fountain installations on her Recent Projects Page.
Glass Ball Fountains are available in a variety of sizes and configurations, and are designed to work well in both indoor and outdoor settings – as well as most climates. As the globe in the sphere fountain reflects it’s surroundings like a giant crystal ball, the Aqualens enhances both modern and traditional garden settings.
Aqualens Sphere Fountains appear to be constructed using glass globes, however the beautiful clear spheres are actually made of either free blown or bonded acrylic.
When it comes to water fountains and water features, glass isn’t all that it’s ‘cracked up’ to be. Acrylic has nearly the same optical qualities as glass while being less expensive, lighter-weight (so less expensive to ship), stronger, and less fragile.
Take a look at some of the photos on this page, and I think you’ll agree that acrylic spheres look every bit as impressive as glass spheres. In fact, they look exactly like a glass ball fountain. Click here to view more photos
Benefits of Acrylic Sphere Fountains vs. Glass Ball Fountains:
- Acrylic is stronger than glass while also being as much as 4x lighter
- It’s less expensive to form and replace large acrylic spheres for fountains than it is to create large glass spheres
- Acrylic spheres weighs less and cost less to ship – and are much more likely to arrive in one piece
- Acrylic is more easily scratched than glass, however it’s much easier to repair and to remove scratches from acrylic (there are many polishing kits available)
- Impacts that only scratch acrylic are likely to break glass. Replacing a large glass sphere is very expensive. Polishing a scratch out of acrylic is inexpensive
The best part is that acrylic spheres are virtually indistinguishable from glass spheres. When the sphere fountains are in operation I think it’s next to impossible to tell.
Every water feature and water fountain on this site is constructed using an acrylic sphere – not a glass sphere. I think the pictures speak for themselves!
To learn more about my water features and water fountains, please select from the links below:
Installation Instructions
- The Aqualens Sphere Fountain arrives fully assembled complete with everything you need.
- Just unwrap and place on a solid level surface.
- Peel off protective layer on the plate under the sphere.
- Solid level surface must be a minimum of 26 inches/ 65 cm in diameter.
- Place the sphere in the channel and fill the base with a hose.
- When the dish is full, turn on the pump and continue to fill until both the sphere and fountain are full.
- Please keep pump on and running 24/7
- Any bubbles that accrue can be dissipated with a squirt of rinse aid (product used in dishwashers).
- It is essential that you keep it free of algae with the use of chlorine tablets.
- Only use 1-inch chlorine tablets for hot tubs: Keep at least 3 in the standard-size fountain at any given time, preferably in a tupperware dish, hidden under the platform. Use About 5 tablets for the larger fountains.
- The sphere should be crystal clear at all times.
- The sphere should be removed and taken inside if there is no water in it, as direct sunlight without water may damage the sphere.
Refill Instructions
- Fill the pool with water, and once the water is above the top of the pump unit, turn on the pump power. This will allow the water to be pumped into the sphere.
- Continue filling the dish until the sphere is full and water flowing down the outside.
- Top up the water in the pool to the desired level (we recommend a water level just above or just below the platform).
Sphere Fountain Specifications:
Dish is constructed of 316 marine grade stainless steel
Sphere is constructed UV-protected acrylic
General Care
We know from experience that AquaLens Sphere Fountain and AquaSphere work in a variety of conditions in many countries. However, please note the following:
- The pump will suffer if the water level falls below the top of its inlet, or the pump inlet becomes blocked.
- Water may evaporate during hot conditions.
- When the Aqualens is full and running, it is fine in windy conditions. If it is turned off and empty, the sphere needs to be brought inside as it could
then be blown off in the wind. - In freezing (moderate) conditions keep the pump running since the water movement inhibits freezing.
- Ice sometimes forms on the outside of the sphere (rather nice ice sculptures) but take care if the ice causes the water level to fall below the pump inlet.
- If the weather is really cold turn off and drain down.
- AquaLens and AquaSphere have hard surfaces and edges, so appropriate care needs to be taken to avoid accidental injury.
- Replacement pumps and lights are available from garden and electrical suppliers, and can be fitted by a competent person, contact us if you have difficulty, or require further information.
- The light is easily accessible from the underside of the platform, which may be unscrewed
Maintenance
Should you need to clean the aqualens, just turn it off and drain it down. It can be cleaned with dish soap and sponge or soft cloth. Never use anything that might scratch it.