Water Feature
 

I am contemplating a water feature, probably a drilled slate
monolith about 600 mm high, surrounded by slate paddlestones.

This is clearly something that is best bought by seeing it in the
flesh, but finding suitable places, even some distance away, is
proving difficult.

There are only seem to be a few basic pool types: Finia 650 or
1000, or a circular tub with galvanised grid. I think the 1000
may be overkill, but the 650 might be too small.

It is hard to judge what water flow is needed, and running an
oversize pump severely throttled doesn't sound good or efficient
practice.

I have read that pumps should be removed in winter, yet some
people apparently leave them in situ. If the supply cable is
installed underground, how is the pump taken in for the winter?

Has anybody any useful comments?

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh.

Water Feature
 

Chris J Dixon
wibbled on Monday 19 April 2010 14:50

I am contemplating a water feature, probably a drilled slate
monolith about 600 mm high, surrounded by slate paddlestones.

This is clearly something that is best bought by seeing it in the
flesh, but finding suitable places, even some distance away, is
proving difficult.

There are only seem to be a few basic pool types: Finia 650 or
1000, or a circular tub with galvanised grid. I think the 1000
may be overkill, but the 650 might be too small.

It is hard to judge what water flow is needed, and running an
oversize pump severely throttled doesn't sound good or efficient
practice.

Option 1 - get a pump that is oversized but can be electronically throttled
down

Option 2 - experiment with a hose pipe until it looks right, then measure
the flow into a bucket, then buy pump - assuming the required flow is less
than about 15-20l/min (what you *might* max out a short garden hose at,
with reasonable water pressure).

I have read that pumps should be removed in winter, yet some
people apparently leave them in situ. If the supply cable is
installed underground, how is the pump taken in for the winter?

Ponds don't usually have this issue as the water won;t freeze right down to
the bottom for a decent depth pond. Taking the same logic, could you make a
small sump buried 2-3 feet down in the ground (depending where your frost
line is) and put a slab of insulation over the top?

Has anybody any useful comments?

Chris

--
Tim Watts

Managers, politicians and environmentalists: Nature's carbon buffer.

Water Feature
 

On Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:50:32 +0100, Chris J Dixon wrote:
I am contemplating a water feature, probably a drilled slate
monolith about 600 mm high, surrounded by slate paddlestones.

This is clearly something that is best bought by seeing it in the
flesh, but finding suitable places, even some distance away, is
proving difficult.

There are only seem to be a few basic pool types: Finia 650 or
1000, or a circular tub with galvanised grid. I think the 1000
may be overkill, but the 650 might be too small.

It is hard to judge what water flow is needed, and running an
oversize pump severely throttled doesn't sound good or efficient
practice.

I have read that pumps should be removed in winter, yet some
people apparently leave them in situ. If the supply cable is
installed underground, how is the pump taken in for the winter?

Has anybody any useful comments?

Chris

Yes, personally I wouldn't buy one online as you can't really get
an impression of scale. So far as pnd pumps go. I leave mine in the
pond all year. It's low enough that it *never* freezes - enen if
the surface of the pond does. I don't run it in the winter, tho'.
iOne thing to bear in mind is the amount of electricity a water feature
will use. If you're running it (or any other electrical appliance)
24 * 7 * 365 then reckon on using about £1's worth of electricity
for every Watt the device uses (n.b. not the Wattage it's rated at).
This could well end up costing yo more than the feature does.

Since this is a DIY group I should also mention that it's not impossible
to make your own water feature. You can find articles online about
drilling through a boulder to make the sort of thing it sounds like
you're after. So maybe doing the same to a slate block is possible, too?

Water Feature
 

"Chris J Dixon" wrote in message
...
I am contemplating a water feature, probably a drilled slate
monolith about 600 mm high, surrounded by slate paddlestones.

This is clearly something that is best bought by seeing it in the
flesh, but finding suitable places, even some distance away, is
proving difficult.

There are only seem to be a few basic pool types: Finia 650 or
1000, or a circular tub with galvanised grid. I think the 1000
may be overkill, but the 650 might be too small.

