Get in Touch with GUANGQI
LED Fountain Lights — Submersible Underwater Lighting for Fountains & Water Features
Our LED Fountain light series-6W, 304 stainless with 18W, IP68 rated – is designed to last years underwater without corrosion, seal failure, color drift. Guangqi Lighting has produced submersible LED fixtures for more than 40 international commercial water features, hotel landscape water features, and community water features markets since 2010. We ship every fixture with the LED chip brand you specify ( CREE, OSRAM, Epistar, Bridgelux) and the control protocol required by your site.
Power Range
6W / 9W / 12W / 18W
Voltage
DC24V / AC12V
IP Rating
IP68 — Full Submersion
Material
304 SS + Tempered Glass
Control
ON/OFF · DMX512 · RF-Remote
Beam Angles
15° / 30° / 45° / 60°
Why Fountain Lighting Fails — And How to Fix It
The Underwater Environment
Fountain lights under water are LEDs that are always on in a fountain, pool, pond, or architectural water feature for the purpose of illuminating water jets, cascades, and basins within the water body itself. They exist because above-front lighting simply cannot achieve the visual forces or directability of a fixture installed underwater. But the environment that makes underwater illumination necessary also causes failures when a fixture’s construction or materials are not up to the task.
Corrosion & Housing
Failures you’re familiar with, if you’ve installed a fountain before, include corrosion, water ingress, color shift, high running cost, or difficulty of maintenance — especially with color-changing fixtures that need frequent filter swaps. Most common failure is corrosion. Many less expensive fixtures employ painted aluminum or plated steel housings; in just 12-18 months, any contract swimming-pool or chlorinated-mineral swimming pool water erodes the housing, quickly shortening lamp life. We build every Guangqi water feature light from 304 stainless steel- the grade used in food processing and marine hardware- that remains resistant in chlorinated or salt water.
Water Ingress & Sealing
A second failure is water ingress. A rain-proof enclosure is rated IP67 but is not intended for permanent submersion. Water finds its way past gaskets, although those gaskets were not rated for submergence, and eventually, electronics are subjected to unintentional (or, often, negligent intentional) corrosion. Our IP68 design employs compression-molded silicone gaskets and tempered glass lenses tested to withstand immense hydrostatic pressure at depths greater than 1 meter. Our fixtures stay dry inside even when installed at the bottom of a 2-meter basin.
Color Inconsistency
Because inevitably fixtures are operated with mismatched chip brand, or with low-bin LED chips of inconsistent color range, color inconsistency and shift is the scourge of many water project installs. A fountain with 30 fixtures all different shades of “warm white,” if improperly assembled and installed, will look unprofessional and amateurish. We avoid this problem by offering single chipbrand choices – CREE, OSRAM, Epistar, or Bridgelux – for color bin uniformity.
High Energy Costs
The cost of energy is often underestimated by LED buyers, but this long term expense is no less significant. A single 150W halogen fountain fixture, operating for 1500 hours a year will incur $200 worth of electricity per year. An LED, drawing 18W has power bills of no more than $50. Yowch. For the same number of LED fixtures, your hourly operating expense can be up to 70% less.
Maintenance & Longevity
And because water feature lights must be serviced as the fixtures inevitably require replacement- water drainings, system curtailing, labor services, and water expenses- an LED fixture rated for 50,000 hours effectively eliminates as much maintenance as possible. Better still, corrosion- due to its composition-is significantly less extensive in an IP rated fixture with the appropriate fixtures and installation as it is of a fixture prone to chlorinated or mineral deposits and corrosion, even in corrosive environments. And that is the glory of how our water feature light series solves each of those four issues.
Guangqi LED Fountain Light Series — Models & Selection Guide
We produce four standard models, all of which are sized and powered for a particular class of fountain application. An educated choice between the four boils down to three variables: the size of the water basin you intend to illuminate, the method by which the fixture will be mounted in place, and the level of output desired at the water surface.
