One of the unsung heros in either of these features in the cistern or underground vault.
The best things about them is just about everything they do.
1. Keeps the water line a constant within the pond. No fluctuations.
2. Rarely having to add well or city water to the feature.
3. Allows capturing of large rain storms. FREE water.
4. Increases water volume, always a good thing to help keep parameters stable.
5. Adding anything like parasite treatments or kh buffers, can be done to the cistern which inturn will dilute the additive and never a heavy dose to your fish or inverts.
6. Can be installed just about anywhere. At the start or at the end of the feature. Or anywhere inbetween.
7. They can even be installed under walk ways, roads and parking lots. And even your pond.
One major disadvantage to a cistern. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$%
It can get rater pricey. I built a 3000 gallon cistern and a quick number came up to almost 7000 dollars. Liners underlayment, matrix blocks etc.
But once installed it's very much worry free.
Now are there cheaper options in the short term ?sure. A float valve is very inexpensive. Just like a watercloset , lue, John, or toilet depending where you are from. BUT it is a mechanical device and it is not a matter of will it fail its when. And if you have some pricey koi in your pond that can cost you well in excess of $ 7000 if the water runs all day and kills your fish..
There are also water timers, the way I use those is placing two in line with each other so if one fails the other has its back.
Using city water however will also need a dechlorinator. And you realy won't know for sure how much to add unless you also install a water meter.
So they all have their trade offs.
Winner in my book is hands down a large cistern.
The best things about them is just about everything they do.
1. Keeps the water line a constant within the pond. No fluctuations.
2. Rarely having to add well or city water to the feature.
3. Allows capturing of large rain storms. FREE water.
4. Increases water volume, always a good thing to help keep parameters stable.
5. Adding anything like parasite treatments or kh buffers, can be done to the cistern which inturn will dilute the additive and never a heavy dose to your fish or inverts.
6. Can be installed just about anywhere. At the start or at the end of the feature. Or anywhere inbetween.
7. They can even be installed under walk ways, roads and parking lots. And even your pond.
One major disadvantage to a cistern. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$%
It can get rater pricey. I built a 3000 gallon cistern and a quick number came up to almost 7000 dollars. Liners underlayment, matrix blocks etc.
But once installed it's very much worry free.
Now are there cheaper options in the short term ?sure. A float valve is very inexpensive. Just like a watercloset , lue, John, or toilet depending where you are from. BUT it is a mechanical device and it is not a matter of will it fail its when. And if you have some pricey koi in your pond that can cost you well in excess of $ 7000 if the water runs all day and kills your fish..
There are also water timers, the way I use those is placing two in line with each other so if one fails the other has its back.
Using city water however will also need a dechlorinator. And you realy won't know for sure how much to add unless you also install a water meter.
So they all have their trade offs.
Winner in my book is hands down a large cistern.