Filling the Pond for the First Time

As you tighten a few fittings perhaps or re-arrange a few of the rocks to create that natural appearance you should be able to begin filling your pond with water. It may take half an hour or half a day, depending on how big the pond is.

Now is the BEST opportunity you will ever have of getting your correct gallonage. You can easily do this by noting the reading on the water meter before you begin then after you finish take the reading again and do the math. You can also use a water meter that attaches to the end of your water hose while filling the pond.

After the pond is filled with water the moment approaches when you plug in the power and test the results of your labor. You hold your breath in anticipation as the water is sucked out of the bottom drain and begins filling the upper pond or the waterfall...

Rarely is anyone disappointed with their new pond, however, sometimes something may go wrong and adjustments are needed to fix the problem. Below is a trouble-shooting guide of sorts of a few more common problems that can occur.

• Waterfall not flowing as much as you wish? Try restricting water to the induction jets by lowering the gate valves a little until the correct flow to the waterfall is established.
• Is the pump losing its prime after it is turned off and then turned back on? Was a check valve properly installed between both the bottom drain and the pump and the skimmer and the pump? All the water will run out of the pump and back into the pond whenever the pump is turned off except when a back flow preventer (aka check valve) is installed properly.
• Why is the cap to my 3” bottom drain floating? The dome that covers the 3” bottom drain opening must be filled with sand to prevent it from floating to the surface of the pond.
• I have a UV on my system. Why is my water turning green? The water may be passing through the unit too quickly for it to be effective. Try raising the gate valve in the UV by-pass slightly to allow less water pressure through the unit. There is a chance also that the unit is not getting enough water through it. If the first does not work (or the green gets thicker) try pushing the gate valve down a little to force more water through the unit.