How to Adjust Flow on Pond Pumps
Adjusting the flow rate of a pond pump will help you choose the optimal rate of water flow to your pond. Having a sub-optimal water flow rate could severely affect the beauty of your pond. Incorrect water flow rates could stir up muck and cause the water to appear cloudy or unclear. The term for this is "turbidity."

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Check your pond pump to see if it includes a flow-adjustment valve or control knob. This will normally be clearly labeled. It will be located on the pump itself.
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Adjust the knob up or down until you've achieved your optimal flow rate, if your pump has a control knob.
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Installing a flow-reducing valve on the output of your pump if your pump does'nt have a control knob is worthy of consideration. To do this, you'll need to cut the outlet pipe and splice in a valve. The exact specifications will depend on what kind of pipe you have.
Adding a Flexible Hose Outlet Pipe
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Cut the flexible hose pipe with a utility knife at the output.
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Slip the hose over a barbed fitting valve with your hands.
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Secure the hose in place with stainless steel hose clamps, by tightening the clamps over the hose with a Philips screwdriver.
Splicing In a PVC Pipe Valve
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Cut your PVC pipe with a hacksaw.
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Insert a PVC valve between the pieces of PVC you've cut by slipping it on with your hands.
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Secure in place with PVC glue. Let glue harden for 30 minutes.
References
- "All About Building Waterfalls, Ponds and Streams"; Ortho Book Editorial Staff; 2006
Tips
- In general, a "gate valve" will allow more control over the flow rate than a "ball" valve or "globe" valve.
Writer Bio
Kennedi Rose is an Atlanta-based journalist who began her career in 2005 as a newspaper reporter covering the education beat. She has written for a wide variety of commercial, trade and online magazines covering food, drink and the retail sector. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology.
Photo Credits
- Pond image by Arlene Dicks from Fotolia.com
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