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Home: KOI Talk: Pond Construction & Water Filtering System:
Pump going out...

 





 


fishkid
Koi Lover


Feb 26, 2007, 8:01 AM

Post #1 of 13 (1111 views)
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Pump going out... Can't Post
I have a 2000gph pump for my pond and last winter (the first winter for the pond), the pump went out. So we took it back and got it switched out with a new one. Now this winter the new pump is going out again. It seems like they only last about a year, and when winter comes, they die. How long are pumps supposed to last? Is there a specific brand of pump that is better, or made for cold weather? I think it's the bearings that keep going out as it makes a loud whining noise....
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1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!


koiguyoz
Member


Feb 26, 2007, 11:58 AM

Post #2 of 13 (1092 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pump going out... [In reply to] Can't Post
How cold does your water get?

Does the water become cold enough to begin freezing into clumps of ice?

Where I am from, the winters don't get cold enough to cause the pond water to freeze. The pumps which I have (from the company Hozelock) are solids handling submersible pumps (meaning they aren't like fountain pumps that have sponge prefilters and can intake solids up to 8mm in size) have lasted for three years. I have heard others with the same pump who have had them for 8 years. The pump I have is purpose built for running 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

However, there are other pumps that don't last and these include bilge pumps. Can you tell us the make and model of the pump you have?

Given your situation, I would strongly suggest making a purchase of a high quality solids handling water pump by Hozelock or OASE.


fishkid
Koi Lover


Feb 26, 2007, 1:34 PM

Post #3 of 13 (1081 views)
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Re: [koiguyoz] Pump going out... [In reply to] Can't Post
I live in South Dakota (northern U.S.) so at times during the winter it has enough ice for me to walk on. I think the pump we have is also built to handle solids as it doesn't have a sponge prefilter, just the filters that are in front of it in the skimmer box. It is also run 24/7/365. I don't know what brand it is though, and it's too late to go digging around for the box so I'll see about that tomorrow. Thank you for the information though, I'll look into those brands when I replace this one. Is there a good website where I could possibly order one of those pumps?
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1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!


ayranjim
Koi Lover

Feb 26, 2007, 11:19 PM

Post #4 of 13 (1064 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pump going out... [In reply to] Can't Post
Hello, you say that there is a filter before the pump, well if the water freezes then maybe the water cant get to the pump, and therfore the pump ends up pumping DRY, which will burn it out! I mean there is a connection in your case with the COLD, the odds that you buy 2 pumps and both just happen to go bad in the winter is not very normal!Also how deep is your pond? And yes pumps are made to last for years! so keep checking to see is the water freezing up in the pipes???or is the water freezing up on the out put side to where the pump out flow side is totaly blocked!! Also, did you clean out the leaves from fall?? in the fall you can get alot of leaves that fall into the pond, and these too can block things up!


fishkid
Koi Lover


Feb 27, 2007, 5:26 AM

Post #5 of 13 (1055 views)
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Re: [ayranjim] Pump going out... [In reply to] Can't Post
Okay, here is the setup. The water enters a skimmer box. First it hits a net to filter large objects like leaves and sticks, then 4 brush filters to catch the smaller stuff, probably stuff less than about 3mm. Then it gets to the pump (which should only be receiving debris much less than 3mm in size), and from there it gets pumped to the other side of the pond into a biological filter which also acts as our waterfall. I know the pump never sucks in air because I fill the pond whenever it is warm enough for that reason. And I know the water is not getting blocked on the receiving end of the pump because I can see it coming out the waterfall. I think it's just a combination of some small debris and the cold water (0 degrees celsius) that are killing these pumps. Now I know that every now and then a leaf or something will somehow get past the filters and get to the pump, but the pump should still only have intake holes small enough for the debris that it can take in right? I was thinking that I could maybe just find a higher quality pump...
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1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!


ayranjim
Koi Lover

Feb 27, 2007, 7:52 AM

Post #6 of 13 (1051 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pump going out... [In reply to] Can't Post
Hello, What I meant wast that the water can get so cold that is becomes more like SLUSH, thus reducing the overall flow to the pump, although moving water is hard to freeze , it still gets THICKER! And to some extent, small pieces of ice can be as hard as alot of small sand! Your system sounds great! But there is one thing, cold weather seams to bring on these problems for you, so it MUST have something to do with the cold! And the temp, is not the problem, pumps do not register temp, so the water must be one of the Main problems in the sence that the vecosity has changed , thus provoking more stress on the pump! In any case I may be wrong! I am only trying to give you an idea! Let me know whats up! I am always ready to help koi lovers!There is one more thing, your piping is subject to ice build up on the inside walls, so even though you can see water going in and coming out, does not mean that it is no stressing your pump!!! Its like having a 2 inch pipe and after a month or two your pipe is now 1 inch!! That would strees things!


fishkid
Koi Lover


Feb 27, 2007, 9:16 AM

Post #7 of 13 (1046 views)
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Re: [ayranjim] Pump going out... [In reply to] Can't Post
I guess the walls of the pipes could be freezing up a bit, but when we asked the local pond guy he said that that usually wasn't a problem. I wonder if we could just shut the pump off during the winter?
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1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!


