How Long Does a Pond Pump Need to Be on Each Day?
A pond pump and a filter are necessary to maintain pond health. A well-maintained pond adds value to a home, and even though a large pond with fish requires more maintenance than a small pond, it is worth the extra effort, providing movement, color and a dramatic landscape element. A pond’s pump should run 24 hours each day to ensure the pond’s water circulates through the filter to keep the water clear.
Pump Function
A pond pump may be submerged in the pond’s water or sit outside the pond, depending on the pump type, but both types work in the same way. The pump uses spinning blades, known as impellers, to pull pond water through a screenlike intake and expel the water through an outlet pipe. Generally, a large pond has an external pump and a smaller pond or water garden has a submersible pump. Any kind of pump requires regular maintenance of its intake filter and screen to prevent clogging.
Pump Size
Before buying a pond pump, calculate your pond’s water capacity to determine the size of pump required to circulate all of the pond’s water through the pump every one to two hours. Formulas can help you determine your pond’s water capacity in gallons from pond measurements taken in feet. The formula for a rectangular pond is length x width x depth x 7.48 = gallons. For a circular pond, the formula is radius x radius x 3.14 x average depth x 7.48 = gallons. The formula for an irregularly shaped pond requires dividing the pond into easier-to-calculate shapes, figuring the water capacity in gallons for each of those shapes and then multiplying the total sum of those gallons by 231 instead of 7.48.
Operating Cost
A pond that has a pump or other electric equipment requires electricity, and so it will increase your monthly electric cost. Some pumps cost less to operate than other pumps. Reduce the cost of pump operation by using a pump that moves the necessary amount of pond water while using the least amount watts; a watt is a measurement of electrical usage. Calculate the cost of operating a pump by using this formula: Divide the watts by 1,000, and then multiply that figure by 24 hours, the number of days per operation and electricity cost. An example is: 300 watts/1000 x 24 hours x 30 days x 0.08 for electricity cost = $17.28 as the cost to run the pump for 30 days.
Other Considerations
Mosquitoes can be a problem when a pond is in the landscape, but mosquitoes lay eggs in only stagnant water. A pump can keep the pond water moving, deterring mosquitoes from laying eggs in the water. Even a small amount of moving water can prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. So if a pump is not feasible, add a fountain bubbler to keep water moving.
How Many Watts Would a 2.5 HP Pump Use?
A pump helps circulate and filter the water in a pool. A pump’s horsepower determines how quickly the pump can process all the water. The goal is for the pump to sufficiently filter all the water in an 8 to 10 hour period, according to Aquascapes. Depending on the size and volume of your pool, you will need more or less horsepower to filter the water in that ideal time frame. Horsepower can be converted to watts, giving you a guesstimate of what your energy costs might be to run your pump.
Math Conversions
One horsepower is equal to 745.7 watts. When you multiply 745.7 watts by 2.5 hp, you get 1,864.25 watts. Energy costs are calculated in kilowatt-hours, and to get kilowatt-hours, you multiply watts by hours and divide by 1,000. So, if you run your pool pump for 8 hours in one day, 1,864.25 multiplied by 8 and divided by 1,000 equals 14.9 kilowatt-hours. If you run your pump every day for an average of 30 days per month — 30 multiplied by 14.9 — your pump uses 447 kilowatt-hours in a month.
Can You Use an Air Compressor to Aerate Ponds?
Can You Use an Air Compressor to Aerate Ponds?
If your pond needs aeration, you can turn to an air compressor to get the job done. Air compressors intended for use in water, however, differ from those manufactured for use on land, and many kinds of compressors exist. Before choosing one, figure out your specific goals for pond aeration, which will make choosing easier.
Land vs. Water Use
Although the term “air compressor” sounds like the machine should be able to deliver high volumes of pressurized air to any medium, that isn’t the case. Many air compressors are intended specifically for use in dry conditions — for instance, to power tools — and won’t function in water. Also, air compressors not intended for aquatic use can contribute toxins to water. Even when the word “pump” is part of an air compressor model’s name or label, the compressor still may not be suitable for pond use. That is because although “pump” usually indicates an item can be used with liquid systems such as ponds, some air compressor pumps are meant for use on only land.
Aquatic Air Compressors
All air compressors used in ponds should be “oil-less” because, compared to their counterparts, they deliver higher quality, cleaner air, which is safer for the animals and plants, or aquaculture, in the pond water. Aquatic air compressors are more high-tech because they can move oxygen through water without breaking stratification, which means they won’t mix the warm upper and cold lower pond water layers. Air compressors usually are intended for use in large ponds deeper than 8 feet. So if your pond is shallower, you could consider other aeration methods.
