A pond pump can only work as well as the plumbing system allows it to.  In constructing a water garden, one of the most important and most overlooked pieces of pond equipment is pond tubing.  If you do not use the proper size tubing in your pond design, you will not get adequate flow, proper filtration, and potentially burn out your pond pump.

A larger waterfall pump does not always mean more water.  You can only fit a certain amount of water through a certain size pvc hose.  For example: If you have a pump that is rated for 7200gph you do not want to use a 2" flex hose. You are only going to get about 5400gph coming out at the end of the hose.  You would need to use a 3” hose.  Yes, it’s more money, but it’s cheaper than replacing a burned out pump.  I know head height, elbows, etc. have a factor in the water flow but I’m going to keep it simple for this pond blog.
Here are the figures I use in pretty much all of my quotes.

Why would today's consumer choose to shop with a main street business vs. the growing and highly competitive online market place?

1. Be the first to judge your storefront by it's cover.

The internet, facebook, and other social forums have made it easier for consumers to do the necessary comparisons well before they step foot one inside a brick and mortar store. Listed are 5 customer tips to help your pond retail store differentiate from the appeal of shopping online.

In the northern climates this is a question that I hear quite often. Do I need to install fish pond water heater or pond aeration equipment? Let me begin by saying if you don’t have fish in your water garden it is not necessary to install either one. An argument can be made that one is more important than the other, however both can keep an area of the pond surface free from ice.

Before you decide to “shut down shop” for the winter, consider how many of your products could be gifts and the profits from holiday events you could host.  Besides, you’ll see some of your existing customers in holiday spirit.  Some of these are things I was a part of in the past and some are ideas that I have seen or heard about from other pond retailers along the way.  The most important thing is to get people in the door.

Winter may cause snow to fall, but it doesn't have to cause your revenue to fall too!

The holidays are a great opportunity to market fountain installs. Rock columns, bubbling rocks, or mini cascading falls are easy to install, can run all winter, and can be done in a day or less. Since these projects don’t take a lot of time to install they can be easily scheduled around the weather.

We all know the state of our economy. To say we are struggling right now is an understatement. Your pond business is most likely down and your budget is tight. You need to find a way to drive growth in 2012, but investing in anything new doesn't seem like an option right now.

Most water gardens are considered "closed systems" because water is recirculating vs. constantly coming in and out.  That means there are only a few ways water can actually escape. 

Get the Right Retaining Wall Waterfall Equipment

Spillway Boxes: Look for spillway boxes that are made from durable materials like 18 gage stainless steel.  Some spillways are made from a thinner steel or acrylic glass, which may warp or break under the weight of heavy blocks or from freezing and thawing in seasonal climates.  Also look for a model that is an all-welded design, which will ensure that the unit does not leak. 

A beautiful yet simple way to add the aesthetics of water to your surroundings is to build a retaining wall waterfall.   The water flows out from the stone in a nice, smooth sheet and into a basin below.  These wall waterfalls can be easily added to any block wall structure and are a great alternative to fountains.  They can be used to adorn a garden, pool, outdoor living area, or even a home or business foyer!

Pond-less waterfalls have re-circulating water that cascades over natural rock formations and disappears into a hidden water reservoir, similar to a water fountain.  You can set the pump on a timer so it only runs at certain times of the day.  They are perfect for homeowners who want the sights and sounds of a waterfall without the maintenance of a pond.