Hi everyone. I'm new to pond boss and like everyone else in my position I have a million questions. I live in western New York and I finished a new 3/4 acre pond a few months ago. I've read a few posts about pumping issues and it seemed like there are some members with alot more knowledge than myself. My question is I have an acre pond about 1000' away from the new pond that is 20' lower in elevation. I'm considering running a pipe between the ponds to fill/keep full the new pond. Any ideas on pump size/pipe size.

Just some thoughts here. Wait for a professional opinion.

If the other pond is 20' lower, how about a siphon? You could use a pump to get it going, but then it is all free after that.

Second idea, but more costly, would be put a pipe thru the dam at the water level you would not want the water level to go below in the first pond. Install a shutoff valve and open it when you want to fill the lower pond.

Welcome...

or is this just a one time deal?

The pond that I want to fill from is lower than the new pond. I would need to pump uphill 20 feet. The lower pond is fed by two different creeks with a 2 foot diameter spillway so needless to say that pond never goes below full pool. I have been reading up on ram pumps and think that may be a pretty cool way of doing things.

Does the new pond have anyway of obtaining water naturally IE: rain water runoff, springs ect...

Sorry, didn't notice that!

If it was just a one time deal, I would rent a 3" trash pump or bigger.

The pond only gets about 3 acres of runoff. When they dug my pond they said there was a spring on the one end but its not a real gusher. The pond is 3 months old and has about four feet of water in it with another eight feet to get to full pool. My plan of pumping water from the lower pond is to help fill the pond and to keep it full during summer months. So I would be looking for a permanent setup. Also I forgot to mention electricity is out of the question at the lower pond. It's just way too far away. I will try to get some pictures up tomorrow. Thanks

I second the notion of a gasoline powered trash pump. Depending on how much water you have to move in how long of a time, maybe a 2" would work.

If you go that route, look at one that has a Honda Motor. They have low oil sensors, and shut off the motor if the engine oil is low, preventing a costly repair.

I modified a 3" pump to run off of an external fuel tank so it will run for 12-14 hrs at a time.

You noted the lower pond gets fed by a stream, when you pump water from the lower pond you run the risk of introducing fish you may not want. It all depends on what your goals are for the new pond. A few unwanted fish could make a mess with your goals. If you need to continually add water you may want to look into adding a well to keep it topped off.

I wonder what the survival rate would be with fish going thru a propellar of a trash pump. They usually can pass a small rock 1" diameter, big enough for forage fish I suppose. Also the possibilty of unknown plants.

Dan - if you're interrested in ram pumps, take a look at the youtube videos by "engineer 775". He's got several that explain very well how to design and build them as well as some stuff on commercially manufactured ram pumps.

Here's one of his videos for example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y_WWxWdn5A

When I drained my pond a few years back I was getting 2 inch BG and jumbo tadpoles coming out with no damage, so I am sure young carp GSF, BC, WC and so on could easily get in there. Left unchecked while one grows out forage base could be a major problem. In the long haul a well pump with cause far less problems and probably less expensive. It's all about your goals.

Great points guys. The lower pond is an established LMB/BG pond and the new pond will be a YP/SMB pond. So introducing unwanted fish would be pretty bad. Hopefully this couple inches of snow melts and I can get some pictures up.

Ah, you must be near Lake Erie then. I am in the central part of the state (Near Canandaigua) and my patience for precip is running low. Driest November I have recorded since 2005, and only gained 4" from Sandy since the soil was bone dry from the summer. Still down 28", but have at least 6 acres of runoff, possibly 8.

Yea I'm about an hour south of buffalo. The sad part is we had good precipitation right up until my pond was dug. Who knows, maybe my pond will be full by spring and there will never be a problem with low water. I guess we will see what Mother Nature gives us over the next few months.