Let’s look at how to choose a pump:
With each pump on this web site, there is a chart showing how many GPM (gallons per minute) or GPH (gallons per hour) that the pump will provide at a given feet of head (the height above the pond water level that the pump will have to move the water). When choosing a pump for a waterfall or stream, consider that it takes about 36 GPM (1,800 GPH) for every 1 foot of width to have 1” of water cascading over the waterfall. This gives you an average good flow. If you want Niagara Falls, go with more, if you want a gentle falls, go with less.
Example
If you are building a waterfall that is 2 feet wide and is 10 feet above the surface of the pond, you will need a pump that can move 72 GPM (4,320 GPH) at 10 feet of head for an average looking waterfall.
Be sure to use the Maximum Recommended Flow Rates table to select the correct size water line, and if it is a long run (over 50 feet) use the Friction Loss in Water Pipe table to determine if you should increase the pipe size.
If you are confused, call, fax or email us at info@keystonehatcheries.com for assistance. Otherwise, the table below gives lots of information on the pumps that we use and recommend for waterfalls and streams.
(Does not include Mag Drive Pump under 4700 GPH or External Pumps.)
Item # | Max Flow | HP | Amps/Volts | Cost/Day | 5’ Head | 10’ Head | 15’ Head | 20’ Head | 25’ Head | 30’ Head |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TH150 | 3100 GPH | 1/4 | 2.6-3.1/115 | $0.72 | 46 | 35 | 23 | 10 | - | - |
TH250 | 4100 GPH | 1/3 | 3.0-4.2/115 | $0.99 | 65 | 54 | 43 | 30 | 15 | - |
TH400 | 5100 GPH | 1/2 | 3.7-6.0/115 | $1.39 | 83 | 73 | 60 | 46 | 34 | 20 |
TH750 | 6000 GPH | 1 | 6.0-9.9/115 | $2.36 | 98 | 91 | 83 | 73 | 62 | 49 |
ETP05 | 3600 GPH | 1/2 | 5.6/115 | $1.27 | 57 | 53 | 46 | 39 | 32 | 23 |
ETP10 | 6000 GPH | 1 | 12/115 | $2.98 | 95 | 87 | 78 | 72 | 63 | 57 |
TB80000 | 8000 GPH | 1 | 11/115 | $2.73 | 116 | 101 | 90 | 73 | 58 | 41 |
TB80002 | 8000 GPH | 1 | 5.5/230 | $2.73 | 116 | 101 | 90 | 73 | 58 | 41 |
TB12000 | 12000 GPH | 2 | 9.7/230 | $4.81 | - | - | 165 | 150 | 136 | 123 |
TB14500 | 145000 GPH | 3 | 14.5/230 | $7.20 | - | - | 211 | 203 | 191 | 178 |
TM9500 | 9500 GPH | 1 | 10.9/115 | $2.70 | 142 | 127 | 108 | 81 | 50 | 16 |
TM13500 | 13500 GPH | 1.5 | 12/115 | $2.98 | 191 | 166 | 141 | 106 | 76 | 43 |
TM17500 | 17500 GPH | 2 | 10/230 | $4.96 | 275 | 250 | 215 | 183 | 147 | 108 |
EP4700N | 4700 GPH | N/R | 2.4/115 | $0.60 | 67 | 50 | 33 | 19 | 2 | - |
EP6700N | 6700 GPH | N/R | 4.5/115 | $1.12 | 73 | 56 | 38 | 23 | 11 | - |
EP9700 | 9700 GPH | N/R | 6.1/115 | $1.51 | 116 | 92 | 83 | 63 | 47 | 22 |
Feet of head is typically measured in terms of vertical lift (the height above water level that you are pumping the water), but the diameter and length of pipe also has an effect on the performance of the pump. If you have a short run and use an adequate-sized pipe, the friction loss should be negligible compared to the “feet of head” but on longer runs friction loss must be considered.
Total Dynamic Head is the “feet of head” plus friction loss created by the pipe. To calculate the Total Dynamic Head, determine the height that the pump has to push the water above the surface of the pond that it is pumping from and add the friction loss (in feet of head) shown in the table below.
Example: If you wish to pump 70 gallons per minute (4,200 GPH) 10 feet above the pond water surface through 100 feet of 2” pipe, the table shows that you would need to add 7.76 feet of head, making it equivalent to pumping the water 17.76 feet high or 17.76 total feet of head. However, if you use 3” pipe instead, you would only need to add 1.13 feet of head, making it equivalent to pumping the water 11.13 feet high or 11.13 total feet of head. Clearly, using larger pipe allows your pump to move more water.
To determine friction loss for lengths other than 100 feet, simply multiply the figure by the fraction greater or less than 100 that you are using.
Example: If you are using 75 feet of pipe, multiply the figure that the table gives you by 0.75, or if you are using 125 feet of pipe, multiply by 1.25.
