Can anyone help me with the type of wire I should get for running electric to my aerator/waterfall. Should it be 220 or 110-I have the capability to do both. Which one is better-Do Ineed to run it through pvc pipe underground or can I just bury the wire? any other suggestions??

Thanks,
Dave

Depends on local codes. Sometimes direct burial wire is OK. I always prefer to trench and lay in conduit.

12-2 for 110 or 12-3 for 220 put it in gray conduit underground. Not sure on codes but that's what I'm using..

Those numbers depend on amp draw and how long of a run you have

I'm with Brettski. I like to put the wire inside conduit as well - a little bit of extra protection in case some digging is done around the wire in the future. Like BGK said, size of wire depends on motor draw and length of run. Make sure any boxes you use are outdoor rated, and use a GFI.

I have about a 400 ft run-is that a problem??-I just dont have any other way of getting electric down there

Again depends on amp draw. I'm running 425' but only 5 amps so I could get away with 14 gauge but opted to run 12 just too be safe..

That's a long haul. I would still use conduit. You will need to calculate the voltage drop vs amperage draw. Your wiring will need to be upgraded to account for the V drop.
Roll up a ball of duct tape into a firm ball that it is about 1/8" - 1/4" smaller than the ID of the conduit. During the ball construction, make sure a very lightweight string it rolled into the ball to attach it. The string tail has to be over 400 feet. Also, make sure the ball exterior is NOT the sticky side of the duct tape (or whatever type of tape you select)
Use a strong shop type vacuum to suck the ball of tape thru the pipe. When it gets to the other end, attach a stouter pulling rope to the string and pull it back the other direction so the pulling rope is now inside the 400 feet of conduit. Attach the wires to the pulling rope and start yankin'

Thanks!!! any suggestions on wire type or where to buy-Menards? Lowes? does it mattter other than price?

I believe that even if run in conduit you still have to use underground rated wire. If someone suggests running aluminum wire, double check to make sure it's properly sized for the draw/run length and make sure to use the anti-corrosion paste on all the connections. Aluminum wire sizes for load/length of runs are different than copper.

im running 500ft of 12-3 with ground....running a 220v well pump pulling about 6.5 amps on each leg...i used the third wire for ground instead of the bare wire....direct burial no conduit but conduit would of been better...250 ft at menards was 149.99.........used waterproof connectors to connect the two 250ft runs....hope that helps

Conduits .10$ a foot.. So get it.. Don't use aluminum it expands as contracts no mater how much anti corrosion paste is on it your connections will get loose and fail eventually.. Just to be safe run 12-3 that should cover you unless your pulling ungodly amps then step up to 10-3 (quite abit more expensive). Ilike the ball and vac idea I'll have to try that, I've always fed wire and glued piece by piece.. I think home depot had the best prices on wire when I built my house a year ago, I wanna say it was less than $100 for 250' rolls, get 1 500' roll don't do connection that's just a set up for trouble, also a single 500' roll is cheaper than 2-250's.. Hope this helps

Also whenever running underground, underground rated wire is always preferred and code, BUT you know

Better hurry... I just pulled this from Metal Center News