Water Feature Design Series | How To Install An External Pump On A Recreation Swim Pond

[@FlowingWaterPonds]

Super helpful. I'm about to start working on a 40' x 60' rec pond here in Texas. This video helped me out a ton. Thanks John!

[@maxmolancerio1440]

Bro, please keep putting out this educational content.

[@KoiAddiction]

I am on it!

[@saundraspringer7526]

I am warm and fuzzy! Thanks John - always the best!

[@KoiAddiction]

Lol-miss ya gal! I hope you are killing it out there💪🏻😎

[@zakkladden3424]

Thanks John. Knowledge is power.

[@KoiAddiction]

Amen, thanks forwatchin🤠

[@traps361]

I love Greg, I love Atlantis Water Gardens and I love and your team! Keep em coming!

[@KoiAddiction]

Thanks, we love you guys too!

[@Re4lity7]

very clear and concise! Thanks

[@KoiAddiction]

Our pleasure!! Have a great weekend!

[@kj4982]

That just got me all “pumped up”

[@KoiAddiction]

Lol thanks for watching!

[@andrew7458]

Another great and helpful video. Thanks Mr. Adams!

[@KoiAddiction]

My pleasure! Thanks for tuning in and interacting ;)

[@glennschroeder5140]

Thanks John, the more information the better. Working on designing a rec pond for installation this spring

[@KoiAddiction]

Glad it was helpful!

[@daverussell9627]

Nicely done.

[@KoiAddiction]

Thanks! Hope the info proves useful to you ;)

[@buckeyewaterscapes8300]

Awesome video! Thanks John

[@KoiAddiction]

You bet! I hope it helps :)

[@lavishgardens8175]

Awesome! Thank you so much for being so informative. This is great knowledge to share. You're the best!

[@KoiAddiction]

It’s my pleasure thanks for watching videos will be coming out again soon, we just took a break for the winter to enjoy the snowfall :-)

[@PondKingWaterGardensMN]

Perfect timing! Thank you brother!

[@KoiAddiction]

I figured it was about time for it ;)

[@ourlifegottoloveit4419]

this video was more then valuable , thank you sir you are great !!!! I will soon be building my own rec pond !!!!!

[@KoiAddiction]

I’m working on my personal one right now😎 enjoy the journey!

[@shadshriver1541]

Great information!

[@KoiAddiction]

Thanks Shad!!

[@scotttaurean4032]

nice work mate, warm and fuzzy check!

[@KoiAddiction]

LOL, hope it helps you out boss👍

[@carolinapondscapes9139]

Great work!

[@KoiAddiction]

Thanks y’all🤠

[@pondscapesaz]

Great info John. I like the rubber vibration/sound dampeners attached to the pump pads. 👍

[@KoiAddiction]

I am glad yer watching Ralphie-I still hope to work with you guys someday!!

[@ludwigrx]

I always wonder how external pump works. Thanks for this, John!

[@KoiAddiction]

Glad to help😎

[@cjpalacio]

John thank you for all these videos. I watched most of them and they have been great!!! I am building a recreational pond with the following specifications and I have a few questions I wish you could help me with: Specifications: - Pond: 25 ft wide by 35 ft long (rectangular shape) with an average depth of 4 ft (875 sq ft)). Removing the size of the retaining rocks (edging) then the size of the pond becomes about 20 ft wide by 30 ft long with an average depth of 4 ft (600 sq ft). - Waterfall spill: 3 ft wide. - Head high: 5 ft Negative edge depth: 10 in above gravel - Distance from the external pump to wetland: 60 ft Calculations: - Water in motion: 70 ft (Length of the stream) x 2 ft (Width of water) x 3 in (0.25 ft) (Water Depth) = 35 cubic ft x 7.5 gallons = 262.5 Gallons of water in motion - Reservoir: 262.5 Gallons of water in motion + 5.625 Gallons (3 in x 0.25 x 7.5) x 2 = 536.25 Gallons - Gallons of water in the pond: 18000 gallons Questions: 1. Are my calculations correct? 2. How big should my intake bay be (width, length, depth)? 3. How are the external pumps connected to the intake bay? 3. I see in this video (and other rec.pond videos too) the use of two external pumps. One should be to pump water to the wetland but what is the other one for? 4. Any recommendations on the size of each pump size and specific brand?

