Knowing a Pond's volume is important!

1) Gallons in a pond will tell you the following:

• Size of Pond Pump needed for your Pond.
• Size of Pond Filter needed for you Pond.
• Approximate number of fish for your Pond.
• How much treatment to apply for either pond clarity issues or fish health.

2) How to calculate approximate number of gallons in an existing pond:

• Volume for rectangular ponds: Avg. width x Avg. Length x x Avg. Depth = Pond Volume (cubic feet) Example: 10ft x 12ft x 2ft = 240 cubic feet. 240 cubic feet x 7.5 gal = 1800 gallons
• Volume for circular ponds: Radius x Radius x 3.14 x depth = Pond Volume (cubic feet)
• Volume of pond can be most accurately calculated by using a water meter that can be connected to a garden hose while initially filling the pond.

   

Electrical Considerations when choosing a Pond or Fountain Pump

Electrical Considerations when choosing a Pond or Fountain Pump

Pro Tip:

How are amps and watts related?

Watts divided by Volts = Amps
Amps x Volts = Watts

Example:
345 Watts divided by 115 Volts = 3 Amps
3 Amps x 115 Volts = 345 Watts

Installing a Pond Pump

Pro Tip:

 

Pump Installation

Locate the pond pump as close to the source as possible. it is best to have your main (longest) run of pipe on the discharge side of the pump.

Flooded Suction

Install the pond pump out side the pond, and below the surface level of the pond to create a flooded suction. This will help ensure a proper and consistent supply of water to the pump. The pump will not operate properly and may be damaged if the water supply is not constant.

A flooded suction may be returned with a supply line that runs up and over the pond wall and back down below the water surface, as long as all air has been removed from the line.

Non-Flooded Suction

If installation of a flooded suction is not possible, the following is recommended: Position the pond pump as low as possible and as near the source as possible. Install a priming pot on the [um[ inlet. Install a foot valve or a check valve in the inlet below the water level. A;ways prime the entire inlet line, priming pot, and pump before turning it on. DO NOT RUN PUMP DRY!

These suggestions may help you avoid most common installation problems.

Pond Vac

This pond vac is a niffty device. It really works, and for the price it is a great deal.

It is a simple system which uses the water pressure from a
standard garden hose to create a suction and vacuum the muck.

The muck and waste is vacuumed up the telescopic pole and discharged to waste right out the end of the discharge hose, which we provide. You can allow it to go into a bucket, or right onto the lawn, garden or a deck drain.

No water goes into the pond. The water is used purely for
creating the suction. However, some water will be displaced from the pond, along with the muck and waste. It will definitely lower the water level.

The higher the water pressure the better the system will
operate as far as sucking up small pebbles and leaves.

The Muck Vac eliminates muck and fish waste without causing turbidity in pond water or displacing fish or plants. Complete system includes: Muck Vac power head, vac head and brush, vacuum hose and adapter. Easy to use and assemble. No moving parts. Requires minimum of 50 psi garden hose water pressure.

The telescoping 6' handle carries the waste water and debris out thru the 10' discharge hose to a bucket or garden area. No water is added to the pond via the Muck Vac.

Pond and Waterfall Pumps

We would like to indroduce the Alpine Cyclone pumps. What an amazing pump! It is economical to operate and very versital. Can be used in or out of water, horizontal or vertical and most important it can handle small particles. Most ponds have some debri, from algae, dirt or particles that fall into the pond. We offer these awesome pond pumps at a great price and it has a 3 year warranty!

Features

• Energy saving split tube motor with 33ft cord
• Vortex impeller
• Pump can be used vertical or horizontal
• Can pump dust particles of size .24" through
• Operates in and out of water!!!!
• Simple maintanence with removable rotor assembly
• Water-resistant ceramic bearing for continuous and trouble free use
• Oil Free Magnetic-driven, epoxy protected ceramic shaft for longer life
• Cost- saving energy efficient operation
• 3 YEAR WARRANTY

Ultra Violet Clarifier

What is green water?

