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View Full Version : Plumbing an auto-fill for a pond

Stonehenge
08-24-2003, 09:18 PM
I hate the idea of having to drag a hose out to fill a water feature, and I think the option presented by most of the pond kit makers is very unsexy: Put a splitter on your spigot and run something under a bit of soil out to the pond.

Has anyone ever plumbed or had plumbed at auto-fill to a water feature?

If so, what was done? :fishing:
dan deutekom
08-25-2003, 05:24 PM
An auto fill is easy to install. A good water feature supply company will have all the needed parts. It is basically the same as the automatic stock waterers. A float operates a lever connected to a valve. The water level drops, the valve opens and lets water into the pond. All you have to do is plumb a line to the pond, install the valve through the liner and you are off to the races. You can hide the valve with rockwork or plants. I have also used stock watering valves that are available at any farm supply store.
Chuck Sinclair
08-25-2003, 06:25 PM
Jeff,

We do it all the time Aquscapes has an auto fill kit it is a float just like Dan said.
we put a Tee in the line for the Hose Bib then we install an anti-siphon valve and then run SCH 40 PVC pipe to the pond and hook it into the float.
dan deutekom
08-25-2003, 07:24 PM
Good point about the anti siphon valve:blush:
I forgot to mention it It is the first thing I install when doing irrigation or pond work
Stonehenge
08-25-2003, 07:55 PM
The Aquascapes kit just has a splitter that you connect to an existing spigot, which seems clunky to me. I want to actually plumb something out to the pond. Is that what you're talking about?

If so, do you drill a hole through the home's foundation and tap into the indoor plumbing to run a line to the pond?
Chuck Sinclair
08-25-2003, 08:43 PM
Jeff,

Here on the west coast we have a hose bib on the back of the house, that we remove and put a brass tee on the pipe then the hose bib back on.
We come off of the tee with the anti-siphon valve then run the PVC to the float connection in the skimmer. (I won't use that Y either)

But remember we don't get as cold here as you do so you might have to pick up the water under the house.