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PONDS,
PUMPS AND WATER PLANTS
Ideas and Tips
Q:
What do I do about algae in ponds? Read
tips.
Q:
What size pump do I need? Read
tips.
Q:
How do I calculate pond volume? Read
tips.
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to have your questions answered? Have tips to share at our
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Q:
What do I do about algae in ponds?
A: There are
several things you can do to reduce or eliminate algae in
ponds. Pond plants can compete with algae for sunlight and
nutrients. Keeping your pond clean is important. If algae
starts growing, try the following:
- Use
an algae blocker.
- If
you have no plants or fish, use an algicide.
- Check
your filtration system. Make sure it is adequate.
- Use
enzymatic clarifiers: Pond Clarifier by Organica or PondZyme
by PondCare.
Read
other tips
Q:
What
size pump do I need?
A: Generally
speaking, at least 1/2 the volume of pond water should move
each hour (so a 200 gallon pond needs at least a 100 gph pump).
Waterfalls require 100-200 gph for every inch of spillway
width.
Read
other tips
Q:
How
do I calculate pond volume?
A: You need to
know your pond volume to determine the right pump, filter,
water treatment, fish capacity, etc. To calculate your pond
volume, the formula is : Surface Area X Average Depth X 7.5
= gallons of water.
Your
Average Depth can easily be measured. Your surface area depends
on the shape of your pond:
For
a rectangle - Surface Area equals length times width.
For
example, a rectangular 6' X 4' X 2' pond has a surface area
of 24 sq ft (4' X 6'), an average depth of 2 feet, and a volume
of 24 X 2 X 7.5 = 360 gallons.
For a circle: Measure the widest distance across. 1/2 of that
is the radius, R. The surface area equals R X R X 3.14.
For
example, if your circular pond is 5 feet wide and 2 feet deep,
the surface area is 2.5 X 2.5 X 3.14 = 19.63, and the volume
is 19.63 X 2 X 7.5 = 294.45 gallons.
For
an oval: measure from the center to the farthest point (A)
and the widest point (B). The surface area is A X B X 3.14.
For
example, if the distances from the center are 3 feet and 2
feet and the pond is 2 feet deep, the surface area is 3 X
2 X 3.14 = 18.84, and the volume is 18.84 X 2 X 7.5 = 282.6
gallons. (Notice that the overall length and width are 6'
X 4', but the volume is not the same as for the rectangular
6' X 4' X 2' pond.)
For
a kidney-shaped pond: measure the longest point and the widest
point of EACH end. The surface area is about 0.45 X length
X (the two widths added together). So if your pond is 6 feet
long, one side is 3.5 feet wide and the other 4.5 feet, and
the depth is 2 feet, the surface area is 0.45 X 6 X (3.5 +
4.5) = 0.45 X 6 X 8 = 21.6 and the volume is 21.6 X 2 X 7.5
= 324 gallons.
Read
other tips
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