Solar Powered Water Features

[gness]

I know the sun...or lack of...could be a problem but I need a little bit of water movement in the ponds I have made.
Has anyone tried these...are they any good or will I be wasting my money?
The ponds are not huge.
Thanks....Gx

[lady-janine]

hi there - we had one of these and it was great at first. but it clogged up easily and only really worked when the sun was directly on the solar panel. saving up energy only lasted a very short time.

can't you get a very long straw and blow into the pond occassionally. this will give you movement and bubbles.

[gness]

Hi LadyJ.....I'd do that but what if blow became suck?....Yuk! x

[woofgang]

hmmm....I have two solar fountains (not pond ones) in my garden. They were from the expensive end of the market and work very well. One failed this year but it has a two year guarantee on it and the supplier has replaced the solar panel. My experience of the cheaper ones is that they work for a year or so then need replacing. if you get the ones where the panel is separate from the pump, you can put them where they will best receive the sun. if you upscale again and get the ones that store power then you will get some movement at night or on dull days (they don't store much though.) also look at ones that work with "ambient light" not just bright direct sunlight bit again these are dearer.
I love solar stuff though....

[tonyav]

Out next door neighbour has one gness, it seems to work for them.

[SlackAlice]

What type are you thinking off? If your thinking of the free floating ones then you might find they end up in the shade and not re-charging (it's called Sods Law!).

[woofgang]

alice those free floating ones can be tethered to a suitable plant stem to keep them in place.

[gness]

Thank you all...I don't mind spending a bit after the effort I have put into building the ponds. I was looking at ones with a separate panel but there are so many on the market I need some advice. x

[Wak]

I'm not conversant with Solar powered pumps as I have a mains powered pump in my small garden fountain controlled by a mains timer switch.
However. I am aware that the pumps can get blocked up as my pump is in the bottom of the central column of the fountain and the water enters through two square holes, taking the bird muck, algae, etc with it.
I found that by blocking these two entrances with sponge pads, it kept the pump clean for much longer and didn't interfere with the water flow.
Also, I put some bi-carbonate of soda in the water which helps to keep the algae under control and doesn't seem to affect the birds drinking habits.
Hope this helps.

[gness]

Ah...I used sponges in the electric pumps in my last garden but didn't know about the bi-carb....thanks Wak. x

[woofgang]

greenfingers, value for money
http://www.greenfingers.com/siteresults_shop.asp

primrose, dearer, probabaly better quality, two year guarantee

http://www.primrose.co.uk/solar-pumps-c-1_213_1297.html

[gness]

Thanks Woof.....a couple there I like the look of. Will mull over with coffee and read reviews. x

[shoota]

Wooden spoon be best IMO

[gness]

Wooden spoon? Too tame for me Shoota..you know that. ;-) x