Backyard waterfall questions

Ron-P

Good question. Any ideas? The dogs will have access to it so other then just using tap water I'm not sure how to address that.

I can (don't really want to) put a wire grid over the pond but the waterfall will be accessible to them.


That's a beautiful looking setup edbert, but way more then I would want. Well, I'd want something like that but limited space and budget come into play.

tonyb

edbert wrote: »

Here are a few pics. I don't know if this will help or not but here is their basic setup.

edit: Just saw your most recent post, so my post is likely unnecessary other than to show off my parents new backyard(at least part of it).

Cool pics, that big hole for the sump would have made a nice pond.
Still, I see no filtration, the best advice I can give in that setup is to plant some plants, alot of plants, along the sides of the creek bed inside the liner so the roots can filter some of the water. Also, I see the pit is dug straight down, which is ok but no support for the walls which means over time they will fall in. Usually support is done with cinder blocks filled with stone or metal rods running through the center and cemented together. Another thing to think about is having the pump on the very bottom. This is where all the sludge will gather and clog the pump. Best to elevate the pump about a foot off the bottom. I know the pics aren't complete so I may just be spinning my wheels here but just food for thought. Also, give some thought on how you will clean the pit out once it fills with debri. A bottom drain of at least 4 inches would help to suck it out without having to move the rocks and the crates everytime to clean.

tonyb

I may have read somewhere about animal safe algecides, I'll see if I can find it. The stock chemicals though are poisonous for your beloved pet. Let me also add that a ball valve before the waterfall would be a good idea too so you can control the water flow and the splash factor.

Found it...http://www.pondbiz.com/home/pb1/page_1356_30/greenclean_algaecide.html

Ron-P

Awesome! Thanks Tony. I'll check my local HD and pool supply to see if they carry that, if not, I'll order it up.

Ron-P

Hey Tony, if I install a ball-valve between the pump and waterfall won't that damage the pump being that it's not moving the amount of water though it that it should be?

Ron-P

Thanks but I'm hoping to get it up and running by tomorrow so I was going to pick up the rest of the parts today. I just put the pond in the ground so it's nearly ready for water once I get the perimeter secured.

tonyb

Ron-P wrote: »

Hey Tony, if I install a ball-valve between the pump and waterfall won't that damage the pump being that it's not moving the amount of water though it that it should be?

No pal, a pump runs full out all the time, the only way to control it is with a ball valve. Within reason of coarse, you don't want to buy a powerful pump and close off 80% of it,know what I mean ? At most you would close 25% to adjust the flow. I have a pump I picked up at lowes,an 1100 gal an hour one. By the time it hits my falls, only 1 ft. high, I get maybe 5-600 gallons an hour. Not an issue for me because I'm not pushing water too far or too high.

tonyb

anonymouse wrote: »

There is some fantastic advice in this thread. I love water features, and live on a small lake/pond myself. We spend a boatload of cash each year spraying the lake to keep the algae growth under control. Wish we could find a natural way to do it. We have fish and there is slow water movement, but I think its a combination of lawn runoff and the summer sun which just adds up. Would love to be able to read a newspaper 10 feet down - can barely see 1 ft down most of the year.

I do agree with the sentiment that bigger is better - but also know that water bodies are just like gardens - without a gardener - the grow wild in unanticipated ways - so be prepared for the maintainance.

With bigger ponds you need air, they make airators for such a purpose of all sizes. The water has to move,if it's stagnate, the green monsters will take root. Ever see those ponds in subdivisions with fountains in them ? It moves the water and puts air into it, not just there to look pretty. Also adding some plant life both above and below the water level can benefit. How big are we talking ? Half an acre pond ?

tonyb

On a general note, ever see those pics of nice mountain streams, crystal clear, no algae, lakes you can see almost to the bottom ? Mother nature has a way of doing a balancing act. Most people see this and want it in their yards. You have to plan though, make a good design that incorporates nature with alittle man made help. As little as possible really. No one wants to be a slave to their pond like some are to their pools. Ponding in a way is like audio, every situation is different, what works for one maynot work for another. Principles are the same though and lots of different ways to achieve the same results. Read up, if anything, to avoid the pitfalls so many have done in their quest for a clear pond or water feature in their yard. It really is enjoyable and has given me a better appreciation of how nature works. You will find that it will become the center piece of your yard. Kids will flock to it, dangle their feet in it, try and catch frogs. Keeps them out of my hair.

tonyb

Ron, I think Lowes may carry something safe but I think it is used for fountains, called Fountain Block. Don't know too much about it but worth a look see.

tonyb

edbert wrote: »

Here are a few pics. I don't know if this will help or not but here is their basic setup.

edit: Just saw your most recent post, so my post is likely unnecessary other than to show off my parents new backyard(at least part of it).

