Gph Above Ground

Pondless Waterfalls: Concrete Vs. Pond Liner

The get-rich-quick factor in the pond liner industry has forced up the price of pond liner kits to equal the cost of concrete construction. If you search for the truth about concrete ponds and waterfalls from reading the literature of the greed-driven liner pond industry, you will not find it. Why? Because if the truth be known, no one in their right mind would invest good, hard-earned money in a pond liner!

The pond liner track record speaks for itself:

More than 37% of all waterfalls have serious structural damage within 3 years of construction.

57% of homeowners say they are rather unsatisfied with the way their waterfall came out after the project was completed.

One in three waterfalls and ponds are leaking water within nine months of completion.

63% of “do-it-yourselfers” say they wished they had the proper information from the “get go” or that they had hired someone.

These statistics are from the pond liner industry itself (Bob Wilder, 48-Hour Waterfall). I can confirm and attest to these figures myself. I have built over 1,900 concrete and rebar waterfalls and ponds over the past 26 years. I have ripped out and replaced dozens of defective liner ponds and replaced them with concrete ones with lifetime warranties.

Pond liner guys will not attach more than a one-year warranty. They make no guarantee against rats, mice, ground squirrels, gophers, tree roots and sharp objects.

Let’s compare apples to lemons … First, let’s talk about apples (concrete waterfalls). We will construct a pondless waterfall that is 20 inches wide at the top by 20 feet long, becoming 24 inches wide at the bottom, to create a spillway 3 feet tall. At the bottom is a catch basin 4 ft. x 6 ft. x 3 ft. deep. The costs of excavation are as follows:

To dig a waterfall and basin takes two men 4 hours @ $20 per hour = $160.

The flexible PVC pipe is 35 ft. @ $1.25 per ft. = $44.

Concrete (3500 psi with stealth fiber)): 2 ½ yards = $250.

20 pieces of 20 ft. x 3/8 inch rebar = $100.

One 1/3 HP high efficiency pump, 2800 GPH, 356 watts = $429.

One anti-vortex drain = $10.

Four 2 x 4 ft. heavy plastic corrugated or galvanized plans to cover the collection basin = $35.

Setting the rebar: 3 man-hrs. = $225.

Pumping and finishing 2 ½ yards of concrete: 4 man-hrs. @ $75/hr. = $300.

Applying thoro-seal, 1 sack + 1 hour = $43.

Rock work + 8 sacks mortar mix: labor - 8 man-hrs. @ $75/hr. = $600.

Mortar: $40.

TOTAL EXCAVATION COST FOR A CONCRETE POND = $2,236.

With this type of construction, no filter is needed. The water in the basin is not exposed to sunlight, so there are no algae. Plus the top layer of rock and the planks are easily removed for cleaning out debris about once a year. If a plastic screen is placed over the planks before the rock layer, cleaning is reduced by 90%.

Now let’s talk about the lemons (the liner folks). The pondless waterfall liner kit advertised by all the disciples of the “liner messiah” on their websites is $1,940 + tax & shipping, or $2,176.

And now for the math: One concrete/rebar construction pondless waterfall completed with high-efficiency pump = $2,236. One pondless liner kit to build a pondless waterfall of the exact same dimensions = $2,176. If I did the math correctly, the completed concrete pondless waterfall costs $60 more than the pondless waterfall liner kit; however, it is still in the box!

Concrete and rebar pondless waterfall has a lifetime warranty. Liner pondless waterfall: 1 yr. warranty on labor, lifetime warranty against factory defect. But there is no warranty whatsoever against holes caused by rats, mice, ground squirrels, gophers, tree roots, sharp objects, etc. Sorry Charlie!

