I'm about to put in an electric circuit to the pond area. From the experience of the gathered masses on this board, how much is enough? Current plan is a 20 amp circuit with 4 receptacles at the pond side. Is that enough? Too much?

The pump I have is 2 amp, 250 watt. I anticipate adding one more small pump for a spitter.

Linda

I am not sure about wattages etc. But 4 receptacles is what I use. Pump, aerator, lights and spitter pump.

If you live in a cold area, the de-icer will use the most Wattage so plan to have enough for that.

LindaB

A 20 amp circuit will handle about 2400 watts (Watts = Volts x Amps). Add up the wattage of everything you EVER intend to use at the pond outlets and see if that total stays within the total allowed. If you use 2 pumps @ 250 Watts each, that's only 500 watts. If you keep the pumps going in the winter and add a deicer, you need to add that wattage. If you use a 1500 watt deicer, then the total would be 2000 watts in the winter.

If you need to ask this question, I hope you are consulting with a qualified electrician as there are a number of things to consider when running electricity to the pond.

If you choose to do your own installation please consider the following:

1. Make sure you use the proper size wire. 12 gauge wire is rated for 20 amps. 10 gauge for 30 amps.

2. How far is the pond from the house? As electrical lines get longer, they lose voltage. That needs to be considered, especially if it it longer than about 50 feet.
If is a long run, you may need to use heavier wire.

3. Is the line to be buried? You must consider the type of wire and method of burial. Make sure that the wire is rated for burial. Type UF non-metallic cable is rated for direct burial. Individual wires can be run through PVC conduit and the wire insulation rating should include a W in the code (e.g. THWN) to indicate that it is suitable for wet locations. Make sure it is buried to the depth required by your local electrical code (usually 18 to 24 inches). If you use 3/4 inch PVC conduit and individual wires, you will be able to pull additional wires for another circuit in the future and avoid having to dig another trench. (Or pull new wires in case of wire failure)

4. Make sure your outlets are rated for 20 amps (stamped on the back) and that you include a GFCI outlet as the first outlet in the string of four. Better yet, purchase a GFCI circuit breaker for that circuit. This will prevent you and the inhabitants of your pond from being electrocuted. Also, be sure to use enclosures on the outlets that are rated for use outdoors and that they are effectively weather-tight.

Don

Well said Don. You always want to be sure to provide extra capacity for future requirements you might not think of at the present time. So if your wire gage is of proper size it's a snap to add extra outlets, lighting ect.

FM3

Hi Linda, if you need a deicer I would recommend the thermo pond one. It is only 100watt so the electricity only is like running a light bulb 24/7. I am very impressed with the de icer as it made it through my winter and we had -55 at times and lasted 6 months! :blink: Here's the link for it! Oh, I see it is on sale, good time for everyone to grab one for next fall! I think I will get a spare now too come to think of it!

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...cfm?pcatid=8557

Don, you know so much! I wish I had a guy around here with all that knowledge! You should write articles about what you know. I'd post them on my web site if you want to do that. My site doesn't have too much technical stuff on it like that. Knowledge is best shared which I'm sure you did a lot as a teacher. Maybe you should start your own web site! Don's World of Knowledge. You could link in all your toady pant adjusting videos and such.

Thanks Don, KK, and Robyn for the input.

Yes, I'm having an electrician (my dad) add in the circuit and have consulted with him. I'm just trying to make sure I've planned for all the plugs I'll need. I have 3/4" PVC for burying the wire in and I've bought outdoor direct bury 12 gauge wire for extra safety. Of course I'll be using GFCI outlets....wouldn't do it without them. I also have already purchased in-use weather proof box and cover for the outlets.

My circuit box is about maxed out so I'm going to remove a 220 circuit that the previous owners had wired for a kiln, and replace it with the pond circuit and leave an extra space available if needed later. If I get really fancy on the pond, I'll thread another wire through the conduit, although I don't want to spend gobs of money on electricity so I'll probably stay conservative on the toys.

I don't think I'll have much more than two pumps and maybe some lights. I'm in SE Michigan zone 5b so I'll need the de-icer. I was planning on making up the Rubbermaid tub/pool noodle/light bulb de-icer that I've seen floating around the internet, so that shouldn't be more than 100 watts. The big pump will be off in the winter, but maybe a smaller one for aeration.

KK, that de-icer says it's only for up to 1000 gallons. Does your experience with it tell you differently? For $35, that might be worth a try.

Linda

LindaB

Sounds like you've got it all covered. Glad to hear that.


Robyn

Anything I've learned through the years has been out of necessity. When I first started teaching, salaries were not very high and when my wife and I decided to start a family, we knew we were going to need more space as the house we lived in was only 900 square feet and the Carter administration had given us double digit mortgage rates. Therefore, buying a larger house was out of the question. Our lot was very small and the only real option was to add a second story. When I got estimates, there was no way we could afford to contract it out as the estimates were out of the ballpark. I decided then that I would have to do it myself. I began reading, volunteering to help with neighbors projects and just watching professionals do various tasks. It took me two summers, but I managed to add the second story myself, including wiring, plumbing two bathrooms, adding a second heating system on the second floor, 3 bedrooms and a laudry room. After that was finished, I converted the first floor bedrooms into a large living room with a fireplace, turned the original living room into a dining area and remodeled the kitchen. Then I moved some windows, added new doors and built a deck. I've been learning to do things like that and helping neighbors and friends with their projects for over 30 years. With summers off as a teacher, I started a small business doing remodeling to make extra cash. I've learned through the years that if you put your mind to it, read about how to do things, and watch the experts, that you can do just about anything. The last two years of my teaching career, I had enough knowledge of computers, networking and educational technology that I went to work for the school district as a technology specialist, teaching teachers how to use computers in the classroom, assisting in network setup and troubleshooting, and maintained and repaired computer equipment for 11 schools within the district. The scientist in me wants to know how everything works, so I'm always learning new things. It is my belief that it is nothing special, that anyone can do the same thing if they just dig in and do it. And it is also the accumulation of 65 years of experience. It also helped that I grew up in a poor family and had to work for everything that I ever wanted. I was in the Air Force for 4 years, which allowed me to go to school on the GI bill, but I also worked in a factory while I went to night school for a couple of years and learned a lot about industrial processes.

Anyway, I'm not much of an expert on anything, but I know a little about a lot of things--enough to have saved a lot of money by doing things myself. I also take a lot of pride in being able to teach myself just about anything i want to know.

I like to help when I can, but I also know what I don't know---and that's a lot.

Don

ok, u got pumps, the lights, skimmer, spitter for the summer..winter has the pump, de-icer, and maybe a light...but everybody forgot the radio!!! :o
Doesn't matter what season... I've sat at the pond enjoying a good 'veg time' watching the fish, enjoying a drink and listening to a good tune. :D

Hi Linda. My pond is 12,000US gallons and the de icer did it's job. It just kept that size of hole open all winter but with the aerator the fish were fine. Which is amazing in itself, LOL, at those horrific temps. I also should say that I had a tent over my pond all winter (in case you didn't know that) so that kept all snow out. Here's a picture of it working incase you didn't see the picture before. I really can't say enough good about this de icer and think everyone should get one, LOL!

Jeez Don, if anybody has ever earned retirement it is YOU!

http://s249.photobucket.com/albums/gg220/f...location052.jpg

This is why you add extra outlets. You never know who's going to claim them.