Water Plant

Jet Nozzle

2010-04-15T11:14:00.003-07:00

Water Plant introduces a range of plastic jet nozzles. The nozzles are available in 3 & 6mm outlet widths. The nozzles produce a clear jet of water and angles can be adjusted via a ball joint. The nozzles are ideal for creating unique, custom water features

Jet Nozzle

2010-04-15T11:14:00.001-07:00

2010-04-15T10:56:00.001-07:00

Pump Types

With all the different types of pumps available on the market today it can be a confusing and frustrating task to select the right pump for your water feature or pond. We will take a look at the 2 main types of pumps available and what you will need to look for when selecting a pump.

Submersible pumps

These are most commonly used in water features and smaller ponds. The pump is completely submerged in the water. The suction of the pump is usually positioned on the side or bottom of the pump. The water is then sucked through the pump and out through the outlet through a pipe or nozzle circulating the water. The smallest submersible pumps available will pump a flow rate of +/- 200 litres per hour and a height of 25cm while the larger pumps will deliver 25000 litres an hour and pump a height of 10 meters. Submersible pumps are the most economical pumps to run.

It is South African law that all submersible pumps used outdoors are fitted with an earthed 3-core 10-meter cable. A submersible pumps suction area needs to be cleaned regularly to avoid the impeller becoming blocked, causing the pump to burn out.

External pumps

The most common external pump used on water features is the swimming pool pump. These are ideal for larger water features and ponds that require a high flow rate of water. There are various sizes of pool pumps available with smallest delivering 5000 litres per hour and the larger pumps delivering up to 40 000 litres per hour.

You will need to draw the water from a point in the feature, usually a bottom drain or weir. The water is sucked through pipe to the pump and then pumped back to the pond or feature. It is important not to install the pump to high above the water level (Max 1.5 meters).

Select the right pump for the job

Selecting the right pump is important. Most pumps are designed for a specific purpose e.g. pond, waterfall, drainage etc. Check with salesman that the pump is the right pump for your application.

Pump Selection

There are various factors one needs to know before a pump can be selected for a water feature. You will need the following information when selecting a pump for a water feature or pond:

The head of the water feature

This refers to the height of the fountain or water feature from the water level that the pump will need to reach. This information will be available on the box of the pump or from the salesman in the shop.

· The Volume of water required

The volume of water required at the outlet of the fountain. Usually calculated in litres per minute or per hour (m3)

Some water features and fountains will require vary little water to operate while others will require thousands of litres. This information should be available from the shop you purchase the fountain or on the packaging of fountainheads.

When in doubt, always go for a bigger pump as these pumps can be choked to reduce the flow.

· The size & length of the pipe.

This is a very important factor. The common belief is that the smaller the pipe the more pressure will be achieved, when in fact it is the complete opposite that is true.

Larger pipe is better as there is less friction loss (the loss of flow and pressure) in larger pipes. You will achieve a far greater flow out of a larger diameter pipe. 12mm pipe is usually ok for small water features that do not require a large flow of water but larger water features & streams will require pipes of 25,40 & 50mm depending on the flow required & distance the water needs to be pumped.

· The width, length and depth of any streams, waterfalls or over flows.

If you are planning a stream or overflow this is very important. The wider and deeper your stream or over flow, the more flow is required. A chart calculating this is attached for you.

Pump Selection (Continued)

From the above example we see that we will require a pump that can deliver 6000 litres per hour at a head of 2.8m We can now use a pump graph to select a pump that will meet these requirements

The graph above shows the performance curve of a range of pumps.

The left axis of the curve shows the litres per minute and the bottom axis shows the head (height)

By drawing a line from the head we require we can see that an h12000 pump will deliver the flow and head that we require to operate the water feature.

Waterplant Bio

2010-04-15T10:55:00.001-07:00

Based in Roodepoort & established in 1982, Water Plant has helped many South Africans turn their gardens into works of art.

A visit to our warehouse shop on Ontdekkers Road opens up a whole new world of Garden Décor to suit everyone’s needs. We have hundreds of different feature working and on display, from the smallest desktop water features to large tusken styled pots, greek statues and brass water features. We have a water feature pump to run the smallest water feature to the largest waterfall. Our expert Sales people will help you choose the correct one for you.

For the DIY and Garden enthusiast Water Plant’s expert sales men will help you design and implement the irrigation system you’ve always wanted, bring in a layout of your Garden and we will design a plan and give you a quote on the perfect system. We will even supply you a booster or borehole pump to run your house or irrigation system.

For the koi enthusiast we have a range of filter systems both gravity and pressurised to fit every size pond, with a range of pond treatments, accessories, pumps, fish and food to help keep you pond and fish happy.

Having problems with your pool? We have the widest range of pool accessories, pumps and filters to help get it clean and crystal clear.

In Short we have everything you need to turn you garden into a garden wonderland.

Don’t let the sun go down on your water feature.

2010-02-02T07:50:00.002-08:00

During the day water features and garden ponds add a new dimension and tranquillity to gardens, but once the sun sets most are hidden until the sun rises again.

This need not be the case and by adding lighting to your water feature and pond you can bring out new qualities to them according to the amount, colours and positions of your lighting. These new contrasts will vary as the garden is transformed by dusk turning into night, creating an entirely different atmosphere.

