New Pond Pumps

Archive for the ‘Care’ Category

Unattractive algae will flourish without aquatic plant life, since pumps alone cannot remove the elements that algae require to live.

One of the main reasons behind installing a pond is its beauty. People almost always stop and look down into a pond, especially if fish, rocks or plant life are in abundance!

Unfortunately, the water may become murky or slimy. Providers offer a wide choice of appropriate pond pumps, but owners may wonder if that pump is enough to keep the water clean and clear. It may be, but a pool of water with nothing in it would look as interesting as a filled bathtub! How much more appealing are pond plants to add intrigue and actually “help” the water!

Unattractive algae will flourish without aquatic plant life, since pumps alone cannot remove the elements that algae require to live. Only plant life can do this. People may be concerned that their ponds are not deep enough to support aquatic life, but there are types that meet every need.

Oxygenators are “invisible” plants, totally submerged, and keep the under-surface clean by absorbing nutrients that algae feed on. Their presence provides protection to pond fish. Marginal plants grow on a pond’s margin, or edge, in soil, with their roots covered by 2-12 inches of water. Their leaves and flowers grow out of the water. Often, pots of marginal’s are placed under the water; if the pots have holes, their roots will spread out and intertwine along the pond’s bottom. Bog plants also grow around the pond’s rim. They enjoy the moist environment without needing to be covered with water. Floaters are aquatic plants that glide along the pond’s surface with their roots underwater. Their leaves may float either on top or below the water line, but the flowers are always on display! It’s generally agreed that the best coverage is ½ to 2/3 of the surface, to provide shade. This shade protects fish and helps to discourage additional algae growth. Plus, there are lotus and water lilies to choose from for deeper ponds!

Some water plants survive through cold seasons; others may not unless removed and placed under growing lights. It is necessary to check with reputable pond plant providers to verify that choices are legal in the state of use, since USDA restrictions exist to protect the environment.

Water plants supply beauty and function, continuing the work that pond pumps, in all their mechanical magic, are unable to provide. They will always co-exist peacefully with other pond decoration and accessories!

Many pond pump problems are easily fixed within minutes and can be completed by the pond owner.

Since the living creatures in your outdoor pond depend on the pond pumps to provide them with fresh, oxygenated water, it is best to keep the pump functional as much of the time as possible. So, if you happen to notice problems, it is best to know some troubleshooting practices to get it going again quickly. Many pond pump problems are easily fixed within minutes and can be completed by the pond owner. That saves time, money and inconvenience!

Here are some steps to take if you would like to troubleshoot your own pond pumps:

1. Look to see if the pond pumps are receiving water. This is a rather common problem when water evaporates. Without water, the pond pumps cannot function properly. Even though they are running, they are not moving the water and aerating it correctly due to lack of water.
2. Look to see if the pond pumps are blocked. Large debris can get into the pond pumps occasionally and prevent them from working correctly. To fix this problem, simply remove the blockage.
3. Look to see if the pond pumps are vapor-locked. Pond pumps are designed to push water, not air. So, if air gets trapped inside the pond pumps, it will not function properly. To fix this problem, you simply tip the pumps to allow the air bubble to escape.
4. Look to see if the pond pumps have an operating electrical supply. Pond pumps on large extension cords tend to get an irregular power supply. This irregular power supply can lead to poor performance and a longer lifespan for your pond pumps. To fix this problem, make sure all electrical connections are functional.

These are the simplest problems that can be found with your pond pumps and are easily fixable. There are other problems that you can troubleshoot, as well, and should be described in the owner’s manuals of your pond pumps. Just because your pond pumps are not working does not mean you should automatically replace them! A simple ten minute fix-up may be all your pond pumps need to work efficiently again.

It is important to keep a portion of your pond water from freezing over during the winter months.

Well, as anyone who has an outdoor pond knows, the pond pumps oxygenating the water are a critical part of any water area (especially if there are fish, frogs, and other water life in it). So, in winter time, when a shallow pond is mostly frozen, what do you do with the pond pumps?

