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legend33

Keep waterfall or something different

8 years ago
Have a beautiful waterfall in backyard which is amazing - when it works. Had to buy new pump last year and now it appears pump has gone again, despite being put on a timer to try and lengthen it’s life. I’m not 100% sure yet it’s the pump but it appears so.

If it is the pump, I’m leaning towards being done with this waterfall as one option. It has had leaks that have needed repairing, needs regular clean out maintenance and now pumps - quite expensive. My question is - any recommendations on something else we could do with the space? Ideal world it would be a pool, just not sure want that expense either. I love the fountain but unfortunately the backyard was created entirely around it (before we purchased the house). So if the fountain isn’t running it’s just rocks and more of an eyesore (and questions of why no fountain). I’m also of the mind the fountain needs to be redesigned to be more durable - although our fountain guy is fantastic so I’m not sure what could be done.

Any ideas or suggestions appreciated!

Comments (9)

  • 8 years ago

    Since it doesn’t seem to have any way to grow water plants or keep fish, it seems somewhat uninteresting, except for the rocks. And it looks artificial in its location. A more formal pool would look frankly man-made, not pretending to be a naturally occurring feature. I’d take it out. There was a small, deep concrete pond at my house when I bought it last year, with water plants and deep enough to keep fish all winter, but I didn’t want the maintenance and it was in a strange location where you couldn’t really enjoy it very well. When we had some construction work done we had the backhoe guy pull it out. I’m glad I did it. I wasn’t interested in draining it every spring and climbing into it in my wellies to clean it out.

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    It is very pretty. It is quite large. Your pump might be undersized for the load? You might be able to redesign into smaller situation which would keep water feature but greatly reduce maintenance. I love water features done in a way that makes them feel more natural. I think it could be done but guess main thing is what do you want?
  • 8 years ago
    Thanks all for the great comments. I do like the waterfall feature - when it works it’s very peaceful - the water sound is amazing. I don’t think the original designer wanted it to look 100% natural, I think they just wanted a large water feature. Agree about having a landscape designer take a look. As to what I want, honestly don’t know for sure. Dream would be a pool with a small water feature built from this. Right now just want this thing to not go through expensive pumps. It’s been two in a year and they are large sewage pumps that aren’t cheap. I have it on a timer to run during the day only - to try and save electricity and lengthen life of pump. Obviously that didn’t work well.
  • PRO
    8 years ago
    I have had several ponds and large water features. I have found pumps are more hardy when they run constantly. Get to a good water garden shop and get some good professional help. Good luck because there is nothing better than a great water feature to sooth your sole!
  • 8 years ago

    To sooth your sole that would need to be a sea water feature ;-) (Sorry. Couldn't resist)

  • 8 years ago

    A pondless fountain like this needs a pond pump Not a sewage pump. It is really critical that you have the right pump and right size pump for the job you are asking it to do. Also if it is not going to be run continuously, you must have a check valve to prevent the water from running the pump impellers backwards when it shuts off. That alone can shorten a pump life significantly.

    Go to Pondliner.com. They have calculators to help determine the size pump you need.

    With any water feature like this there is going to be maintenance period and the pumps will have to be replaced periodically. You should be able to get two to fours years from the right pump though.

  • 8 years ago
    Thanks - great info on the pond pump. I’m not up to speed on waterfalls - but quickly learning. So we have an F&Q 80WQ Sewage Pump in there - it’s what the fountain builder has always used. Said it’s needed due to amount of water/flow rate. We have a 2,000 gallon tank under the fountain. I was told by many that these should run continuously for purposes of pump lifespan and obviously to avoid standing water. Prior to pump being replaced last year, I had run it pretty continuously except in winter. Then when it died and I saw how much it cost, it was recommended we put a timer on it. So I did that in an effort to lengthen its life (and save electricity). We have no check valve on here that I’m aware of. It’s all so confusing since a few other local pros said oh yes you need this kind of pump for the water flow rate you are getting. It runs pretty strong which certainly sounds great. I want to say this pump is 295gpm.
  • 8 years ago
    Have decided to keep it as a fountain. Was able to get a new pump for much less from original manufacturer due to a discount. My plan is to run this continuously from now on to try and lengthen the life of it. Or we just turn it on when we are outside. Just not as ideal. From what everyone says and I’m reading online, turning it on and off shortens the life significantly. Not only because of water getting back in the pump but the capacitors apparently aren’t made strong enough to withstand that.