Cottage for Soviet people has always been a source of natural vitamins for the whole family. They went there to "plow", and not to rest. But the modern summer resident considers the summer cottage as a place of relaxation, relieving work stresses, and therefore the site draws up accordingly: patios, barbecue, flower gardens, pools, ponds ... Water features promote relaxation, and the owners are trying to create at least one tiny fountain or waterfall to calm the nerves. But the water itself will not move. Someone should "move" her. And this “someone” is a pump. In order for the water structure to work without interruptions, the pump for the fountain or waterfall must be selected correctly, taking into account many factors. Let's consider them in more detail.
What types of pumps are suitable for us?
Both types of existing water pumps are suitable for creating fountains or waterfalls: submersible and surface. They are selected based on the design and size of the future waterworks. Submersible systems are hidden under water, so they are completely invisible, and surface remain outside the reservoir. It’s easier to install a submersible pump for the fountain than a surface one, but it’s harder to maintain, because you have to dive almost to the bottom to get it.
Surface pumps are harder to install but easier to maintain because they are on the ground
Rules for selecting a submersible model
Features of models for fountains
It is easier for summer residents to buy a whole set of equipment for the fountain in the store. It includes: a submersible pump, a regulator, which sets the strength of the water flow, a sprayer and a fountain head. The instruction will tell you how high the stream can reach in a water structure.
If you buy the pump separately, you first need to decide how you see your fountain, or rather, its height. So that the jet rises by 1.2 m, you need to buy a unit that can pump up to 800 liters per hour. A meter and a half fountain will need a pump that delivers about 3 thousand liters per hour. At the same time, consider that the optimum for the operation of the mechanism is the rise of water to a height of 1/3 of the width of the pool or pond. You can navigate the power from the table below.
These tables are only indicative, because pumps of different manufacturers can produce the same performance at different capacities
Low power pumps are mostly low voltage. So for the functioning of the small fountain, you need a voltage of 24 V.
Related article: selecting a pump for a well //diz-cafe.com/voda/kak-podobrat-nasos-dlya-skvazhiny.html
Keep in mind that the cross-section of hoses and pipes will affect the performance of the unit. The smaller they are, the weaker the water jet will be at the exit. Therefore, place pipes in half an inch for a system with a low power and one inch for a pump with a high capacity.
Submersible pumps must be placed on a solid foundation to prevent siltation of the system.
Install submersible pumps almost to the bottom, but not to the ground (if it is a pond), but to a brick pedestal, which must be created before the cup is filled with water. The body is immersed completely. The jet of the fountain will be thrown directly above the unit, and if you connect a hose, then in another part of the reservoir. It is more convenient to buy the system immediately with a tee. You may also want to connect a waterfall to the pump in the future. But even if it is not included in further plans, a tee will be needed to pump out water when cleaning the bowl.
In order for the water pump for the fountain to serve for a long time, it is taken out for the winter, cleaned and placed in a dry room.
Selection of the unit for a waterfall
For waterfall structures in the pool, a conventional water pump, as mentioned above, is suitable. But for ponds and artificial reservoirs it is better to buy units that can pump dirty water. Then the particles of soil and debris that inevitably fall into the flow of water will not damage the filter, or even the entire mechanism. If you have a pump on clean water, then be sure to install a filter in front of the water inlet pipe.
The height of the waterfall and the width of the water stream will influence the choice of power. The more these parameters are, the more powerful the system should be. You can select the appropriate parameters from the following plate:
When choosing a pump capacity, it is also necessary to take into account the loss of water pressure during filtration and hose passage
It is possible that you decide to make a pump for the cottage yourself. A selection of ideas will help in this: //diz-cafe.com/tech/samodelnyj-nasos-dlya-vody.html
When to use a surface pump?
Surface pumps for fountains and waterfalls are selected if tall and complex structures are conceived or these water structures must be connected to one pump. In principle, surface models are more convenient than submersible models because they are easier to maintain. But in the open air the mechanism cannot be left, which means that a special box must be mounted for it, which will protect the pump and will not look ridiculous against the background of the general landscape. In addition, such units are noisy during operation, and if they are hidden in a container, then growls will practically not be heard.
They put surface pumps as close to the pond as possible because pipes, hoses and various nozzles reduce the power of the system.
Surface pumps are placed near ponds, so they need to be decorated to fit the general landscape.
If the pump starts the fountain and the waterfall at the same time, it must give out two different pressures
It should be remembered that pumps for waterfalls should give out a large volume and low pressure, and for fountains - a small volume and high pressure. And if you plan to pump both water structures with one pump, then before buying, specify whether this pump is capable of simultaneously delivering two different pressures and volumes.
A few more tips on how to manually install pumping stations: //diz-cafe.com/tech/nasosnaya-stanciya-svoimi-rukami.html
Some craftsmen design a makeshift fountain pump. This, of course, is a useful activity, but if you are not a professional electrician, then remember: water and electricity in a couple are life-threatening. Of course, low-voltage options only pinch in case of violation of insulation, but if powered from 220 V, then before installation it is worth inviting a professional to check. Better safe than risk your family’s health.