The presence of a large population of uni-cellular algae causes green water. This algae is the pondkeeper's nightmare. "Pea soup" conditions caused by algae are unattractive and threaten fish health by using up oxygen. Green water occurs in most ponds and can be very difficult to eliminate.

When green water is pumped through the UV Clarifier, the algae are exposed to ultra-violet light. As they pass around the UV lamp, these particles are flocculated (clumped together). Water circulation carries them to the filter, which removes them, leaving behind only CLEAN WATER.

Fountain Pump Tubing

Proper tubing size for fountain pumps:

Hose Size:                          Max Flow:
1/2"                                      300
3/4"                                      600
1"                                        1000
1-1/4"                                  1800
1-1/2"                                  2500
2"                                        4000
3"                                        9000
4"                                        12,000

It is recommended to use the proper hose size for the pump to perform at its best.

Reliable Solar Pumps

Most solar pumps that are available to the public are low quality pumps from China. We now offer the ultimate solar pump package, a great quality pump made in the USA. These solar pumps come with voltage regulators and conditioners that hold a battery back up in case of cloudy days  and work with the solar panel. This system will ensure that your pump is working continuously during the day.

Fountain pumps

Most of the phone calls we receive are customers that need help sizing a fountain pump.

When choosing a pump for your fountain there are two terms that you will see when looking for your pump. GPH (gallons per hour) and "lift" or "head". For a fountain the GPH is not an issue, that is a guide used for ponds. The lift or head is what you will need to know. How far does the water in your fountain have to travel from where the pump will sit in your fountain to the top of the fountain where the water comes out. You will need a pump that lifts higher than that measurement. If that distance is 24", than you will need a pump that lifts at least 36" high. The "maximum lift" means that is the maximum height that the pump will lift the water. So you will get "0" flow at the maximum lift.

Here is a helpful guide:

Fountains that are 2" - 14" tall ( choose a pump that has a max lift of 24")

Fountains that are 14" - 24" tall ( choose a pump that has a max lift of 36")

Fountains that are 24" - 36" tall ( choose a pump that has a max lift of 42" - 48")

Pond and Lake Aerators

Without the use of a pond aerator your pond will become stagnant and smelly not to mention the algae buildup and the stress your fish will go through.

Oxygen enters the pond by diffusing into the water from the atmosphere. Submerged aquatic plants also produce oxygen during the day, But this is not enough, especially in the hot summer months when the water is warmer. Decomposing fish waste and algae along with the normal respiration of aquatic life, use up the oxygen faster than it can diffuse back into the water.

Your Pond requires aeration 24 hour a day. The warmer the water is, the less oxygen it can hold and you could loose your fish overnight.

In areas where there are harsh winters, use a floating pond or lake aerator in addition to Pond Deicer that keeps a small area from freezing. This open area allows the naturally occurring gasses to escape and adds oxygen to the water. Dormant fish still need oxygen under the ice.

So, if your fish are at the surface of the water and look like they are gasping for air, they probably are. Add a floating fountain pond aerator and keep your pond clean.

A floating lake aerator provides the perfect solution for improving water quality in Koi ponds, water gardens and lakes. It adds oxygen at the bottom of your lake or pond important for algae control.

Solar Pumps

So many water gardeners are looking for a good quality, reliable solar pump system for outdoor fountains or ponds. For the most part all that is available is the cheap, poorly made solar pumps that just don't work well. We have put together a great system, a good quality pump, voltage regulator and solar panel that will keep your pump running during the day. Just looking at these pumps you can see how well they are made.

With so many people focusing on green living and solar power, we are very excited to make the product available to the public. It is the perfect combination of green living. The sun powering your fountain or pond, supplying a great environment for birds and beautifying your garden.

Selecting a Grinder Pump

When selecting a grinder pump, figuring the lift or elevation, and the horizontal run is necessary for adequate flow. However, there are a couple of other things to consider when choosing a grinder pump.

