does water need to flow 24/7?

[parki]

i just added goldfish to my ponds in which i'm growing water plants. i have oxygenating plants in there, and i change the water every once so often...

i want to put a water fountain in my pond, but i've been told if i add one, i need to keep it going 24/7... is this true? it seems absurd that NO water flow is better than some?!

(i realise this sounds like a really stoopit question, but i'm a serious newbie to these things)

[mac]

Oxygenation of the water is the key for keeping fish going.

IMO I would have it running none stop 24/7

mac

[iZinedane]

i Agree with the above.
As the plants help oxygenation at the day
its reverse at night. due to photosynthesis.

[smaug]

Many factors are important to whether or not you need full time water flow.If the flow is powering/feeding a filter or bio filter then yes it must run 24/7 to avoid bact die off.If it is strictly a fountain with no filtration purposes then it can be run at your will,normally just during the day if you wish.The plants are actually adding very little 02 to the water during the day nor are they taking any away at night,they oxygenate the water in only the very loosest use of the term.True oxygenation ,especially in a pond comes from water turnover which is accomplished by the pump/filter/fountain,even without a fountain the larger surface of an outdoor pond assure adequate aeration.At night the fish become much less active and need very little in the way of extra aeration.The fountain should be run 24/7 if you have added meds or algae killer to the water but only so long as the chems/meds are in use.How big is the pond and how long has it been in operation if you don't mind me asking?