How To Save Waterfall Pump Power Costs & Have Pond Filter Pump Back-Up At
All Times
Earlier we explained why a fish pond
must have a bio filter and the water must be pumped through the filter 24
hours per day to ensure the filter bacteria had enough oxygen to survive and do
their cleaning job. Now here's a way to use this information to save money in
any fish pond that has a waterfall. In addition it also a good option to make
sure your pond always has a viable pond filter.
Most fish ponds have a waterfall and the pump choice is determined by how
much water flows over edge of the falls. Water then flows through the biofilter
on the way to the waterfalls or some of the flow from the pump is split ... part
to the falls and part to the pond filter and straight back into the pond. This
pumping arrangement almost always means that you run a pump that is too big (ie
uses more power or electricity) than is needed to just run the pond filter
system.
This concept is best explained using an example of a real pond.
Example Of Real Pond With Waterfall and Garden Fish Pond Filter
In this pond which has a volume of 1000 litres a Hozelock Cascade 4000 pump
is used and runs 24/7 although it is not necessary to run the waterfall 24/7. To
close the waterfall down there is a valve in the line that goes to the waterfall
(it makes too much noise at night and it is just outside the bedroom window).
The flow to the pond bio filter is restricted using another valve to about 500
litres per hour (more than this would overflow the filter). Obviously this a
waste of electricity because even though the Cascade 4000 is now only delivering
500 lph (about 110 gallons or gph) it is still consuming 40 watts per hour ...
there's not much that can be done because the filter needs oxygen 24/7.
The Solution ... Buy Another Garden Submersible Pond Pump
If the filter only needs 500 litres per hour consider buying a much smaller
pump as in this example below where a Hozelock 1000 pump was bought. This pump
would be permanently piped up to the filter. The larger waterfall pump does not
split its water flow any more. There is no need for 2 valves either to control
flows in 2 directions. To run this pump 24/7will cost Pds 15.70 per year and the
pump itself you buy for Pds 32.95.
The larger Hozelock Cascade 4000 can now be closed down whenever you want
(maybe only run at weekends for 8 hours per day) ... if it runs only 16 hours
per week the annual electricity cost is Pds 3.32 per year (compare to the
24/7cost as shown in the table below of Pds 35.04). This means you save 35.04 -
3.32 = 31.72 pounds per year. In other words you can save the cost of the small
pump in 1 years only. Every years after that you are saving Pds 31.72 and
this is a saving worth having ...maybe it's enough to buy fish food for a year.
AND you always have a spare pump to run the filter 24/7.
| Submersible Pump Model |
Flow at 1metre head in lph |
Power consumed in Watts by the product |
| Hozelock Cascade 1000 |
500 |
18 |
| Hozelock Cascade 4000 |
2800 |
40 |
The pump options described here, is almost always the best option in a
pond waterfall situation and generally it saves on other items like valves and
plumbing arrangements..
How To Work Out Running Cost For Any Pump
Most pump manufacturers state the Wattage used by the pump on the box. If not
they will certainly provide the amps used on the label attached to the pump body
itself. If you do not see Watts first convert Amps to Watts as follows ...
Amps x Volts = Watts. So if your pump uses .2 Amps and the voltage is 220
volts then the Wattage for the pump is approximately 44 Watts. This also means
the pump will consume 44 divided by 1000 units of electricity per hour (1 kWhr =
1 unit)
Here's the formula to work out costs per year
-
Pump runs "H" hours per day
-
Pump power = "W" Watts
-
Cost per unit of power ="C" in pence
-
Cost per year = "Y"
-
Then ... Y=[W/1000 x Hx365 x C/100] in Pounds
per year
Obviously if you run the pump for less than 24 hours per day
then the total cost will come down but as we've discussed a fish
pond must have a bio filter and the water must be pumped through
the filter 24 hours per day. Now here's a way to use this information
to save money in any fish pond that has a waterfall. In addition
it also a good option to make sure your pond always has a suitable
pond filter.
Connecting Pumps, Filters and Pipes
Connecting the parts of your pond system together is simple. Just look at the
outlet size of your pump and the inlet size of your filter (in mm). You will
need hose and clips the same size as these
measurements. If the pump and filter show that they fit a range of sizes then
you should always choose the biggest size that fits both. The larger the hose
the more water it will deliver at the other end! Example. Titan 5500 pump
(outlet size 20-40mm) connecting to Bioforce Filter (inlet size 20-40mm) would
require a 40mm hose, 40mm clips and any other accessories (like taps or linx)
would also be for 40mm. You could use a smaller hose but the final flow rate
would be lower.
Bradshaws Delivery and Shipping
Shipping is direct to your door from our warehouse and takes approximately
5-7 working days. For deliveries of items under 30kg a charge is made
to cover handling and despatch (For Highlands & Islands despatch please phone
for delivery and service details). Next day and 48 hour delivery is available in
most areas. For single items weighing 30kg or over a charge
is applicable, this applies to all products.
Returns
If any item does not meet your expectations you may return it within 30 days.
Please return it in its original condition, including packaging & obtain proof
of return from the carrier. Please ensure faulty products are clean and not
contaminated with pond water or mud from your pond. Please note Bradshaws will
cover the cost of return for damaged and faulty products. Please call our
customer services team before returning an item on 0870 444 8272, weekdays
8.30am-5.30pm and in summer 10am-3pm on a Saturday. Remember to include your
returns label from your despatch note in your returned parcel. Please state
whether you would like a refund or replacement. Your statutory rights are not
affected.
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