Concrete and rebar pondless waterfalls use a high-efficiency above-ground pump that is easy to service (it has a 3 yr. warranty). The 1/3 HP pump is small, very quiet, and easily hidden behind a couple of rocks or plants next to the falls, or piped to another part of the yard. The liner pondless waterfall uses a submersible sump pump that is placed in the bottom of the basin, and then buried with hundreds of pounds of rocks. To service this pump (only a 2 ½ yr. warranty), all the slimy, stinky rocks have to be removed from the basin first.

The concrete and rebar pondless waterfall pump produces 5,800 gallons per hour at only 356 watts (retail $429). The liner pondless waterfall kit comes with a sump pump (they advertise as “the best pump on the market”). It produces 5,700 gal/hour (100 gal. less) at a whopping 911 watts of power (over twice that of the above-ground pump). You will pay $525 more per year for electricity (at $.12/kwh) for that extra 555 watts. Their pump costs $600 retail ($171 more than the above-ground). Oh, did I mention “the best warranty in the industry” is only 2 ½ years, compared to 3 years for the above-ground?

The concrete and rebar pondless waterfall’s rocks are all mortared in place. So anyone, especially small children, can climb on the rocks without them moving, with possible serious injury resulting. With liner pondless waterfalls, rocks will move and shift on their own without help. After a few months, the ugly liner is exposed in the falls and around the pond.

While building the concrete pondless waterfall, design liberties can be taken, such as altering the length, width or shape of the feature. With a liner pondless waterfall, the parameters have already been set by the manufacturer of the kit.

The concrete pondless waterfall can utilize the large, open basin to install an Aquafill automatic water leveling device. In addition, the basin can be made smaller because the space for water is not taken up by rocks as it is in the liner pondless waterfall basin. The only rock that exists is on top of the galvanized or plastic plank cover.

Wow! Concrete waterfalls are stationary, permanent, lifetime life-expectancy, cheaper to build, cheaper to operate, easier to clean, easy to maintain, longer pump warranty, safer and more natural looking! Apples or lemons? You be the judge!

I am sick and tired of these amateurs giving my life-long profession a bad name by their exaggerated, dishonest and sensational claims – only to be backed up by a nebulous warranty and, at best, shoddy workmanship. My disclaimer: There are professionals installing liners that do take measures to prevent rodent or root attacks by placing a think layer of mortar under and over the liner. I found that if you are going to go to all that extra work and expense, just build it with 3500 psi concrete to begin with!

Happy koi, peace and joy … no koi, no joy.

About the Author

Above Ground $29.99 Ruth Palmer Above Ground - Photographic Print

Brute Force 1250 GPH Manual In-ground Cover Pump $258.68 This powerful pump from Brute Force will remove up to 1250 GPH from your winter cover. Lightweight and powerful, this pump is essential for winter pool maintenance.For above-ground pool coversPumps 1250 gallons per minutePowerful 1/3 hp motorFully submersibleClog resistantRemoves water up to 0.1875 inches from any surfaceGarden hose adapter33-foot cordUL listedWeighs 10 poundsModel number 110-120V

GPH $12.99 GPH

Our New Life Above the Ground $24.99 Our New Life Above the Ground

Stronghold Above Ground Anchor $72.99 Kryptonite Stronghold Above Ground Anchor Kryptonite's latest innovation in security Above ground anchor security Hardened carbon alloy shackle Comes with cement anchor bolts 7 1/2" diameter x 1 5/8" tall

A Helicopter Hovering Just Above the Ground $79.99 A Helicopter Hovering Just Above the Ground - Premium Photographic Print

Cemetery with Above-Ground Crypts or Graves $39.99 Tyrone Turner Cemetery with Above-Ground Crypts or Graves - Photographic Print

Archway of Rock, High Above the Ground $24.99 Jeff Foott Archway of Rock, High Above the Ground - Photographic Print

Rock Climbing Above the Snowy Ground $39.99 Bill Hatcher Rock Climbing Above the Snowy Ground - Photographic Print