Friction Loss per 100 Feet of Plastic Pipe in Feet of Head
(Expressed as Gallons Per Minute vs. Pipe Size in inches)
GPM | 1” | 1-1/4” | 1-1/2” | 2” | 3” | 4” | 6” |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 | 21.75 | 5.59 | 2.61 | 0.76 | 0.11 | ||
30 | 11.85 | 5.53 | 1.62 | 0.23 | |||
40 | 20.18 | 9.43 | 2.75 | 0.40 | 0.12 | ||
50 | 10.51 | 4.25 | 0.66 | 0.17 | |||
60 | 19.98 | 5.84 | 0.85 | 0.25 | |||
70 | 7.76 | 1.13 | 0.33 | ||||
80 | 9.94 | 1.44 | 0.41 | ||||
90 | 12.37 | 1.80 | 0.52 | ||||
100 | 15.03 | 2.18 | 0.63 | 0.08 | |||
125 | 3.31 | 0.95 | 0.13 | ||||
150 | 4.63 | 1.33 | 0.18 | ||||
175 | 6.16 | 1.78 | 0.23 | ||||
200 | 7.88 | 2.07 | 0.30 | ||||
250 | 11.93 | 3.16 | 0.45 |
If you are confused, call, fax or email Keystone Hatcheries at info@keystonehatcheries.com for advice.
]]>This task doesn’t have to be complicated: do not use pipe that is smaller than what is listed for your maximum flow rate!
Example: If you are pumping water from the pond to a waterfall that is 10 feet above the water level of the pond and the pump that you select moves 75 GPM at 10 feet of head, you need to use 2” pipe, or else your flow rate will be nowhere near 75 GPM .
If the length of pipe that you intend to use is longer than 50 feet, you should consult the Friction Loss in Water Pipe page to determine how much a larger pipe size would improve your flow rate. Otherwise, for runs less than 50 feet simply select a size pipe from the table below.
(Expressed as Pipe Size vs. GPM* and GPH**)
Pipe Size | Max GPM* | Max GPH** |
---|---|---|
1/2” | 8 | 480 |
3/4” | 15 | 900 |
1” | 25 | 1,500 |
1-1/4” | 45 | 2,700 |
1-1/2” | 60 | 3,600 |
2” | 90 | 5,400 |
3” | 225 | 13,500 |
4” | 350 | 21,000 |
6” | 700 | 42,000 |
* GPM = Gallons per Minute
** GPH = Gallons per Hour
You can view and purchase Water Line directly from the following link:
Water Line & Plumbing
If you are confused, please email us at info@keystonehatcheries.com for assistance with your project.
]]>Length: Add the maximum length, plus twice the maximum depth, plus at least one extra foot (5 feet extra with large ponds 50’+).
Width: Add the maximum width, plus twice the maximum depth, plus at least one extra foot (5 feet extra with large ponds 50’+).
The extra foot is used to compensate for error and to give you enough liner to tuck in around the edges above the maximum water level. It is a good idea to buy more than 1 extra foot, especially on large pond projects, because coming up short on liner is one of the most miserable experiences in life.
Example 1
If the maximum length of the pond is 12 feet, the maximum width is 8 feet and the maximum depth is 3 feet, here is how you would add it up:
Length: 12 + 3 + 3 + 1 = 19
Width: 8 + 3 + 3 + 1 = 15
So, you would need at least a 19 foot x 15 foot liner. We would recommend that you consider purchasing a 20 foot x 16 foot liner since it is never any fun coming up short! Also, don’t forget to use Protective Underlayment. In this example, you would want to get 32 feet of 10 foot wide underlayment.
Example 2
Same dimensions as above, but with a 2 foot rise in the center of the pond. If the maximum length of the pond is 12 feet, the maximum width is 8 feet and the maximum depth is 3 feet, with a 2 foot rise in the middle, here is how you would add it up:
Length: 12 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 23
Width: 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 19
As you can see, the 2 foot rise adds 2 feet going up and 2 feet going back down, which is 4 feet extra in both the length and width. So, you would need at least a 23 foot x 19 foot liner. We would recommend that you consider purchasing a 25 foot x 20 foot liner. In this example, we would also recommend a 50 foot piece of 10 foot wide underlayment.
You can view and purchase liner and underlayment directly from the following link:
Pond Liner and Protective Underlayment
Email us at info@keystonehatcheries.com for help if you are having trouble calculating how much liner you need.
]]>Eliminate the time and guesswork associated with the assembly of a pond package with our popular kits. Every component included in the kit is of top quality, starting with the 45-mil EPDM line to the long lasting and energy efficient water pumps. Once installed, the pond will provide years of enjoyment with minimal maintenance.
What are the benefits of a Pond Skimmer?
What are the benefits of The AquaFalls?
What does each kit include?
These kits include everything you need to build a beautiful water garden and are shipped via UPS in one big box! Each kit includes the Mini Skimmer with filter brushes and Mini Aquafalls.
