Bottom Drain
I am in the process of finishing up with my new pond bottom drain. I have
used approximately 30' of 3" ABS pipe from the center of my pond to a gravity fed vortex tank. I am using a TETRA bottom drain which I have enclosed in concrete (2' x 2' x 2'). At a recent water garden show someone told me that I should not have used ABS/PVC pipe because bacteria will form inside the pipes causing them to clog up. Is this true? Also that person stated that flexible pipe should be used instead of the solid pipe. I used ABS as opposed to PVC beacause a plumber friend of mine stated that ABS will withstand the cold weather here in NE. Any comments. One final question: I am using stone dust underneath and around the pipes leading from the bottom drain to mthe vortex. Anyone ever experience using stone dust to fill the bottom of your pond? That is what they use to do inground pools here in NE. Another thought: what are the chances of the bottom drain breacking/splitting at the junction between the concrete and stonedust? Rich Holub in Massachusetts |
I am in the process of finishing up with my new pond bottom drain. I have
used approximately 30' of 3" ABS pipe from the center of my pond to a gravity fed vortex tank. I am using a TETRA bottom drain which I have enclosed in concrete (2' x 2' x 2'). At a recent water garden show someone told me that I should not have used ABS/PVC pipe because bacteria will form inside the pipes causing them to clog up. Is this true? Mine hasn't clogged up in 9 years. Bacteria may very well form, but it would be aerobic and a thin film, plus the speed the water flows thru is faster than what goes thru the ABS from our toilets.... Well toilets due clog, but not because of bacteria.... ;) Also that person stated that flexible pipe should be used instead of the solid pipe. I used ABS as opposed to PVC beacause a plumber friend of mine stated that ABS will withstand the cold weather here in NE. Any comments. PVC is used for a pipe under pressure. I have all 3 types of pipe, flex in the pond to ABS to filter and PVC to flex from the pump. Only problem we've had is a pin hole leak in the flex pipe. Have no clue how it got there, son used goop and problem solved. One final question: I am using stone dust underneath and around the pipes leading from the bottom drain to mthe vortex. Anyone ever experience using stone dust to fill the bottom of your pond? That is what they use to do inground pools here in NE. In the pond or under the liner? I assume this stone dust is a type of clay? Another thought: what are the chances of the bottom drain breacking/splitting at the junction between the concrete and stonedust? Rich Holub in Massachusetts Last thought confused me. ~ jan See my ponds and filter design: www.jjspond.us ~Keep 'em Wet!~ Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a To e-mail see website |
Quote:
I wouldnt use flexible below ground if by flexible you mean hose. Stone dust sholud be fine, just compact well under the pipe before you cover the pipe, I used 1/2 to 3/4 inch gravel or just soil. |
At a recent water garden show someone told me that I should not have used ABS/PVC pipe because bacteria will form inside the pipes causing them to clog up. Is this true? No basis in fact w-h-a-t-s-o-e-v-e-r. C// |
Richard,
As far as stuff groing in the pipes, I have pvc piping between bottom drains and vortex filters and just yesterday noticed the draw down in the vortex was getting pretty large, indicating reduced flow. I took a piece of rope, tied a cotton mop head on the rope and pulled it through the piping. It is now working fine. As for the stone dust, it is just a fine material, relatively easy to smooth, like the sand that most people have had recommended, but when compacted, is more stable. I would think it would be better than sand. If the bottom drain breaks, you are in deep doodoo. The load as pressure on the bottom of the pond is only about 1/2 psi per foot of pond depth, so it is almost nothing. Having the bottom drain anchored firmly so that it cannot settle and pull away from the liner is important, but there should be no stresses in the pipe to bottom drain unit. -- RichToyBox http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html "Richard Holub" wrote in message ... At a recent water garden show someone told me that I should not have used ABS/PVC pipe because bacteria will form inside the pipes causing them to clog up. Is this true? Another thought: what are the chances of the bottom drain breacking/splitting at the junction between the concrete and stonedust? Rich Holub in Massachusetts |
Hi Jan, Here is my correction One final question: I am using stone dust underneath and around the pipes leading from the bottom drain to mthe vortex. Anyone ever experience using stone dust to fill the bottom of your pond? That is what they use to do inground pools here in NE. In the pond or under the liner? I assume this stone dust is a type of clay? Stone dust is what remains when they crush stone. The particles are larger than sand but the powder mixed in, when wet, compacts and turns into a very hard mass. Not like cement but like hard clay. If struck or shoveled it will break down to it's original consistency. If used you still need a underliner. tHIS POWDER IS PLACED IN THE POND, WETTED, COMPACTED AND COVERED OVER WITH A UNDERLINER PRIOR TO LAYING YOUR RUBBER LINER. Another thought: what are the chances of the bottom drain breacking/splitting at the junction between the concrete and stonedust? Last thought confused me. ~ jan Prior to filling in my stonedust I powered concrete around my bottom drain. Then the pipe comes out of the 2x2x2 concrete block and is pitched down to my vortex tank. This pipe is encased in "stone dust" or sand if that is what one uses, prior to be covered by underlayment and the rubber liner.....make sense? Rich Holub |
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