Troglodyte Dwellings Above Ground, Matmata, Tunisia $24.99 Peter Ptschelinzew Troglodyte Dwellings Above Ground, Matmata, Tunisia - Photographic Print

Cemetery in New Orleans with Above Ground Graves $39.99 Tyrone Turner Cemetery in New Orleans with Above Ground Graves - Photographic Print

Above-Ground Tomb with Cast-Iron Fence in Cemetery $99.99 Above-Ground Tomb with Cast-Iron Fence in Cemetery - Premium Photographic Print

Palm Fronds Hanging Above Ground Cover $19.99 Brett Weston Palm Fronds Hanging Above Ground Cover - Photographic Print

Nitelighter 100-watt Above-ground Pool $307.84 The Nitelighter 100-watt above-ground pool light can add a romantic pallet of color to your above ground pool with its brilliant halogen lights. Perfect for parties and outdoor entertainment.The 100-watt long life halogen bulb features a patented reflector lensSafe and easy to install on any above-ground poolLight is powered by a super-safe 12 volts and comes with its own transformerComes with three colored lenses to snap on for mood effectsColored lenses include blue, red and clearWill not interfere with pool return lineETL certifiedModel number NA409

Airs Above the Ground $10.9 Mary Stewart's novels have been re-issued in paperback with beautiful, brand new covers for 2011. Mary Stewart is one of our most successful novelists. Her first novel, MADAM WILL YOU TALK, was published in 1955. It was an immediate success and marked the beginning of a long and acclaimed writing career. All her novels have been bestsellers on both sides of the Atlantic. She was made a Doctor of Literature by Durham University in 2009.

Dead Above Ground $9.56 Rated: RSynopsis: Aspect Ratio: Alternate Wide Screen (1.78:1)Presentation: Wide ScreenSound: Dolby DigitalFeatures: [None specified]Language: EnglishTime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

Mystic 18-foot Above Ground Pool $2738.93 Make a splash in this Mystic 18-foot round above ground extruded resin pool Swimming pool has 52-inch high wallOutdoor pool features 7-inch ledges and 6-inch verticals Gray frame and wallPlease note: liner is not included

Aerial View of Above Ground Cemeteries in New Orleans $39.99 Tyrone Turner Aerial View of Above Ground Cemeteries in New Orleans - Photographic Print

The Metro Goes Above Ground in the Boulevard de la Chapelle $49.99 The Metro Goes Above Ground in the Boulevard de la Chapelle - Giclee Print

Brute Force 2450 GPH Automatic In-ground Cover Pump $344.42 This powerful pump from Brute Force will remove up to 1250 GPH from your winter cover, basement, or boat. Lightweight and powerful, this pump is essential for winter pool maintenance.For in-ground pool coversPumps 2450 gallons per minuteFully-submersibleClog-resistantRemoves water up to 0.1875 inches from any surfaceGarden hose adapterCustom-level automatic modeUL-listedWeighs 10 poundsModel number NW2258

Nitelighter 50 Watt Above-ground Pool Light $225.06 Enjoy your above-ground pool well into the night with this pool light from Nightlighter. This 50-watt long life halogen bulb light with a patented reflector lens, means it will brighten up even the largest above ground pool. Nitelighter is super safe and easy to install on any above ground poolThe light is powered by super safe 12 volts and comes with its own transformerPool light requires no drilling and it will not interfere with your pool's return lineIt also comes with 3 colored lenses (blue, red and clear) to snap on for mood effectsComes complete with a 28-foot of cordETL Certified

Raindrip Raindrip Half Gph Dripper R108CT $5.01 Half gph dripper Turbulent flow pressure compensating drippers Each individual dripper maintains its rated flow rate (GPH) for inlet pressures ranging from 10 to 50 P.S.I This makes installation easier and less complex These drippers can be used at the end of 1/4? tubing feeders or inserted directly into 1/2? hose In the latter, they may be buried and the water ported up to the ground surface with a length of 1/4? tube Use 1/2 GPH for heavy (clay) soil, 1 GPH for medium (loam) soil, and 2 GPH for light (sandy) soil 1/2 GPH; 10 per card Brand #: Raindrip R108CT UPC: 018171001085 Keywords: drip watering dripper