[@cjpalacio]

Hey John, any advice regarding my previous question? I really appreciate any advice.

[@KoiAddiction]

You gotta call my office and we can chat-865-995-1234 tell Stacy we have been chatting onKZbin and I said no pics needed. I’lo give you a 15-30 min window this week!

[@PutsPonds]

Very helpful information, your a wealth of knowledge 👊🏼 keep it up bro

[@KoiAddiction]

Thanks man, I do my best ;)

[@MrStevebeech]

Thanks once again 🍻 always wondered how this was done. Wish my garden was bigger now 😂

[@KoiAddiction]

Im going down this rabbit hole at home, stay tuned!

[@VPershing]

Another wonderful installment in the draining of John G. Adams' brain. Does the G. stand for Great Guy??? I learned bunches from this one.

[@KoiAddiction]

Lol- flattery will get you everywhere😂🤣😂

[@NDcompetitiveshooter]

Great video

[@KoiAddiction]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jasonmare33]

good video!

[@DUWaterscapes]

Thanks for sharing.

[@KoiAddiction]

My pleasure :) Hope the info helps you in the future!

[@JBoy3498]

Thank yea for the video.

[@KoiAddiction]

Absolutely hope you can use it in a practical situation with success.

[@tanusutomo7031]

I learnt interesting technics tq

[@KoiAddiction]

Hope you can use something from there!

[@Tom_Aquagardens]

Best guides online👍 I can understand why you should use external pumps on a swim pond but what if my kids play in our pondless stream? Should I use a pump in the pump vault in the end of the stream or should I use an external pump just to be safe?? 🙏

[@KoiAddiction]

I never put an external pump on a waterfall (unless it is a commercial “swimming intended” feature. I would say use your best judgement AND BE SURE the electrical is properly grounded so there is not a safety concern!

[@Tom_Aquagardens]

@@KoiAddiction Thank you for your quick response! I will pay an electrician to install and ground with a depreciation relay as well 👍😊

[@johnhildebrand8740]

Thanks!!

[@KoiAddiction]

No worries man :-) glad you enjoyed it have a great one 👍🏻

[@phfen]

Thanks for sharing, this is a great and simple installation ! The box being nearly fully underground and apparently totally closed (no ventilation), how to you prevent the pumps and interior of the box from overheating ?

[@KoiAddiction]

There was a vent in the side actually. Another thing we learned was that you wanna be VERY careful not to put and pressure on the pipes to the pumps when you back fill. Use sand and be gentle so there is no torque on the fittings to the pumps!

[@phfen]

@@KoiAddiction Great tips, thank you John !

[@rebeccasquires6165]

John! I love your videos. We’re getting ready to install our plumbing for our rec pond. I have a couple questions for you: 1-Why does this pond need two pumps? 2- have you ever used a pool pump instead of the one you used? 3- I have a waterfall and a wetland filter to feed to. Do I need separate pumps or can I split some of the flow to the waterfall?

[@KoiAddiction]

1-there is a pump for the jets and a pump for the waterfall & wetland. 2- The pump used in the video is a pool-style pump-pick the right flow rate, efficiency, price point that works for you: that pump brand style is my personal preference! 3- You can use a single pump BUT if the pump dies you will loose your filter AND have no moving water. I prefer to use a pump for jets and falls, and then split the wetland flow between 2 more pumps so that you have a pump still running while one is being repaired-so three in a perfect world!

[@rebeccasquires6165]

Perfect! I understand! Thank you so much.

[@davefisher4823]

Hey John. Great stuff! My client wants this so he doesn't hear the pumps, but is there any concern about the pumps over-heating in a closed box like this? Thanks

[@KoiAddiction]

Yes you need to make sure that you have a vent. Also drainage underneath. If you want to really go overkill, or if you live in a really hot area, I’m sure you could put some kind of a fan on your vent and put an in vent an out vent! I just installed mine behind the waterfall area so that the sound of the pumps is on the opposite side of the viewing area from the waterfalls so I cannot hear them. You also want to make sure that your draw all lines can be charged with water if you put the pumps some distance away. I made this mistake installing my pumps too much fluctuation in the elevation on my plumbing lines and it was difficult for me to get them primed.