Koi38
Senior Member


Feb 27, 2007, 10:09 AM

Post #8 of 13 (1044 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pump going out... [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Kid,

I know some parts in US and UK they do shut down their pumps due to winter season. This will prevent ice forming in the pipe line. They also me include do not feed the koi once water temp drop down to 12C(52F) due to their motabolism at a very low pase. Some even bring their koi in the basement during winter. Those who leave their koi out side, they have deicer floating and air going. The deicer will keep a hole in the pond for gass exchange thus prevent any gas buildSmile

So to answer your question about your pump, its either it run dry or ice had form in the pumpWink

Just my 2 centsSmileTongue

rgds,
Jon

"DuKu Friendly"
_____________________________________
"No one is ever too old to know better"

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/


fishkid
Koi Lover


Feb 27, 2007, 12:09 PM

Post #9 of 13 (1031 views)
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Re: [Koi38] Pump going out... [In reply to] Can't Post
Well thanks for the replies everyone. I might just think about shutting down the pump when it comes to the fall time. We stop feeding them when it gets cold, and we do have de-icers on the pond, but we don't have any aeration (sp?), other than the waterfall. So if I shut down the pump, would I also need some type of air in there even though they are just hibernating at the bottom of the pond? The problem is that where I live, one day it can be around 0F outside, and within a couple days it could be in the 60s. I just wouldn't want to NOT have the waterfall on and suffocate them or something during a warmer day. I don't think the water ever really warms up past 45-50 until spring, but it probably gets close every now and then during a warm front in the winter.

Just some info about the pond...I don't know if it matters but anyways...it was built in the beginning of summer 2005, and finished in the middle of July, 2005. I don't know if you remember, Koi38, but I have talked to you before, I'm the one who built a 20x10' pond with an island in the middle. I don't really know for sure but I think it's around 1,000 to 1,100 gallons, and at it's deepest is about 28-30". We have 6 koi, 2 comets, and somewhere around 50 mutts swimming around there, that have somehow survived the winter so far.Smile
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1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!


Koi38
Senior Member


Feb 27, 2007, 6:55 PM

Post #10 of 13 (1015 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pump going out... [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Kid,

You will need to add air in your pond once you turn off your pump. Also doesn't your waterfall turn to ice also? Coz if it does then your pond might run out of air and you will know what will happen to your fishesShockedWink

I do remember you young buddy, memory still good thoughTongueCool

rgds,
Jon

"DuKu Friendly"
_____________________________________
"No one is ever too old to know better"

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/


fishkid
Koi Lover


Feb 28, 2007, 5:35 AM

Post #11 of 13 (1009 views)
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Re: [Koi38] Pump going out... [In reply to] Can't Post
Okay, so I need to add air if I turn off the pump. What's the best way to do that? And just to make sure...there doesn't need to be any filtration in the winter because everything is either dead or slowed down so much? Right now the waterfall gets a sheet of ice over the top, but underneath it still lets water flow.
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1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!


Koi38
Senior Member


Feb 28, 2007, 6:04 AM

Post #12 of 13 (1006 views)
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Re: [fishkid] Pump going out... [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Kid,

I don't remember if end up adding BD in your pond or notCrazy but oviously notTongue Anyway, you can add air by using air stones and place them on the sides of your pond. A good 40L/m air pump will do the job nicelySmile

If I were you, I will switch off all the pumps now, empty all the pipe line before water turn into ice. If water turn to ice, you will have probs once spring is backShockedWink

Just my 2 OZ centsSly

rgds,
jon

"DuKu Friendly"
_____________________________________
"No one is ever too old to know better"

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/


fishkid
Koi Lover


Feb 28, 2007, 7:53 AM

Post #13 of 13 (1002 views)
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Re: [Koi38] Pump going out... [In reply to] Can't Post
Okay, thanks for the help. I'll go over to my fish store and see if they have anything big enough to supply air to my pond.
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1 Tancho / 1 Bekko / 1 Kawarimono / 1 Kohaku / 2 Utsuri / BABIES!!!

 
 
 



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