The Top 10 Technical FAQ’s and Answers to Them

1. Q: Will I need to test my water for pH on a daily or weekly basis?
A: No. Most backyard residential ponds will only need to be tested if there has been a long, recurring problem.

2. Q: What do engineers mean when they talk about Total Dynamic Head or TDH?
A: The TDH is the amount of pressure the pump experiences due to the rise and run of the pipe. Pipe diameter can also factor into this equation.

3. Q: How do I determine how much water flow I’ll need for my stream or waterfalls?
A: The rule of thumb is 1500 gallons per hour, per foot of width on a waterfall or stream. And don’t forget, head pressure will reduce some of your pump’s flow rate.

4. Q: Why do professional water garden builders always place the skimmer and the biological filter on opposite ends of the water garden?
A: By placing the skimmer and the biological filter at opposite ends, you create moving, (not stagnant) water, which is part and parcel of a good circulation system that does all kinds of things from discouraging or drowning mosquito larvae, to filtering large debris out in your skimmer basket.

5. Q: What materials work well on top of the liner when laying large boulders?
A: Extra underlayment; carpet padding, and rock pads all work nicely.

6. Q: What is a safe pH range for my pond?
A: A range 7-8.5 is ideal, however, as long as your fish are acclimated to the pond, they can handle higher and lower pH levels with no problem. We recommend steering clear of pH testing altogether in order to avoid causing problems for your pond and your fish.

7. Q: How much water loss is normal due to evaporation?
A: About 2” per week, give or take an inch for harsher climates.

8. Q: What’s a flocculent?
A: A flocculent is a liquid that coagulates or binds together suspended particles in your pond. This is an extremely effective way to tackle a suspended algae problem in your pond. Once coagulated, it flows right into the skimmer and you can dump it out with the rest of the debris.

9. Q: Do I really need the underlayment?
A: Yes, you need to use the underlayment underneath every liner, no matter what the size is. The underlayment allows the earth to release gasses from beneath the liner. Without an underlayment, gasses would get trapped and cause your liner to bubble up.

10. Q. How long should I expect a pump to last?
A: Three to five years is a good range for most pumps. But don’t forget to check the warranty. These normally fall between one year (on the low side) and two years (on the high side). So choose your pump intelligently.