GQ-FL-6W
- Power 6W
- Dimensions Φ130 × H71 mm
- Beam Angles 15° / 30° / 45° / 60°
- Voltage DC24V / AC12V
- Color 3000K / 4000K / 6000K / RGB / RGBW
Best for: Small garden fountains, residential water features, accent lighting on narrow jets.
GQ-FL-9W
- Power 9W
- Dimensions Φ160 × H80 mm
- Beam Angles 15° / 30° / 45° / 60°
- Voltage DC24V / AC12V
- Color 3000K / 4000K / 6000K / RGB / RGBW
Best for: Mid-size decorative fountains, hotel lobby water walls, koi pond features.
GQ-FL-12W
- Power 12W
- Dimensions Φ180 × H80 mm
- Beam Angles 15° / 30° / 45° / 60°
- Voltage DC24V / AC12V
- Color 3000K / 4000K / 6000K / RGB / RGBW
Best for: Commercial plaza fountains, public parks, medium-depth basins up to 1.5m.
GQ-FL-18W
- Power 18W
- Dimensions Φ230 × H90 mm
- Beam Angles 15° / 30° / 45° / 60°
- Voltage DC24V / AC12V
- Color 3000K / 4000K / 6000K / RGB / RGBW
Best for: Large municipal fountains, deep basins (1.5m+), high-output architectural features.
Decision Matrix — Quick Model Selection
| Model | Power | Dimensions | Best Application | Beam Options | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GQ-FL-6W | 6W | Φ130×H71mm | Garden fountains, accent jets | 15° / 30° / 45° / 60° | ON/OFF, DMX512, RF |
| GQ-FL-9W | 9W | Φ160×H80mm | Hotel lobbies, koi ponds | 15° / 30° / 45° / 60° | ON/OFF, DMX512, RF |
| GQ-FL-12W | 12W | Φ180×H80mm | Commercial plazas, parks | 15° / 30° / 45° / 60° | ON/OFF, DMX512, RF |
| GQ-FL-18W | 18W | Φ230×H90mm | Municipal fountains, deep basins | 15° / 30° / 45° / 60° | ON/OFF, DMX512, RF |
Technical Deep-Dive — LED Chip Selection
Your selection of LED chip brand directly affects output, color rendition, thermal output and lifespan. Here you will find what each has to offer a fountain illumination design:
CREE (XP-E2 / XP-G3)
Our most efiicent chip type presently. Best color rendering index (CRI > 80). Optimal LED selection when considering an architectural fountain application where the color rendition under water is more than just impressive lighting – it is accurately reflective of objects played under water. Warm whites appear warm, and nothing green or yellow taints the hue.
OSRAM (OSLON / Duris)
Noted for excellent thermal stability. When constructing a sealed interior water housing, and aggressive heat management is not achievable, choosing this rated blue chip type will perform steadier over time. Favored for high-duty cycle applications exceeding 12 hours per day.
Epistar
A solid choice when doing less with more; able to deliver efficient output in RGB and RGBW configurations. Practical option for large-quantity municipal projects, where input cost per fixture takes precedence.
Bridgelux
Means the middle of the pack between performance and cost. Beam planning p-7 used by most manufacture and all of our fixtures provides consistent color batching from model to model.
All chip types are delivered in the same high quality 304 ss housing and all feature identical IP68 water proofing. The optics, beam angles and remote control package are the same regardless of the chip specific selection – only the emitter and orange blossom band differ.
Buyer Advisory — MOQ & Lead Time
The minimum order quantity is 50 pieces of a given chip type per wattage and color. The minimum order quantity for mixture is 100 pieces of mixed whatever at once. Typical lead time for production, after order confirmation and deposit, is 15 to 20 business days. Lead time for custom beam angles, media-specific finishes (skate deck argent drive 316L ss or brushed bronze) or private label packaging is 5 to 7 days. Please contact our project team for an estimate of lead time based on current production schedules.
The combination of model and chip selection you choose ultimately determines the long-term efficacy of your fountain installation. But efficacy is only relevant if the technology you employ truly outlasts the competition- which immediately prompts the question of how LED fixtures compare to the halogen original.
