Need Pump advice, HELP!

[Koi-Lo]

Danner Mag Drive......external or submersed....best bang for the buck
and probably one of the most widely used pond pumps in use, as they
are highly reliable

Sequence makes a nice low electrical consumption very efficieint pump
but its strictly external. Probably more pump than you need.


On Tue, 07 Mar 2006 23:22:30 -0800, lurker <lurker> wrote:
>><>i was running my bioforce using a 750 bilge pump just to test it, i
>><>like how it worked but now as i expected the pump is near broke.
>><>do bigger or smaller pumps give longer life or does this not matter? i
>><>could get bigger versions because its a river tank but these are what
>><>im considering:
>><>
>><>titan 550, capable of pumping solids and requires no prefiltering.
>><>
>><>pondmaster mag-drive pumps 500 gph
>><>
>><>eheim 1250 317 gph, i've heard eheims are very good but that they are
>><>better for circulation and not for preasurized filters due to it being
>><>designed for circulation..
>><>
>><>if someone with more experience in this could give their advice i
>><>would greatly appreciate it. also is there any benefit of having an
>><>external pump instead of internal?
>><>
>><>
>><>

--
\\\|///
( @ @ )
-----------oOOo(_)oOOo---------------


oooO
---------( )----Oooo----------------
\ ( ( )
\_) ) /
(_/
The original frugal ponder ! Koi-ahoi mates....

[Koi-Lo]

,
Moments before spontaneously combusting <lurker> was heard to say:

> thanks koi-lo, cant help notice most advice i get here is from you.
> :) Pondmaster Pond-Mag 5 500GPH does sound like a lot of bang for the
> buck and i may reconsider the titan now.

Your welcome, but remember there are *TWO* Koi-Los posting here now.

> the titan mentions how its specially designed to prevent clogging and
> motor damage by using max filter max surface area and a thermal
> resettable fuse.

Always use something to prevent clogging. I myself use 2 black pond plant
pots set together like a clam-shell to protect my pumps. I cut a hole for
the wire and outlet hose and wire them together. Cheap and easily replaced.
They don't clog easily either.

> would putting the danner mag drive external prolong the pumps life?
> just curious if i should start thinking of ways to mount the pump or
> if i have to look into prefiltering. basically im looking for the
> longest life and like how danners use only one moving part. cool.

Just keep pond trash from getting sucked into the impeller area.

> thanks again, still going to research and will decide tomorrow.

Always do research before you make a purchase. It saves time and money down
the road. ;-)
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Note: There are two Koi-Lo's on the Aquaria groups.
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Koi-Lo]

,
Moments before spontaneously combusting <lurker> was heard to ask:
> also have you noticed if the bigger or the smaller pumps have a longer
> life span? because the price on the bigger pumps are only a few bucks
> more and currents not an issue. any idea or do all pumps break random?
============
In my experience the larger ones last longer. I have a Big Versa still
running every summer since 1996. It's outlived all the smaller pumps by
several years.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Note: There are two Koi-Lo's on the Aquaria groups.
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Koi-Lo]

,
Moments before spontaneously combusting <lurker> was heard to say:

> its between Pondmaster 700GPH and the Pondmaster 950GPH, and you are
> right either is plenty of pump for 120 gallons. ;)

I have a 500gph on my smallest 150g pond. It works great - it filters as
well as runs the small waterfall. It filters because I set it in a plant
basket and wrapped plastic window screen around it. Nice, cheap, easy to
hose clean and the impeller is protected from trash.

im not sure if this
> will make much a difference from the 500gph but i dont see the harm in
> going bigger just incase.

