Using a soft cloth occasionally will help with copper fountain maintenance. Do not use copper cleaner — this will remove the patina and color variation, leaving a bright copper finish (unless you prefer that look).

I recommend you let the fountain age and allow nature to perform its own permanent patina. Your fountain will travel through different hues of oxidation and eventually look like the copper on the Statue of Liberty.

How quickly your fountain will patina depends upon your climate, the water you use, and how you maintain it. Copper is a natural material, reactive to its environment — it will oxidize from exposure to air and water, and darken from direct sunlight.

If you have hard water, I recommend using distilled water to prevent mineral deposits from building up on the edges of the fountain. This keeps the copper looking clean and the water flowing freely.

Fill the fountain with water, submerge the pump, and plug it in. Let the pump run for a few seconds to allow the air trapped inside to escape. Watch for the tiny bubbles to all disappear, then push the pump onto the connecting tube at the base of the fountain.