LED Fountain Lights vs Halogen — Performance & Cost Comparison
The transition from halogen to LED is not a fad. It is a numbers-based phenomenon- the economics of a given installation dictate the green technology’s continued viability. We provide even-hand comparisons, using industry standard data, and comparing the operational data to our own product specs below:
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Parameter | LED Fountain Light (Guangqi) | Halogen Fountain Light |
|---|---|---|
| Rated Lifespan | 50,000 hours | 2,000 hours |
| Power Consumption | 6W – 18W per fixture | 35W – 150W per fixture |
| IP Rating | IP68 (continuous submersion) | IP67 or lower (temporary submersion) |
| Operating Voltage | DC24V / AC12V (SELV rated) | AC12V (transformer required) |
| Maintenance Cycle | Minimal — no bulb replacement for 10+ years | Bulb replacement every 3–6 months at 8h/day use |
| Color Options | 3000K, 4000K, 6000K, RGB, RGBW — full spectrum | Warm white only; colors require external glass filters |
| Heat Output | Low (safe for aquatic environments) | High (accelerates algae growth, risks seal degradation) |
| Controllability | ON/OFF, DMX512, RF-Remote | ON/OFF only (dimming requires special transformers) |
| Material Compatibility | 304 SS + tempered glass (corrosion-proof) | Varies — often painted metal housings |
Where LED’s are most proven over the halogen original, is in the total price analysis. For example, in the implementation of a 30-fixture commercial water feature, operating 8 hours per night, 365 days per year, total annual electricity consumption would be 6570 kWh @75W, using a set of fixtures and bulbs with a $0.12 per kilowatt consumption rate. That same installation, operating LED fixtures at 12 W, would be consumption of about 1,051 KWh. Cost savings in electricity is greater than $660 per year- before tacking on the labor involved in draining the water and replacing the burnt out bulbs!
Over a 5-year life schedule, the total cost savings of the 30-fixture installation is greater than the combination of traditional lighting energy consumption savings plus avoided maintenance labor costs applying the patented $5,000 methodology. Higher initial purchase price of LED fixtures is recovered within 12 to 18 months operation. In a municipal project constrained by capital budget considerations, that payback criterion often is the only one that matters to the procurement committee.
Beyond the economics of the argument, LED fountain lights emit far less heat than halogen lamps into the water. This also becomes significant in fish pond applications with enclosed water bodies due to reduction in water temperature that will delay recommended circle of algae bloom, and decrease cost of the chemical water treatment. Operation on electric low-voltage DC24V also fulfills the SELV requirements according to IEC 60364 such that project electrical safety management team will face fewer headaches for certification – a real concern in water features accessible to children.
The performance differential between LED and halogen is compelling enough that the only question left for designers and architects should be “which LED fixture, for which water-feature application?” That leads us to real-world fountain applications where our products deliver.
Project Results — Fountain Lighting in Commercial & Landscape Applications
Every water-project presents unique constraints – basin architecture, water depth, control levels, surrounding ambient light, zoning and local building code mandates. Three application scenarios are typical for our fountain lighting products, along with some resultant considerations frameworks which are relevant to each.
Commercial Plaza Fountains — Large Scale, DMX-Controlled RGBW
Typical setup
20-60 submersible LED lights, placed in concentric rings and/or linear configuration in ground-level or raised-water fountain basins. Fixtures are GQ-FL-12W or 18W models with RGBW color delivery and DMX512 control. Each fixture is addressable individually, and the entire group of fixtures can be run in a synchronized fashion for color transitions, chase systems, lighting sequences, and music-responsive programming. Water jets illuminated from below simulate vertical smoke stacks of color in pedestrian view from 50+ meters away.
Problems solved
Pedestrian-heavy environments require vandal-resistant fixtures and housings – our 304 stainless steel housings are impact and vandal resistant, as are the tempered glass lenses. Continuous 10–14 hour nightly lighting states need low-thermal output fixtures that don’t prematurely kill the LEDs with over-thermal operation, and efficient drivers to minimize heat build-up. Wiring for WDMX512 control must be run through watertight conduit and properly terminated to avoid footing any commands or crossreflected signal pathways in large groups.