It is hard to judge what water flow is needed, and running an
oversize pump severely throttled doesn't sound good or efficient
practice.

I have read that pumps should be removed in winter, yet some
people apparently leave them in situ. If the supply cable is
installed underground, how is the pump taken in for the winter?

Has anybody any useful comments?

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh.

Yes I should think making one would be quite fun too - so long as you
weren't trying to drill through something like quartzite or granite without
a diamond core drill. Slates should be easy. Even some of those bricks
that already have holes in might be tastefully arranged with some ferns etc
in the holes not carrying the water. Presumably you just thread the pieces
on a pipe rather than making them watertight.

Is this to be part of a fish pond or just standing on its own?
I had to look after one that was a 'waterfall' into a fish pond for a while,
and even though it had an ultraviolet sterilizer light in the filter unit,
it still got blocked up every couple of days and cleaning the spongy filter
was a very smelly job. On the other hand, if it's just free standing and
pumping the same few litres round and round, there should be less goo, but
you presumably have to have some ball valve or other device to keep it
topped up.

In the fish pond case the supply was underground but ended in an outdoor
double socket concealed by more stones, and handy for the lawn mower too.
The motor and yucky hoses were just lifted out of the pond and unplugged.

S

Water Feature
 

spamlet wrote:

Is this to be part of a fish pond or just standing on its own?

Just a stand-alone feature.

I had to look after one that was a 'waterfall' into a fish pond for a while,
and even though it had an ultraviolet sterilizer light in the filter unit,
it still got blocked up every couple of days and cleaning the spongy filter
was a very smelly job. On the other hand, if it's just free standing and
pumping the same few litres round and round, there should be less goo, but
you presumably have to have some ball valve or other device to keep it
topped up.

I don't think it is too hard to use an additive that kills the
"goo". The idea is that there is not a lot of water loss, and you
simply top up the reservoir from time to time, which is another
reason not to skimp on its size.

In the fish pond case the supply was underground but ended in an outdoor
double socket concealed by more stones, and handy for the lawn mower too.
The motor and yucky hoses were just lifted out of the pond and unplugged.

I've already got outdoor sockets, but a patio to cross before
reaching the intended location.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh.

Water Feature
 

pete wrote:

One thing to bear in mind is the amount of electricity a water feature
will use. If you're running it (or any other electrical appliance)
24 * 7 * 365 then reckon on using about £1's worth of electricity
for every Watt the device uses (n.b. not the Wattage it's rated at).
This could well end up costing yo more than the feature does.

I don't think the pump will be running when I'm not nearby to
appreciate it, so that should give me quite a few years before
I've spent the equivalent of the capital expenditure.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh.

Water Feature
 

Chris J Dixon
wibbled on Tuesday 20 April 2010 10:04

spamlet wrote:

Is this to be part of a fish pond or just standing on its own?

Just a stand-alone feature.

I had to look after one that was a 'waterfall' into a fish pond for a
while, and even though it had an ultraviolet sterilizer light in the
filter unit, it still got blocked up every couple of days and cleaning the
spongy filter
was a very smelly job. On the other hand, if it's just free standing and
pumping the same few litres round and round, there should be less goo, but
you presumably have to have some ball valve or other device to keep it
topped up.

I don't think it is too hard to use an additive that kills the
"goo".

If there's no wildlife like fish involved, a drop of bleach from would do
wonders, or some of whatever they use in swimming pools.

I've already got outdoor sockets, but a patio to cross before
reaching the intended location.

Is there a continuous wall along the edge that you could clip a suitable
cable to?

--
Tim Watts

Managers, politicians and environmentalists: Nature's carbon buffer.

Water Feature
 

Tim Watts wrote:

Chris J Dixon

I've already got outdoor sockets, but a patio to cross before
reaching the intended location.

Is there a continuous wall along the edge that you could clip a suitable
cable to?

No. I was planning to inch some of the paving stones sideways, to
create one a wider gap into which I can drop and bury a protected
cable. This would be fine if it was there to stay, but a bit of a
bind if it has to be regularly disturbed.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh.

