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Do we need a separate pump for our sheer descent waterfalls?

13 years ago

See - I told you I would have more questions. Now that we're getting so much closer to signing our contract, we have run into another issue with one PB contradicting what another PB told us. One says that we need a separate pump for our three 24" sheer descent waterfalls, and another tells us that we can just get a larger pump and filter, and run them off of this. Who is correct?

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Comments (3)

goyom
13 years ago
I am no PB, but we had a similar choice to make.

We have one 36 inchsheer descent, a bubbler and aerator.

We decided to use a dedicated pump and have found that it works out well as its on a seperate control and can run completely independent of our main pump (and salt chlorinator).

We are happy we chose this route.
mas985
13 years ago
You could probably go either way with a 24" waterfall but there are probably some trade-offs. But for the price of about two pumps, you can get a variable speed pump which can be optimized for each condition. Plus, it will give you a payback with energy savings. For your kind of setup, a controller would be advisable so you don't have to do a lot of manual switching.
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First, the total combined length of the units must be determined. The Sheer Descents require 12 GPM per FT. So if you (2) 6' units, the total length is 12'. Therefore, 144 GPM is required. A pump capable of providing that must be chosen. Then the proper pipe size is chosen. The distance from the pump to the SD's, plays a part in the proper pipe size. Multiple units require a looped plumbing to provide an equal distribution of water to each unit. This sounds like the issue you are having. This link brings you to the Jandy site for the SD. The install/operation manual is listed. H0347100 Section 4 shows the proper plumbing procedures and other specifications. https://www.jandy.com/en/products/water-features/sheer-descent
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Thanks beachdiva. Are you completely finished? Our b-que cabinets were delivered yesterday, they were assembling today but not finished, then it needs the stacked stone and the granite top will take a week or two. There is a little glitch to it, the base cabinets are higher than I wanted or expected....somehow has to do with the frig...doesnt make sense to me, I think there was a communication flaw. The drawing never had heights on it, only length dimensions...dont know how I overlooked that. It was suppose to be a work counter, then a higher counter to set bar stools at....like my indoor standard kitchen. We are working things out with the builder, I am sure it will all work out, just disappointing that it might not be as I had orginally planned. The bar height will now be 45 inches high with the granite. Just dont want to feel like my chin is the only thing that reaches the bar counter. That is getting up there in height...but should still be ok. Right now the grill and sink area is at 38 inches high with no granite yet....and cant be lowered since they already built the pieces to accomodate the frig. This area should have been max. 36 high with granite in place...UGGH! The other option is to do away with the layered bar and make it one flat area....just not what I invisioned or had planned. I might copy and paste this into a new post to see what other people did for bar heights. My stools will have a seat height of 30.5 inches. Cindy
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At least 24" for a unit that wide. When I install those features, I try to keep the raised beam height around 75% of the width of the unit. With that said though, I have never installed a unit larger than a 4'. If the unit gets too high, the "sheet" of water will be more likely to split with even the slightest breeze. FYI, You can order those units in different colors of PVC (gray, tan, or even stainless steel) that will make the PVC body less visable. If you are installing a salt system however, it is not recommended to use the stainless steel units. Good Luck!
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zuggy333
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks so much for your responses. Mas985, we actually have three 24" sheer descent waterfalls. Does this change your opinion? One of the PB's said that all of the lines he's running are 2" lines, and that he'd like to use 1.5 HP pump for the filter, and a separate 1.5 HP pump for the waterfalls. Our question is would we be better off going with a 2.0 HP pump and a larger sand filter for a savings of around $500? Is it really worth it? And, when we run the waterfall, we would just re-circulate the water through the filter and direct the water flow with valves to the waterfall, instead of the pool returns. The PB recommending two pumps said we'll get better water flow, as opposed to getting the 2 HP pump. We never considered getting a variable speed pump, although if it is recommended this is certainly an option.

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