“Head”: This is the maximum vertical lift of the pump. For example, a 6′ head means the pump is rated to pump water up to 6 feet high. Note, however, that at 6 feet the pump would be providing very little water, with gallons per hour around zero. So if you need to pump, say, 200 gph at 72″, you will probably need about a 300-600 gallon per hour pump to do the job.
BUYING OR BUILDING A WATER FOUNTAIN: THINGS TO CONSIDER
A great deal about fountains has changed over the last decade. Now there are really high class ones made of copper, stainless steel, bronze, concrete, and stone, and some fairly nice ones made of resin and fiberglass.