How do you maintain a pondless waterfall?
- Do the initial maintenance. If your pondless waterfall has been installed by the experts, you can skip this step. If...
- Take care of debris. Leaves, twigs, and other debris can find its way into your waterfall or the rocks around it. You...
- Use beneficial bacteria. Although a pondless waterfall doesn’t contain any plants or fish,...
- Perform Initial Maintenance. After installing your pondless waterfall, check the structures. ...
- Remove Debris. Many water feature companies use rocks of varied shapes and sizes to build pondless waterfalls. ...
- Keep Algae in Check. ...
- Protect Your Waterfall from Evaporation.
Do pondless waterfalls need maintenance?
Pondless waterfalls require less maintenance than waterfalls in regular ponds, but issues with algae, water loss and general operation can arise if you don't carry out some regular maintenance. Water loss in your pondless waterfall may occur soon after you install it because of the natural settling of the rocks.
How do I Keep my pondless waterfall from getting algae?
Debris. Remove debris regularly because leaving it can promote the growth of algae. Debris can also clog the pondless waterfall pump, which prevents fresh water from recirculating. Clear a pondless waterfall of debris at least once a week, and more often if leaves are falling or it has been windy.
How does a pondless waterfall work?
The water flows down beneath the rocks to a pump, which carries it to the waterfall where it flows back down to the rocks. Pondless waterfalls require less maintenance than waterfalls in regular ponds, but issues with algae, water loss and general operation can arise if you don't carry out some regular maintenance.
Why is my pondless waterfall losing water?
Water loss in your pondless waterfall may occur soon after you install it because of the natural settling of the rocks. The sides are usually built up during construction, but after a few rainfalls, these typically settle and water may flow over the edge where it cannot be recycled back into the waterfall.
How do I keep my pondless waterfall water clean?
Rock a Clean Feature - As with ponds, rocks and other surfaces in your pondless waterfall will likely become a home for string algae and other debris buildups. Using AlgaeOff or Oxy-Lift Defense is an effective way to clean up your feature.
How much maintenance is a pondless waterfall?
Pondless Water Feature Maintenance While a regular fish pond requires at least 10 minutes of maintenance per week, pondless water features require approximately one hour per year. This involves cleaning out the Biofalls once a year, and on occasion, removing leaves from the basin.
How often do I need to refill my pondless waterfall?
A pondless waterfall typically requires weekly replenishment, but may require more frequent refills in hot weather. The smaller the reservoir, the more often it will need to be checked and refilled to avoid ruining the pump by allowing it to run dry.
How do I keep my backyard waterfall clean?
To clean the water feature, drain the water into the surrounding landscape. Then use a garden hose to rinse the rocks and gravel. Start at the top and work your way down to the bottom. Periodically turn the clean-out pump on to remove the dirty water.
Why does my pondless waterfall smell?
Algae, and lots of it! Debris decaying down inside the rock of a conventional pondless waterfall basin smells terrible and grows algae like crazy! Algae grows on waterfall rocks, rocks and gravel, and the basin rock itself.
Does a pondless waterfall need a filter?
Does a pondless waterfall need a filter? It doesn't. Unlike backyard ponds, pondless waterfalls don't contain fish or plants, and therefore don't need the same biological filtration systems that a fish pond requires to stay clean.
How do you clean rocks on a waterfall?
Dampen a scrub brush with warm water and a few drops of dish detergent. Scrub the rocks and other components of the waterfall with the brush to remove as much residue and calcium buildup as possible.
How often do you need to top up a water feature?
The water may need topping up around once a week, depending on the weather, to keep it fully functional. If you keep fish in your pond or feature, add water to it from a mains supply, but do so in smaller amounts and more regularly.
How do backyard waterfalls work?
It involves using rock, which many homeowners have right in their own backyard (or can find readily elsewhere). Once these two structures are in place, you'll use a pump in the pond to keep water recirculating from the pond to the top of your waterfall, whence it can plunge back down to the pond.
How do you maintain a waterfall feature?
Here are some tips to maintain a pondless waterfall.Perform Initial Maintenance. After installing your pondless waterfall, check the structures. ... Remove Debris. Many water feature companies use rocks of varied shapes and sizes to build pondless waterfalls. ... Keep Algae in Check. ... Protect Your Waterfall from Evaporation.
Can I put bleach in my water feature?
Algae can damage the fountain surface and can clog the pump causing it to overheat and burn out. Never use chlorine or bleach as an algaecide or cleaner. Chlorine can damage your pump and fountain surfaces.
What can I put in my water fountain to keep the water clean?
Fountain pumps aren't designed to work with concentrated levels of chlorine, but if an algae bloom won't die down, add 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach for every 5 gallons of water, and run the pump overnight so it circulates long enough to disinfect the entire system.
How do you maintain a waterfall feature?
Here are some tips to maintain a pondless waterfall.Perform Initial Maintenance. After installing your pondless waterfall, check the structures. ... Remove Debris. Many water feature companies use rocks of varied shapes and sizes to build pondless waterfalls. ... Keep Algae in Check. ... Protect Your Waterfall from Evaporation.
How do you clean a Pondless fountain?
0:287:40How To Clean Out A Pondless Waterfall | The Easy Way - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat we like to do because that water is relatively clear is we drop our clean out pump. In we rinseMoreWhat we like to do because that water is relatively clear is we drop our clean out pump. In we rinse it down once we rinse down any sediment that's in between the gravel.
How do you clean algae off a waterfall rock?
Peroxide based products like Algae-Off, Green Clean, etc tend to be one of the better ways to control this type of algae. Liquid "food grade" hydrogen peroxide can also be used and sprayed directly on the algae to damage and kill it.
How do you clean rocks on a waterfall?
Dampen a scrub brush with warm water and a few drops of dish detergent. Scrub the rocks and other components of the waterfall with the brush to remove as much residue and calcium buildup as possible.
How to remove debris from pondless waterfall?
Removing debris from your pondless waterfall is very easy to do. You can remove debris by hand or turn it off and blow the leaf debris out of the water course. Clear debris weekly or every time the reservoir is replenished. Pay careful attention to debris build on top of the reservoir.
How does a pondless waterfall work?
A pondless waterfall is a recirculating waterfall. It works by pumping water contained in an in-ground reservoir to the top of a rock formation. There are more benefits of pondless waterfalls than many people realize. Pondless waterfalls are easier to maintain and install than traditional ponds. They are also safer as they do not pose ...
Is it safe to build a pondless waterfall?
They are also safer as they do not pose a drowning hazard. A pondless waterfall will make a beautiful addition to any landscape. You cannot build your pondless waterfall and forget it. It is important for you to take care of it.
What to do if water feature is out of whack?
If your water feature is completely out of whack, you may need to do a partial, or complete water change. This will hit the “reset button”. Eliminating the unused nutrients in the water that are causing string algae growth or discolored water.
How to get rid of string algae?
If you want to get rid of string algae, one simple inexpensive trick is to use hydrogen peroxide. The same stuff you find in the local drug store or supermarket. Either add it to your water, or turn off your waterfall and pour it on the algae directly.
Why is my water fountain white?
If you start to notice white flaky build up on your fountain, it could be due to hard water. The same thing happens in your shower. Use Easy care for fountains (link to Amazon) to get rid of those ugly stains and keep everything in peak performance.
Can you leave a pump running year round?
When the seasons change, it’s a great time for some preventative maintenance. If you live in a climate with mild winters, you could leave your feature running year round. Your pump was designed for continuous use, so you may as well take advantage and enjoy it.
Do pond pumps burn out?
Your pump will burn out if it runs without water passing through it.
Can you winterize a water pump?
Be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for winterizing your pump. When you disconnect your pump for the season, be sure to disconnect your check valve if you have one. This way the water can drain from your return line. If your lines aren’t drained they could freeze, and crack.
What is the best way to maintain a pondless waterfall?
Algae. Where there is moisture, sunlight and organic material, algae is typically present. Pondless waterfall maintenance should include controlling and preventing algae. Algae need nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, and sunlight to form. These nutrients typically enter a pondless waterfall in the form of decaying leaves ...
How does a pondless waterfall work?
Pondless waterfalls typically use a small hole filled with rocks, gravel and water. The water flows down beneath the rocks to a pump, which carries it to the waterfall where it flows back down to the rocks.
Why does water lose in pondless waterfalls?
Settling. Water loss in your pondless waterfall may occur soon after you install it because of the natural settling of the rocks. The sides are usually built up during construction, but after a few rainfalls, these typically settle and water may flow over the edge where it cannot be recycled back into the waterfall.
How to remove algae from rocks?
Physical removal of algae is time-consuming, because it is hard to pick it up by hand. Use a stiff brush to scrape the algae from the rocks . You can also use algaecides to clean the water and the rocks, but even with algaecides, you'll still need to remove debris to prevent algae taking hold again.
How to stop water from spilling out of waterfall?
1. Check the connection from the tubing to the waterfall filter or spillway. A poorly fitting connection or one that has worked loose could be spraying out water behind your waterfall. 2. Check the spillway itself and make sure water is not spilling out and going back behind the unit or under the pond liner. 3.
How to control splashing in waterfall?
Splashing can be controlled by adjusting the rocks or gravel at the base of the waterfall. AFTER the waterfall feature is built, there is not much you can do to avoid sunlight or wind but you can make sure your waterfall is equipped with an automatic water fill valve. This inexpensive little item is attached inside the water basin and uses a float switch to automatically add water to your waterfall through a small hose whenever the level falls to low.
What is the name of the plant that grows in a waterfall?
Algae is the one basic celled plant that most pond and waterfall owners would just as soon do without. Most often the algae you find on waterfalls is known as string algae and if you have it you will understand the name. Long stringy fingers on this algae can grow up to 2 foot in length.
Why is my waterfall not hooked to a fish pond?
The nutrients combined by energy from the sun allow algae to develop and thrive. The nutrients in the water typically come from fish waste and the ammonia and Nitrates they produce. If your waterfall is not hooked to a fish pond system then the algae has developed from decaying plant matter that has found its way into your waterfall system.
What happens if water in waterfall is turned off?
If the water in your basin has lowered while the waterfall is turned off then you very likely have a leak in your basin. I would allow the water to continue to leak out until it stops. The water level will drop only to the point of the leak and then stop.
What is a waterfall cleaning supply?
Waterfall cleaning supplies for maintaining a clean and clear backyard Pondless Waterfall. String algae can completely overwhelm an otherwise beautiful waterfall. Few things in life are as soothing as the sound of running water. The calming effects of falling water have been enjoyed by mankind for thousands of years.
How much water does a waterfall lose in a day?
1. Is your waterfall facing the full afternoon sun? Evaporation may cause the loss of several gallons or several hundred gallons of water each day depending upon the size of your waterfall. Evaporation is extremely high in sunny dry climates, but affects almost all regions.
What is the ultimate pondless waterfall?
The ULTIMATE Pondless Waterfall is the only completely filtered pondless waterfall system. The ULTIMATE Pondless Waterfall is both pre-filtered, and biologically filtered. The system also utilizes a tank for the water storage instead of the impossible to clean gravel basins that other systems feature.
Why do you put underlayment on waterfall steps?
The underlayment is to protect the rubber liner from the ground. Before laying the underlayment over your waterfall stair steps - make sure that the stairs and shoulders are firmly compacted. A common mistake that people make is that they do not make shoulders on the sides of the waterfall stair steps.
What is hydroflush backwash?
The HydroFlush Self-Cleaning Backwash System consists of a 3-way valve with valve box, pipe, a bulkhead fitting, and backwash froth jet. Here is how to install it:
How to remove plastic nut from float valve?
Remove the rubber gasket. Thread the plastic nut back onto the threads of the float valve with the flat section pointing outward. Install the rubber gasket onto the threads of the float valve outside the plastic nut.
How to attach a drain valve?
Time to attach the drain pipe shut-off lever valve. Using the PVC primer, clean the end of the drain pipe, and the inside of one end of the lever valve. When dry, apply glue to the pipe only - then insert into the valve. Hold for 30 seconds.
How to turn on water pump?
Turn on you water source, fill the pump chamber to capacity then turn on your pump.
What to do if water runs out of a wrinkle?
If water is running out a wrinkle - pull out the wrinkle or lift the liner and pack soil under the liner so the wrinkle will be above the water line
