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Ponds & Aquatic Plants

Do you think my pump is big enough?

14 years ago

I have a 225 gal pond. I am building a waterfall 1-2 ft high, with a stream about 4-5 ft. long. Tubing from pump to filter is 1 1/2" kink-free. I have a 550 gph pump...is this going to be strong enough? I am getting a filterfalls with a 14" spillway. I really don't need one that wide, but can't find a good filter with a smaller spillway.

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Comments (5)

joe_09
14 years ago
you might not get enough flow out of a 14 inch spillway with a 550 pump.you could try to put rocks in the spillway to narrow the out flow to get more affect.good luck.
billinpa
14 years ago
I dont think your going to be too impressed with the flow out of the stream. And def not big enough for a 14" spillway. Then again you cant go too bog with aonyl a 225 gal pond or you will get a whirlpool instead of a pond. LOL :)

Personally I might try to modify the falls to "neck down" the spillway. Might just be as simple as gluing some rocks to the spillway to reduce the 14" down to maybe 8-10. I few drops of silcone on the bottom of the stone will work, plus its removeable it needed.

Dont wake your stream too wide or your going to loose the water under the stone.
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laurieoh
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for your input. I've been looking everywhere online for a filter with a smaller spillway, but there aren't any. I haven't ordered the filterfalls yet, but would like to get this project underway, so am anxious to decide on which one for sure. I will definitely keep the stream narrow. I have preformed cascade pools now, and just don't like the look.
billinpa
14 years ago
Just get the 14inch one and narrow the falls with stone. one day you might want to go bigger and you will already have the right equipment. Just remove the stones and your ready to go.
laurieoh
Original Author
14 years ago
So, I've just decided to just get a bigger pump. I can use the old one and hook up a frog 'spitter' I've been wanting to use. Do you think a 1500 gph will be sufficient or should I go for the 2000 gph? I'm trying to keep cost down as much as I can.

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