Northern Virginia Backyard Koi Pond

[combatwombat]

Glad you figured it out. I tried using those Oatey plugs on a 3” PVC line and back pressure when I turned the pump off would always blow it right off no matter how much I tightened it. That’s a totally different use case from what you’re using it for, though. Don’t think you’ll have any issues with it.

Just curious: have you calculated your TDH? Think you said your pump is listed at 6300 GPH, but the flow from your video looks more like 2500-3000.

 

[Rabungalow]

Glad you figured it out. I tried using those Oatey plugs on a 3” PVC line and back pressure when I turned the pump off would always blow it right off no matter how much I tightened it. That’s a totally different use case from what you’re using it for, though. Don’t think you’ll have any issues with it.

Just curious: have you calculated your TDH? Think you said your pump is listed at 6300 GPH, but the flow from your video looks more like 2500-3000.

I haven’t, but like @GBBUDD said above I’m probabaly restricting my pump with the 2”PVC line. I also need to tighten my fernco in my skimmer where my pump connects to to the PVC line. Might be losing some there as well. I’m also pumping up a slight slope so I’m losing from the head pressure as well.

 

[Tula]

We pushed too much water through our bog and the excess pressure and friction broke ( honestly looked like it had melted ) the bog pipe underneath the gravel. The signs it was doing that was a lot of channeling in that area.

 

[Rabungalow]

We pushed too much water through our bog and the excess pressure and friction broke ( honestly looked like it had melted ) the bog pipe underneath the gravel. The signs it was doing that was a lot of channeling in that area.

What would that look like from above? I don’t see any evidence of any channels being made in the gravel or water.

 

[Tula]

What would that look like from above? I don’t see any evidence of any channels being made in the gravel or water.

It looked like the gravel " jumping" round ( like a bunch of Mexican Jumping Beans ! ) where the vertical bog pipe went down into the bog.

 

[Rabungalow]

It looked like the gravel " jumping" round ( like a bunch of Mexican Jumping Beans ! ) where the vertical bog pipe went down into the bog.

Ok cool, I’m not seeing any of that.

 

[GBBUDD]

your video like wombat said it looks like your flow is not 6 k . but it could be that the flow is concentrated to a small area making a thick stream as it drops. That lift looked to be what 4 feet high and 10 feet long. if thats the case your not loosing that much head pressure though if you used 90's in the plumbing those can add up.
you said you had a ball valve on the line are you splitting the line already and have a circulation jet in the pond?

 

[Rabungalow]

your video like wombat said it looks like your flow is not 6 k . but it could be that the flow is concentrated to a small area making a thick stream as it drops. That lift looked to be what 4 feet high and 10 feet long. if thats the case your not loosing that much head pressure though if you used 90's in the plumbing those can add up.
you said you had a ball valve on the line are you splitting the line already and have a circulation jet in the pond?

Might as well do a quick walk through. My setup is pretty straight forward.

 

[GBBUDD]

LOOKS fantastic... if there isn't any current toward the bottom of the pond you may want to consider a aquascape current pump

 

[Rabungalow]

LOOKS fantastic... if there isn't any current toward the bottom of the pond you may want to consider a aquascape current pump

Yeah, that is something I want to do. I Need to start looking into that because the bottom could use some more flow. It’s a smaller pond in regards to length and width then a lot of the big ponds, but mine is deep.

 

[GBBUDD]

Yeah, that is something I want to do. I Need to start looking into that because the bottom could use some more flow. It’s a smaller pond in regards to length and width then a lot of the big ponds, but mine is deep.

With no drain or draw from the bottom , added circulation can help immensely.

 

[Rabungalow]

What bog plants does everyone recommend which can thrive in complete shade? My bog gets a lot of shade in the summer.

 

[Lisak1]

Two shade plants that I love to grow in my pond are hostas (perennial) and impatiens (annual). Both do great in shade and love their feet in the water. Choose small varieties of hostas though or they will take over your bog!

 

[Rabungalow]

I was able to do some pond pump maintenance yesterday with the 50 degree weather. Pond was still cold as all get out and pretty sure my arm went numb messing around with it, but once I got the pump out and took off the protection I was able to clear out some snail shells and a bunch of pine needles that were reducing the flow rate. Compared to the last video I uploaded @combatwombat it was a night and day difference. Now the pump is pushing the 6,300 gallon flow rate.

 

[combatwombat]

That’ll make a big difference! Where is the pump located again?