Water Feature

[andypandy]

I am about to construct a water feature in our garden. Could anyone tell me how to work out what size
pump I would need for a large two tier waterfall, and how may gallons to each squire foot of pond.? I
hope this makes sence to someone out there, because it does'nt to me. Thanks.

[paddywak]

First you need to calculate the volume of water, this is done by multiplying the length x breadth x depth if it is oblong or 22/7 x the radius squared x depth if round
i.e 2ft x 3ft x 3ft= 18 cu if oblong
or 22/7 x (3ft x 3ft )=28.25 if round with a radius of 3ft
1 cu ft of wateris equal to 6.24 gals
there fore the volumes of water are 18 x 6,24=112.32 gals or 28,25 x 6.24 gals= 176.28 gals
just alter the figures to suit you feature. once you know the total volume of water in your feature you can then check on the size of the pump depending on how quickly tou want to turn the water around

[paddywak]

Forgot to ask are you thinking of keeping fish in the feature? if you are and you decide to have a filter you need to take the volume of water this holds into account. When I did my pond which is of an irregular shape I used the bucket and stop watch method. I set the hose running and timed how long it took to fill a marked 5 gallon barrel, then timed how long it took to fill the pond and worked from there.

[rowanwitch]

You also need to find one that can accomodate any header pool for the waterfall and that can pump at least to the height you need to reach it, divide this by two though if you are using two outlets e.g fall and fountain unless you have individual regulators at the point the flow is split if not just add the two required heights from the pump exit

[craft1948]

Have you asked the wife if she likes frogs?

[vivandorron]

Forget about fish; unless you wish to attract Herons that will quickly make a meal of things.

Ron

[paddywak]

I've had a large pond containing quite a few mixed goldies and Koi for about 15yrs. I was given a large plastic heron when I set the pond up and I've never lost any to the herons though I regularly see them patroling when I take Max for his early morning walk.

[vivandorron]

Must be your plastic Heron which does the trick. Perhaps Herons have their individual feeding spots and your bird is keeping the others at bay. Nice to know it works. Far better than an unsightly net over the pond.

Ron

[paddywak]

Thats the theory ron, apparently herons are very territorial and will defend "their" patch very violently. What ever the reason its worked for me and as you say looks a lot better then netting over the pond. The last thing a pond keeper needs is a heron loose, if left alone they'll keep coming back till the pond is empty

[AlBags]

I keep shooing off a local heron from my friend's pond/lake
Damn thing comes back in an hour, so I try scaring as much as possible.
250 goldfish .. had a hundred-odd, so thins them out a bit.

[AlBags]

Paddy .. It's not a fish farm!

You need to know the head (height to pump to) .. and the flow rate to pick the correct pump (gall/litres/hour) That's it.

[paddywak]

Allbags if you read the question andypandy specifically asks how hany gallons to each square foot of pond it's the same formula for a garden pond or a fish farm thats all I gave him. Re the heron problem as I've said the plastic heron works for me and as your friends pond sounds quiet large perhaps 2-3 dotted about the banks might work, once they find an easy meal they'll come back till the ponds cleared failing that a 12 bore works very well

[AlBags]

Just shoot the bird then. Right.

[rowanwitch]

funnily enough plastic flamingoes do the same job... much more funky