Water Feature
 

On 19 Apr, 14:50, Chris J Dixon wrote:
I am contemplating a water feature, probably a drilled slate
monolith about 600 mm high, surrounded by slate paddlestones.


Seen a nice one in a garden centre, spiral of old roofing slates
drilled and threaded on to a stainless pipe, slate is a nice texture
wet.

This is clearly something that is best bought by seeing it in the
flesh, but finding suitable places, even some distance away, is
proving difficult.

There are only seem to be a few basic pool types: Finia 650 or
1000, or a circular tub with galvanised grid. I think the 1000
may be overkill, but the 650 might be too small.

It is hard to judge what water flow is needed, and running an
oversize pump severely throttled doesn't sound good or efficient
practice.

Its worthy of experimentation, part of a water feature is its sound,
which can take some experimentation, the copper leafed free standing
features make a great sound, a small waterfall into a plastic
container sounds like a slow flowing sewage outlet.

Personally have slate waterfall for looks and small fountain for the
sound, fountain gives the pleasant tinkle like a flowing stream thats
difficult to replicate with a small waterfall.


I have read that pumps should be removed in winter, yet some
people apparently leave them in situ. If the supply cable is
installed underground, how is the pump taken in for the winter?

As long as pump is below ice level in reservoir should be fine,
sitting water freezing in exposed pipework more of a hazard.

Got to account for evaporation and how much water is in the system
when actually running, dont want to empty reservoir as soon as thing
starts up.

Small children are fascinated by such things, depending on view either
ensure security or put shiny objects at bottom of deepest end ;-)

Cheers
Adam





Has anybody any useful comments?

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon *Nottingham UK


Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh.

Water Feature
 

On 20/04/2010 14:30, Adam Aglionby wrote:
On 19 Apr, 14:50, Chris J wrote:
I am contemplating a water feature, probably a drilled slate
monolith about 600 mm high, surrounded by slate paddlestones.


Seen a nice one in a garden centre, spiral of old roofing slates
drilled and threaded on to a stainless pipe, slate is a nice texture
wet.

This is clearly something that is best bought by seeing it in the
flesh, but finding suitable places, even some distance away, is
proving difficult.

There are only seem to be a few basic pool types: Finia 650 or
1000, or a circular tub with galvanised grid. I think the 1000
may be overkill, but the 650 might be too small.

It is hard to judge what water flow is needed, and running an
oversize pump severely throttled doesn't sound good or efficient
practice.

Its worthy of experimentation, part of a water feature is its sound,
which can take some experimentation, the copper leafed free standing
features make a great sound, a small waterfall into a plastic
container sounds like a slow flowing sewage outlet.

Personally have slate waterfall for looks and small fountain for the
sound, fountain gives the pleasant tinkle like a flowing stream thats
difficult to replicate with a small waterfall.


I have read that pumps should be removed in winter, yet some
people apparently leave them in situ. If the supply cable is
installed underground, how is the pump taken in for the winter?

As long as pump is below ice level in reservoir should be fine,
sitting water freezing in exposed pipework more of a hazard.

Got to account for evaporation and how much water is in the system
when actually running, dont want to empty reservoir as soon as thing
starts up.

Small children are fascinated by such things, depending on view either
ensure security or put shiny objects at bottom of deepest end ;-)


Talking of water features does anyone know where to get hold of the jets
for fountains?

When I get around to laying the patio I want to put a sump under some of
the slabs and a series of jets sticking through holes in the slabs. A
bit like a smaller version of the one in the courtyard of Somerset House
if anyone knows that. I am sure that there are others around the country
as well.

Ideally I also want some kind of electrically controlled valve so that I
can turn some jets on to a higher power when someone triggers a nearby
PIR sensor.

Andrew

Water Feature
 

On 20 Apr, 14:38, Andrew May wrote:
On 20/04/2010 14:30, Adam Aglionby wrote:


Talking of water features does anyone know where to get hold of the jets
for fountains?

Your local tropical fish / aquarium shop usually sells fountain parts,
or probably any decent sized garden centre.