Have questions about the flow control!

[Rlr23]

Well I have a lifeguard aquatics trio pump/filter unit and on the tube that makes the water bell it has a flow control. My question is what do I need it set at? Do I need it opened all the way so that water is going back into the pond and then out the water bell. Or do I need it completely shut?
I'm not pump literate, not sure what all the parts are called! I included a picture for reference.

 

[Rlr23]

Can anyone help me?

 

[addy1]

This might be the manual for it

http://www.lifegardaquatics.com/pdfs/123UG.pdf

I have never had one or know anything about it.

 

[Rlr23]

well if anyone knows anything about flow control valves should be of some help. its not specific to just this pump

 

[addy1]

If you are talking of the water going up and out i.e. making a fountain type flow, you can set that to whatever you want, i.e. no flow or all the flow. You just need to make sure there is flow out of the other port if you shut down the fountain flow

 

[Rlr23]

yes it is the section that sticks out from the pipe. when turned shut and water is only coming from the fountain it makes the fountain shoot really high. and when it is opened the fountain "smaller" and water flows out the valve as well. will this in anyway affect the durability and longevity of the pump? i did a experiment and when the valve is opened all the way it seems to be sucking in water much faster than if it was closed.
sorry it is my first pond and trying to learn

 

[Rlr23]

finally got the pic to post

 

[DrCase]

I would think the flow control is used to keep the water from shooting out of a small tub
Turn it aa high as you can and get your money's worth