pondless waterfall

16 years ago

Can anyone yell me why you need rocks in the area around the pump for a pondless waterfall? There is a family-owned business in Reno that is telling us that you should not put rocks in the water area around the pump because the rocks take up all the room for the water. On the other hand, everything I have read about pondless waterfalls tell you to dig a hole, put your pump inside the housing and fill the hole with rocks and water.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

watershed
16 years ago
Well if you don't add the rocks, don't you end up with a pond?

The displacement problem could be real if your stream is sustantial. What would happen is that you would not have enough water to start the system.

OK, an example. If your stream were 100yds long, and your resevoir/pond was 10x10x2'. The pond would drain before the water could get back to the pump. And if you did get it full and running, and the power went out, the pond would overflow, then when the power came back on, you would be running the pump dry for some length of time.

I know that the example is extreme, but it's easier to visuallize. If you have a good builder, they should take the displacement into account when sizing the "pond/resevoir". If you quiz them on this and the go "Huhh?", then get a different builder.

Greg
clumpkin
Original Author
16 years ago
Greg:

Thank you for your information. I should have been more descriptive about the water reservoir that holds the pump. If you do not put rocks in the reservoir, you cover the hole with a grate and then put rocks over the grate. That way it gives the appearance that the water is going into the ground.
Related Discussions
pondless waterfall maintenance
Q
Comments (1)
Malby, I have read that adding chlorine into the water every couple of weeks will keep the algae at bay. I have noticed with those fish-less, plant-less, indoor water features in some malls and hotels, etc, there is a slight smell of chlorine that comes off the water, but it is not overwhelming. I don't know what effect that adding some chlorine to an outside feature, may have on birds that drink from the waterfall? Maybe some one else has experience with this? "Horton"
...See More
Pondless Waterfall Maintenance
Q
Comments (4)
Hey, Stan. I would not be surprised if the rocks in the basin were not absolutely clean when they were put in or that there are leaves, insects or other items in there. In any case, some dirt would come from the air or any rain you might have had. If there was any splashing outside of the basin there would be mud. Any debris at all can cause the growth of anerobic bacteria which is the cause of the sulphur smell. That kind of bacteria thrives when there is a lack of oxygen in the water and that is what happens when the pump is turned off. It takes only a few minutes for the good bacteria to begin to die off. Since we don't know how the waterfall and basin were constructed it is hard to give any detailed advice. I am going from what I learned when I designed one almost seven years ago. The best I can do is to say the water needs to be changed out, the basin cleaned and kept clean with a filter that you can access easily for regular maintenance and the pump needs to run 24/7. Maybe there is someone else on the forum who can give you better advice. Sandy
...See More
Bog over top of pondless waterfall reservoir
Q
Comments (1)
I think it's a clever idea. And I think it will work. Bog gardens are deceptively simple. Just find a permanently or semi-permanently damp mushy patch of earth, and plant something in it that likes wet soil. From my experience, a lot of plants really LOVE damp soil. The plant roots suck up the moisture and grow like crazy. And it doesn't require you to water it. Just find some plants that are suited to that area, and make sure that soil stays damp, plant them, and that will probably be all you need to do.
...See More
Help planning our pondless waterfall and stream (cold climate)
Q
Comments (1)
I have never understood priming for out of pond pumps and can't help there. However, since you need a reservoir anyway, I don't understand why you wouldn't put a pump in it. I have also proven to myself that I don't understand check valves either. I had an out of ground pump for irregation and had put a check valve in to keep water in the line which of course was really stupid and winter ice broke the pump and plumbing. Fortunately, except for time, the pump was a $5 junker to begin with and the plastic plumbing was easily replaced. BTW, I essentially have what you have drawn except that my basin is a pond (with a 27' stream) and of course has a pump in it.
...See More
clumpkin
Original Author
16 years ago
Greg:

Thank you for your information. I should have been more descriptive about the water reservoir that holds the pump. If you do not put rocks in the reservoir, you cover the hole with a grate and then put rocks over the grate. That way it gives the appearance that the water is going into the ground.
sleeplessinftwayne
16 years ago
You got it in one, LOL. Sandy
PKponder TX Z7B
16 years ago
The rocks probably just hide the grate, making it look nicer and catch leaves that you probably don't want to pass through the pump. That's my theory anyway.

Pam
watershed
16 years ago
I would not put rock INSIDE the plastic resevoir. I can't see the need, and it would be a pain to pull/ clean the pump if you did.

Greg

pondless waterfall

Comments (6)

watershed

clumpkin
Original Author

Related Discussions

clumpkin
Original Author

sleeplessinftwayne

PKponder TX Z7B

watershed

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

pondless waterfall

Comments (6)

watershed

clumpkinOriginal Author

Related Discussions

clumpkinOriginal Author

sleeplessinftwayne

PKponder TX Z7B

watershed

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

clumpkin
Original Author

clumpkin
Original Author