Water level valve

[cerceau]

The builder who expanded our pond recommended a Hudson Aquascape valve to add water automatically. Is the hook-up with the (Aquascape) skimmer fairly straightforward? Amazon.com offers them for much less than the builder wants, but I wonder whether it comes with all the necessary hardware. I've also read that it's good to have a pressure regulator btw. the valve and the hose, to keep it at 25 psi. Any advice?

 

[mgmine]

Here is what I used for mine it cost $10 dollars and was simple to put on.

 

[max384]

I thought about doing this to avoid my weekly water topoffs... But then I worried about what would happen if I had a pump leak. I'd hate to have chlorinated hose water pouring into my pond if there was ever a bad leak. Just something to think about.

 

[mgmine]

Actually if you had a pump leak this is what you would need. It would be better to have the water pouring into the pond than to have it run dry. If the pond went dry the pump would burn out and the fish and plants would die. The automatic water valve works like a toilet valve. When the water reaches a certain height the valve shuts the water off.

 

[HARO]

Yes, but the chlorinated water COULD kill the fish! Fish or pump? Your choice.
John

 

[max384]

Actually if you had a pump leak this is what you would need. It would be better to have the water pouring into the pond than to have it run dry. If the pond went dry the pump would burn out and the fish and plants would die. The automatic water valve works like a toilet valve. When the water reaches a certain height the valve shuts the water off.

You have your pump placed so that it could drain all the water from your pond??? I'm not trying to be argumentative, but that is a major design flaw. You need to have it situated high enough that if it drains all the water that it can, that there is still enough water for your fish to live in. My pond is 3.5 feet deep, and my pump is in a pump box about a foot deep. This way, if it pumps the water out, I still have 2.5 feet of water left. It certainly could burn the pump out, but I'd rather have a dead pump than dead fish from being over chlorinated.


Early on in my ponding "career" I once left a hose running in my pond for over 24 hours. Every single one of my fish died from the chlorine. I now never leave my hose running without an alarm set. And it's why I chose not to use a water level valve.

 

[mgmine]

I guess as Haro said "fish or pump". My pump was a bit over $500 and the fish were about $6 dollars each. I know for certain that if the pump goes dry it will burn out I'm not certain that the fish will die unless of course the pond goes dry. My pump is in the skimmer so that wouldn't happen but could if the pump was in the bottom of the pond. For me it's piece of mind if I'm away for a week or so. It's a $10 dollar insurance policy vs. a $500 dollar pump.

 

[max384]

I guess as Haro said "fish or pump". My pump was a bit over $500 and the fish were about $6 dollars each. I know for certain that if the pump goes dry it will burn out I'm not certain that the fish will die unless of course the pond goes dry. My pump is in the skimmer so that wouldn't happen but could if the pump was in the bottom of the pond. For me it's piece of mind if I'm away for a week or so. It's a $10 dollar insurance policy vs. a $500 dollar pump.

To each their own, I guess. I'd rather have to replace a pump than my fish. Money is just money. At this point, I've grown attached to my koi and shubunkins, and don't look at them with a monetary value in mind. Like any pet, I also feel responsible for keeping them safe, since I've taken it upon myself to buy and house them.