Pumpless Pond

Hi Everyone,

I've recently moved into a property with a garden from hell. The 4 sq metres which I've done uncovered the likes of taps, babies dummies, bottles and more! Anyway, it's good to be in the sun with mama anture again!

Anyway, I was wondering about putting a water feature in the middle of this garden, it's about 40 sq metres and i was hoping to put something in about: width/length: 2 x 2m and depth +/- 0.5 m. The problem I face is that there are no electrical points anywhere near the garden as it is an old victorian house broken up into 4 separate flats.

Has anyone got some resources, tips or tricks about how to start on a pond which has no pump? I've seen "solar pumps" but are these reliable as the UK isn't exactly good for sunlight haha.

Iv'e never built anything like this before so any help would be great (and will result in a huge hug from me!)

Hugs

Adrian

 

you could use a 12 volt pump of a car battery

 

I'd rather not have a lump of a car battery kicking about in my garden :-) Good idea though!

I've been nosing around these 3 and 5 volt solar pumps, are they any good for a simple water feature?

 

for your size of water feature possibly ok you may need two or three solar powered ones at a rough guess

 

If you google Solar Lily Pad, you will find what I have. Actually 2 of them. I have placed them one each in two large pots. Both pots are in a semi shaded sunny area, with trees around etc. As the sun moves over head the Fountains work for me beginning at 10AM to about 3PM. If its a cloudy day a little less. They come with different nozzles which offer choice of height and noise. I love them, and find they have lasted me about 2 years. The pots have to be drained about 3 to 4 times during the summer to refill with fresh water due to natural green stuff.




Above is what I have gotten years ago.

 

That sounds interesting red. Are they enough to diffuse the water so algae doesnt build up in a hurry?

 

You could always opt to build a natural pond, one that does not require a pump.

Algae is natural, all a fountain can do is move it away from the jet, but most solar pumps are too feeble to be able to do this, and as you said, your area gets little or no sun.

The bigger the solar panel the bigger the pump you can have and less sun it will need (If its a smal pump with a big panel) The problem is the cost, example another example

Even if you had an electrcian do it for you, I think he would be cheaper.

I think you will be better off with a natural pond.

 

Hi Watergarden,

I wasn't too bothered about the actual flowinf of water. i was more concerned about stagnant water and that.

Can you point me in the direction of natural pond sites and that? i'd like to read up and get a few ideas

Hugs

Adrian

 

Hi Adrian, I just googled and came up with these "natural" ponds are built the same as other ponds , its what you put in it thats the differance.
and make sure it has a slope. good luck

 

Just moving water isn't going to stop algae. If this is your main concern there are chemicals and other treatments that can help. Planting plants may help to reduce algae as they compete for the nutrients that algae requires.

The best and safest method of stopping algae is running water through an ultra violet clarifier (UVC) but this will obviously require electricity.

 

I have to agree with the natural pond over a long period.
I went down the pumped fountain / weaterful many years ago and to be honest I could not keep up with the work required to keep it clear.

Now Its all natures way. It has not been cleaned for years. It has a nice healthy sludge in the bottom and the three fish and frogs love it.
Ok. I have to skim off the duckweed now and again and top it up with fresh as it has a slight leak and the level drops to a level slighly lower then the best.
It has some well established plants at the shallow end which give me a great display and is so peaceful to sit by.
I was reading the other day.... two types of pond...For natural to attract friendy beasties to your garden, go natural and let nature balance your pond....no fish this way as they contaminate the water.
or
if you think you need fish go for the full pumped / filtered clean look.
I know what I prefer..

 

I should add to the above that the size is about 6 foot x 4 and about 2 foot at its deepest and I also have a parcel of barlay straw in there to help reduce algae..this is replaced once a year.