Will your grinder pump be pumping to the main septic tank on your property or will it be pumping the sewage to the city main. The city main is pressurized and requires a pump the has a higher PSI. Check with your city or county to find out the PSI requirements needed for your pump. If you choose a pump that does not have enough PSI for the pressurized city main, the pump will not have enough power to push the sewage up to the main.

The next thing to consider is the electrical requirements. What is the voltage of your electrical connection? Regular household electricity is (110 - 115) volts. But you might have a different voltage outside. Check to see if it is (200 - 208) volts or (220 - 230) volts.

By following these guidelines you will prevent costly mistakes.

Pro tips for Fish Stocking

Ponds cannot support an unlimited number of fish. Balance the population according to pond gallons, surface area and filtration capacity. A general rule of thumb is one 18" - 20" koi for every square meter of surface area (approx.) ten square feet) in a well-filtered pond.

New Pond Startup

New pond owners need to culture the pond with beneficial bacteria and circu;ate the water for 7 days to develop the ecosystem - prior to adding fish. Start with no more than 6 - 10 small to medium fish per 1000 gallons. Wait 4 weeks and test water before adding additional fish.

Pond and Lake Dye

Thinking about adding Pond Dye to your pond or lake. If you don't know much about it, here is some information that might be helpful.

• Makes ponds, lakes and lagoons a beautiful blue color.
• Will not stain birds or fish.
• Completely safe for humans and wildlife.

Some bodies of water are naturally dirty looking due to reasons beyond a lake manager's control.  Lake dye turns a muddy looking pond into a sparkling deep blue water feature within moments.

• Turns a murky pond into a deep blue, sparkling asset.
• Is easy to apply and you see results in minutes.

Pond Fountains

What is the difference between a pond fountain and an aerating fountain?

A pond fountain and a decorative aerator are both floating units that float on the surface of the pond or lake but are anchored out there with cement blocks so that it is stationary. A pond fountain is a decorative floating unit that uses a high volume waterfall pump with an impeller. Generally the spray heights are higher than an aerator and this type of fountain is less expensive than an aerator. Although these units will aerate your pond, it moves less water than an aerating fountain.

A decorative display aerator is also a floating unit that uses a motor with a propeller. It moves a large volume of water compared to a fountain. It can handle dirty water environments, introduces a lot of oxygen into the water and retards the grow of algae and weeds. Great for lakes or pond with fish and algae problems.

Solar or Battery Pumps

Solar or Battery fountain and pond pumps are low voltage pumps. However, often customers will order the low voltage ac pumps, assuming they will work with solar panels or battery connection. That will not work. If you are looking for a pump that will work with a solar panel or a battery, you will need a low voltage dc pump. The low voltage ac pumps must connect to an ac transformer that plugs into a regular household electrical outlet.

The little battery operated pumps are great for science projects, company parties and weddings. For outdoor fountains or small ponds, where absolutely no electricity is available, the larger solar pumps work great with solar panels.

The low voltage ac pumps work great in outdoor applications also because you can run long lengths of low voltage cord without an amp drop, similar to low voltage lighting.

Sizing a pond fountain for your pond!

When selecting the correct size pond fountain, you will need to consider a few things:

A pond fountain is much more than just a beautiful display. It aerates, breaks up water columns, retards algae growth, and helps prevent water-born pests. In order to do all of this, it must fit your pond correctly. These tips will help you choose the right size!

1. The diameter of your pond.

• 10' to 70' - Any Calais or Vienna Fountain
• 30' to 150'  -The Amazing 1/2 HP Fountain
• 1/3 acre to 1 1/2 acre - Amazing 1HP or 1 1/2HP Fountain

If your pond is elongated, you might consider 2 or 3 fountains, as one in the middle might not aerate the ends.


If you have a lot of fish in the pond or extream algae problems, you might consider an aerator.


