Messages

1

Pond Construction & Filtration / Re: Question about Laguna PT 346 Flo Max 2000 pump

« on: April 16, 2011, 11:20:43 PM »

Totally encased isn't all bad (IMHO).  The parameters are set meaning the manufacturer doesn't claim it will pass solids beyond the size of the openings.

Laguna's Max-Flo is a magnetic drive pump & actually has a solids handling impeller inside ... which is replaceable as well.  At 100W it's very energy efficient & also has a 3yr warranty.

2

Pond Chat / Re: How to make curving, stepped falls? PVC tubing?

« on: April 16, 2011, 11:03:24 PM »

These are good waterfall starters to create inward or outward curves.

From there (as previously mentioned) it's best to have a catch pool behind each step.  This allows for an even overflow thereafter.

3

Pond Chat / Re: Frustrating day for ponding

« on: April 16, 2011, 10:55:38 PM »

Danner/Pondmaster announced they're extending their warranties from 3yr to 5yr.
Sicce & Oase are other 5yr warranty pumps.

If you're considering external, I've always been a fan of Sequence & they're one of the oldest manufacturers of external pumps for the N. American market at 32yrs+

4

Pond Chat / Re: Pond Master pre filter question

« on: January 11, 2011, 09:47:00 PM »

Now to address your situation, one thing to consider would be the addition of the Matala EZ Bio pre-filter.  The Matala media is designed to be an open 3-dimensional matrix.  This allows "big-stuff" to be pre-filtered but medium & small debris to pass thru.

The nice thing w/these is that they are not as fine as the foam (sponge) media & not as flimsy as the plastic barrel-style media.

There's 2 sizes to suit your application & both can be directly threaded onto you Pondmaster pump or connected via tubing (w/the included stepped-hosetail fitting).

5

Pond Chat / Re: Pond Master pre filter question

« on: January 11, 2011, 09:41:56 PM »

Firstly it's correct that ideally the debris makes it's way to the filter (after-the-pump) versus the pre-filter (in-the-pond).  But in reality, that's also dependent on a the design & style of the pump.

What I mean by this is that pumps are not all created equal in the sense beyond moving water from point A to point B.  What's more important to realize is the method in which they do it.  One of the most distinguishing characteristics in terms of a pumps application is the actual design of the impeller itself:
- Solids-handling
- Open-vortex
- Semi-closed vortex
- Closed vortex
- Etc.
The pic below highlights 3 pumps w/virtually identical flow rate of 1000gph ... but notice the difference in impeller designs.  It is this design that dictates the application as well as the peripheral advantage of energy efficiency (electrical usage).

6

Dealer Deals / Beckett Skimmer & Waterfall Kit w/Savio Components

« on: January 11, 2011, 09:09:57 PM »

Savio Compact + Savio 16" Waterfall + Beckett 1150gph Pump for the price of a skimmer!

$359.98 w/free shipping ... available here: http://www.waterartsconsulting.com/kits

Beckett Skimmer & Falls Kit includes the following items:
• (Qty 1) Compact Savio Skimmer w/6" faceplate
• (Qty 1) Savio 16" Waterfall Weir
• (Qty 1) Beckett Waterfall Pump 1150gph
• (Qty 1) 25' coil of 1" diam. non-kink tubing
FREE SHIPPING! ... only 4 available

7

Dealer Deals / High Volume EasyPro Mag-Drive Pumps below dealer cost

« on: January 11, 2011, 09:08:12 PM »

The following are high volume mag-drive pumps w/asynchronous motors. These pumps can be operated both horizontally & vertically. Removable pre-filter screen & solids-handling impeller. 100% Fish safe - no oil!
• EP4700 = 5100gph @ 0', max head = 28' ... $219.98 w/free shipping
• EP6700 = 6300gph @ 0', max head = 28' ... $269.98 w/free shipping
• EP9700 = 9600gph @ 0', max head = 35' ... $369.98 w/free shipping
available here: http://www.waterartsconsulting.com/clearance__closeouts (@ bottom of the page)

8

Dealer Deals / 125gph Fountain & Statuary Pump -- 3 available

« on: January 11, 2011, 09:03:24 PM »

Pontec SP125-G is a fountain & statuary pump rated at 125gph max flow. Intake screen has a built-in adjustable flow dial. Adapters included for 1/4" & 3/8" tubing.

$17.00 w/free shipping available here: http://www.waterartsconsulting.com/clearance__closeouts

Specifications:
• Max flow: 125gph
• Max head: 2.3'
• Energy: 9W
• Cord length: 16'

Great for small water features ...

9

Pond Construction & Filtration / Ultra Sieve MIDI -- 300 micron sieve pre-filter

« on: December 30, 2010, 06:51:27 PM »

I've recently had some questions regarding the smaller sieve pre-filter (Ultra Sieve MIDI from Holland) & thought I'd share w/a visual response. Sometimes seeing it in motion explains a bit better than pics & diagrams:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=113kljPJo3w

10

Pond Construction & Filtration / Re: New lily pond, ready for fill? (newbie)

« on: December 29, 2010, 11:56:39 AM »

It's not a fair assessment, but take a 5 gallon bucket, fill w/water & set it out in the open & see what happens to it in a week or so.  Without any water movement/turnover, a layer of "skin" can develop on the entire top surface which appears like the skin that develops when you warm up milk.