That depends on the fish you plan to keep. Some, like fancy goldfish, don't
like a strong current.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Note: There are two Koi-Lo's on the Aquaria groups.
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Koi-Lo]

Moments before spontaneously combusting <lurker> was heard to ask:

> im not so much worried about too much current as much as my filter not
> being able to handle it. seems to do ok with the 750 but was designed
> for a 550! i pretty much made up my mind on going with the mag pump
> though.
>
> about prefiltering, your ideas sound like they would work good.
> could i cut out a peice of normal filter material that holds bacteria
> in external filters and just place it over the pumps intake? or would
> covering the entire pump be necessary.
===============================
Don't just cover the intake itself or the filtering material can clog and
slow or stop the water flow. I wrap the entire pump in the window screen -
at least 2 or 3 layers. I don't depend on my pumps being biological
filters. If the screen is stiff and don't want to stay in place I put some
stones over it to keep down.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Note: There are two Koi-Lo's on the Aquaria groups.
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[lurker]

i was running my bioforce using a 750 bilge pump just to test it, i
like how it worked but now as i expected the pump is near broke.
do bigger or smaller pumps give longer life or does this not matter? i
could get bigger versions because its a river tank but these are what
im considering:

titan 550, capable of pumping solids and requires no prefiltering.

pondmaster mag-drive pumps 500 gph

eheim 1250 317 gph, i've heard eheims are very good but that they are
better for circulation and not for preasurized filters due to it being
designed for circulation..

if someone with more experience in this could give their advice i
would greatly appreciate it. also is there any benefit of having an
external pump instead of internal?

[Koi-Lo]

Moments before spontaneously combusting <lurker> at <lurker> was heard to
say:

> On Wed, 8 Mar 2006 01:03:32 -0600, "Koi-Lo" >
> wrote:
>
>> Don't just cover the intake itself or the filtering material can
>> clog and slow or stop the water flow. I wrap the entire pump in the
>> window screen - at least 2 or 3 layers. I don't depend on my pumps
>> being biological filters. If the screen is stiff and don't want to
>> stay in place I put some stones over it to keep down.
>
> excellent idea, i used fish tank net before. do you thin the window
> screen is ok for the water, i have no idea what its made of?

I buy the plastic window screen and it is safe. I rinse it first of course
to remove any dust before using. It lasts for a few years.

> i found the specs on both and it seems like the titan may take less
> energy, suprising, check this out.
> http://www.foryourfish.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/FYF-PS-PF5.htm
> would like to hear your opinion on the design if possible too. is it
> more complicated and more likely to break do you believe? thanks
> again.
========================
It looks like an excellent pump to me but the price seems a bit high. Look
at the Danner Pumps,.... shop around. You can get a 3000gph mag drive pump
for $109.99. Check out the Foster & Smith website www.DrsfosterSmith.com
and compare prices and GPH.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Note: There are two Koi-Lo's on the Aquaria groups.
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[lurker]

>eheim 1250 317 gph, i've heard eheims are very good but that they are
>better for circulation and not for preasurized filters due to it being
>designed for circulation..

also this pump can be ran externally or submerged. not sure if this
matters.

[Koi-Lo]

Moments before spontaneously combusting <lurker> was heard opining:

>> eheim 1250 317 gph, i've heard eheims are very good but that they are
>> better for circulation and not for preasurized filters due to it
>> being designed for circulation..
>
> also this pump can be ran externally or submerged. not sure if this
> matters.
=================
That would depend on what you wanted to use it for. I use all mine
submerged.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Note: There are two Koi-Lo's on the Aquaria groups.
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[lurker]

thanks koi-lo, cant help notice most advice i get here is from you.
:) Pondmaster Pond-Mag 5 500GPH does sound like a lot of bang for the
buck and i may reconsider the titan now.

the titan mentions how its specially designed to prevent clogging and
motor damage by using max filter max surface area and a thermal
resettable fuse.

would putting the danner mag drive external prolong the pumps life?
just curious if i should start thinking of ways to mount the pump or
if i have to look into prefiltering. basically im looking for the
longest life and like how danners use only one moving part. cool.

thanks again, still going to research and will decide tomorrow.


