Solar powered pond pumps anything fancy

Discussion in 'Water Gardening' started by CraigET, Oct 15, 2018.

  1. CraigET

    CraigET Gardener

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    is there anybody out there with knowledge of solar panel pond pumps or aerators?

    The pond I have been working on is now full of water and is in desperate need of air.

    I’ve thrown in god knows how many oxygenators but it’s turning green,

    The pond is 30m x 20m (ish) and is clay lined, it’s planted along the outside with various oxygenators.

    My client is keen to put fish in which will help but it’s in an exposed area with some shade.

    The pond is going to be for wildlife so we don’t want fountains particularly but can take off attachments should we need to.

    Even if we need to put 3 large ones in it wouldn’t matter,

    Any help would be appreciated

    Thanks in advance
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I think the green water is something you are going to have to live with for a while.
    New ponds always go through that stage unless you use artificial means to clear the water.
    It has to find a balance of plant growth, fish will probably add to the problem at this stage.

    It's too late in the season to expect much growth from the oxygenator plants.

    Cant really see as a pump or aerator will actually do much about the green water, green water is due to algae growing on nutrient in the water, add fish and you add even more nutrient going into the water.
    It may tend to clear as darker days come along, but will probably green up again next year, until a balance between plant and water content happens.
     
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    • CraigET

      CraigET Gardener

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      Thanks @pete. :dbgrtmb:
       
    • Mike Allen

      Mike Allen Total Gardener

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      There are ponds and ponds! You may have a very large pond , large enough to lazily drift upon. Then perhaps your pond is a fibreglass moulded one measuring say six feet by four feet and a maximum depth of two feet six inches.

      Now, solar panel pond pumps. Yes. I have a small fibreglass pond. I bought a solar panel type unit. It had an adjustable fountain, underwater lighting etc. It worked well until my local foxy took an interest. We actually watched him/her. The changing lights were the attraction, then the fountain. Giving up the nature watch and going to bed. Next day. No fountain. Foxy had chomped off the tube. In general the write-ups have little to recommend solar units. Water filtration is another subject.
       
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        Last edited: Nov 1, 2018
      • CraigET

        CraigET Gardener

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        I think after looking on line and the fact I can’t find anything large enough or sufficient enough I’ll try and make a trickle cell charged device with a car battery and solar panel. I might be able to hide pipes by drilling into a rock perhaps. I’ll let you know how it goes
         
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        • Redwing

          Redwing Wild Gardener

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          Missed this @CraigET as I’ve been away. I can’t help with the pump. Our pond, which is just over a year old, went green to begin with but by spring it had cleared. I think our rainwater capture system helps so you are probably right to be thinking of more aeration. I agree with @pete , don’t think fish would help but probably snails would.
           
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          • clanless

            clanless Total Gardener

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            Algae is a pain :rolleyespink: - it needs food and light - reduce either or better both and the green water will clear.

            I've a relatively modest sized pond and have a mains powered fountain/filtration system - the water remains green because the pond is in direct sunlight and I don't have any light blocking aquatic plants - such as water lillies - which I can't grow because of the fountain moving the water surface - catch 22. So a solar powered pump/filter is unlikely to have much impact on a large pond.

            Any aquatic plants will eat up the food - those which also block out some of the surface light will be better at controlling algae - so this is the way to go :blue thumb:.
             
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            • CraigET

              CraigET Gardener

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              Thanks guys, it’s getting better that’s for sure! Rain water definitely helps, it is in quite an exposed position and obviously the majority of plants are young and or cut back for winter. It’ll be a case of wait and see and put a lot more plants in for the surface of the water. It’s getting turfed this week so I’ll pop some pics up of it I’m a day or so!
               
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