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.
10 backyard water features that will take your outdoor space to the next level
10 backyard water features that will take your outdoor space to the next level
If you’re looking for a way to take your backyard to the next level, consider adding a water feature. Water features can add beauty and interest to any outdoor space, and they can be customized to fit any budget or style.
No matter what type of backyard water feature you choose, be sure to add some rocks or gravel to help with drainage and to give your new feature a natural look. You can also add plants around your water feature to help filter the water and make your backyard even more beautiful.
Thanks for reading at Meyer Aquascapes! We hope you’ve enjoyed our post on garden pond design. Please leave a comment below if you liked it or have any questions. We’d love to hear from you! Thanks for stopping by!
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Backyard Design on a Budget
Backyard Design on a Budget
If you’re like most homeowners, you want your backyard to be a beautiful and inviting space. Budget restrictions may have you scoffing at the prospect. Luckily, there are some ways you can design your backyard on a budget.
When it comes to home renovations, many people try to take the do-it-yourself approach in order to save money. However, this can often end up costing more in the long run. Hiring professionals for your home renovation project can actually save you money.
1. They Have the Right Tools and Equipment
One of the biggest advantages of hiring professionals is that they have the right tools and equipment for the job. If you’re trying to do a job yourself with makeshift tools, you’re likely to run into problems that will end up costing you more money in the long run.
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Another big advantage of hiring professionals is that they know what they’re doing. They’ve been trained in their field and have the experience to back it up. This means that they’re less likely to make mistakes that could end up costing you money.
3. They Can Save You Time
Another big advantage of hiring professionals is that they can save you time. If you’re trying to do a job yourself, it’s likely to take you longer than it would if you hired someone who knew what they were doing. This can end up costing you money in the long run, as well.
4. They Come With a Guarantee
When you hire professionals, they usually come with a guarantee. This means that if something goes wrong, you’re covered. This can save you a lot of money in the long run, as it means you won’t have to pay for repairs or replacements yourself.
5. They Can Help You Avoid Costly Mistakes
Professionals can help you avoid costly mistakes. If you’re not experienced in home renovation or improvement, it’s easy to make mistakes that can end up costing you a lot of money. Hiring professionals can help you avoid these mistakes, saving you money in the long run.
In conclusion, hiring professionals can actually save you money in the long run. If you’re thinking of tackling a home renovation or improvement project yourself, you may want to think again. while it may seem like a money-saving proposition, the reality is that hiring professionals can actually save you money and headache.
HOWEVER,
If you have the tools and know-how and feel confident to DIY, one way to save money is to do some of the work yourself. If you’re handy with tools, you can install pavers or build a deck yourself.
You can also save money by buying plants from a nursery. Choosing low-maintenance plants can save time as well as money. These are plants that don’t need a lot of care to stay healthy. Using native plants in your landscape design is an eco-friendly way to save money, too. Native plants are typically cheaper than non-native plants, and they’re also easier to care for!
If you’re not sure how to design your backyard on a budget, there are plenty of resources available online. You can find inspiration from other homeowners’ yards, or you can find tutorials that will show you how to do it yourself. Remember, a little planning and creativity can go a long way when it comes to backyard design. With a little effort, you can create a beautiful and inviting space that will be the envy of your neighbors.
If you follow these tips, you can design a beautiful backyard on a budget. And if you ever decide to hire a professional landscape designer, you’ll already have a good idea of what you want.
Thanks for reading at Meyer Aquascapes! We hope you’ve enjoyed our post on garden pond design. Please leave a comment below if you liked it or have any questions. We’d love to hear from you! Thanks for stopping by!
