[Inspired]

I have long time customer that had a large fountain installed years ago by another company. They installed a float valve in the basin, way ugly. I've done sprinkler and lighting maintenance for these people for years and every time I look at that float, I would shake my head. It's hokey and ugly and looks really unprofessional. It failed recently and I couldn't find a better option quickly, so I installed another stupid, ugly, cheap, unprofessional float valve. Now it's on me. Every time I walk by it I get mad. Please help me.

Anyone have a favorite brand or another option?

[NCSULandscaper]

i havent ever put in auto fill valves in my ponds except for 1 that fit in the skimmer box. ive never cared for them because if a problem happens with hole in liner, rock shifted etc it would go unnoticed because water level wouldnt go down

[Fine Edge]

I ran across the same dilemma this past Spring when we installed a fountain. I couldn't stand the thought of this ugly float valve hanging on the side so we decided to inform the client that he would just have to fill it manually.
He said no problem but when I stop by for maintenance check, of course the pump is running with hardly any water due to evaporation.
One option that we thought about was to run spaghetti tubing from the drip line, under the fountain and up throught the middle hole where the pump wire exits. Better than nothing , I guess.

[livingwaters]

The hudson valve is my favorite. Its sturdy and easy to install.
Hudson Valve Company, Inc.

[papercutter]

We used to use something similar to this Swimming Pool Water Level Controllers, but a whole lot cheaper- I feel like it was around a hundred bucks at the pool supply shop. Way less obtrusive.

[glenns garden]

The other down side to the float is that if it sticks open and the client is out of town for a week or two there may not be anyone around to notice.When they get back besides a swamp the water bill will be insane.

I had someone call this year with just that problem. I took it out and they decided they would go with manual fill.

[Inspired]

Have any of you used one of these? I saw one at the bottom of a fountain here recently, no float ball. It just sits on the bottom of the basin. I'll have a chance to talk to the customer tomorrow and post about it.

[Inspired]

The home owner says he likes it. No problems in 5 years. I bought one at Ace Hardware for 9.95. I'll mount it in the next couple days and post how it goes in.