A Fishkeeping forum. FishKeepingBanter.com

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » FishKeepingBanter.com forum » ponds » General
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

waterfall on timer - okay to do?



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old August 20th 04, 09:48 PM
Larry
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default waterfall on timer - okay to do?

My waterfall feeds into a 90 gal. tank/pond. So far I have it going
off at 12am and on a 7am. Am I prolonging the life of the pump(I'm
sure it's a small one and not overly expensive) or is this just a myth
and should I just let it rip 24/7?

Any thoughts?

All the best,

Larry
Southern Ontario


  #2  
Old August 20th 04, 10:13 PM
Ka30P
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


Larry wrote Am I prolonging the life of the pump(I'm
sure it's a small one and not overly expensive) or is this just a myth
and should I just let it rip 24/7?

Not sure about the life of the pump, one of the technical genies will have to
answer that.
But as for leaving it on 24/7 - all depends on if you have fish in the pond and
if the pump is running a filter.

The benefical bacteria in the filter need the running water to stay alive. If
the pump is turned off eventually they start to die, especially in the hot
summer months.

Running water also helps keep oxygen in the water. At night the plants in the
pond stop producing oxygen and start using it up. Fish can run into trouble in
a heavily planted pond, or a small pond. Running water ensures that they get
the oxygen they need. Interestingly you can see this happen if you observe a
pond in trouble just before dawn. The fish will be gasping at the surface. Sun
comes up and they go back below the water.





kathy :-)
algae primer
http://hometown.aol.com/ka30p/myhomepage/garden.html
  #3  
Old August 20th 04, 10:34 PM
Crashj
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Fri, 20 Aug 2004 16:48:04 -0400, Larry wrote:

My waterfall feeds into a 90 gal. tank/pond. So far I have it going
off at 12am and on a 7am. Am I prolonging the life of the pump(I'm
sure it's a small one and not overly expensive) or is this just a myth
and should I just let it rip 24/7?

Any thoughts?


TITAS.
Oh, wait, you mean about the pump cycling?
Probably the only significant effect you will have is to save a little
power.
--
Crashj
BTW, I am trying forte agent newsreader. Can anyone see this post?
  #4  
Old August 20th 04, 11:18 PM
Ka30P
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Crashj wrote
BTW, I am trying forte agent newsreader. Can anyone see this post?

I see you, Crash.





kathy :-)
algae primer
http://hometown.aol.com/ka30p/myhomepage/garden.html
  #5  
Old August 20th 04, 11:20 PM
Roy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Considering all the points about why you should let the pump run, it
is common practice in industry and commercial business to let motors
run 24/7 even though they may burn a bit more power as a motor is more
prone to kicking the bucket at startup than when its actually running.
It takes a surge of power to overcome the pumps resitnece and its at
this time the amerage is highest, and also when a motor is most prone
to smoking. Small as a water gardens pump is it still has design
limitations and is just as prone to start up failure as it is to
failing any other time the same as any other motor is. Ever notice
when you may have turned off a light. The the next time you turn it on
and it blows the bulb almost imediately....it was the initial surge of
power that took the bulb out, and odds are if it was left on 24/7 it
would still be burning. Ever see light bulb average life shown on
packages..Light bulbs are no different than a motor, in regards to
utilizing the element for resistence or (windings in the pump motor
does the same thing in a different manner) and the life expectency is
say 2000 hours.........if you did some checking on how they determine
that its with a bulb turned on and never turned off, and timed until
it eventually fails. If it was cycled on and off it won't even last
half that amount of hours.

Leave the pump on 24/7 it don;t consume that much power and your ot
gaining anything out of it, buy putting it on a timer.
Visit my website: http://www.frugalmachinist.com
Opinions expressed are those of my wife,
I had no input whatsoever.
Remove "nospam" from email addy.
  #6  
Old August 21st 04, 03:08 AM
Bill Stock
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Larry" wrote in message
...
My waterfall feeds into a 90 gal. tank/pond. So far I have it going
off at 12am and on a 7am. Am I prolonging the life of the pump(I'm
sure it's a small one and not overly expensive) or is this just a myth
and should I just let it rip 24/7?

Any thoughts?

All the best,

Larry
Southern Ontario


Your fish need to breathe 24/7. So leave it on, assuming you don't have any
other aeration.

Although I find mine kind of annoying at night with the windows open. It
gets really bad if I let the pond level drop an inch or two. I'm surprised
one of the neighbours hasn't shot me yet.



  #8  
Old August 21st 04, 02:56 PM
Larry
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default



Although I find mine kind of annoying at night with the windows open. It
gets really bad if I let the pond level drop an inch or two. I'm surprised
one of the neighbours hasn't shot me yet.



Hi Bill,

Some of your neighbors probably find it relaxing.
Just like camping.

All the best,

Larry
Southern Ontario



  #9  
Old August 21st 04, 04:53 PM
W Dale
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I LOVE to hear my waterfalls at night! When winter sets in and the
windows are closed, it takes me a few night to adjust to not having that
wonderful sound putting me to sleep!

Larry wrote:

Although I find mine kind of annoying at night with the windows open. It
gets really bad if I let the pond level drop an inch or two. I'm surprised
one of the neighbours hasn't shot me yet.





Hi Bill,

Some of your neighbors probably find it relaxing.
Just like camping.

All the best,

Larry
Southern Ontario






 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
@#!$%& Leaking Waterfall William Share General 3 July 17th 04 01:44 AM
City pond, meandering waterfall; a few questions... Rob General 5 June 27th 04 05:08 PM
Electric timer? GoldLexus General 8 May 18th 04 11:39 PM
Increase Waterfall Flow? How about Pondmaster Waterfall Pumps? Runner General 4 December 6th 03 02:45 AM
Anyone know of a light controller with a built-in timer ? Alan Silver General 2 October 1st 03 04:15 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:45 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2025 FishKeepingBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.