Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Strange Pond Pump question....

But I figure there are enough DIY guys on here someone will have some good advice. I was looking to buy a pump to pump my grow out ponds down to a couple of inches. My big concern is that I have filamentous algae growing in it and I was concerned it may burn a pump up if it begins to suck it up while I'm not there. I was thinking I'd get a typical electrical trash pump but wanted suggestions from guys here. Thanks.

A trash pump (electric or gasoline) should handle FA without a problem. Disclaimer...I have not pumped FA with a trash pump, but FA is fragile enough that it seems like it would disintegrate at the pump and move on through. Human hair on the the other hand will not...don't ask how I learned that lesson. The result was the the pump output would slow way down and I would have to remove the intake hose and pull the hair wads out with a pair of long skinny pliers. I'll give you a hint...flooded basement with septic system back up...Like I said...don't ask!

The common 2" trash pump from HF would be my first thought to drop the pond a few inches/feet unless you can rig up a pvc pipe siphon over the dam with a FA filter basket on the inlet.

Thanks QA!

NEDOC, my experience has been that FA can cause problems with a pump if it's not treated first. Specifically, the pump will grab a clump, and it can clog at the back flow flapper in the pump housing. It's looks almost like a soil core sample. Most gas pumps require around 90% water, and the clump of FA will reduce that number. FA first treated with a copper based algaecide flows much easier, and usually breaks up just fine. Having said that, FA does pass much more consistently than a plant like coontail. It almost has to be treated first. I'd go with a 2" pump as QA suggested. A 2" pump is the sweet spot cost wise, both the hoses and the pump are cheaper, and the 2" hose is much easier to handle when flowing than 3" hose.

If you're just wanting to lower the pond, then I might suggest an elbow with a 1-2' extention at the pipe inlet, and float it away from the bank of the pond and take water from there. Once the water drops, wait a few days, and just rake up the dried FA on the bank.