Double Split Pond Plumbing Schematic

Legend for double split pond plumbing schematic 1) Liner of Pond. Can be flexible liner, fiberglass, or concrete. 2) Bottom drain or retro drain. 3) Niche skimmer. 4) Bulkhead in floor of skimmer box to drain skimmer of collected waste. 5) Bulkhead in floor of skimmer box to draw water from pond to pump (external type pump). 6) Ball valve to control water flow from skimmer to pump. 7) Ball valve to control water flow from drain to pump. 8) Ball valve to control water flow from midwater suction draw from upper/mid water level. (colder climates only). 9) Mid water screeening device from midwater suction draw-out. 10) Isolation valve for suction lines from pond to pump. Allows for access to leaf trap. 11) Leaf trap 12) Pump 13) Check valve 14) Waterfall bypass return ball valve 15) Filter flow control ball valve 16) Pond biological filter 17) Ultraviolet light filter 18) Waterfall. Always create a waterproof basin prior to building the waterfall. Typically, EPDM 45 mil liner is used for this purpose.

This is a generic plumbing schematic intended for many applications. The double split nature of the discharge portion of this schematic is a solution for a common issue associated with some ponds. Often the maximum flow rate of the UV filter or biofilter does not match the desired flow rate of the waterfall. Waterfalls with relatively wide (18" or wider) weirs, for example, require several thousand gallons per hour of flow rate to completely "fill" the weir width. On a 2,500 gallon pond, this is a greater flow rate than the typical sized 40 watt UV filter can properly treat. Many gravity return filters require a slower flow rate to filter properly. The double split discharge plumbing allows for these differences in the needs of the filter(s) vs. the "needs" of the waterfall. As a side benefit, it also allows for bypassing the filter(s) during backflushing and other maintenance schedules. Ultimately, the double split plumbing system is a compromise. It allows for unfiltered water to bypass the filter system. However, since the turnover rate of the pond is high in these scenarios, the unfiltered water will homogenize with the filtered water and ultimately provide acceptable water clarity. It is always to your minimum maintenance advantage to pass all the unfiltered water through the filters, both biologic and UV. This system is oriented at pond designs that don't have matched waterfall weir sizes relative to pond size. We have done many renovations where waterfalls are already in place. Waterfall construction or reconstruction represents a large portion of labor and as a result, is seldom an option. Ultimate water clarity is achieved with a balance between the needs of the filter, flow rate desired, and the aesthetic appearance of the waterfall.

[Home] [Help Index] [Product Index] [Landscape Index] [Ordering Information]  [View Order or Checkout]