Results framework
Project results see 60-70% reduction in electricity consumption compared to halogen performance in similar fixture configuration. Zero fixture replacement needed in the first 3 years of operation. Pedestrian dwell-time in the piazza has measurable positive impact during evening hours. Dynamic RGBW color firmware enables dynamic holiday, event, or seasonal programming – no hardware modifications required.
Hotel & Resort Water Features — Ambient Architectural Lighting
Typical setup
8-20 fixtures, using warm white (3000K) or neutral white (4000K) configurations, installed in reflect water features, entry water walls, illuminated fountain cascades, and infinity-edge pool spillways. Fixtures are GQ-FL-6W or 9W with 45 or 60 degree beam angles that disperse broad even washes of light. RF-Remote or manual ON/OFF control enables hotel grounds staff to operate the lighting system without need for dimming programmer.
Design Challenges Addressed
Hospitality environments seek warm, inviting appearance, not a show. Color rendering is important- skin tones or landscaping should not appear washed out or tinted blue or orange. Form factor of our 6W model (130H71mm) is small enough to be mounted through narrow channels or shallow basins where larger footprints and higher wattages cannot accommodate. DC24V low voltage operation ensures safe under water usage where guests reach-in or even walk through water features.
Results Roadmap
Resorts and hotels parking our warm white fountain lights in their outdoor water features consistently receive glowing guest reviews of the nighttime ambiance. Maintenance crew enjoys a reliable set & forget solution – no light bulb replacement, no corrosion, no seasonal resealing ever necessary. Landscape architect appreciates small size that is hidden in the water by the day but creates beautiful, space concentrated daytime lighting must-see effect by night.
Municipal Parks & Public Spaces — Durability Under Heavy Use
Typical setup
15-40 units installed in public park water gardens, civic plaza features, memorial fountains, and kid- and dog-friendly splash pads (solutions range from retrofitted existing systems to new construction). GQ-FL-12W version with 6000K cool white light, or RGBW versions for programmable color effects. DMX512 protocol is standard, with some installations tied into BMS (building management system) controls.
Design Challenges Addressed
Public uses involving the most unforgiving operating environment- children jumping on flush-mounted fixtures, municipally supplied chemically treated recirculating water, seasonal freeze-thaw cycles, and tight budgets that make fixture replacement difficult politically. Our 304 SS construction and tempered glass provide physical durability. IP68 rated sealing ensures functionality in continuous immersion of chemically treated water in water recirculating systems at typical basin depths of 0.3-2.0 meters. Long 50,000 hour LED life permits a fixture to outlive multiple municipal budgets.
Results Roadmap
Our fixtures’ municipal fountain projects last 3-5 years without maintenance of any kind. Savings on re-lamping and maintenance can be spent on landscaping and water treatment enhancements. Ability to program fixtures in RGBW for civic events, holidays, and awareness-raising campaigns increases public support that they never saw with geyser water-whitened with halogen.
Application Segmentation Overview
| Application | Recommended Model | Color Temp | Control | Typical Qty | Key Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Plaza | 12W / 18W | RGBW | DMX512 | 20–60 | Dynamic spectacle |
| Hotel / Resort | 6W / 9W | 3000K / 4000K | RF / ON-OFF | 8–20 | Ambient warmth |
| Municipal Park | 12W | 6000K / RGBW | DMX512 | 15–40 | Durability |
| Residential Pond | 6W | 3000K | RF / ON-OFF | 3–8 | Ease of install |
| Waterfall Feature | 9W / 12W | 4000K / RGBW | RF / DMX512 | 6–15 | Directional wash |
Certifications & IP68 Waterproof Standards
CE Certified
European conformity
RoHS Compliant
Restriction of hazardous substances
IP68 Waterproof
Continuous submersion > 1m
304 Stainless Steel
Marine-grade corrosion resistance
IP68 is the highest rating of the IP (Ingress Protection) system listed in IEC 60529. The 6 describes total protection against both solids- particulates or fibers- and liquids. The 8 indicates protection from immersing the fixture beyond 1 meter deep, beyond the ratings defined in the product manual for service use, for an indefinite period. In our fountain lights, this allows permanent immersion at typical pond elevations of 0.3-2.0 meters with all seals intact.
