I love this item-almost to the point of addiction- I use it uniquely - not as a fountain but for the flickering fire effect on my wall - much much more satisfying than a candle. SETUP: I set up the connection between pump and hose such that the water does not rise into the fountain hose but "escapes" into bowl - swirls in bowl . USAGE -turn on the unit and the light flickers [due to swirling water] onto the wall through the golden back piece of unit. It is so soothing and doesn't make any sound. The sound of the unit used as a fountain did not satisfy me-to me it sounded too much like a running faucet- But my setup works better than any fountain I can imagine-no splattering water problem...and very very soothing. Use as the best nightlight! (Posted on 9/11/08)

I like this fountain because the pump is *not* in solid contact with the lightweight plastic base or top -- instead, the pump is attached via flexible soft plastic tubing, which is GOOD because the pump sound doesn't get transmitted all through the rest of the fountain (some Homedics fountains that I owned previously had a big problem with that). But *this* fountain basically just makes an appealing water noise, *not* annoying like a dripping faucet or something, but just a nice water sound. One note: I added 5 glass "pebbles" on top of the screen, directly below each nozzle, to fine-tune the sound to suit me. By far, this Homedics fountain is the best one I've owned so far (it's about the 4th Homedics fountain I've owned). Also, it's quite pleasant to look at, the lights are nicely placed, although the translucent amber back-plastic-panel doesn't really glow quite like in the picture on the box (I suppose it would if you put a lamp or something behind it), but it's still a nice effect. In a dimly lit room, you get to see pretty reflections/refractions from the second set of LED lights, which shine *up* through the water and illuminate the bottom/side of the little middle pool-thingie (the one that has the 5 nozzles). To sum up, I have finally found a fountain (this one) that I *really* like, and also I could use it straight out of the box (after assembly, of course) without having to modify a bunch of stuff to try and cut down on the racket like I had to do with a couple of other models. This one is nicely designed and it sounds and looks quite acceptable just the way it comes from the factory. I am very pleased with it and I think I'll buy another one for my Mom, because I'm pretty sure she'd like it. (Posted on 6/3/08)