Raindrip Raindrip 1 Gph Dripper R110CT $5.01 1 gph dripper Turbulent flow pressure compensating drippers Each individual dripper maintains its rated flow rate (GPH) for inlet pressures ranging from 10 to 50 P.S.I This makes installation easier and less complex These drippers can be used at the end of 1/4? tubing feeders or inserted directly into 1/2? hose In the latter, they may be buried and the water ported up to the ground surface with a length of 1/4? tube Use 1/2 GPH for heavy (clay) soil, 1 GPH for medium (loam) soil, and 2 GPH for light (sandy) soil 1 GPH; 10 per card Brand #: Raindrip R110CT UPC: 018171001108 Keywords: drip watering dripper

Raindrip Raindrip 2 Gph Dripper R112CT $5.01 2 gph dripper Turbulent flow pressure compensating drippers Each individual dripper maintains its rated flow rate (GPH) for inlet pressures ranging from 10 to 50 P.S.I This makes installation easier and less complex These drippers can be used at the end of 1/4? tubing feeders or inserted directly into 1/2? hose In the latter, they may be buried and the water ported up to the ground surface with a length of 1/4? tube Use 1/2 GPH for heavy (clay) soil, 1 GPH for medium (loam) soil, and 2 GPH for light (sandy) soil 2 GPH; 10 per card Brand #: Raindrip R112CT UPC: 018171001122 Keywords: drip watering dripper

Raindrip Raindrip 1 2 Gph Dripper PC2025B $8.44 1/2 gph dripper Turbulent flow pressure compensating drippers Each individual dripper maintains its rated flow rate (GPH) for inlet pressures ranging from 10 to 50 P.S.I This makes installation easier and less complex These drippers can be used at the end of 1/4? tubing feeders or inserted directly into 1/2? hose In the latter, they may be buried and the water ported up to the ground surface with a length of 1/4? tube Use 1/2 GPH for heavy (clay) soil, 1 GPH for medium (loam) soil, and 2 GPH for light (sandy) soil 1/2 GPH; 25 per bag Brand #: Raindrip PC2025B UPC: 018171020253 Keywords: drip watering dripper

Raindrip Raindrip 1 Gph Dripper PC4025B $8.44 1 gph dripper Turbulent flow pressure compensating drippers Each individual dripper maintains its rated flow rate (GPH) for inlet pressures ranging from 10 to 50 P.S.I This makes installation easier and less complex These drippers can be used at the end of 1/4? tubing feeders or inserted directly into 1/2? hose In the latter, they may be buried and the water ported up to the ground surface with a length of 1/4? tube Use 1/2 GPH for heavy (clay) soil, 1 GPH for medium (loam) soil, and 2 GPH for light (sandy) soil 1 GPH; 25 per bag Brand #: Raindrip PC4025B UPC: 018171040251 Keywords: drip watering dripper

Raindrip Raindrip 2 Gph Dripper PC8025B $8.44 2 gph dripper Turbulent flow pressure compensating drippers Each individual dripper maintains its rated flow rate (GPH) for inlet pressures ranging from 10 to 50 P.S.I This makes installation easier and less complex These drippers can be used at the end of 1/4? tubing feeders or inserted directly into 1/2? hose In the latter, they may be buried and the water ported up to the ground surface with a length of 1/4? tube Use 1/2 GPH for heavy (clay) soil, 1 GPH for medium (loam) soil, and 2 GPH for light (sandy) soil 2 GPH; 25 per bag Brand #: Raindrip PC8025B UPC: 018171080257 Keywords: drip watering dripper

Tags: ground, pool, pump, pumps, replacement

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 at 3:06 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.