On Wed, 08 Mar 2006 05:08:16 GMT, (Koi-Lo) wrote:

>
>Danner Mag Drive......external or submersed....best bang for the buck
>and probably one of the most widely used pond pumps in use, as they
>are highly reliable
>
>Sequence makes a nice low electrical consumption very efficieint pump
>but its strictly external. Probably more pump than you need.

[lurker]

also have you noticed if the bigger or the smaller pumps have a longer
life span? because the price on the bigger pumps are only a few bucks
more and currents not an issue. any idea or do all pumps break random?

[lurker]

its between Pondmaster 700GPH and the Pondmaster 950GPH, and you are
right either is plenty of pump for 120 gallons. ;) im not sure if this
will make much a difference from the 500gph but i dont see the harm in
going bigger just incase.

On Tue, 7 Mar 2006 23:57:24 -0600, "Koi-Lo" >
wrote:

> ,
> Moments before spontaneously combusting <lurker> was heard to ask:
>> also have you noticed if the bigger or the smaller pumps have a longer
>> life span? because the price on the bigger pumps are only a few bucks
>> more and currents not an issue. any idea or do all pumps break random?
>============
>In my experience the larger ones last longer. I have a Big Versa still
>running every summer since 1996. It's outlived all the smaller pumps by
>several years.

[lurker]

im not so much worried about too much current as much as my filter not
being able to handle it. seems to do ok with the 750 but was designed
for a 550! i pretty much made up my mind on going with the mag pump
though.

about prefiltering, your ideas sound like they would work good.
could i cut out a peice of normal filter material that holds bacteria
in external filters and just place it over the pumps intake? or would
covering the entire pump be necessary.

On Wed, 8 Mar 2006 00:18:32 -0600, "Koi-Lo" >
wrote:

>
>I have a 500gph on my smallest 150g pond. It works great - it filters as
>well as runs the small waterfall. It filters because I set it in a plant
>basket and wrapped plastic window screen around it. Nice, cheap, easy to
>hose clean and the impeller is protected from trash.

[lurker]

On Wed, 8 Mar 2006 01:03:32 -0600, "Koi-Lo" >
wrote:

>Don't just cover the intake itself or the filtering material can clog and
>slow or stop the water flow. I wrap the entire pump in the window screen -
>at least 2 or 3 layers. I don't depend on my pumps being biological
>filters. If the screen is stiff and don't want to stay in place I put some
>stones over it to keep down.

excellent idea, i used fish tank net before. do you thin the window
screen is ok for the water, i have no idea what its made of?

i found the specs on both and it seems like the titan may take less
energy, suprising, check this out.
http://www.foryourfish.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/FYF-PS-PF5.htm
would like to hear your opinion on the design if possible too. is it
more complicated and more likely to break do you believe? thanks
again.

[~ janj]

On Wed, 08 Mar 2006 02:19:45 -0800, lurker <lurker> wrote:

>excellent idea, i used fish tank net before. do you thin the window
>screen is ok for the water, i have no idea what its made of?

Yes.

Many of us have used window screening (I think it is vinyl covered
fiberglass) in our filters. ~ jan

--------------
See my ponds and filter design:
www.jjspond.us

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website

[Roy]

Rubberized or non rubberized fiberglass screen is just fine.

On Wed, 08 Mar 2006 19:20:56 -0800, ~ janj >
wrote:
>><>On Wed, 08 Mar 2006 02:19:45 -0800, lurker <lurker> wrote:
>><>
>><>>excellent idea, i used fish tank net before. do you thin the window
>><>>screen is ok for the water, i have no idea what its made of?
>><>
>><>Yes.
>><>
>><>Many of us have used window screening (I think it is vinyl covered
>><>fiberglass) in our filters. ~ jan
>><>
>><>--------------
>><>See my ponds and filter design:
>><>www.jjspond.us
>><>
>><> ~Keep 'em Wet!~
>><> Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
>><> To e-mail see website

--
\\\|///
( @ @ )
-----------oOOo(_)oOOo---------------


oooO
---------( )----Oooo----------------
\ ( ( )
\_) ) /
(_/
The original frugal ponder ! Koi-ahoi mates....

