How long does it take for external pump to prime?

[sherry]

I have a Performance Pro A2-1/4-47-C External Pump. The pump is positioned around 2' above water and around 3' away from water. I filled up the water in the pump, ran the pump for 3 minutes, but there is still no water coming out. Do I need to move pump closer to the water, or something wrong with the pump or how I operated the pump? Thanks.

 

[WaterGardener]

The position of the pump should not be a problem.

What sized pipe are you using?

Is the pump lid tight enough?

Did it empty the water in the pump?

Do you have any closed valves? Do you have a check valve on the piping?

Is anything blocking the intake in the pond?

Any additional information you can provide would help.

 

[GBBUDD]

Two feet above the water line is your problem i guarantee it. External pumps are great at pushing water but they can not pull water . you might think but of course it does. once the pump gets PRIMED AND THERE IS NO AIR YES IT CAN PULL TO AN EXTENT. so maily it is the amount of water that is avalable to the pump when it fires up and how much air there is in the pipes. This can be worked out but when you have a power outage for an extended period of time it may burn out the pump.

A few ways to fix this . ONE BALL VALVES AND IF YOU SHUT DOWN ANY LINE YOU KNOW HAS A LOT OF AIR IN IT.
Adding a priming pot this is lke three times the size of the basket on the pump but it too will need a check valve or ball valve so when you go to open the basket you retain the water and not loose it on the ground.
third is to add a pvc fitting with a hose bib where you hook up the garden hose to the line and turn the water on untill the prime is reset.

 

[GBBUDD]

I FORGOT THE FOLL PROFF FIX LOWWER THE TOP PF THE BACKET WHERE YOU OPEN THE BASKET TO CLEAN OUT THECOLLECTED DEBRIS SO THAT IS A FEW INCHES ABOVE THE PONDS WATEER LINE . THIS IS THE ULTIMATE FIX BUT AGAIN BALL VALS ARE A MUST AND CHECK VALES OPTIONAL.

 

[sherry]

Thank you all for the help. I read the manual again and found that it suggested a (rubber flapper type) swing check valve. I'll add a swing check valve likely below the water line.

 

[sherry]

Another question is, is there any constraint on how water come into the bog? Specifically, the picture is my bog. I am thinking about the two options of placing the pump, red and blue.
Red one seems better, as the water direction coming out of pump is aligned with the grid in the bog, but there will be a long pipe between pump and water.
Would the blue pipe send more water to the upper two pipes in the bog, as they are more in the direction of how water comes in. But blue pump is closer to the water so less pipping.
Please suggest. Thanks.