Best of Three Things to Consider when Choosing Pond Pumps

Once you have decided that you are going to install a garden pond, one of the most important tasks you will have is choosing one of the many garden pond pumps available on the market.

There are going to be three areas to consider when choosing the garden pond pump that is best suited for you particular pond. You are going to have to decide on the type, the brand and the power that you are going to need in your pump. When making your decision in each of these areas, you have to give some thought to each one of them on their own merits.

== >> Type
You will find that you have two choices of types of pond pumps. There is the external type which means it sits on the outside of your pond, and then there are the submersible pumps that are put in the pond totally underwater. Both have their advantages and you will need to give some thought and consideration as to which is most appropriate for you.

If cost is an issue, then you will find that the external pond pumps are less expensive and they also use less energy, which means there is some cost-saving factors here as well. The disadvantage to the external pump is that they do make some noise, and this may overpower the ambience of your garden pond. The submersible types are more expensive, but because they are totally submersed under the water you don't have to contend with the noise.

== >> Brand
With some careful planning and shopping around, you really can install garden ponds without having to spend a fortune. However it is very important that you purchase pond pumps that are of excellent quality, because you don't want to be running the risk of having to repair or replace them, or running into potential problems with your pond.

Pond pumps have the job of keeping your water circulating which is a necessity to keep your pond free and clear of any problems. You will find that the various garden pond pumps run at different price ranges, but a little bit of research will help you to determine what are the most favored and reliable ones on the market.

== >> Power
You are going to need to know how many gallons of water your water garden is holding. The general consensus of choosing a pond pump is to choose one that can move the water completely within every hour and a half. So if you have a 400 gallon pond then your pump should have the capability of being able to move 300 gallons of water per hour.

There are other things to consider as well though. You will have to take into account the shape of your pond and what the pond contains, as it could interfere with the water circulation.

By paying attention to these three specific areas you will have no difficulty in finding the right pond pump for your particular water garden needs. Also consider your future plans for your garden pond as well. If you feel that you are going to be adding several more items to it, then keep this in mind when purchasing your water garden pump.

Unique Things to Look for when Purchasing a Porch Swing

Porch swings are very iconic and can be a great starting point for any outdoor furniture collection. They can be the starting point for any theme you wish to have on your deck or outdoor living area and can be accessorized with colored or patterned cushions or blankets. Depending on your size, style, and material preference, there are a few ways things to look for before purchasing a porch swing.

The size of your desired porch swing is the first thing to look for before making a purchase. You will need an area large enough for the length of the seat and height of the chair when hung a few feet off the ground. The range of motion of the swing is also important because you will need to avoid areas where the swing will hit walls or other areas to avoid damaging the swing or injuring individuals.

Size is also a consideration because you will need to accommodate everyone who will be using it. Porch swings can come in sizes from individual seats to loveseats to even couch length to hold up to four people. The size goes directly hand-in-hand with the amount of weight your porch swing will be able to hold because you will need to not only pick a porch swing made of a durable material but you will also need to make sure it is hung from an area which will support it. Sturdy areas to hang a porch swing include the roof of a deck or porch, a sturdy tree branch, or an a-frame base.

The accessories included with the porch swing are also important to consider because these can contribute to the success of your porch swing. A-frame bases are an important accessory to consider because they may not come with the swing of your choice but may be sold separately. A-frames are sturdy surfaces which will hold your chains and swing and will also be beneficial because they allow you to move the porch swing to different areas of the deck or yard. Taking specific measurements of the a-frame is important because they must fit the swing perfectly and they are wide and will require a large area for placement.

Cushions are also accessories to keep in mind when purchasing a porch swing because many porch swings are not very comfortable without them. Swings which are made of wood, wicker, or wrought iron will most likely need cushions or padding for added comfort and wicker and wrought iron are especially uncomfortable when you sit directly on them. Cushions are also a great way to match your porch swing with the rest of your outdoor furniture because there are many colors and styles of cushions available.

Before purchasing any accessories or add-ons for your swing, you will need to be sure these items will last outdoors. A-frames should be protected accordingly depending on what material they are made of to be sure they do not crack or rot due to exposure to rain or sunlight. Cushions should be purchased to resist mold and mildew and also be fade-resistant under the sun.

Chains and hooks are especially important for your porch swing because they should be sturdy and resist rust as damage will cause your chains to become weak. For the safety of your family, chains should be checked each season. Covering chains with rubber tubing is an effective way to keep them safe and long-lasting.

Elegant Five Things to Ponder when Starting Your Pond

Majority of the people with backyard planned to have a garden pond in their place to make a very natural look to their backyard. Thinking about setting up a garden pond seems very easy. Most of us will just think that making a hole, filling it water and then adding fish will do the job. Actually there's more to just these things. After creating a hole in your backyard, you have to make sure that you are putting the water with the right temperature, the right ph and the right nutrients. Also, you have to make sure that you have sufficient pond supplies such as biofilter so your pond won't look like a compost pit after a couple of weeks. You also have to choose the right fish for the type of pond that you have.


Since most of the first time pond owners experience New Pond Syndrome, or the scenario wherein fish are becoming unhealthy and sickly, eventually resulting to the fish death, we came up with five things that you should take into consideration when you have your own garden pond.


First, you do not just dig a hole in your backyard and just put water and dump your fish in there. You should make sure that you put a plastic lining to securely separate the ground from the hole that will be your pond. This will ensure that soil and the soil nutrients will not get into the pond. Excessive nutrients from the soil will pacify algal bloom, so we really have to be careful with this one.


Second thing that you should do is to shop for different plants that you can put in your pond. You cannot just put any kind of plants into your pond; you have to research the types of plants that can be helpful to your pond. You might encounter the words oxygenators (plants that provide shade and takes up carbon dioxide in the water and gives off oxygen for the plants), floaters (which floats in the water and help maintain the right temperature for the fish), the marginal (which beautify your pond and also gives extra shade to your pond) and the deep water aquatic (which protect your pond from direct sunlight and also beautifies your pond).


Third, you should choose the right spot where in you will place your pond. You have to remember that location also determines how much work you should exert in maintaining your pond. For example, placing your pond under a tree may seem like a very nice landscape, but that will also mean that you have to fish out the debris from the tree every now and then to make sure that those debris will not decay in your pond. If it does, then you will have a problem with excessive nutrition in your pond water. It will encourage ammonia to take over your pond.


Fourth, also avoid placing your pond on the lowest ground level in your backyard. The tendency is that the water from your lawn will flood your pond. The debris that comes with the water can also cause some problem.
The last thing that you should do is outlining the edges of your pond with rocks. This might sound easy, but it's not. You cannot just put any kind of rock. You have to ensure that these rocks do not give off harmful chemicals or substance.


These are just some of the basic things that you should ponder when starting a pond. There's more to it actually, but knowing five of them will really help you a lot.