It may sound daft but
the most important thing with pumps is to decide at the start
what you want it to do.
It’s the first thing we ask, do you want it to run
1….a fountain
2….fountain and waterfall,
3….waterfall and filter unit
4….Just a filter unit
Bear in mind most manufactures quote max outputs at ground level
on their units (which means down bank with the wind behind them)
so don't expect a 2000ltr pump to deliver 2000ltrs 3ft or a mtr
up in the air it wont do it. If you follow the tips below most
customers can work out the right size for their pool and if in
doubt go one size up, as its better to be able to adjust the flow
rather than try and get more out of one that wont do it.
Fountains.
Most customers who want a fountain are not thinking of ones 10mtrs
(30’) high and don't have pools big enough to catch the
water when it comes down anyway. What they are looking for is
the sound of water, something to draw the eye across to the pool
and create splash which in turn is good for the fish in the summer
months-as water hitting water puts oxygen in. So what can you
get for your money and what can you expect from each size.
Pump sizes 700,900
and 1000ltr.
These will give a fountain 1/2-1mtr high (2-3’) , they normally
come with 1 bell type and 1 spray type fountain heads and are
the most reasonably priced. Needless to say the 1000ltr will give
a higher fountain than the 900 and so on down.
Pump size 1500-2000ltr.
The fountain height with these will be 11/2mtrs (4-5’) and
again come with different spray heads.
The heights quoted on all models are with spray type heads fitted,
if you use the bell jets it will be lower and customers who want
geyser jets would be better to contact us first as these require
more water to work correctly and we can recommend the pump according
to what you want it to do.
The above will cover 90% of customers who want a fountain however
we can supply equipment to do whatever height you want, again
speak to us first if you want fountains higher than the above
, tell us what you want and we will recommend the pump to do your
special job.
Waterfalls.
The formular for working out a waterfall is as follows, this is
based on the width of channel you want the water to flow down.
For every 2.54cm-1” wide you require one of the following:
Slow flow; 225ltr-50gal per inch
Medium flow: 340ltr-75gal per inch
Fast flow : 450ltr-100gal per inch
Most pre-shaped waterfall units are approx 10-12cm (4-5”)
wide were the water flows so you can see if you want a medium
flow you are looking at 1500ltrs-300gals to make it look right.
You also need to take into account the height above pool level
as we have already explained mfc’s quote maximum delivery
and not what they will deliver upwards-what we call the head.
Again90% of customers have waterfalls below 11/2mtr-5’ in
height above the pool and may find this formular of help.
Waterfalls upto 1mtr-3’ knock 25% off mfc’s quoted
size. ie: 2000ltr will be 1500 at 1mtr-3’ head
Waterfalls upto 11/2mtr-5’ knock off 50% of quoted size.
For extra large waterfalls in height or volume ask us first and
we will make sure the pump will do the job you want before purchase.
Waterfalls
and Fountains.
Follow the formular given for waterfalls and add an extra 500ltr
for a small fountain as well or add 1000-1500ltr for a larger
one. Most pumps above 1000ltrs are supplied with tees and fountain
heads as standard so you will get the fittings required.
Filters.
With most filters you need to turn over 40-50% of the water in
your pool every hour-24hrs a day, and unless you do this the chances
are, your filter system will not work and keep your pool clear.
Supply this and they can be like magic, the guarantee’s
are based on this and if you don't move this amount its at your
risk as to it working.
So the first job is to work out the volume of your pool, for this
you may find the following formular of help. In feet take the
average length, width and depth of your pool and multiply them
together :
I.e. Pool 10’x5’x2’=10x5x2=cube feet x 6.25
which is how many gallons in a cubic ft.
So 10x5=50 x2=100 x6.25= 625galls in that size of pool.
You now need to move 40-50% so the flow to your filter should
be 280-325gph at the height you are sighting your filter. Use
the same guide quoted in the waterfalls section as to how much
to knock off the quoted size and you should have the correct pump
for the job.
Failing that ask us, we can do it for you over the phone but remember
to have your pool size to hand so we can work it out.
A word of caution when talking about volume’s of water a
pump moves.
To get the correct volume out of your pump it is most important
that the correct size of pipe work is used for whichever pump
you have, do not reduce the outlet size down or you will reduce
the flow drastically. Reduce a 1” outlet to 1/2” and
you have reduced the flow by upto 50%.
Again if you are buying a pump from us measure up the pipe you
require and ask us to supply the correct one at the time of purchase
or tell us which pump and model you have and we can tell you what
you should have on it.