The difference between IP68 and IP67 is important. IP67 accepts short-term temporary immersion- up to 30 minutes at 1 meter. That is sufficient for a luminaire that could be splashed and occasionally flooded, but not for a fixture located at the bottom of a fountain basin on a continuous basis 24/7/365. Ordering IP67 fixtures for a permanently-immersed application is a typical purchasing error with associated warranty problems.
The material stacking in our fixtures maintains the IP68 classification through its lifespan. 304 stainless steel (18% chromium, 8% nickelhythm forms a sacrificial chromium oxide coating layer on the surface of the steel which prevents pitting and crevice corrosion in chlorinated pool water, municipal tap water and slightly saline conditions. Tempered glass lenses are four to five times stronger than normal glass and excel at withstanding dramatically changes in temperature when used in outdoor water features – freezing cold nights and sunny days don’t make the lens crack or break the watertight seal beneath.
All production runs are certified IPC/IP68 submersion tested at our facility before being shipped. Fixtures are submersed at 1.5m for 72 hours, powered on, and checked for water entry. This is higher than the minimum IEC 60529 IP68 test procedure, and allows us to identify seals failures before they show up at your project location. Documented ratings alongside authentic certification allows purchase teams to submit the hardware with the appropriate paperwork to meet code requirements.
Ordering Guide — Pricing, Lead Time & After-Sales Support
Our channel of business is mainly in the B2B world and project supply channel. Whether you are a lighting distributor with a lineset full of fountain fixtures, a contract with a scope of work in hand, or a landscape architecture firm and specifications ready to go for a project; our purchasing process is built to allow insight prior to a commitment.
Pricing Factors
The prices for LED fountain lights depend on four factors:
Wattage
18W type is more expensive than 6W; bigger housing, larger number of LED chips, heavier heat sink.
Chip brand
CREE and OSRAM chips are priced at a premium (compared to Epistar and Bridgelux) due to higher binning quality and brand licensing. Price difference per fixture: 15-25%.
Control protocol
The most economical fixtures are the standard ON/OFF fixtures. DMX512 includes a driver IC, the signal processing circuitry. Pigmented RGBW with DMX512 is the most expensive.
Quantity of order
Volumes pricing applicable for 100+ pcs. Large projects (500+ fixtures) are given at project level pricing with dedicated production schedule.
MOQ & Customization
Minimum for standard set up standard order quantity will be 50 Piece per SKU. Mixed Order (Wattage/Color Temperature) will be 100 Piece per order. For more custom designed product, such as 316L s/s housing (environments with very high salinity), special cable lengths, custom proprietary connector-types, custom packaging, the minimum for significant customization will be 200 Piece per SKU.
OEM & ODM Capabilities
GuangQi is both a producer and an OEM/ODM partner. We produce private-label fountain lights for lighting brands in Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Operating as an OEM. We can laser-etch your trademarked logo on the fixture housing, provide prescriptive packaging with company documentation, and affix regulatory markings for your target city/state/province. Operating as an ODM. We can create custom optical features, alternative form factors, and dedicated mounting frames based on your engineering design.
Lead Time Framework
Lead time for standard models for standard setups: 15-20 business days after receiving order confirmation and deposit; Custom setups (special chips, angle of beams not standard, 316L steel, etc): 20-27 business days; OEM/ODM with new tooling: 30-45 business days for first batch production, and after that all the orders go back to normal standard of 15-20 days.
Warranty & After-Sales
All Guangqi led fountain lights come with a 3year limited manufacturer defective rate, low rated life LED failure and IP68 seal performance warranty period. warranty PRdocument is required Photographic. Pangocontrol provides ready stock of replacement parts for fast return of warranty. Pavilion project installation provides a 5year warranty period Negotiated at the time of contract.