Our fountains are designed to work in fresh and salt water. In natural or lined ponds. The condition of the pond will dictate how often the pond fountain will need to be cleaned. Ponds with a lot of debri or algae will need to be cleaned more often. It is important to keep the intake of the fountain clear so that it will maximize the life of the motor.

Pro Tips For Inline Pond Pumps

Inline Pump Installation
Locate the pond pump as close to the source as possible. It is best to have your main (longest) run of pipe on the discharge side of the pump.

Flooded Suction
Install the pump outside the pond, and below the surface level of the pond to create a flooded suction. This will help ensure a proper and consistent supply of water to the pump. The inline pond pump will not operate properly and may be damaged if the water supply is not constant. A flooded suction may be retained with a supply line that runs up and over the pond wall and back down below the water surface, as long as all air has been removed from the line.

Non-Flooded Suction
If installation of a flooded suction is not possible, the following is recommended:
Position the pond pump as low as possible and as near the source as possible. Install a priming pot on the pump inlet. Install a foot valve or a check valve in the inlet below the water level. Always prime the entire inlet line, priming pot, and pond pump before turning it on. DO NOT RUN PUMP DRY!

These suggestions mey help you avoid most common installation problems.

POND BUILDING TIPS:

Why Knowing a Pond’s Volume is Important For Selecting a Pond Pump

1) Gallons in a pond will tell you the following

a. Size of pump for you pond

b. Size of filter for you pond

c. Approximate Number of fish for your pond

2) How to calculate approximate number of gallons in an existing pond

a. Volume for rectangle ponds:

avg. WIDTH x avg. LENGTH x avg. DEPTH = Pond volume (cubic ft.)

EXAMPLE: 10ft x 12ft x 2ft = 240 (cubic ft.)

240 (cubic ft.) x 7.5 gal = 1800 Gallons

b. Volume for circular ponds:

RADIUS X RADIUS X 3.14 X DEPTH = POND VOLUME (cubic ft.)

c. Volume of a pond can be most accurately calculated by using a water meter that can be connected to a garden hose while initially filling pond.

HOW TO MEASURE FOR POND LINER

Take measurement of pond opening and use the following formula:

POND LENGTH:
Maximum Length + Twice Depth + 3' = Dimension #1

POND WIDTH:
Maximum Width + Twice Depth + 3' = Dimension #2

Example: For 8' x 10' opening that is 2' deep,
Length: 10' + 4' + 3' = 17'
Width: 8' + 4' + 3' = 15'

For this example, unroll 17' from a 15' wide roll of EPDM Pond Liner.

Pond Building Tip: Best to dig pond opening, take measurements and then secure the liner.

Choosing a sewage pump!

I am often asked how to size a sewage pump either for replacement or new applications. We have several helpful articles on our website to help our customers choose the right size pump for their sewage application. Lets go over that briefly. First always check what the code is for your county or city. They might have certain requirements that you will need to know about before purchasing a new sewage pump. The next question is what are your specifications. What size pipe will you be connecting to? What is the measurement of elevation from where the sewage pump will be placed down in the tank up to the city main sewage line? What is the horizontal run of the pipe? Once you have that information, we will be happy to help you size the correct sewage pump for your needs.

Low Voltage Fountain and Pond Pumps

Spring is fast approaching and that means we will be outside attending our gardens, ponds and fountains.
If you are putting a fountain or pond out in your yard, you might want to consider using a low voltage pump. A low voltage pond or fountain pump uses a fraction of the electricity that a 110v pump uses, and is a safer alternative as well if you have kids and animals playing near the water.

For smaller applications, like birdbath fountains, small low voltage pumps come with an integrated transformer. For larger applications, like rock fountains and tiered fountains, you will need to use the larger low voltage pumps and those do not come with a transformer. You will have to purchase one separately or integrate into your existing low voltage lighting system. One thing to keep in mind is that the pump will turn on when the lights turn on, unless you use a multiple use transformer.