A pond float valve (or autofill) can be so helpful!
Water evaporation happens and we have to replace 2 to 3 inches of water in a pond each week. (More if it has been very hot or crazy windy).
Failing to top off the pond each week can lead to low water levels that may dry out aquatic plants or worse, burn out the pump! You can do this by hand, or a pond fill valve can do it for you!
Stuck at home because of the pond?
Absolutely not! Never let the pond come between you and a vacation to some exotic place (even if it is just your daughter’s house in NYC!) The addition of an autofill can save you time and the hassle of having to replace a pump.
Get on with it - give us autofill specifics
Yes, a pond autofill is a small piece of equipment that is usually installed in the skimmer. It attaches to your sprinkler system and may be set up as its own zone or just part of another one. It typically looks like the thing found in the back of your toilet bowl, but there are different types.
When the water level gets low and the float sinks, it opens up the valve and allows water to come in. When the water gets higher and the float, floats up the valve is closed. This keeps the pond water level right where it needs to be without having to pull over a hose!
What to keep in mind about a pond float valve
It is SO important that an autofill be set up correctly. If you do it yourself or have the person who does your sprinklers put it in, make sure you both understand what the level of the pond water should be. A wye strainer should be put in with it too. You will regret it later if you skip the wye strainer. There should be about 1 1/2″ of air between the top of of the skimmer opening and the water level. NOT THE TOP OF THE WHOLE SKIMMER!
Really, I have to say I have seen so many of these messed up. It may be worth the extra money to have a pond contractor come in and install one for you. Ask them if they put in a wye strainer when they put in an autofill? If not, ask them to use one. Or better yet, call us! We can do it for you right the first time!
This is a look at an Aquascape compact autofill float valve. It is installed inside the skimmer.
The risk and two good ideas
If you have a pond autofill, the risk is that if there is water loss for some reason (in the stream, low liner, a plant diverting water out of the top of the biofall), you may not realize there is water loss because of the autofill.
If the autofill is adding more water than expected you risk too much chlorine being added and injuring the fish. (you know chlorine can burn the gills of a fish!)
What to do?
#1 Randomly turn off the autofill (by turning off that sprinkler zone) for a week and monitor the water level just to make sure the pond hasn’t lost more than 3 inches in one week.
#2 When you put in an autofill, also put in an Autodose! I really think you should have an Autodose anyway, it is really helpful. This small piece of equipment doses the pond with a solution of beneficial bacteria and dechlorinator on a regular basis! Instead of having to dose bacteria every week, just change the Autodose bag every month, or 3 months, depending on the size of the pond.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if there is not much room, a float valve can potentially get in the way. When taking out the pump or skimmer basket it could easily be damaged. If you think it will cause issues, don’t install one!