Page 19 - AFD Pond Owners Handbook
P. 19
Pump Electrical Set-up
TOP 10 METHODS TO and Maintenance
BALANCE YOUR ECOSYSTEM Electrical
Please read the following guidelines
Aquascape Beneficial Bacteria: Cover the water surface of the pond for proper pump installation and
1 performance. Failure to follow these
Contains bacteria and enzymes that by planting water lilies. Lily pads
are specifically blended to be float on the top of the pond, guidelines may void the pump’s
effective at reducing sludge, shading the water. liability warranty.
uneaten fish food, fish waste, and It is required that a ground fault
excess nutrients that cause poor 5 Physical Removal: Physically remove circuit interrupter (GFCI) be
water quality and clarity. Blended clumps of string algae if it begins to installed for the water feature by
and tested to produce maximum overtake the pond. Pull or cut away a qualified electrician.
results in ornamental ponds. the algae where it is attached. Think It is recommended that a
of it as “weeding the pond.” dedicated outlet be provided for
™
™
2 Aquascape EcoBlast : EcoBlast the water feature.
is Aquascape’s #1 treatment for 6 Koi: Adding koi over 10 inches in Please have the electrician refer to
breaking down debris. It is length will greatly reduce string the pump’s electrical specifications
fast-acting and works on contact. algae. The koi, if not overfed, will for the proper electrical operating
It is not temperature sensitive graze on the string algae in the range of the pump. The pump
and can be used during cold pond. Only feed the fish what they will need to be run within these
temperatures. Safe for fish. can consume within a few minutes. electrical parameters to ensure
Fish food that is not eaten by fish proper pump performance and
Aquascape S.A.B. : This is formulated will decompose in the pond and best possible lifespan.
™
3 to help reduce pond maintenance and increase nutrient levels. Electrical testing should also voltage and amperage supplying
promote the growth of beneficial be completed under full load at the pump may be affected, causing
bacteria and enzymes. S.A.B. 7 Fix Leaks: Tap water can have the outlet. Make sure all other performance problems with the
™
will assist in the breakdown and an abundance of nutrients in it. electrical devices that will be pump, and possibly reducing the
reduction of debris in the stream, Continually adding large quantities in used in and around the water pump’s lifespan.
waterfalls, and pond. of tap water to compensate for a feature are plugged in and in
leak can actually promote algae operation during full load testing Maintenance
your fish, you may need to use a UV 4 Plants: Since plants directly growth. Fix leaks when they are phase. The pump should still fall Proper maintenance of the water
filter in order to clear up your water. compete with algae for nutrients discovered. within the minimum and maximum feature will also ensure the best
A UV sterilizer kills a lot of things and sunlight, they are probably the voltage and ideal amperage range p e l b i s s o s e f i l p a n f o h t e p u m . p
– parasites, beneficial bacteria, most important addition to your 8 Control Run-Off: Never use lawn during full load testing. Please make sure to consider
insects, and most other microscopic pond. Add a wide variety of plants fertilizer or insecticides on trees Hardwiring the pumps is the following:
organisms living in the water. to your pond. This not only creates around your pond or on areas of not recommended due to Do not allow the filters to become
However, the UV filter is totally a natural look, but also will help your property that will drain toward complications caused when e g g o l c d h t i w d e a s i r b n e s d i d m e . t n Winter Care
ineffective when it comes to string reduce the algae in different your pond. Lawn fertilizer and servicing or replacing the pump. Conduct regular cleaning and If you shut your pond down during
algae and may even inadvertently areas of your pond. insecticides will cause large algae Please have the qualified seasonal maintenance according the winter season we recommend
promote an increasingly larger string blooms, as well as severely threaten electrician contact the water to your owner’s manual. removing the pump from the filter
algae bloom. Place water hyacinth and water lettuce the aquatic life inside your pond. feature installer or place of Keep water flowing freely to the and storing in a bucket of water in
in your BIOFALLS Filter. These floating purchase with any questions pump by routinely cleaning the a frost free location. The water will
®
plants reproduce rapidly, using up Remove Debris: Keep your pond free
The Natural Way 9 of debris. Don’t let the skimmer related to the pumps electrical skimmer debris net and filter help maintain the life of the seals
Mother Nature’s prescription for enormous amounts of nutrients. A stick debris net overfill with leaves. requirements. Improperly installed mat. Be sure to maintain proper on the pump while in storage. Please
algae control is simple – make sure placed across the front of the Decaying debris in the skimmer will and/or faulty electrical causing the w h t n i l e v e l r e t a e w . e r u t a e f r e t a note that the pump, depending on
®
you have a balanced ecosystem! BIOFALLS Filter will prevent the plants contribute to unwanted nutrients. pump to fail will void the pump’s Avoid allowing the pump to run how long it has been out of operation
Many pond problems are symptoms from flowing over the front of the 2 year limited liability warranty. dry or operate in low water level over the winter may need to be “kick-
of imbalances. There are several waterfalls and into the pond. Have Patience: It takes time for situations. started.” To test, plug the pump into
products that can help keep your Plenty of bog and marginal plants 10 the bacteria to establish itself and Extension Cord Inspect and remove large debris, the electrical outlet prior to installing
the pump back in the skimmer and
such as mulch, sticks, small
pond in balance, in case it needs a
Extension cords should only be
Maintenance little boost. We like to refer to them such as cattails and iris take up large benefit to your pond. In general, a used to test the pump in the new pebbles, etc from the bottom of visually inspect if the pump’s impeller Maintenance
colonize to the point of being a
should be added to the pond. Plants
is spinning. If the pump’s impeller does
as complements to Mother Nature.
water feature.
the Skimmer, Snorkel Vault, or
™
new pond can take anywhere from
quantities of nutrients. They are hardy
Using an extension cord, especially
not start spinning on its own unplug
sump basin in order to prevent the
two to six weeks for the bacteria
and will be back each spring to help
one over 25 feet long, may cause
population to reach this point.
you balance your pond.
similar device to assist the impeller.
irregular power to the pump. The pump from becoming clogged and the pump and use a screw driver or
possibly damaged.
18 The Pond Owner’s Handbook www.afdpondsnj.com www.afdpondsnj.com The Pond Owner’s Handbook 19