Hi there all! I am new in here and first time posting. I was wondering if anyone has come up with a system that uses syphoning instead of a pump to get some water movement. I am not looking for a waterfall... even a dribble would be great. So do you think it is possible?
Marly
Is it possible to have a water feature WITHOUT a pump?
You sure dont have to have movement if you dont have fish. With syphoning...I wonder if you would have trouble with debris getting stuck in the tubing and stopping the works ?
maybe someone has experience with this..
Not sure how you would do that, syphoning work with gavity and moving water via syphoning would require one level being higher than the other and a infinite amount of water on the higher level. Since I'm guess you don't have an infinite amount of water higher than another body I don't think it would work. Some how you'd have to get the water from one place to the other? I.e a pump. And syphoning will not work on a level surface as it has equalized pressure. Clear as mud now? hope that helps.
Unless you are changing the water frequently it is going to go stagnant. I had a tiny tiny little water feature for awhile where I grew bog plants and I had to really be careful otherwise it was just a stinky mess. If you had a cheap water supply where you could continually flow in some fresh water it might work. I can't think of how a siphon would work though.
Thank you, all three of you, for answering my question. I had a suspicion this was not possible but now you have confirmed it. Guess I will have to invest in a pump. The problem with the pump was that I have no electrical hookup to run the pump outside. I rent this apartment/yard. I may see if I can talk my landlord into installing a safe electrical outlet for this purpose. I have my doubts that he will see the importance of it though.
Thanks for responding... nice to get such a fast answer.
Marly
What about solar?
Gail
Gail, do you know of any pumps that are solar? I'd be VERY interested in that! Never thought of that!
Marly
Most solar panels put out 12V most water pumps are 120V you'd have to have a inverter to convert the 12V to 120V and batteries to store the power. It could be done but it a cost a wad.
A extension cord would be much cheaper.
Not sure how well this actually works and it is a bit expensive:
http://www.gardeners.com/Shopping/sell.asp?ProdGroupID=18451&DeptPGID=19691&lstCategory=19751&RecGroupNum=1
I HAVE AN OLD CONCRETE FISH POND THAT IS PROBABLY 50 YRS. OLD. THERE IS NO POWER, SO THER IS NO PUMP. IT'S NOT HUGE BUT THER ARE AROUND 45 SMALL GOLDFISH IN IT. IT EVIDENTALLY HAS A GOOD BALANCE, BECAUSE I'VE HAD 1 FISH DIE IN TWO YEARS. BETH
Well, my suggestion for something solar was based on Marly's comment:
"I am not looking for a waterfall... even a dribble would be great"
and while I don't know where to buy or anything, I do know there are solar pond lights and floating spitter type things.
Now, pump-wise... I would agree that an extension cord would be the way to go.
Gail
Yes, Gail, you correctly noted that I was wanting to make a fountain-type water feature. I have to say that I realize I posted this question in the WRONG FORUM!! This is water GARDENS... ie plants in ponds, koi ponds, etc. I was wanting to make a spilling type of water feature that just recycles the same water. I think the solar pump will have enough power for what I want to do. I'm definitely going to look into getting one. Thanks for that idea Gail! And ... sorry for the semi-off-topic thread! :( I DID say this was my first posting in Dave's Garden's forums! lol Talk about making a first impression! lol
Marly
Marly, WELCOME to Dave's garden!!!!!
...may you be happy here among friends...
I look at it this way... if it's outside and has water in it (except for birdbaths)... it's a water garden. lol So I don't think you're in the wrong forum! You can always stick a plant in there, too, just to make it "official"...
I've only been on here a couple of months, myself, so I may be more "forgiving"... but then again, this site isn't as "critical" of others as some I know of. Everybody here is really friendly, like a small town in Arkansas I know of....
Gail
Marly,
I have been getting small solar pumps off Ebay, that are enough power for a spitter or small fountain. They work great, are cheap, and no wiring! I have water trickling in every pot all over my yard, inlcuding my pond!
MerryMary
I want to welcome you first, and your post is welcome here. Seeing you are in zone 4, I imagine you will not be able to run any type of water feature in the winter there unless it had a lot of movement. Also since you said you were in an apartment, do you have a porch light that you could get an adapter for to help with the electrical issue?
Hope you can get your feature you want, and when you get a house your larger pond (smile). You get hooked with the sound of water you know.
Sheila
Hey everyone, not sure if anyone's had any experience with something like this, and it seems like the solar is a better option in this particular case, but I was sortof thinking about experimenting with a mini windmill to turn a paddle wheel of sorts (also mini) to get a little water movement on a windy day. It probably wouldn't have the power to lift very high or very much water, but it sure would look neat.
Shelia I still have those water plants you gave me at the Swap. I dont remember the names. The one that look likes a palm tree has soo many new leaves. I want to put it in a big glass jar and bring it inside. Will it live inside? ...and that Horsetail, I have it in soil it has new shoots too....I just need to get a container....soon real soon.
Sylvia
Say like tonight??? It is suppose to freeze tonight. LOL! Let me D mail you so not to make anyone upset.
Sheila
Believe it or not, I had goldfish live in my wheelbarrow for 3 years...until I got my pond finished (some other things came up that delayed my pond) I never even fed them and they were 8 inches long when I finally took them out to put into their new home. Lived off of falling leaves, mosquito larvae, and tadpoles who found their way into the water....I was amazed, and convinced I didn't need real "koi" for my ponding enjoyment.
MerryMary
ok , how about going old school , no water pump
get really thinking and use a water wheel with little buckets,
hand priming the system to get it started , water flows over the falls
fills the buckets on the wheel, as the buckets pass over the top of the
wheel they drop there load of water it gets channeled to another place.
To move the water in the up direction you may need 2 or 3 wheels to get
it back to the top of the falls ....
just a thought .. but should get ya thinking ...
or maybe something like this , http://www.ropepumps.org/
This message was edited Dec 2, 2005 8:57 AM