[Richard Sexton]

In article >,
Roy > wrote:
>Rubberized or non rubberized fiberglass screen is just fine.

We have racoons here, bad. They lil' buggers have trashed every
screen they can find, the cats destroyed the rest.

Somebody turned me onto "pet screen" which is, I think, urethane;
they claim it will resists a doberman. I've tired it and it works
as advertised, and better. It's held up to a large rottweiler.

Urethane is very inert and very strong. Recommended.



--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

[Koi-Lo]

Moments before spontaneously combusting <Richard Sexton> at
> was heard opining:

> In article >,
> Roy > wrote:
>> Rubberized or non rubberized fiberglass screen is just fine.
>
> We have racoons here, bad. They lil' buggers have trashed every
> screen they can find, the cats destroyed the rest.
>
> Somebody turned me onto "pet screen" which is, I think, urethane;
> they claim it will resists a doberman. I've tired it and it works
> as advertised, and better. It's held up to a large rottweiler.
>
> Urethane is very inert and very strong. Recommended.
=========================
We're talking about wrapping it around a water pump to keep the normal pond
crud from getting up into the impeller area. It also filters out some algae
and other debris.
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Richard Sexton]

In article >,
Koi-Lo > wrote:
>Moments before spontaneously combusting <Richard Sexton> at
> was heard opining:
>
>> In article >,
>> Roy > wrote:
>>> Rubberized or non rubberized fiberglass screen is just fine.
>>
>> Somebody turned me onto "pet screen" which is, I think, urethane;
>> they claim it will resists a doberman. I've tired it and it works
>> as advertised, and better. It's held up to a large rottweiler.
>>
>> Urethane is very inert and very strong. Recommended.
>=========================
>We're talking about wrapping it around a water pump to keep the normal pond
>crud from getting up into the impeller area. It also filters out some algae
>and other debris.

Understood. Around here racoons would shred anything else in no time.


--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

[lurker]

we're talking about pumps! ;)

but seriously i did end up going with the titan 550. my next pump for
a different set-up will be the mag drive for sure. i could have got
the 800 for almost the same price but got worried that over pumping
my filter may cause damage to the pump.. figured i should just get a
difference source of current indstead of trying to get the filter to
do everything anyway.

On Wed, 8 Mar 2006 22:53:39 -0600, "Koi-Lo" >
wrote:

>Moments before spontaneously combusting <Richard Sexton> at
> was heard opining:
>
>> In article >,
>> Roy > wrote:
>>> Rubberized or non rubberized fiberglass screen is just fine.
>>
>> We have racoons here, bad. They lil' buggers have trashed every
>> screen they can find, the cats destroyed the rest.
>>
>> Somebody turned me onto "pet screen" which is, I think, urethane;
>> they claim it will resists a doberman. I've tired it and it works
>> as advertised, and better. It's held up to a large rottweiler.
>>
>> Urethane is very inert and very strong. Recommended.
>=========================
>We're talking about wrapping it around a water pump to keep the normal pond
>crud from getting up into the impeller area. It also filters out some algae
>and other debris.

[~ janj]

>>> Somebody turned me onto "pet screen" which is, I think, urethane;
>>> they claim it will resists a doberman. I've tired it and it works
>>> as advertised, and better. It's held up to a large rottweiler.
>>>
>>=========================
>>We're talking about wrapping it around a water pump to keep the normal pond
>>crud from getting up into the impeller area. It also filters out some algae
>>and other debris.
>
>Understood. Around here racoons would shred anything else in no time.