[@chadnoland4404]

Thanks, Great Videos, My Pump supplier is recommending 4" Trunk line going to our Wetland filter. Can the 10' of intake from Intake Bay be 3" without losing to much efficiency?

[@KoiAddiction]

Thats a great question. I would ask the pump mfr. (all pumps are different). Lift height-run-head pressure etc. many things will play into the answer and the mfr. will have your answer!

[@jameshiestand400]

Why is there a 1" pvc pipe sticking up out of the ground adjacent to the pump house? Really helpful video!

[@KoiAddiction]

Not sure what the pipe was, glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@serg3y]

Getting to the service basket is a bit of a pain.. hope the skimmer basket catches everything.. An above ground box may be simpler and easier to access since a check valve is being used anyway.

[@KoiAddiction]

I would like to ask the home owner how often he actually needs to get into the basket. The way the feature was designed with a negative edge, the debris has to pass through the gravel bed in the reservoir and then through the Aquablocks in the reservoir, then into the pipe through the CVA. And on to the pump strainer basket. This is something I am about to get first hand experience with on my own pond so I will know the answer soon enough through my own exploration!

[@jptualla85]

Thoughts on insulation/sound dampening with Rockwool Safe'n sound

[@KoiAddiction]

The main thing is that you don’t create a hot box. Sound proofing is fine, just be sure to keep the pumps cool ;)

[@duggid4859]

Valuable

[@KoiAddiction]

Thanks! What do you want to know more about?

[@chrislewis3322]

Love you how to video's.. Question is a External Pump the only way to have a swim pond?

[@KoiAddiction]

No, but I recommend it. I have been swimming in many ponds with submersible pumps. I have also had my hand electrocuted by a submersible pump in a pond skimmer. Proper electrical setup is also VERY important!

[@Sztrovacsek81]

I just bought a 12V pump for an intake bay of a little recreational pond. I hope it's an option too.

[@KoiAddiction]

Want to hear about your experience and how it works out for you- I have never used one ;)

[@Sztrovacsek81]

@@KoiAddiction It's just a little 10000 l/h pump (2500 gal/h), but I don't plan the wetland zone too high, just one waterdrop.

[@sunnygiscombe]

What did you put around the outside before you buried it? Did you give the roof any pitch? I’m building one for four pumps using your design. Just trying to finish it up.

[@jessiecheema]

Awesome video! Knowledge bombs left and right, Very clear as always. Question... what’s y’all’s go to brand for external pumps. I have been looking on Aquascape couldn’t find anything there. Thanks in advance. “ Squirrel” ! 🤓

[@KoiAddiction]

That’s hilarious, there’s always a squirrel :-) performance pro is the brand that I have always used, they are very helpful informative and the price isn’t too bad. I’ve got some that have been running for going on 10 years now

[@radneyd7153]

Sir I have been watching your videos and im watching this video again. I am trying to convince myself to use submersible pump in a swimming pond. So my question is, how about you use submersible pump in a zero edge skimmer? Is it safer when you compare to putting it in the main pond instead?

[@KoiAddiction]

If you do it, it will work-if it’s safe I cannot say. Check with your local electrical codes for the “legal” answer. I have swam in many features with sub pumps but I have also been shocked by a few of them ;(

[@radneyd7153]

@@KoiAddiction thanks sir. I guess I have to go with the much expensive one which is external. But will do some research rven more and will keeo on watching your videos.

[@edgarrubiot5712]

John; even though electric wiring was not the topic of this video I would like to know your opinion on this doubt: When using an external pool pump ; the installation manual recommends “ bonding the motor case to metallic structures” inside the pool... As the only metallic parts inside a pond are lights... Do you follow any measure to comply with this instruction? In other words, how do you wire your external pumps? Many thanks in advance EDGAR- Colombia.

[@KoiAddiction]

We don’t handle the actual electrical connections, we leave that for proper electrical professionals. Different states (countries) have different protocols. I would recommend you to consult a local professional!

[@bassilbayazed3942]

does is matter if the pump is at same level at the water? Thank you

[@KoiAddiction]

My friend it does. Ask your pump mfr. what the max lift is. We install a back-flow-preventer in the end of the plumbing to hold water static in the lines during power outages!

