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When there is no other choice than to put the
pump above the water level of your fountain, the unit must be "primed." This
means that water must be introduced into the pump and the lines
in order for the system to create a way for the pump to get new
water into it. There are many ways this can be done however,
this method is very simple and will help make the priming
process less of a headache.
You will need:
Pump
Pipe
Check Valve (Foot valve)
Strainer basket (option but eases priming troubles)
Hose
Water
The first thing that you are going to do
is install the check
valve on the end of the line in the water. The check valve allows
the water to only flow in one direction. There are different
types, spring, flapper and mechanical. Depending on the power of
the pump some of these may not work. We recommend a flapper type
because they are easy to install and work with most pumps. They
can be purchased at your local garden center (Lowe's, Home
Depot, etc.) and are fairly inexpensive. Once the check valve
and lines are in place, the pump and basket need to be added in
the correct place. After the pump is in place, install the rest
of the pipe. At this point the pond will be empty and all of the
plumbing will be in place. It is a good idea to make sure that
all of the joints are glued tightly at this point so that there
are no air leaks. This will save time and extra work down the
road. Now take the hose and fill the pond so that the suction
point of the pipe is covered by enough water to not allow a
vortex to occur (usually 8" or more). Take the hose out and put
t into the discharge line of the system. This could be the point
where the waterfall is or maybe it is just a point that you have
left open in the discharge line. Let the water fill the line
(wait until water is coming back out of the point where the hose
has been inserted. Once water is coming out, start the pump. The
line will be primed at this point unless there is air trapped in
the line. If the pump is running correctly, fill the rest of the
pond up. If it is not repeat the steps above until it begins to
flow properly.
Some important things to keep in mind when
priming for your pond or fountain:
1. Inverted U's (a place where the line will go up the wall of
the pond or fountain, over the wall of the pond or fountain, and then back down the side
(looks like an upside down U)) are bad ideas. Air is very
difficult to expel out of these points (unless a bleed valve is
installed) and ValuFlo pumps will not pump if there is air in
the intake line.
2. Try, try again. If the pump is spinning, it is working.
When there is nothing coming out but the pump is spinning, there
is a problem with the system. Generally, it is on the intake
side of the pump and will be in the form of an air leak or an
obstruction. With the clear pump, it will be noticeable as an
air pocket right at the center of the impeller. This means there
is air in the line. If that pocket is not present and the pump
is spinning, there is something blocking the discharge line. |
