An element like a waterfall brings a whole new dimension to outdoor ponds. Both the motion of the water and the sounds it creates can be a beautiful and peaceful way to wind down at the end of the day. There’s something soothing and tranquil about running water. It can also go a long way in overpowering the bustling sounds of traffic, noisy neighbors, and other environmental disturbances. Waterfalls can also benefit your pond by circulating and aerating water throughout your pond. Let’s take a look at how you can install a waterfall of your very own.
1. Choose your location.
If you already have a fully functional pond, you’re one step closer to an active waterfall, and you already have your location set. Keep in mind that, wherever in your pond you choose to set your waterfall, you select a location closest to a power source. If you plan to include fish in your pond, make sure that you also put your waterfall in an area of the pond where you still allow your fish enough space where they won’t be disturbed by turbulent water flow.
2. Select your rocks.
Find some attractive rocks to build up your waterfall. You can find these at your local home improvement store or out in nature itself. Building a waterfall is a great opportunity to just be creative. To keep the water running over instead of under the rocks, you can purchase expanding foam sealant and fill in the spaces between the rocks, forcing the flow of water to run over your expertly crafted design.
3. Determine the proper pump size.
Your pump is the functional unit of your waterfall. It must be reliable, consistent, and powerful enough to sustain the size of your pool. Pumps are rated on gallons per hour (gph). It’s important to find a pump that’s powerful enough to circulate the entire volume of the pond at least every hour. For example, if you have a 1,500 gallon pond, your pump should have at least a 1,500 gph capacity. If you’re not sure about the size of your pond, it’s best to err on the side of a more powerful pump. You also need to factor in the height of your waterfall. Every inch of width of spillover requires an extra 100-200 gph of water flow. Always refer to the manufacturer’s pump height.
4. Add an appropriate skimmer and filter.
Skimmers and filters collect leaves, plants, and other debris that can build up in your pond. Skimmers are sized for pond surface area and maximum flow rate. Choose your skimmer based on the requirements of your waterfall and filter. Your filter should also be able to handle the full volume and flow of your entire pond.
Adding a waterfall is a wonderful way to add an additional natural element to your pond. Determining the proper pond supplies, such as pump size, adding a skimmer and filter, selecting rocks, and accommodating your fish are a few of the steps to take to add a comprehensive, fully functioning, beautiful, and peaceful waterfall to your pond.
1. Choose your location.
If you already have a fully functional pond, you’re one step closer to an active waterfall, and you already have your location set. Keep in mind that, wherever in your pond you choose to set your waterfall, you select a location closest to a power source. If you plan to include fish in your pond, make sure that you also put your waterfall in an area of the pond where you still allow your fish enough space where they won’t be disturbed by turbulent water flow.
2. Select your rocks.
Find some attractive rocks to build up your waterfall. You can find these at your local home improvement store or out in nature itself. Building a waterfall is a great opportunity to just be creative. To keep the water running over instead of under the rocks, you can purchase expanding foam sealant and fill in the spaces between the rocks, forcing the flow of water to run over your expertly crafted design.
3. Determine the proper pump size.
Your pump is the functional unit of your waterfall. It must be reliable, consistent, and powerful enough to sustain the size of your pool. Pumps are rated on gallons per hour (gph). It’s important to find a pump that’s powerful enough to circulate the entire volume of the pond at least every hour. For example, if you have a 1,500 gallon pond, your pump should have at least a 1,500 gph capacity. If you’re not sure about the size of your pond, it’s best to err on the side of a more powerful pump. You also need to factor in the height of your waterfall. Every inch of width of spillover requires an extra 100-200 gph of water flow. Always refer to the manufacturer’s pump height.
4. Add an appropriate skimmer and filter.
Skimmers and filters collect leaves, plants, and other debris that can build up in your pond. Skimmers are sized for pond surface area and maximum flow rate. Choose your skimmer based on the requirements of your waterfall and filter. Your filter should also be able to handle the full volume and flow of your entire pond.
Adding a waterfall is a wonderful way to add an additional natural element to your pond. Determining the proper pond supplies, such as pump size, adding a skimmer and filter, selecting rocks, and accommodating your fish are a few of the steps to take to add a comprehensive, fully functioning, beautiful, and peaceful waterfall to your pond.