LOL! I don't think either a raccoon or doberman would go thru my filter.
Too many layers. Then of course there's that ride thru the 3" pipe to get
to it. :-) ~ jan


~ jan/WA
Zone 7a

[Koi-Lo]

"Richard Sexton" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> Koi-Lo > wrote:
>>Moments before spontaneously combusting <Richard Sexton> at
> was heard opining:
>>
>>> In article >,
>>> Roy > wrote:
>>>> Rubberized or non rubberized fiberglass screen is just fine.
>>>
>>> Somebody turned me onto "pet screen" which is, I think, urethane;
>>> they claim it will resists a doberman. I've tired it and it works
>>> as advertised, and better. It's held up to a large rottweiler.
>>>
>>> Urethane is very inert and very strong. Recommended.
>>=========================
>>We're talking about wrapping it around a water pump to keep the normal
>>pond
>>crud from getting up into the impeller area. It also filters out some
>>algae
>>and other debris.
>
> Understood. Around here racoons would shred anything else in no time.
=============================
We have coons here too but the dogs usually keep them from getting too close
to the house and my ponds. For some reason the coons don't tear up the bird
nets I netted my ponds with. None of the wild animals do. I do have one
open 150g pond with a small waterfall for them to drink from, maybe that's
why?!?!?!
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Koi-Lo]

"Galen Hekhuis" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 9 Mar 2006 09:39:56 -0600, "Koi-Lo" >
> wrote:
I do have one
>>open 150g pond with a small waterfall for them to drink from, maybe that's
>>why?!?!?!
=======================
> Would an electric fence help? It seem that somebody actually makes one:
> http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9508&Ntt=electric%20kit&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

No. They would be useless as I have the nets not just for coons but to keep
out the huge fish eating bullfrogs, water snakes, snapper turtles, herons
and Kingfishers. Also the neighborhood pond trashing dogs in summer. So
far they haven't trashed the small 150g pond... yet.
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[George]

<lurker> wrote in message
...
> im not so much worried about too much current as much as my filter not
> being able to handle it. seems to do ok with the 750 but was designed
> for a 550! i pretty much made up my mind on going with the mag pump
> though.
>
> about prefiltering, your ideas sound like they would work good.
> could i cut out a peice of normal filter material that holds bacteria
> in external filters and just place it over the pumps intake? or would
> covering the entire pump be necessary.
>
> On Wed, 8 Mar 2006 00:18:32 -0600, "Koi-Lo" >
> wrote:
>
>>
>>I have a 500gph on my smallest 150g pond. It works great - it filters as
>>well as runs the small waterfall. It filters because I set it in a plant
>>basket and wrapped plastic window screen around it. Nice, cheap, easy to
>>hose clean and the impeller is protected from trash.

Here is a link to my pond filter, if you are interested:

http://home.insightbb.com/~jryates/filter.htm

Perhaps you could built a smaller version. It works really well

Here is a link to an image of a couple of my koi from last year. They've
grown a lot since then. Note how clear the water is:

http://home.insightbb.com/~jryates//storm/big_orange2.jpg

George

[lurker]

im expecting my titan 550 to show up any day now, all their pumps
claim a 3 year warrenty. i decided overkill for a filter to also make
all the current might be wasteful,i may be better off using a tiny
pump or powerhead instead. so i went with the correct size pump for
the filter, which also recommended the titan, claims it can pump
solids and needs no prefilter and some other hype im hoping to all be
true.

also for a different setup i was forced into buying the only pump i
could find anywhere in worthy distance, a "garden treasure" fountain
pump 320 ghp at a terribly ran lowes so i have a bad feeling about
this pump and may replace is before it has the chance to break. so far
its doing great i put two layers of fish tank netting around the
intake.

thanks ill look into the pump you recommdeded but am still really
interested in trying a pond-mag next most likely. even 4 years is a
great run though, do you also agree that larger pumps last longer?

