Priming Made Simple

When there other choice than to put the pump above the water level, the unit must be "primed." This means that water must be introduced into the pump and the lines in order for the system to create a way for the pump to get new water into it. There are many ways this can be done however, this method is very simple and will help make the priming process less of a headache.

You will need:

Pump
Pipe
Check Valve (Foot valve)
Strainer basket (option but eases priming troubles)
Hose
Water

The first thing that you are going to do is install the foot valve on the end of the line in the water. The foot valve allows the water to only flow in one direction. There are different types, spring, flapper and mechanical. Depending on the power of the pump some of these may not work. We recommend a flapper type because they are easy to install and work with most pumps. They can be purchased at your local garden center (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) and are fairly inexpensive. Once the check valve and lines are in place, the pump and basket need to be added in the correct place. After the pump is in place, install the rest of the pipe. At this point the pond will be empty and all of the plumbing will be in place. It is a good idea to make sure that all of the joints are glued tightly at this point so that there are no air leaks. This will save time and extra work down the road. Now take the hose and fill the pond so that the suction point of the pipe is covered by enough water to not allow a vortex to occur (usually 8" or more). Take the hose out and put t into the discharge line of the system. This could be the point where the waterfall is or maybe it is just a point that you have left open in the discharge line. Let the water fill the line (wait until water is coming back out of the point where the hose has been inserted. Once water is coming out, start the pump. The line will be primed at this point unless there is air trapped in the line. If the pump is running correctly, fill the rest of the pond up. If it is not repeat the steps above until it begins to flow properly.

Some important things to keep in mind:

Inverted U's (a place where the line will go up the wall of the pond, over the wall of the pond, and then back down the side (looks like an upside down U)) are bad ideas. Air is very difficult to expel out of these points (unless a bleed valve is installed) and ValuFlo pumps will not pump if there is air in the intake line.
Try, try again. If the pump is spinning, it is working. When there is nothing coming out but the pump is spinning, there is a problem with the system. Generally, it is on the intake side of the pump and will be in the form of an air leak or an obstruction. With the clear pump, it will be noticeable as an air pocket right at the center of the impeller. This means there is air in the line. If that pocket is not present and the pump is spinning, there is something blocking the discharge line.

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