11

Pond Construction & Filtration / Re: New lily pond, ready for fill? (newbie)

« on: December 29, 2010, 08:30:10 AM »

LOL ... good catch.  I didn't see anything about dirt.  We're so used to keeping our ponds clean, I can't contemplate purposefully throwing dirt in it.   

12

Pond Construction & Filtration / Re: New lily pond, ready for fill? (newbie)

« on: December 28, 2010, 06:29:21 PM »

For a pond w/a small foot-print, this style of floating skimmer works as well:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ49cS1li38

It has an 800gph pump built-in w/a 6" skimming weir flap.

13

Dealer Deals / December Specials

« on: December 24, 2010, 03:23:34 AM »

A variety of pond & water gardening products available at tremendous deals for December here:  http://waterartsconsulting.com/december_sale   

14

Pond Construction & Filtration / Re: New lily pond, ready for fill? (newbie)

« on: December 23, 2010, 05:02:15 PM »

Greetings Craig:

Congrats on getting your pond structure completed.  As with many hobbies, there's more than 1 method to achieve similar goals.  Ultimately a system must be able to find its balance (w/the care-taker's assistance of course).  This balance comes in the combination of plants, fish, waste load all of which boils down to the water quality.

It's possible to get a system going w/o pumps & filtration but there are trade-offs as there would be even w/extensive pumps & filters.  I often refer to a giant urns where a few goldfish, submerged aquatics & a water lily would grow ... the water stayed clear but the system had to be replensihed by partial water changes (manual labor).

All systems can work & it's basically a trade-off of how much labor may be involved in getting it to work.

I'm personally a proponent of both skimming action as well as bottom suction in a water garden.  Water (both outdoors & indoors) act as a magnet for dust, debris, seeds, pollen, leaves, twigs, gum wrappers, etc.  This is esp. the case when outdoors & the collection can create a "skin" effect on the water surface when there's little to no turbulence.  This debris (once waterlogged) will also sink to the bottom.  In systems w/o pumps, etc. this would eventually mean you'd need to have a routine "pond vacuuming" or a full drain & clean-out.

Because of this, even in a small water garden/water feature, I like the benefits of both a skimmer & if not a bottom drain, a solids-handling submersible pump in which all the water would go to an external filter.  The following layout would work well especially in your formal design.

I think having both pump & filtration is especially important in areas prone for high heat, sun & wind factor.

15

Dealer Deals / Beckett Pond Kit w/Savio Components

« on: May 17, 2010, 09:24:56 PM »

Here's a tremendous deal  for anyone who's wanting to build:
* a water garden
* quarantine setup
* or part-out the kit for the components!
Available here for $429.98 including shipping!!!!

http://www.waterartsconsulting.com/kits

This pond kit includes the following:
* Beckett 1150gph pump
* Firestone pond liner 45mil 10’x15’
* Geo underlayment 10’x15’
* Savio 16” waterfall weir
* Savio compact skimmerfilter (lid has beckett imprinted on it) w/6” faceplate
* 20’ non-kink 1” tubing
* Chlorine/chloramines remover
* Barley/bacteria additive
* Expandable foam -- trash it, it's expired!   
The value is in the 1st five items listed … the Savio compact skimmerfilter w/faceplate is usually in the $300 range alone!

FREE SHIPPING!

16

Dealer Deals / Oase Pondovac 3

« on: April 29, 2009, 09:11:03 AM »

The newest generation of pond vacuum cleaners – Runs continuously!  Keeps the pond floor clean and free of unsightly floor sediment, sludge, and plant remains.  Available at:  http://www.waterartsconsulting.com/pond_vacuums

$369.98 w/FREE SHIPPING.

HOW IT WORKS:
2-chamber system Two identically sized cylinders are filled and emptied in alternating cycles. If one container is full then a valve is mechanically activated by a float. This triggers emptying of one and at the same time allows the other cylinder to be filled. This is how both vacuuming and emptying of the container can occur at the same time!

The transport casters ensure that the device can be easily moved.
The scope of delivery includes a special string algae nozzle, a wide nozzle with a rubber lip, a crevice tool and a floor nozzle, the vacuum tube extension, as well as a debris collection bag for the water return.
It is also ideally suited for wet vacuum implementation in the household.
It saves precious time, facilitates pond cleaning, and guarantees a perfect result.


Dimension:  15" x 27"
Rated Voltage:  110V/60Hz
Power Consumption:  1200 Watts/1400 Watts Max
Suction Hose:  16'
Discharge Hose:  8'
Power Cable Length:  13'
Warranty:  5yr!
 
 

17

Dealer Deals / Hozelock Cyprio Cascade 840gph Pump

« on: April 28, 2009, 11:30:45 AM »

Energy efficient magnetic-driven water feature pump.

Includes Diverter + Telescopic Extension (extends 21" above the pump height).

Pump is encased in a large surface area inlet cage.

Specifications:
Max flow: 840gph
Energy consumption: 41 watts
Maximum head: 6' 7"
Discharge: 3/4" MPT
Inlet Cage Surface Area: 10.5 sq in.
Cable length: 15'
Perfect for water gardens, quarantine tanks & larger aquarium applications.

$49.98 & FREE SHIPPING!

Available at: http://www.waterartsconsulting.com/specials