Selecting the Proper Pump for your Backyard Water Garden Fea …
Whether you have a preformed or a liner pond, a pond pump is a paramount component of any water feature. Stagnant bodies of water attract mosquito infestations, which are a nuisance, and also undesirable, due to the recent outbreaks of the West Nile virus. therefore, it is paramount that you utilize a pond pump that circulates your body of water.
Pumps are available in both submersible and external (out-of-pond) models. for the smaller pond (up to 1000 gallons of water), a submersible pump is the more economical and practical option. Submersible pumps can be placed directly in the pond and require relatively little installation. They are free of distracting noise, and for smaller ponds, can easily be utilized to drain your pond (if you hook up a hose to the output flow).
In the old days, the main disadvantage of submersible pumps was that the pump seal could rupture and release oil coolant into the water. however, this is not the case nowadays, because newer p
umps are magnetic-driven, and no longer require coolant.
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Selecting the Proper Pump for your Backyard Water Garden Fea ...
Pondless Water Feature
Pondless streams and waterfalls have become quite popular in recent years. there are many advantages to these features. A homeowner or business who installs one does not have the same liability hazard as with a standing pond, because there is no danger of a small child or animal falling in and drowning. there is no risk of mosquito infestation, because there is no stagnant water (even with pumps and filter systems, ponds are still attractive breeding places for mosquitoes in some areas). they are relatively inexpensive to install, and can easily be adapted later should the homeowner desire to expand into a full water garden.
Pondless is a slight misnomer, because there actually is a pond. it is buried somewhere between 2 and 5 feet below ground, however. Typically, these underground ponds hold between 50 and 100 gallons of water. this water is usually re-circulated in less than 60 seconds by the pump, which increases your water loss through both splashing and evaporation.
Depending on where you live and whether you run your pump around the clock or just periodically, you will need to add water to the reservoir every few days. in a hot but humid area such as northeast Texas, you will need to top it off every 4 or 5 days. in a dry, hot climate such as Arizona, you should check it more often, approximately every 2 or 3 days. most people find that 5 to 7 days is often enough. all of these estimates are based on periods without rain. Rainfall will keep the reservoir refilled provided it is a typical storm and not just a few sprinkles that evaporate before they hit the ground.
It is best to check your system and not wait for it to show symptoms of being low or out of water. you may hear a gurgling or hissing noise if the water level is low. most pumps have a safety feature that will shut the system down if they are not receiving an adequate influx of water. Usually, they will turn themselves back on once water reaches them. Still, it is best if you do not place your pump under that kind of strain.
If you find you are having to refill the reservoir too frequently, you might have a leak somewhere in your system. Examine the area carefully for wet areas, looking for water in places where there should be none. If you find none, but your system is still running dry frequently, you are probably not losing the water through evaporation but through a leak in the liner of the underground pool.
It usually takes about sixty seconds to refill your reservoir from a garden hose to counteract the effects of evaporation. Homeowners with sprinkler systems can tie into the main line and use them to automatically refill the reservoirs.
The basic laws of physics mean that you will have some evaporation with your pondless water feature. Even in the hottest and most arid areas, however, it should not significantly impact your water bill.