I am installing two different (really three) things in my pond and want/need some advice.

1. I am installing an aerator and after researching some things I am thinking about using the Economy model air system II from forever green. Has anyone used this and has some suggestions?

2. I also want to install a Kasco 1/4 hsp fountain with lights (its cost is around 800-900. Just wondering if anyone has this and how it looks at night-this is going to be just for the looks-not moving the water.

3. I am also going to build a waterfall-can someone tell me if placing a tube down about 8 ft of water and bring it up out of the pond to a ht of about 10 ft....what size/type of motor do I need and will that pulling of the water and running back down the waterfall help do the same thing that my two areators are going to accomplish on a lower scale?

Lots of plans and I am excited-just want to make sure that I am doing it right and getting a bang for my buck.

Thanks,
Dave

Dave the pump size depends on how big a waterfall you want.
Is the waterfall for scenery, aeration, water temp adjustment or all three?
If the waterfall is for part time use than a larger pump won't cost you so much in electricity.
A submersible pump might also be best for this application, and probably gonna need atleast 1/2 hp pump.

My submersible pump is supplying water from a stream, running 120ft up to the pond thru 1 1/4 inch pipe and putting out 12gpm, height above stream about 10ft., this pump draws 175 watts. Use the largest diameter pipe to reduce friction and the shorter the run also reduces friction loss.

A pump something like this.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stor...ocStoreNum=1262

How much am I looking at for a pump like that?? I want just for scenery mostly since I am putting in the aerators in the other parts of the pond, any suggestions on brand name-where to buy??
Thanks

This might work, or maybe something smaller. Check with some of the suppliers who advertise on Pond Boss.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stor...ocStoreNum=1262

Thanks-do you think that size pump would be able to pull water out of 6 ft deep and through about15 ft of layed hose and then up 10ft of the waterfall?? Or should I look for something more powerful??

Thanks!

Sounds like you've got everything covered! Bottom diffused aeration, surface, and a waterfall ~ I'm not sure how big your pond is, but it sounds like you are doing it right!

Dave looking at the pump specs. they call for 3200 GPH @ 10ft. but I would expect no more than 2500GPH with friction loss and use atleast 1 1/2 dia. pipe.
Is there a reason why you want to pump at 6ft. deep, your flow would increase if you kept the pump in shallower water.

I was thinking that if I got water from as deep as possible that it would help with circulating and thus have some benefits for the fish...am I wrong on that?? If so I could go shallow...

Yeah that could help to circulate the deeper water if you feel that you have an O2 problem, but with the aerators and fountains that shouldn't be a problem.
That's something you could experiment with easily by moving the pump.
What kind of fish are you stocking?

I built a waterfall with a pump that used a 2 inch pvc pipe it was very low amp and super quiet I could go and see what the horsepower was but I dont remember off the top of my head. It looks a lot like a pool pump but less horsepower and pressure.

How big is the pond (surface acres) the 1/4 hp fountain from Kasco is a great buy but do not recommend on ponds over about a 1/8th of an acre unless it is isolated to a smaller cove from the main body of water.

What size would be recommended for a 3.5 acre lake? Sorry to hijack your thread just wondering..

On fountains personal choice and budget have strong influence on decision. Not the same as with aeration where biology has a stronger factor. For a 3.5 at least a 1 hp if 220 volts 2 hp suggested.