- Joined
- May 24, 2009
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 0
We had a pond put in next to the pool several years ago, and the filtration has always been a problem - mainly because of the way the pool people plumbed the pond (knowing what I know now, I would have done things a lot different - but the internet was still in its infancy...).
One of the big challenges has been that the pump/pad is basically at pond level (~+6"), and the pond's 50' from the pump/pad. And, the return to the water fall is 36" higher than the pond level (pump is ~30" below the level of the waterfall return) - via 1.5" pvc. I also have in-pond (~12" below pond, or ~18" below pump level) returns that are also at the pad.
Up until now, I've had a sand-filter half-filled with "ultra-flow" media (not sure you can get it anymore) - and without UV it has always been a challenge keeping the water clear. Because the system was pressurized, a Y-valve on the exit of the filter allowed me to manage flow to the waterfall vs. the in-pond returns. Most of the water goes to the falls because I love the look/sound.
I needed to find a way to:
a) provide a non-pressurized system that would allow me to still route as much water as possible to the waterfall, and
B) Not overwhelm my filters to overflowing...
The question(s) that I've always had, and needed an answer was:
How much "siphon" can I get through the pipe, based on a raised "x" level of water above the fall - and what/how do I manage any excess water that may enter the filter so I don't wind up overflowing my barrels?
How high do the barrels need to be (vs. the top of the waterfall)?
How do I ensure any extra water still gets back to the pond?
After months of looking for ideas, I found this: Hydraulic Siphon Calculator.
According to this calculator: If I have the drum water level 4' higher than the top of the waterfall, I should be able to move (using 1.5" pipe) between 5Kgph and 4Kgph (using 1.25" as a return head loss).
Because the other return is 2", and at pond level, and the water level in the barrels is ~6-7' higher than the pond, I should be easily be able to send any excess back to the pond through the in-pond returns. According to the calculator, I'm estimating that the "back-up" in-pond return capable of ~11Kgph (at 2", or using 1.75" as a fudge-factor for return loss - ~8Kgph).
Here is a picture of the "Plan":
Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.
TIA,
- Jeff
One of the big challenges has been that the pump/pad is basically at pond level (~+6"), and the pond's 50' from the pump/pad. And, the return to the water fall is 36" higher than the pond level (pump is ~30" below the level of the waterfall return) - via 1.5" pvc. I also have in-pond (~12" below pond, or ~18" below pump level) returns that are also at the pad.
Up until now, I've had a sand-filter half-filled with "ultra-flow" media (not sure you can get it anymore) - and without UV it has always been a challenge keeping the water clear. Because the system was pressurized, a Y-valve on the exit of the filter allowed me to manage flow to the waterfall vs. the in-pond returns. Most of the water goes to the falls because I love the look/sound.
I needed to find a way to:
a) provide a non-pressurized system that would allow me to still route as much water as possible to the waterfall, and
B) Not overwhelm my filters to overflowing...
The question(s) that I've always had, and needed an answer was:
How much "siphon" can I get through the pipe, based on a raised "x" level of water above the fall - and what/how do I manage any excess water that may enter the filter so I don't wind up overflowing my barrels?
How high do the barrels need to be (vs. the top of the waterfall)?
How do I ensure any extra water still gets back to the pond?
After months of looking for ideas, I found this: Hydraulic Siphon Calculator.
According to this calculator: If I have the drum water level 4' higher than the top of the waterfall, I should be able to move (using 1.5" pipe) between 5Kgph and 4Kgph (using 1.25" as a return head loss).
Because the other return is 2", and at pond level, and the water level in the barrels is ~6-7' higher than the pond, I should be easily be able to send any excess back to the pond through the in-pond returns. According to the calculator, I'm estimating that the "back-up" in-pond return capable of ~11Kgph (at 2", or using 1.75" as a fudge-factor for return loss - ~8Kgph).
Here is a picture of the "Plan":
Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.
TIA,
- Jeff