Post-sales technical support covers installation instructions, wiring diagrams, DMX address sheets and troubleshooting for typical field problems. Our engineering team can be contacted for assistance with installation questions by email and video conferencing.
Interactive Project Planning Tools
Utilize our engineered calculators and comparison charts to precisely scope your fountain lighting requirements, analyze ROI, and select the optimal fixtures for your basin.
Fountain Light Sizing Calculator
Quickly determine the exact quantity and wattage of LED fixtures needed based on your specific basin dimensions, water depth, and desired illumination level.
Open Calculator
LED vs Halogen Cost Comparison
Calculate your long-term energy savings, payback period (ROI), and maintenance reductions by transitioning from traditional halogen to high-efficiency LED lights.
Compare Costs
Fountain Light Model Comparison
Compare technical specifications, beam angles, output limits, and control protocols side-by-side to pinpoint the ideal fixture model for your landscape design.
View Matrix
Fountain Light FAQ — Answers for Engineers & Procurement Teams
IP68 – nothing less. IP67 is only good for temporary (30minute) submersion at 1 meter. Fountain fountains are submerged 24/7, 365 days per year, so IP 67 rating is merely a manufacturing mistake, and portends an early death on that fixture. IP68 is required for all Guangqi fountain lights, and all are individually tested at 1.5 meters for 72 hours before being shipped.
Commercial light installation can be performed in the following manner: Locate the fixture to the appropriate place in the basin, secure with stainless steel brackets (recommended for concrete basins, poured or cast). Route low-voltage cable (DC24 V or AC12 V) through watertight conduit to the transformer location, which should be outside water in a ventilated enclosure. Connect each fixture to the appropriate LED driver or data-out to DMX controller. In the case of DMX512, each fixture must be assigned an individual address, which can be done by the DIP switch located on each driver. Seal all cable several junctions with Marine gas-and-water proof connections. Check system for smooth operation before filling basin. We recommend hiring a licensed electrician acquainted with local underwater electrical regulations, IEC 60364 or NEC Article 680 if applicable.
It varies widely based on the ambience and environment. Warm white (3000K) often glows amber and cozy, suitable for hospitality environments – hotel water features, resort pools, posh private garden homes. Neutral white (4000K) has a neutral colour balance for urban public spaces and commercial centers. Cool white (6000K) appears brighter to the eye and is appropriate for certain modern architecture fountains and civic sculpture. For multi-functional projects, RGBW fixtures give you the most options — they can produce any white temp from warm to cool, plus vibrant colours for 24/7 show programming. Extra markup on RGBW fixtures is easily justified by future flexibility.
All ABC fountain lights support DMX512 control. One DMX universe maxes out at 512 individual channels — roughly 100 fixtures at 4-5 channels apiece. Compatible with Madrix, Pharos lighting software. Also available in simple ON/OFF and RF remote controls.
DC24V is the recommended standard for safety and our default suggestion. Situated within IEC 60364’s SELV (Safety Extra-Low Voltage) classification, this reduces the risk of an electric shock to zero volts available even with full insulation breakdown in the water. AC12V is also inherently safe and a common standard in many regions where AC is the norm. Both specs still require an appliance-mounted transformer or driver installed and away from the water. Under no circumstance should fixture be specified with existing line voltage (120, 240) for use in pools or fountains—this is a violation of safety codes nearly everywhere and results in a dangerous electrocution hazard.
Fixture qty will depend on basin size, water depth, desired lighting levels, and project beam angles. Based on planning experience— a typical circular fountain 3 meters across should be lit with 4-6 fixtures up to 45 would least achieve even lighting. For a 6-meter basin you would likely need 8-12 fixtures. Municipal scale fountains with diameters of 10+ meters tend to use 20-40 fixtures ring-mounted in broad matt and focused in narrow-beam orientation outward into a sunbeam shape. Send us the fountain specs and specific effect goals for a custom number and layout plan to be sent free of charge.