On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 06:04:19 GMT, "George"
> wrote:

>Flotec makes several continuous duty submersible pumps that can be used for
>your purposes. I have the 1/4 hp automatic utility pump (intellipump) that
>has a maximum capacity of 1790 gals/hr (if this is too strong for your
>purposes, you can always split the flow between water features, or install
>a reducing valve). I use it in a suction filtration system, where the
>water level in the main filter will sometimes drop due to pre-filter
>clogging. When the water level reaches within 3/16" of the pump intake,
>the pump turns off, and will cycle back on when the water level rebounds.
>This is a great feature for me because 1) I don't have to worry about
>running the pump dry and risk burning it up, and 2) the cycling lets me
>know when the pre-filter needs cleaning, and saves electricity and wear and
>tear on the pump. It's a great pump (abou $139), and is guaranteed for two
>years. I just got this one so I cannot tell you how long it will last. My
>last flotec pump was guaranteed for one year, and lasted nearly four years.
>I suspect this one will last longer because of the auto shut off feature,
>and more robust design.
>
>http://www.flotecpump.com/
>
>Good luck,
>George

[George]

<lurker> wrote in message
...
> im expecting my titan 550 to show up any day now, all their pumps
> claim a 3 year warrenty. i decided overkill for a filter to also make
> all the current might be wasteful,i may be better off using a tiny
> pump or powerhead instead. so i went with the correct size pump for
> the filter, which also recommended the titan, claims it can pump
> solids and needs no prefilter and some other hype im hoping to all be
> true.
>
> also for a different setup i was forced into buying the only pump i
> could find anywhere in worthy distance, a "garden treasure" fountain
> pump 320 ghp at a terribly ran lowes so i have a bad feeling about
> this pump and may replace is before it has the chance to break. so far
> its doing great i put two layers of fish tank netting around the
> intake.
>
> thanks ill look into the pump you recommdeded but am still really
> interested in trying a pond-mag next most likely. even 4 years is a
> great run though, do you also agree that larger pumps last longer?

I don't think that larger pumps necessarily last longer. I've got several
small pumps in my marine aqaurium that have been running continuously for
over ten years with no problems. It depends on what use you put to them.
If they regularly pump "grunge" or any kind of solids, you can expect them
not to last very long regardless of what the manufacturer may say. Having
said that, a pump which advertizes that it can pump solids (or a slurry)
usually are built sturdier, but I don't think it is necessarily the pump to
go after. If you need moderate to high flow volume, the larger pump is the
way to go. My garden pond pump pumps water from the "clean" side of the
filter, so there is no problem with waste or anythjing else getting lodged
in it. The biggest issue with my system is cavitation. But my new pump is
designed to shut off before it starts sucking air, so that shouldn't be a
problem for me.

>
> On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 06:04:19 GMT, "George"
> > wrote:
>
>>Flotec makes several continuous duty submersible pumps that can be used
>>for
>>your purposes. I have the 1/4 hp automatic utility pump (intellipump)
>>that
>>has a maximum capacity of 1790 gals/hr (if this is too strong for your
>>purposes, you can always split the flow between water features, or
>>install
>>a reducing valve). I use it in a suction filtration system, where the
>>water level in the main filter will sometimes drop due to pre-filter
>>clogging. When the water level reaches within 3/16" of the pump intake,
>>the pump turns off, and will cycle back on when the water level rebounds.
>>This is a great feature for me because 1) I don't have to worry about
>>running the pump dry and risk burning it up, and 2) the cycling lets me
>>know when the pre-filter needs cleaning, and saves electricity and wear
>>and
>>tear on the pump. It's a great pump (abou $139), and is guaranteed for
>>two
>>years. I just got this one so I cannot tell you how long it will last.
>>My
>>last flotec pump was guaranteed for one year, and lasted nearly four
>>years.
>>I suspect this one will last longer because of the auto shut off feature,
>>and more robust design.
>>
>>http://www.flotecpump.com/
>>
>>Good luck,
>>George
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