Giant mistakes we often see are in the piping. It is really important to understand which pipe for a pond will be the best. What specifically do we see?
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- Pipe that is too small
- Type of pipe connected to a different type of pipe (and then not staying together)
- Pipe glued together in places where there should have been a rubber coupler for easier access.
- The over use of elbows, severely slows the flow rate.
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Did you know there are multiple choices when it comes to pipe for a pond?
There are!
There is kink free pipe, PVC pipe, flexible PVC pipe, elbows, fittings, couplers, and different kinds of clamps!!
Kink free pipe has a lot flexibility but less durability than flexible PVC. It might be the right choice for smaller features.
If the white, hard, PVC pipe is used, elbows will be needed. Each time you put one in it creates more friction resistance and will slow down the water flow. You lose 10% of the flow rate for every 90 degree elbow used! While fittings are necessary, they create resistance too, but not as much as an elbow.
What kind of pipe do we use for ponds?
We choose to use flexible PVC pipe because it cuts down on the amount of elbows and connections, which helps support the flow rate. It is also sturdy and will last a long time. Flexibly PVC pipe is great for connections of pumps, skimmers and bio falls and when there are odd angles. The most common size pipe we see is 2″. The larger the pipe, the less flexible it is.
The pipe pictured here is PVC pipe. It is very rigid. When using it for a pond, which is generally some sort of round shape, you will end up needing elbows which cause the flow rate to go down.
This is kink free pipe. It’s very flexible. It is ribbed on the outside but smooth on the inside.
How to measure pipe size
Measuring the pipe size, especially if you are already have pipe and are headed to a store to purchase more of it, is an important skill! Measuring it incorrectly can cause you multiple trips to the store!
Measure the pipe size by laying a tape measure across the middle of the pipe on the end so that you can see the inside diameter. Use the measurement from the the inside edge of the pipe. Because pipe comes in different wall thickness, measuring from the outside edges can give you an incorrect pipe size!
Measure from inside diameter the opposite side (inside) of the pipe right across the middle.
In this picture he is measuring from outside to outside, which can skew the measurement. Besides, this pipe is WAY too big for a pond!
Pipe Thickness
Schedule?
You may see that pipes are labeled with a “schedule” size. The higher the number the thicker the walls. Remember that schedule 40 is normal for ponds. They handle a PSI (pressure per square inch) of 450. This is plenty for a pond, even with a really large pump! Schedule 80 pipe has thicker walls which is ideal for industrial applications. It’s PSI is 630. It is not needed for a pond!
Regular PVC Pipe Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 Color
Have you seen the white PVC pipe and the grey pipe and wondered what the difference is? No? The difference is the that the schedule 40 is usually white, while schedule 80 is grey. Now you know! You could state this little fact and look all smart in the right situation.
This pipe piece on the right is a a coupler. It is used to connect one pipe to another. The pipe shown here is Flexible PVC. We like to use this type of pipe for pond work.
Connecting pipe - glue or coupler?
Sometimes gluing in pipe is the right choice. However, if you may ever need be able to connect or disconnect something from that pipe, like a pump, using a coupler is a great way to keep it easily accessible. Once it is glued, you will have to cut the pipe off to make any changes.
Choosing the right pipe for your pond is important! The pipe will affect the durability and performance of your pond pump.
The right pipe for your pump
Some ponds we visit have pipe that is too small for their pump. Most pumps will have instructions on or inside the box that say what size pipe it fits with and how it affects flow rate. If the pipe has less flow potential than the pump is pumping (the pipe is too small), the back pressure stress will eventually burn the pump out. In general, if the pump has a discharge size of 2 inches, a 2 inch pipe should be used.
Yes, sometimes we need reducers and it is not always possible to have the same size pipe, but it is preferable.
This is flexible PVC pipe that broke from freezing. You can see the damage here. Want to avoid this? Read about Ensuring the Winter Wellness of Your Pond specifically #3~
* This blog was NOT written by AI. This was written by me. I am not a professional writer, I am a pond person. Therefore, if you see a typo, please forgive me!
*No koi were harmed in the making of this content.