[johnkeegan]

I'm going to install a small pond for myself. I've done a few using Aquascape stuff. But I wanted to be the guinea pig for trying other suppliers. I'd appreciate input from experienced installers on such things as the size pump they'd use (we have high electricity rates here- .14 cents/kwh- so efficency is key), type of filtration, suppliers you've been happy with etc..

Basic specs.
-13' x 18' surface area. Approx. 24" deep.
- due to grading issues there will be a "channel" that leads into the pond with a stone bridge over it. So that channel won't be much higher than the pond. (I did figure already that I need approx. 25x30 liner due to the channel.)
-Total stream length of 25 feet, 2-3 feet wide.
-Total rise of 5 feet from falls to top of the pond.

Thanks.

[Mac]

Im also in this boat and will be watching with eager eyes.

[Dire Wolf]

Calculations for your pond are as follows, (Length)13' x (width)18' = 234, 234 x (avg depth) 2' = 468 x 7.48 = 3500 gallons of water. Stream calculates @ another 375 gallons total volume is almost 3900 gallons. Minnimum water circulation is 50% of volume. Depth of pump in pond is also included with head height ( 7ft )
Sugested pump is Tsurami 3500 gph this has a max head height of 12 feet @3500 gpm more efficient than others.
Aquascape does have the most efficient skimmer and falls system just specify a Tsurami pump. Any questions contact me.

[Stonehenge]

There have been complaints in the last few years about the quality of the materials Aquascapes has been putting into their stuff, including screws/bolts/nuts that easily strip when assembling the biofalls and skimmer (and one stripped nut/set of threads pretty much makes the thing useless. I've heard some bad things about the Aquascapes pumps lately as well. Going with a brand name other than AS would probably be smart. Others here are pretty positive about Savio stuff - I have yet to try there stuff, but on my next mid-sized pond install we'll give them a go.

They say that for ponds of that size you want to turn over the water volume once per hour, so as Dire Wolf said, get a pump that's going to match in GPH (at 5' head) the volume of the pond.

I believe some here have used the inline UV filtration systems with success, and we had a client that added it after we built the pond, and he liked his as well. Something to consider if you aren't going to have lots of plant life and fish, and if you aren't going to have the time to manage water pH and algae (because those things WILL take time).

Maybe this is serendipity - I've been meaning to write an article about building large scale water features. Maybe this'll get the juices flowing.

[Dire Wolf]

The AS pumps are not made of the same durability As Tsurami nor as energy efficient. It is the easy adaptability of components to different pond configuration that is the bonus here. A messed up screw is an inconveinent set back. It really depends on your local distributer for the support of service and different components. Here AS has an excellent distributer locally so that is what we have been comfortable with. We only build biological ponds, from 15 sq ft to 4000 sq ft and none use the UV. It really boils down to personal preferance. In the past 18 years I have seen many systems, the good, the bad and the ugly. I would be willing to share my experiences with stonehenge for the article.

[johnkeegan]

Thanks.
One other question. One supplier suggested I get a bigger pump (almost approx.5700 gph) made by Shinmaywa. His thinking was I put a valve on it and run it with more flow if needed or (usually) less (to save electricity) and the pump would not be working as hard under normal conditions.
Whaddya think?

[Dire Wolf]

Using a larger pump will give more volume for water flow of falls / stream and circulation which is never a bad thing, BUT restricting the pump flow with a valve only makes the pump work harder and NOT as efficient. The water flowing through pump also contributes to cooling, there by extending pump life. If flow rate is a concern split the return using a manifold with a valve to divert flow to either stream head or to a return below pond surface.

[Stonehenge]

I'm not sure why some folks think a partially closed outlet line makes a pump work less hard. If you put a kink in a hydraulic line, does the hydraulic pump work less now? (I know, I know - give it enough time, and yeah - It won't work at all.)

The pump has no mechanism to recognize when a valve is partially closed, so it will always try to produce max flow.

[natural12]

I really like the savio skimmer. Very sturdy and the face plate uses a gasket for a seal. I have never had a problem with it.

Got to agree with Stone about closing the line a little with a valve. I don't understand it. The rep at Anjon told me the same thing. "its good for the pump if you install a ball valve and shut it down a bit".

The tsurumi pump has been good. However, had to replace one recently that was still under warranty. It was a bit of a pain. Bought it from Anjon and they told me Aquascape (i think it was aquascape) bought out tsurumi and they had to get the replacement from them. Turned into a bit of a hassle so after a couple of phone calls complaining they sent me a new one called Big frog. Basically the same pump with a different name. Both are efficient with electrical use.