There is a wide range of low voltage underwater and garden lighting available that is both safe and easy to install.

The key to placing water feature and landscape lighting is restraint. Lighting up the entire area is far less affective than using the light sparingly and highlighting certain parts of the water feature and surrounding plants. You want to try and let the light throw shadows over rocks, plants and running water, rather than directly onto the focal point or water surface. The water surface will become a dark mirror, reflecting the water feature and plants when the light is shone indirectly.

Under water lighting can produce some dramatic effects. By placing a light directly under a fountain nozzle you will add a whole new dimension. Try to place the light so that it shines upwards into the spray if possible attaching the light to the nozzle. Placing a light behind a waterfall or water curtain is also very dramatic.

In ponds and features with fish, underwater lighting is not recommended as it confuses the fish as they will try to swim with the light to there backs.

The addition of a ‘mist maker’ to your water feature can also be very effective when combined with lighting, creating a sense of theatre as the mist rolls over the surface and edges of your feature & drifts across the light beams.

In many ways a water feature can be even more effective at night and by adding lighting you will enjoy it long after the sun has set.

Don’t let the sun go down on your water feature.

2010-02-02T07:50:00.001-08:00

During the day water features and garden ponds add a new dimension and tranquillity to gardens, but once the sun sets most are hidden until the sun rises again.

There is a wide range of low voltage underwater and garden lighting available that is both safe and easy to install.

In ponds and features with fish, underwater lighting is not recommended as it confuses the fish as they will try to swim with the light to there backs.

In many ways a water feature can be even more effective at night and by adding lighting you will enjoy it long after the sun has set.

THE RIGHT PUMP FOR THE JOB

2010-02-02T07:45:00.000-08:00

With all the different types of pumps available on the market today it can be a confusing and frustrating task to select the right pump for your water feature or pond. We will take a look at the 2 main types of pumps available and what you will need to look for when selecting the pump.

Submersible pumps

These are most commonly used in water features and smaller ponds. The pump is completely submerged in the water. The suction of the pump is usually positioned on the side or bottom of the pump. The water is then sucked through the pump and out through the outlet through a pipe or nozzle circulating the water. The smallest submersible pumps available will pump a flow rate of +/- 200 litres per hour and a height of 25cm while the larger pumps will deliver 19000 litres an hour and pump a height of 10 meters. Submersible pumps are the most economical pumps to run.

External pumps

Pump Selection

Pipe diameter is very important and will greatly affect the flow of a water feature. The smaller the diameter of the pipe, the lower the eventual flow will be. When in doubt always go for a larger diameter pipe.

You will need the following information when selecting a pump for a water feature or pond:

Water feature height
Flow required at the height
The volume of the pond
The size (diameter) of the pipe
The width, length and depth of any streams, waterfalls or over flows.

With the above information your local pump expert should be able to help you select the correct pump.

Each pump will have a graph that will show you the height the pump will reach and the flow it will deliver. When in doubt it is recommended to go for a larger pump as the flow can always be reduced if necessary.

ANATOMY OF A TOWNHOUSE IRRIGATION SYSTEM

2010-02-02T07:42:00.000-08:00

With townhouse complexes and security villages popping up everywhere, the average garden size has decreased. Sprinkler systems are often not installed in these gardens and people tend to water their garden by hand or use sprinklers attached to hose pipes that are moved around the garden.

Not only is this time consuming, it is not water efficient. There are numerous irrigation solutions available for a smaller garden that when correctly installed will save you time, money and add value to your home.

Below is a design for a smaller townhouse garden.

In the design it is important to note the following:

The Lawn Area and Garden bed area are split in to 2 separate watering zones. This is because garden beds have different watering requirements than lawn areas. In a smaller garden people tend to try and water everything at once witch will result in over and under watering of certain areas. By splitting your zones you will make your irrigation system far more efficient.

The sprinkler spacing is “Head to Head” this means that each sprinkler is spaced with a 100% overlap witch insures that that the water distribution is even and that there are no dry spots.

Battery operated controllers have been used, no power is necessary to operate the system Automaticly. If Power is not a problem a small controller can also be used.

The Lawn sprinklers are pop-up sprinklers and when installed correctly they will not be seen. The Garden bed sprinklers are placed on a 750mm riser pipe so that no plants will impede the spray of the sprinklers.

Shed some light on your landscape

2010-02-02T07:39:00.000-08:00

During the daylight hours, passers-by marvel at the beautiful landscape you've created. Don't let the darkness cover it up. The addition of low voltage landscape lighting to your home increases the appeal and enjoyment of your home long after the sun has set.

With landscape lighting the term “Less is more” is very true. The pictures below we can see how low voltage lighting can create an ambiance in a persons garden at night, and the correct placement will enhance a homes features and security.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when deciding where to install low voltage lighting in your garden:

For walkways, avoid lining each side of the path with lights for an airport runway look. Alternate edge lights on either side of walkways to direct light down and spread light out.
Don't dot your landscape willy-nilly with lights. This creates a birthday cake effect.
For hedges, trees, and vertical plantings, use floodlights or spotlights that direct light upwards.
Position lights at the beginning of a path or steps to mark the entrance.
Create contrast in the garden by planning lighted spaces and dark areas instead of illuminating the entire area like a parking lot.