Item # | Approx. Pond Size | Liner Size | Approx. Gallons | Pump Included |
---|---|---|---|---|
ET66FB | 6`x6` | 10`x10` | 400 | TLS1850 |
ET610FB | 6`x10` | 10`x14` | 675 | TLS2750 |
ET811FB | 8`x11` | 12`x15` | 1000 | TLS2750 |
(Click Item # for Pricing and Ordering Info)
These kits include everything you need to build a beautiful water garden and are shipped via UPS in two boxes. The ES66, ES611 and ES811 kits include the Mini Skimmer with filter brushes and the ES11A & ES16A kits include the Small Skimmer with filter brushes. All kits include the Small Aquafalls.
Item # | Approx. Pond Size | Liner Size | Approx. Gallons | Pump Included |
---|---|---|---|---|
ES66FB | 6`x6` | 10`x10` | 400 | EP2200 |
ES611FB | 6`x11` | 10`x15` | 750 | EP2200 |
ES811FB | 8`x11` | 12`x15` | 1000 | EP2200 |
ES11AFB | 11`x11` | 15`x15` | 1400 | TH150 |
ES16AFB | 11`x16` | 15`x20` | 2000 | TH150 |
(Click Item # for Pricing and Ordering Info)
These kits are a step above our Small Pond Kits. They include a Medium Aquafalls filter for increased capacity, as well as a larger check valve and 2″ water line for increased flow. Due to the filter size, all medium pond kits ship via motor freight (that is, on a semi truck). Kits come standard with filter brushes in the skimmer.
Item # | Approx. Pond Size | Liner Size | Approx. Gallons | Pump Included |
---|---|---|---|---|
EM1116FB | 11`x16` | 15`x20` | 2000 | TH250 |
EM1616FB | 16`x16` | 20`x20` | 2900 | TH250 |
EM1621FB | 16`x21` | 20`x25` | 3800 | TH400 |
EM2121FB | 21`x21` | 25`x25` | 4950 | TH400 |
EM2126FB | 21`x26` | 25`x30` | 6150 | TH400 |
(Click Item # for Pricing and Ordering Info)
Because of the unique nature of large ponds, we recommend that you email us at info@keystonehatcheries.com to help design the system for you.
]]>By purchasing your pond components from a reputable distributor, like Keystone Hatcheries, you will be able to avoid using products that are unsafe for fish and other aquatic life. An example would be Pond Liners. Our Pond Guard Liners, made by Firestone, are specifically designed for use in fish ponds. A very similar E.P.D.M. roofing liner is available for less, but it leaches toxic compounds into the water, which can harm fish and plants.
However, there are other things to consider that you don’t always buy from a pond store. When building your pond, never use metal components unless they are Stainless Steel or Titanium. You can get by with some Aluminum components but always avoid Copper, Brass & Galvanized. These materials give off Heavy Metal ions (mainly copper and Zinc) that are very toxic to fish. An ingredient in water conditioners called E.D.T.A will neutralize heavy metals that get in via water lines, but if there are metals containing copper or zinc exposed in your pond, the accumulation could exceed what the conditioner can absorb and a fish kill could result. Also, improperly treated concrete leaches alkaline compounds into the water that increases the pH and can cause Alkalosis. If you are not sure of a building material, ask a pond professional.
]]>Water Flow: As a rule of thumb, you should pass the entire volume of the pond through your filtration system at the very least of once every 2 hours. We recommend once an hour. In regards to the flow, you should have your pump intake at one end of the pond and your water return at the other. Always consider whether a section of the pond will be cut off from the main circulation pattern when you are laying out the pond. If so, you may need to consider adding a small Mag Drive Water Pump or Aeration System to help circulate the water in that section. There is a great deal of pump sizing info on our How to Choose a Pump page. Please note that a common practice is to create a “cut-off” area that will be isolated from cold water temperatures during the winter if the pond owner intends to run their waterfall through the winter. However, these areas usually have their own water pump that can be run during warm weather months and shut down for the winter. See the Wintering Koi article for more on this.
Aeration: You can have the largest waterfall in town, but when (not if) the pump goes out, there is nothing aerating your water. Generally speaking, if a pond has a significant waterfall and the pump runs 24/7, there is usually adequate aeration. However, as stated above, when (not if) the pump goes out, you can be in trouble. Also, ponds with serious algae problems and/or very high densities of fish can still experience low oxygen levels, even with a substantial waterfall. Therefore, we recommend that every pond has an Aeration System installed for supplemental/back-up summer aeration. This same system can also be used for winter aeration if its position in the pond is altered (see Wintering Koi article).
Biofiltration: This is the process where beneficial pond bacteria convert toxic ammonia (a byproduct of fish metabolism and organic decomposition) to nitrite and then nitrate. It does occur naturally, but in most cases there is insufficient surface area for the bacteria to grow. Hence, the creation of the biofilter, which is basically a container that directs water-flow through high surface area media that beneficial bacteria grow on. There are technical ways to determine whether a filter has sufficient capacity, but for your typical pond application, you can just go by the sizing information included with the filter. Be sure the filter is properly sized in both terms of what size pond it will service and whether it will handle the water-flow that is required for your pond. You can visit our Pond Kits page for examples of properly sized pond filters, or consider adding a Water Filter to your existing system.
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