Pond Questions
Pond questions, pond answers
My newly installed pebble pool looses water
This is because you did not correctly adjust the
height of the fountain jet
see the JW Rule
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I have used a cheap liner for a pond is there anything i can use to stop
it from cracking?
Cheap pond liners split /
crack after time because they are affected by the suns ultra violet rays
(it literally breaks down the material) you can over come this by raising
the water level in the pond, if this is not possible, you can cover the
exposed parts with something that is harmless and will not affect the
water. But you will probably spend more doing this than if you used a good
quality liner in the first place
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I have 3 pumps but
only one supply cable how can i safely connect them?
| You need to use a "switch box" Other brands and versions
are available |
 |
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If you
have a waterfall that leaks, what can you do to repair it?
Unfortunately you should remove the whole waterfall (sorry) and place a
liner behind it with the bottom end of the liner going into the pool, this
is so that if you waterfall leaks any water will not be lost and be
returned to the pool.
If your waterfall is still being
constructed then you can use a sealer such as G4 to seal all waterfall
surfaces, but if it has started to leak, it is doubtful if G4 will work
due to any large cracks you may have (even if you can not see them) the
best option will be to take your waterfall apart and rebuild it with a
liner behind AND use G4
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I want to use a
washing machine pump for a waterfall is this o.k?
In
theory yes, they pump a lot of water, in practice no, because they are
only designed to run for a few hours a day everyday, also they are not designed
for outdoor use.
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I want to build a small water feature but i want to use a solar pump, any
suggestions?
Yes, use mains operated pump. This is because
most solar pumps are designed to float on a pond (which is not good) they
also need very bright sunlight to operate ( I recall seeing a tv shopping
channel selling them and they would not work under the very bright studio
lights)
You must also remember that solar pumps only work
in bright sunlight, so most will not work on an overcast day or at
night * when they do work they only have a small pump which can not
provide a lot of water.
* Exclusive Fountains can now
supply moderately powerful solar pumps, with battery back up, they do this
by having very large solar cells, they are also not cheap.
Exclusive Fountains have been in touch to say they can still supply a
solar pump with battery back up, but they do not list it due to its retail
price of over £1,000
They have also suggested that
before considering a solar pump you may want to read their page
here
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I have a new pond that is at
the other end of the garden, i want to have a pump and filter i want to
have solar can you suggest one?
Simple answer no.
This is because filters need to be on 24/7 if its solar it will only work
on a bright day, also a filter works best if there is a uv light
fitted too, but there is no such thing as a solar operated uv light
solar pumps are also good, but not fantastic, the good ones also cost a
lot of money, see question above
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Is it true that running water never turns green?
This is not true at all. streams, brooks and the like never turn green
because it is not the same water running, in a water feature, pond or
similar it is the same water running around and around so yes it will
eventually turn green, if only some water is exposed at any one time, say
through a rock then back to a covered sump, the amount of time the water
is out for is short so it will take a long time before it turns green
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What size pond filter should i have ?
see our filter page
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What size hose should i use for my water feature pond?
see our hose size page
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I have seen a pump in America will it work over here?
see my buying from abroad page
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Noisy Biological filter
If you have a pond and and biological filter (as you should, unless its a
natural pond)
Here are a few thoughts / considerations
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I have a metal tank that i am going to "seal" but can i bring the pump
cable through a hole in the side and put mastic on it to seal it?
The simple answer is NO, the metal tank may cut into the cable, also if
the cable ever moves you will have a leak, you should use a proper
connector to take any cable through a wall, that is why most people go
"over the top" with pump / light cables
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Ordinary pump?
I have a very big and deep pond (4 feet in the middle) can i use an
ordinary pump for a fountain?
Yes you can, but to stop it getting clogged too often I would suggest you
stand it off the bottom of the pond floor, a couple of bricks although
crude works very well.
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U.V and new pond?
New pond,
have installed fishmate9000 and tetra pressure filter return by
waterfall. I’ve heard this should be left on all day and night with the
exception of winter. I don’t mind but is this necessary and would you
recommend?
Also,
as it’s new, filled from the hose I’m running it just now and imagine the
filtration will build up the necessary “stuff”, but should I add a water
conditioner or just get some plants in for now?
Thanks
again,
Stephen
Pond filters should be left
running 24 / 7, our page here gives more
detail.
The "stuff" is bacteria, this will
take some time to grow and multiply, if you have no fish, then i would
just leave it to mature, you can add plants no problem.
05 04 07
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Can i use a central heating circulator for a water feature?
see my page here
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Is a fibreglass pool for a pond a good idea?
Yes, if you can get one. I say if you can get one, because they are big
and bulky, but do not weigh that much (for the size they are) and unless
you collect it yourself, (a reasonable sized one will not fit on or in
your car) courier companies are reluctant to transport them since
they charge by weight, and need a big lorry to carry them. They are
expensive to buy, but they will last a lifetime. Oh, and get a dark
coloured one, since as its a pond if its light in colour it will
soon show any algae / general dirt
Fibreglass pools also have a "unique feature" when you see all the
different shapes and sizes standing against a wall (that is how they are
usually displayed) they are huge, but when you dig the hole and put them
in they "shrink to about 2/3 of their size"
 |
|
Here is a collection of GRP pools for sale. when standing next
to them they do indeed look huge. |
They don't really shrink, its just that when they are standing up they
really look huge, but when you install them they no longer seem as big as
they were, so if you are going to get one, get a really big one. (If you
look at a well known auction website, the sellers are "collection only")
Because they are so awkward to transport.
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My pond water level is dropping quickly, my
box filter looks wet on the outside, what do you think is the problem?
It sounds like the filter media / sponges are clogged and so the water is
not getting through the filter quick enough, or you filter outlet is
blocked. (I myself once had a piece of filter media that got wedged in the
filter outlet) If the filter has sponges you should clean them as and when
required in pond water, tap water will kill any good bacteria
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see here
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