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Garden Accoutrements

Is my pondmaster pump working right?

17 years ago

Hi,

I just had a fountain delivered and when we put the pondmaster pump on it, it seems to only pump enough to "dribble" for a half hour or so then it starts to pump and the water flows as it should. The 375 gallons seems about the right flow, once it is going.

It is a 375 gph model that said it was designed for a fountain. I guess the pump has to pump it up about 4ft? I hear the pump making noise when it starts, it just does not pump much water. The hose it not kinked and I checked and it does not seem to have anything stuck in it - neither does the pipe. I am also sure there is enough water over the pump.

When it starts, there also seems to be some small bubbles coming out of the pipe where the water flows from. it is on a timer, set to run from 12 noon till 10 at night.

It is almost like it is stuck between parts of the magnet and it does not want to spin. Should I get a different pump, replace this one? Is pondmaster any good?

Thanks for any suggestions? it happens every day where it just takes 30 to 60 minutes to get it to flow and it is starting to drive me nuts.

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Comments (5)

loislaney
17 years ago
If your pump has to go up 4 ft. your pump is probably not big enough. It is 375 gph from base of the pump not the height from where you are pumping to. To see if your pump is working right fill your sink with water and try it there.
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pattico_gw
17 years ago
It may not be big enough...but to get mine started I sometimes fill the pipe from the top back to the pump with water from the hose.

Kind of like the old days when they "primed the pump" by pouring water down it.

I think it creates a vacuum.

patti
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coastal_concepts
17 years ago
Hi there,

Your pump is rather small for a 4' vertical climb, however that will depend on the pipe size you are pushing through. anything bigger than 3/4" pipe will be a difficult push for that little pump. To help it out you can install a check valve in the line to hold the water in the verticle pipe so it does not need to fill the whole vertical climb every thime you turn it on.(observe direction of the check valve before installation) Also, check all your fittings to ensure they are solid and be sure to open the pump occasionally to clean out the sponge filter inside it which will clog up.

Cheers.

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chris_r11
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi All,

Thanks for the answers. I thought this pump would be big enough. It is 2x bigger than the one the store sold me, so I called up the Manufacturer, Trevi and they said I should have a 500Gph. Yikes, Any recommendations on a efficient, and quiet pump? Stick with Pondmaster?

Steve, the check valve. Any links to one of those check valves for a fountain? They definitely don't have one of those at my local summer winds nursery.

thanks,

Chris
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coastal_concepts
17 years ago
Hi Chris,

The check valve is something you need to get from a plumbing supply store (or home depot or other large chain)

The type you need depends on the type and size of pipe that you have. If you can take a picture of the pipe or read the specs off the pipe itself I should be able to point you towards the correct part.

Cheers.

Steve Goodale
0

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