Other Aerators
Blowers, diffusers, pumps and fountains can achieve satisfactory pond aeration. Blowers work well for shallow ponds and often are used in conjunction with air diffusers, which mix pond water, breaking stratification. Surface aerators force water from about 6 feet down upward to snag oxygen from the air. Fountains achieve the same effect, often with decorative flair, making them an option for aerating small, shallow garden ponds.
Aeration Benefits
Pond aeration provides many benefits to aquatic ecosystems. Adding oxygen to a pond through aeration is often necessary when algae blooms deplete it or when it is treated chemically for plant overpopulation; the addition of oxygen helps pond fish and other aquatic species stay alive during those times. Aeration also circulates pond water, preventing problems such as stagnation, mosquito breeding and the debris buildup that often accompanies low oxygen levels.
Benefits of Having a Garden Pond
Having a garden pond is a dream for many homeowners. While creating a garden pond ecosystem can be a lot of work, there are many long-term benefits of building one. A garden pond provides aesthetic beauty to your house or commercial premises and can help you impress your neighbors and visitors. Below are some of the benefits of building a garden pond.
Natural Calmness and Beauty
A garden pond ecosystem provides a natural scenic beauty and natural calmness to your garden. It acts as a relaxing retreat from all the busy work life worries. Having a garden pond provides a very positive effect on the mind and body. Spending some time amidst your garden pond ecosystem can rejuvenate your mind and increase focus, creativity, and sleep quality, reducing stress and anxiety. Having a positive effect on the mind will also improve physical health.
Less pollution
Garden equipment machinery emits high levels of carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxides. When a pond occupies space in your garden, it automatically reduces the space available for plants and grass. This leads to less use of lawnmowers and garden equipment machines, leading to lesser production of gas and other air pollutants. It also helps in reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Reduced usage of fertilizers helps to reduce the levels of toxicity in the garden. It also leads to cost savings on garden machinery and fertilizers.
Safe sanctuary for local wildlife
While ponds can be filled with beautiful fish, such as Koi and goldfish, they also attract and provide a sanctuary for local wildlife. Aquatic plants can be grown in ponds, which can attract different types of birds and frogs. The growth of algae also attracts tadpoles and other small aquatic animals. A garden pond can lead to an entire ecosystem of flora and fauna of local plants, birds, and small animals.
Financial benefits
We already discussed building a garden pond to save costs on garden machinery and fertilizers, and pesticides. But the most significant financial benefit of having a garden pond is it can help increase the overall value of your property. A garden pond makes your property far more attractive to prospective buyers. Having an already present garden pond means your potential buyer will have to spend money to build a new one, plus it gives your property that premium feels and helps command a larger price.
Our experts with years of experience can quickly help you plan and build a garden pond according to your needs.
Water Pumps for your Garden Pond
Water Pumps for your Garden Pond
Water pumps are one of the most crucial features of the garden pond. Although a static garden pond pump isn’t an absolute necessity, a pump is required when we install a fountain, waterfall, and filter. A water pump helps to keep the circulation of water. Water circulation helps to keep the fish and plants healthy. Water circulation helps in the prevention of algae build-up, breeding of mosquitoes, and stagnation of water. Water circulation also helps in the proper distribution of oxygen levels throughout the garden pond system.
Choosing a correct pump for your garden pond is very essential.
There are following types of pumps for Garden pond
Submersible Pond Pumps
These pumps are fully submerged under water normally at the deepest area of the pond. They are a very economical solution for a small size pond and make a perfect fit for garden ponds. Submersible pumps are excellent for ponds with fish as all the electrical parts are well isolated from water, thus reducing the risk of oil spill or an electrical accident. The water intake pipe attached to filter helps to clean the water before it is delivered to the pool by the outlet pipe. These pumps come in many different sizes.
External or Centrifugal Pond Pumps
These pumps are installed outside the pond usually in a dry location. They are easier to maintain. These pumps are suitable for larger ponds. Compared to submersible pumps they do make a lot of noise.
Selecting the right pump for your Garden Pond
Garden pond pumps are measured by Gallons Per Hour. It’s recommended that the pond water is circulated every hour. So, if you have a pond with a water volume of 1800 gallons then you would require a pump with 1800 Gallons Per Hour. However, if your pond has fish and other aquatic animals you may have to select a larger pump with a capacity at least twice the volume of water in the garden pond.
Choosing the right kind of pump for your garden pond will help to keep your pond clean and healthy. We at Aquascapes can help you to select a pump that’s the right fit for your Garden pond needs with our expertise and experience. You can also check various water pump products in our catalog here.
