A Pondless Waterfall requires enough water to fill the stream and maintain proper pump submersion in the underground reservoir.
Aquascape recommends a reservoir with a usable water capacity of at least twice the stream's water volume.
How to calculate water volume
Measure the stream's length, width, and average water depth in feet.
Formula:
Length × Width × Average depth × 7.48 = US gallons
Multiply the result by 2 to estimate the minimum usable reservoir capacity.
Example:
For a stream measuring 10 ft (3.05 m) long, 2 ft (0.61 m) wide, and 3 in. (7.6 cm) deep:
- Stream volume: Approximately 37 US gal (140 L).
- Minimum usable reservoir capacity: Approximately 75 US gal (284 L).
Important considerations
- Rocks and gravel reduce the reservoir's usable water capacity.
- The pump must remain fully submerged during operation.
- Add water as needed to replace evaporation and splashing losses.
The reservoir must hold enough usable water to support continuous circulation without allowing the pump to run dry.