[Ray]

I recently hear a lot of landscapers/designers use electronic level switches and solenoids to control pond level. So you know, there is a much simpler way to control the level with float valves. Use PVC and select valve based on water supply pressure and filling flow rate. Contact me if you have any questions.

[Stonehenge]

Ray - First off, welcome aboard!

We install some pretty small ponds and use some of the kit companies out of Illinois...However, we tend to build even smaller 'accent' water features, where the pond is no bigger than 8'x8'. With a pond that size it makes keeping the water level correct a little harder. I was going to tinker with a toilet bowl float mechanism but ran out of time to figure something out for that.

You have any ideas?


Jeff

[Ray]

Hi Jeff,

Kerick Mini Float valves are ideal for these applications. Check them out online at www.floatvalve.com

Thanks,

Ray

[mdvaden]

I've heard of people adapting the float and fill systems that are sold at farm and feed supply businesses for keeping drinking containers filled - as would be used for horses, sheep, goats, cattle.

Another option is to set one sprinkler extra on an irrigation system - the extra head is dedicated only to cover the area of the pond.

When its hot, the irrigation feeds the pond. When it rains, no irrigation head wetting the pond.

[diginahole]

I think a float valve is the more responsible solution for automatically controlling the water level in a pond. An irrigation system really has no way to determine the demand for water. It would be very easy to overfill thereby wasting water (a practice frowned upon by responsible irrigation designers). OR it could also be possible to not meet the demand for water, putting your pump in jeopardy. A float valve is a simple, effective and economical solution.