[@JR2012now]

Nice video. I have an above ground pool, I made a solar heating system for it but my pool pump isnt strong enough to filter and circulate the pool and also pump the water through the solar heat pipe. So the pump will need to lift the water about 30-35ft then back down to the pool. The pipe is 1/2 black irrigation pipe. I need that much lift but with a slow flow. Can you tell me how to calculate what I need or recommend a pump to me. I would like to use and inline pump if i can if not the I would use a submersible pump and just remove it while swimming. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[@KoiAddiction]

Sounds like too much pressure because of the small pipe diameter. I would recommend that you use your pool pump as it was designed and then add a smaller pump to slowly circulate the water that you’re trying to heat. There are pump manufacturers like the guys at performance pro that may be able to help you with a specific pump, that style of pump is really not my expertise but I would expect it to be the situation where you really need to different pumps.

[@JR2012now]

@@KoiAddiction Thank you I will check them out

[@SillySeasonGolf]

Is the plumbing sitting down in the basin just an open ended pipe?

[@KoiAddiction]

Swing check valve on end of pipe at bottom with a union above water level for quick disconnect👍

[@h2originalponds557]

What brand and model are the pumps used on this job?

[@KoiAddiction]

I have always used Performance Pro for my externals.

[@cvjorgensen]

Are external pumps required for a swimming pond, or were they used just due to the large size of that particular pond?

[@KoiAddiction]

Yes, you should use externals on allm swim / rec ponds. Its an “electrocution thing” to me. Submersibles can be shocking!

[@SlingShotNinja]

Bro !!!!???? I need your help, I'm having trouble seeing 3/4 inch pipes for a 4x8 pond. The job I'm going is over 25g. Im installing glass mosaic in a coustom pattern. I had to redo the wires for lights and center 3 copper pipes within the pond.( Copper with PVC). I told the client to be sure we find the right people .

[@KoiAddiction]

Im not sure what you mean by that? You should be able to plumb a 4’x 8’ pond with 1 1/2” plumbing for sure. Is that what you were asking?

[@pasterpaul1]

I tried this for for a variable speed 8500 and for some reason cant keep it pressurized and pulling from my pond. I built your box and would say it is pulling water from a pond and up maybe 12 inches at a gradual slope. I have a back flow trap between pond and pump. After the pump it goes up maybe 6 feet to a bog and then runs down a waterfall after water fills the bog. It will start up fine and I will gradually open valve after pump to about a 1/3. It runs for anywhere between 15mins-2 hours before losing pressure and running pump basket dry.

[@KoiAddiction]

That typically shows a small leak in the “draw” line. Could be a loose union. Could be cavitation on the draw line causing it to get some air?

[@peterjex353]

Hi John We are mainly a dredging company who convert ponds to wild swimming ponds What is the yard stick for wetland filter design is it gallons of water in pond or surface area or both I have 3 more to build and I would like to incorporate the wetland filter instead of normal filter box with uv Brush and media also the products you use centipede unit is key , who can I import from in usa to uk thanks for sharing all your information you have saved contracts lots of time & $$ Peter Jex Jex plant uk

[@KoiAddiction]

1/3 of pond surface on smaller features, 1/10 of surface on larger features is pretty rule of thumb for surface of wetland. Materials can be purchased from MJ Wilson @ AnyPond.Com (look him up on youtube and web. He is the importer / distributor for Aquascapes in the UK and he’s a super cool guy!

[@MrCites1]

Is it dangerous to use submersible pumps in a rec pond?

[@KoiAddiction]

There have been times when I have been “electrified” by submersible pumps. I would say you are safer to go with “pool type” pumps on a swimming pond. I would...

[@tysonw20]

What pumps are those?

[@KoiAddiction]

Artisian Pro

[@MrCites1]

Best pumps are abyzz for this

[@KoiAddiction]

Abyzz? I’m Googling it ;)

[@natmo8604]

electrical?

[@KoiAddiction]

We totally use an electrician for that! we are, Pond professionals, we like to keep people in their genius😎

[@buckeyewaterscapes8300]

Awesome video! Thanks John

[@KoiAddiction]

No worries, hope it helps y’all out ;)