One more thought for Mom and Pops....a pump to push water the length of your yard is some good coin, Think about adding a float switch to the pump so in case a hole gets in the liner, or something else happens that you might loose water, the pump doesn't fry out. Float switches are cheap, can be added to any pump, and offer some peace of mind.

Ron-P

Well, there's a BIG change in my design. No more rock waterfall!

Here's my idea, a long running raised wood trench system, kinda like those you'd see in a mining camp to look for gold. This type of water fixture will fit the entire theme of my back yard as it's all old west / mining camp, tropical setup.

Best part, I can run the trench system as long as I want and only run water out of the last several feet creating my waterfall. The trench will be 6'+ in height so you wont be able to see into it so there's no need to run water though the entire run.

gdb

Dude!.....yer gettin' a Flume !! I love mining stuff!:biggrin:

Ron-P

That's the word I was looking for, Flume. On a miniature scale of course.

tonyb

anonymouse wrote: »

Err a few acres - takes me about 30 minutes to circumnavigate it in my pedal boat at a fairly brisk pedal. Would a single large fountain in this make a difference? I imagine the electric to run 24x7 would be considerable. It would probably have to be a pretty powerful submersible.

Sorry for the thread derail. Let me know if you want me out of your thread.

Yeah, they make 'em for all sizes but a couple acres is pretty costly. You could only run in during daytime hours since this is when water looses most of it's air from the sun. Regardless, is this pond owned by a bunch of neighbors or an association ? They also make windmill types to pump oxygen into lakes which maybe more cost effective, though not a fountain, the same effect takes place.

tonyb

Ron, sounds cool would love to see it when your done. If using wood, make sure you seal it, or use marine wood. I'm also unsure of what the chemicals may or may not do to wood so a call to the manufacturer may be in order. Most wood used in water features is marine wood. You can let your imagination run wild with water features.

I've seen people use old sat. dishes for ponds, unused hot tubs, filters made out of garbage cans,stock tanks, 5 gal buckets,the possibilities are endless.

Ron-P

Tony, the Flume will be upwards of 6' high and snake in and out of my banana trees, you won't be able to look into...so, I plan to run plastic rain gutter down the middle. The water will never touch the wood yet the rain gutter will be hidden inside the Flume.

tonyb

Good idea Ron, and cost effective too. Can't wait to see the finished product.

tonyb

For anonymouse.......http://www.thelakeshop.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=11324&currency=USD

newrival

anonymouse wrote: »

There is some fantastic advice in this thread. I love water features, and live on a small lake/pond myself. We spend a boatload of cash each year spraying the lake to keep the algae growth under control. Wish we could find a natural way to do it. We have fish and there is slow water movement, but I think its a combination of lawn runoff and the summer sun which just adds up. Would love to be able to read a newspaper 10 feet down - can barely see 1 ft down most of the year.

I do agree with the sentiment that bigger is better - but also know that water bodies are just like gardens - without a gardener - the grow wild in unanticipated ways - so be prepared for the maintainance.

#1 thing you can do is add aerators.

bigger ponds require less maintenance. that is to say as lomg as theyre deep enough. Shallow waters are warmer and promote algae.

newrival

also just as a note: floating fountains do next to nothing for aeration and algae control. As I mentioned before, you need to break the horizon stratification. This is why you use large "bubblers" or "air stones" running off air compressors. The column of air brings lower water up, and vice versa. Additionally the smaller and more numerous the bubbles, the better.

newrival

one thought on the flume: add something textured to the inside of the gutter or whatever your using to channel the water. You want to get white water so you can see it, otherwise it is just a sheet flow and the visual effect will be minimal if anything at all. If you're doing it on the cheap, you can do something as simple as gluing rocks to the bottom. Whatever works out thematically and aesthetically. but the project sounds interesting

newrival

oh wait... i think i get it, the "flume" is going to be covered? cool. disregard previous rock comment.

Ron-P

Not so much covered as just up high enough to where you can't see into it. At the exit just before the waterfall I was going to add some rocks, like you suggested, or something else to break up the flow so it just doesn't sheet flow out.