Question for the Pond Experts - Can I reduce Flow?

[WPOZZZ]

For my waterfall, I have a catchment basin of 30 gallons. The filter discharges into the basin, then the overflow creates the waterfall.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

For my waterfall, I have a catchment basin of 30 gallons. The filter discharges into the basin, then the overflow creates the waterfall.

That's how mine works also...except my basin is about 5 gals.

[Rusty Heap]

My Project is currently in the layout phase.......still placing and angling ponds setting elevations.

Scored a cool LARGE fiberglass waterfall off craigslist for up on the deck, then cascading through several ponds to recirc.

[Ric B]

. My 550 at the Salem Pond.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Ric B

. My 550 at the Salem Pond.

What sort of water pump does your 550 use?

[stevej37]

^^^ It must have the Porsche diverter valve in it.

[BK911]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

The greater the head pressure, the harder the pump has to work.

At the very least, throttling the line will use more electricity because the pump is working harder.

Working harder means more heat, which will shorten the motor's life. Significantly? That would be up to you.

Worst case scenario is the flow is so restricted, there isn't enough water flowing through the pump to keep the motor cool. That will cost ya.

Adding a tee and a line back to the pond with a valve in it that would control the bypass flow would be the best option.

Reducing flow reduces power consumption.

In our systems we reduce flow by:
Bypass with valve - pump puts out 100% flow but some bypasses back through pump.
Valve after pump - increases pressure drop of system decreasing overall flow.
VFD - varies pump speed electrically

Sometimes we use all 3 depending on application.
In your application, valve after pump.
Make sure you keep it cracked about halfway.

[Tidybuoy]

Well, I have updated my pond situation. I added a ball valve to slightly restrict the flow. This did not have any effect on the pressure at the waterfall because the restriction is increasing the pressure to the inlet of my biological filter, but the output is just a gravity feed once the water level reaches a certain point. A couple of pics below:

From Pond Pump>to Anti-backflow valve> to Flow Control Ball Valve> to UV Filter> to Biological Filter> to Waterfall. Pond is on other side of the fence. The valve is only restricted 25-30%



My Baby Pond: