Pond homework

[Stewillard]

Recently I am getting ready to hire someone to build a pond for us here in northeastern Oklahoma. As mentioned in my introduction I'm not able to do it myself. Regardless, we're now thinking of an 8' x 10' pond containing, plants, possibly a few fish and any local frogs that might move in.

Reading around the forum I've
learned a few important things like it is a good thing to have no rocks on the bottom contrary to contractors who have suggested river rock or pea gravel. I'm also thinking a good quality pump, skimmer and filter are a good investment if they offer a significantly longer useful life. Local contractors tell me they only use pumps from Home Depot which makes me a little skeptical. Is this a red flag or do Home Depot and Lowes sell a range of quality components?

 

[sissy]

I bought laguna pumps off ebay from webbs and country fish girl and was so impressed by there energy use I bought there aerator

 

[sissy]

I was impressed because even though the 2900 gph said what it's energy use is it hits a sweet spot and uses less .I also have a 2400 gph one and 4 year warranty .Before that I had the harbor freight pump 2150 gph but it used 175 watts but was a great pump for the price .You always want a little bigger a pump as you can split the the hose and send water to other places .If you need a skimmer you can get a skimmer pump .I have never had a skimmer ,no need for one

 

[RobAmy]

It would put a flag up for me. I am not saying that you can't get decent equipment there but as a pond business that would not be my first go to place. Home depot or lowes does not carry enough pond products for a complete pond for a paying customer. I am a mason contractor and even that home depot and lowes carry masonry products that is not the go to place, sure you need something now and then but a full masonry supply yard offers more choice and better value for the customer. I would get references of work they have done, I see many pond contractors that have no business installing ponds. There are many models and many products out there. Some cheap and some big money. Decide what you want for your pond, skimmer, waterfall, stream, bottom drains, filtration etc. I personally think skimmers are very useful. Do not rush in. Do not be afraid to ask them questions. Rock bottoms can go either way. I chose not to rock mine for easier maintenance. You will have to completely empty the pond for good cleanings which I wanted to avoid. I suggest go as big as you can afford, easier to go a little bigger now than later if you have the room for very little additional cost. Good luck on the project and feel free to ask more questions. Please post pictures of the build along the way if you can.

 

[Mmathis]

Recently I am getting ready to hire someone to build a pond for us here in northeastern Oklahoma. As mentioned in my introduction I'm not able to do it myself. Regardless, we're now thinking of an 8' x 10' pond containing, plants, possibly a few fish and any local frogs that might move in.

Reading around the forum I've
learned a few important things like it is a good thing to have no rocks on the bottom contrary to contractors who have suggested river rock or pea gravel. I'm also thinking a good quality pump, skimmer and filter are a good investment if they offer a significantly longer useful life. Local contractors tell me they only use pumps from Home Depot which makes me a little skeptical. Is this a red flag or do Home Depot and Lowes sell a range of quality components?

No idea why they would say that, except maybe they have an agreement with those stores ( or get a kick-back....), but all of my pumps, including my main pump are from HOME DEPOT, and have never had a problem, going on 3 years. It's a 3600 GPH pump (solids-handling), and when you check the specs, it's very energy efficient, compared to other brands. I think the 2 places, HD & Lowes carry pretty much the same equipment, just with different names (Total Pond vs Smart Pond).

Of course, there's no reason why you'd have to use the equipment they provide unless it's strictly stated in the contract.....just get them to dig, line, and plumb it for you.

 

[Kevin Koloff]

go here http://www.hardscapematerials.com/ ask for Donnie. I don't know why anyone would tell you not to put rock/stone in your pond. I added a sand stone shelter for the goldfish in the school pond. Your choice on digging your pond. All I can tell you via internet is I have had great results with hardscapes

 

[dieselplower]

Many many many many people will tell you not to put rock in the bottom of the pond, and for most people, it's great advice.

 

[tbendl]

I don't know if it's a red flag but if they are contractors, they may get contractor pricing at those places allowing them to buy a pump much cheaper and make more money off of you.

 

[Stewillard]

Maybe it's not a deal breaking red flag but it's reason for me to be concerned. Locally no installer has lots of experience with ponds and pump performance seems to be taken for granted i.e., a pump is a pump. Maybe the Home Depot or Lowes offerings are as good as any but I'm hoping any contractor I choose will have access to any pump I choose.

I spoke with one of the local companies, a landscaping company, and the owner agreed to use any components I chose and told me I was the first person who questioned the pumps. He said that the locally available pumps last about three years and he thought they all would last about that long. Do 1,000 g/hr pumps last longer than three years?

Also, I'd like to confirm my understanding of what my pump should be able to do. I understand I should choose a pump capable of moving about half the water in the pond per hour while being able to input through a skimmer and filter. The pump should also be able to push the water up to the height of the waterfall. I assume some filters resist water flow more than others and more power might be needed to pump water 5 feet high than 1 foot. Are there other ratings such as horsepower that should be considered for the pump to support the specified load?

 

[tbendl]

Well I don't have fish so I can't help with regard to filters. I am sure that the others will ask how deep your pond is and what type of fish, (koi or goldfish) as that will affect what type of filter and components they recommend. I also know that as far as pond pumps go, head (or how high/far) your pump will go, the watts it uses will affect how much money it takes to run it are the 2 things I looked at in addition to flow rate. Good luck and can't wait for some pictures.

 

[Stewillard]

I checked out the pumps available from various suppliers and I understand the variables based on load. It's good to know there are lots of choices out there.

I'll wait 'til we've finally decided on pond design to choose the components.

 

[tbendl]

Give your post a few hours, or even a day. You will have much more experienced ponders weigh in on the pump choice but like I said, I would list how deep your pond is and if you plan on having koi.

 

[Stewillard]

Good advice, I have lots to learn.

 

[dieselplower]

I have not had problems with the pump I got from Lowes but I also do not think they offer the best value for the money. I think the electric use is high for the amount of water they flow. I also hope that in a pond of that size they are asking you about things like a skimmer, which can not be gotten from any Home Depot or Lowes in my area.

 

[dieselplower]

Maybe it's not a deal breaking red flag but it's reason for me to be concerned. Locally no installer has lots of experience with ponds and pump performance seems to be taken for granted i.e., a pump is a pump. Maybe the Home Depot or Lowes offerings are as good as any but I'm hoping any contractor I choose will have access to any pump I choose.

I spoke with one of the local companies, a landscaping company, and the owner agreed to use any components I chose and told me I was the first person who questioned the pumps. He said that the locally available pumps last about three years and he thought they all would last about that long. Do 1,000 g/hr pumps last longer than three years?

Also, I'd like to confirm my understanding of what my pump should be able to do. I understand I should choose a pump capable of moving about half the water in the pond per hour while being able to input through a skimmer and filter. The pump should also be able to push the water up to the height of the waterfall. I assume some filters resist water flow more than others and more power might be needed to pump water 5 feet high than 1 foot. Are there other ratings such as horsepower that should be considered for the pump to support the specified load?

Personally I think in an average size pond you want a pump that is rated to turn the pump over at least once per hour. At least once per hour, because by the time the pump pushes that water through a length of hose, the actual outflow will be reduced. If your pump is rated to turn the pond over twice an hour, by the time it pumps through all the pipe, it might only do it 1.5 times per hour.