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Pond Questions Pond questions, pond answers, send in your pond questions Loosing water 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 ****************************** Cheap liner 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 *********************************** 3 pumps, one socket I have 3 pumps but only one supply cable how can i safely connect them?
***************************** Leaking waterfall 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 **************************************** Washing machine pump 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. ************************************ Solar pump 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. Before considering a solar pump you may want to read this here A very useful page I have found ************************** Solar filter 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 ************************** No green water 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 ********************************* Filter size What size pond filter should i have ? see our filter page ******************************* What size hose What size hose should i use for my water feature pond? see our hose size page ************************************ American pump I have seen a pump in America will it work over here? see my buying from abroad page ********************************* 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 *************************** Cable inlet 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 ***************************** 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. ********************************** 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 ********************************** Central heating pump Can i use a central heating circulator for a water feature? see my page here ********************************** 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"
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.
********************************** Leaking filter 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 ********************************** ********************************** Pond questions 2 click here
64 30 10 06 Have you a pond question ?, send it in Fountain questions are here
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