Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I know what size Liner and Underlayment to buy?
  (maximum depth x 2) + maximum length + 3 feet = Liner Length
  (maximum depth x 2) + maximum width + 3 feet = Liner Width

• How do I know how many gallons my pond holds?
  Use a flow meter when filling the pond for the most accurate volume determination. If a flow meter is not used follow the formulas below. Use the average measurement in feet.
  

  Rectangular pond or filter: length x width x depth x 7.5 = gallons
  Round pond or filter: 3.14 x r(squared) x depth x 7.5 = gallons(r squared = half pond diameter times itself)
  Natural ponds: length x width x .8 x depth x 7.5 = gallons(.8 compensates for lack of corners, use .85 for ponds 400+ ft squared)

• How do I know what size piping to use?
  Undersized pipe restricts optimum pump flow. Pipe size is determined by the maximum gallons per hour capacity of the pump at 0' head pressure. Use this chart to select the correct pipe size for your pump's gph. For every 25' of pipe run increase pipe size by another ½".

  Pump gph	PVC
  <200	½"
  200-500	1 ¾"
  500-1000	1"
  1000-2500	1 ½"
  2500-4000	2"
  5000-9000	3"

• What size pump should I use?
  Select a pump that can turn the total gallons of water over every hour after compensating for head pressure. To help ensure proper flow rate buy the next size up from what your calculations indicate and use a control valve to restrict flow to the desired rate.

• Will I be able to adjust the sound and volume of water in my waterfall?
  You will be able to adjust your volume of water if you put a T-Valve on your piping.

• How much of the surface of the water should be covered with plants?
  One mature lily per 15-20 square feet of surface area. If fish are present cover no more than 70% of the total pond surface area with plants and have no more than one, 1 gallon pot of Oxygenators per 500 gallons.

• What kind of trees are best to plant close to the pond? What kind of trees should I avoid?
  Japanese Laceleaf are one of the best trees to put because they look pretty and there are not as many leaves to contend with that fall into your pond. Any trees that are going to have a lot of debris because this can cause your filter and pond to clog up.

• Is there a rule of thumb for fish per cubic feet of pond?
  10 sq.ft. of surface area per adult Koi or 2 sq.ft. per adult goldfish.

• How do I know how much my electric bill will rise?
  Use caution in selecting a pump. Inexpensive pumps often consume far more electricity and, in the long run, cost far more than purchasing a superior pump. Most electrical equipment specifies amperage (amps) on the label. If not, the amps can be calculated by dividing the watts by the volts.

  The current national average is ~$7.50 per amp, per month for continual operation at 110 volts ($15 at 220 volts). A continuously operating 300 watt electrical unit (running on 110 volts) would cost $20.45 per month to run (300w ÷ 110v = 2.72 amps x $7.50 = $20.45 per month).

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