If you've got a pond pump which is not performing as well as you would like there are a few things you can do to get better performance without buying a new pump.
Main source of energy loss...
Energy of a pump is wasted in a pond circulating system mainly in the pipe work between the pump and the discharge point of the pipe.
If the pipe is small in diameter then a lot of energy will be lost due to friction... i.e. the resistance to flow caused by the pipe walls.
The relationship between energy lost this way is such that in any pipe system the amount of energy wasted for a specific flow rate is a function of the pipe diameter.
In simple and approximate terms if a pipe diameter is doubled then the friction loss will be only one quarter of that in the smaller diameter pipe.
The practical implication of this is that changing the hose to a larger diameter pipe will allow more water to be pumped through the system.
The amount of energy lost in any pipe is also a function of 5 other things:
1) The length of pipe
2) Fittings in the pipe work such as valves or flow controllers
3) Kinks in the hose pipe
4) The condition of the internal surface of the pipe... e.g. a pipe with algae on the sides will result in energy wastage because friction will be increased.
5) A further cause of energy loss is a blocked or restricted inlet.
For example a pump with a sponge that is partially blocked with algae will result in a much lower flow rate. In this case the energy loss is due to to the fact that every rotation of the impellor is less efficient in moving water.
How to Save Money on pond pump running costs - Conclusions...
1) Use the widest diameter pipe you can
2) Reduce the length of pipe ... i.e. move the pump closer to the outlet point and remove unnecessary length.
3) Remove any kind of restriction in the pipe work and make sure there are no kinks in the pipe. Ideally use non-kink hose instead of clear tubing which will kink when bent.
4) Periodically change the pipe for new pipe since the inside surfaces will become rough.
The full article can be read at
http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/Newsletters/Improve_Pond_Pump_System.htm
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