Even though you won’t need to filter the water in the wintertime, you will have to keep the water in the pond moving. Therefore, the pond pumps need to stay active throughout the colder months. If you do not keep the water moving, and ice covers the top of your pond totally, the oxygen will not be able to get into the water and harmful gases will not be able to get out.

Having submerged pond pumps with fountain or waterfall features, you will be able to keep at least a part of the pond oxygenated and unfrozen. If you live in an area that your pond could possibly freeze solid, it is recommended you use pond pumps and a fountain feature to continually more and aerate the water.

An accessory to pond pumps that is useful during the winter months are floating pond heaters. When you have a pond heater, it will keep a portion of the pond from freezing so that your pond pumps can do their job more effectively.

When winterizing your pond area, place your pond pumps on brinks about a foot below the water. This will help keep the pond pumps from getting clogged with leaves and other debris throughout the cold season. It is always recommended that you have two pond pumps functional at any given time, as this will guarantee that your pond life is getting the oxygen it needs even if one of the pond pumps breaks down.

An efficient pond pump can be a vital part of any garden or water feature.

A good pump properly cleaned and maintained will ensure the correct amount of flow as well as keeping the water clear.

If you keep fish in your pond, never turn off your pond pump for longer than about an hour – you will prevent oxygen from reaching the bio-filter. Ideally a pump should be operating continuously. Some people even use two pond pumps, that way one can always be running while the other one is being cleaned or repaired.

If you use an external pump, to help keep the pond pump running smoothly, try to place it outside the pond but below the level of the water surface. Always ensure that your pump is full of water and that you never run it while dry as this will damage the pump’s impeller and seal. The impeller is the propeller-like device that actually pumps the water.

Try to keep the pump’s motor unit sheltered from rust and rain, but at the same time allow air to circulate effectively, so the pump can cool properly. If you need to seal up threaded joints on your pond pump, use Teflon paste rather than tape.

Ideally you should clean your pond pump in early spring, when water temperatures average between 40 and 55 degrees – cleaning during the summer may remove some bacteria which are actually beneficial to the pump’s smooth running.

Always follow manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning a pond pump; if you have a magnetic drive pump, you should wipe clean (but not scrub) the impeller and the chamber housing the impeller.

A submersible pump can be cleaned by simply pulling away the debris that collects there. Some external pumps have leaf baskets attached, in order to trap leaves and other debris. The basket must be thoroughly cleaned every so often to ensure proper working. If the debris clogs up the system too much, the pump’s motor may burn out – if this happens, many experts say it is easier to just buy a new pump rather than try to repair it.

For as long as there have been garden ponds, there has been that green menace that plagues pond keepers: algae.

New ponds are especially susceptible since they don’t have their own mini ecosystem up and running yet. There are several things that you can do to keep your garden pond lovely and clear, though.

The first thing to know is the difference between a water garden (which is primarily water plants with some small fish) and a fish pond (like a Koi pond). A water garden requires a pump that moves about half the water volume of the pond per hour. Proper construction is also important, and it is suggested that at least forty percent of the surface area be reserved for a deep zone. The deep section of your pond should be at least two feet. For a Koi pond you are going to want a stronger pump to move the full volume of the pond every hour. Fish are messy creatures, and it takes a lot to keep up with them. They require the same volume for a deep zone, but the depth should be closer to three feet for your fish. Be careful, also, that runoff from the garden does not have a way into your pond. The nutrients from the runoff will feed your pesky algae.

Having the right plants in your pond is also important. The right balance of plants, combined with proper maintenance, will starve the algae of their food sources. Floater plants can starve the algae for sunlight as well. Adding enzymes to the water may also help break down the algae while it promotes the health of the other plants and fish.

After several years (provided the pond has not been emptied and refilled) your pond will be a much more mature picture of the pond it was before. Algae growth should naturally have declined, and you can sit back and enjoy your beautiful water garden or Koi pond.