Something you’ll definitely want to invest in when it comes to keeping your pond functioning correctly is the check valve. The check valve helps prevent water from draining back into the pond when the power to your pump is cut. This is beneficial for more than one reason but first let's discuss what it looks like and where it goes.
Check Valve Assembly
This is what a check valve looks like and it attaches directly to the pump inside the skimmer box. Inside this check valve is a rubber stopper that regulates the flow of the water through the plumbing, in that the force of the water pushes the stopper up and out of the way when the pump is functioning correctly. When the power is cut, that stopper drops back down and seals the hose off so that the water is essentially trapped inside the plumbing until the pump is turned back on. It is important that the check valve is disconnected for the winter during your water feature shut down process so that the water does not freeze in the plumbing, causing cracked pipes and pond leaks.
Benefits of a Check Valve
The reason a check valve is important is because you need to keep water in your biological filter so that the beneficial bacteria colonies can continue to grow. If you lose power and the water washes down your waterfall and plumbing, you expose the bacteria to air and the bacteria will die. Without beneficial bacteria, you throw off the balance of your ecosystem which inevitably causes the return of algae. Rebuilding your beneficial bacteria colonies does not happen over night so it is most productive to PREVENT killing your beneficial bacteria.
Another benefit to a check valve is what is prevented when the water stops circulating during a power outage. For big ponds with big, beautiful waterfalls, there is always extra water tied up in the plumbing and on the falls, at all times. If a check valve is not present, when your power is cut without a check valve, all that extra water has no where to go except out of the pond, flooding your patio and yard. You now have to add all the water back to the pond and depending upon the amount of water displaced, you may find some beached fish in the after-math.
Another benefit to a check valve is what is prevented when the water stops circulating during a power outage. For big ponds with big, beautiful waterfalls, there is always extra water tied up in the plumbing and on the falls, at all times. If a check valve is not present, when your power is cut without a check valve, all that extra water has no where to go except out of the pond, flooding your patio and yard. You now have to add all the water back to the pond and depending upon the amount of water displaced, you may find some beached fish in the after-math.
So Now What???
Located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes Watergardens installs koi fish ponds and pondless waterfalls (disappearing waterfalls) all over the Central Pennsylvania area. For more information on koi ponds and waterfeature installations, please contact us directly!
Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August. If you think you need it, we have it!
Retail Hours: April 5th-October 27th 2018:
Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-12pm
October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT
Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]
Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania,
Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August. If you think you need it, we have it!
Retail Hours: April 5th-October 27th 2018:
Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-12pm
October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT
Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]
Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania,
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