How are the kits different?
1. Liner width and length
2. Water storage capacity
3. Pump and discharge pipe size
Liner width and length:
The Springbrook and Meadowbrook LN series kits are longer and narrower than the SW kits and the Cascade kits are narrower and tend to be longer than the Sierra kits. Consequently, the liner width varies depending on the application. Wider stream channels require wider liner and narrower streams can use narrower widths. The height of a waterfall also affects the width of liner required. Taller waterfalls need wider liner pieces to cover splash out from the water falling from higher up. If your water feature is going to be a channel of water winding through the landscape with small waterfalls along the way then you won't need as wide of liner. Since liner is heavy and adds to the cost of shipping we try to give you a selection of kits that will fit your project without a lot of waste.
Take into account that the liner has to cover the vertical drops and the edges in the streambed. When you look at other kits on the market it is very clear that they don't give you enough liner to go the distance they say they will go. All of the liner in our kits is for the water feature - none of it is needed for water storage.
How much water storage is needed?
A successful Vanishing Water system has enough underground water storage to fill the streambed when you engage the pump, and capture all the water in motion when you turn it off.
To determine the required water storage for your Vanishing Water system, you must consider a few factors in your design phase: how wide, how long, and how much rock will be in the streambed. Factors of elevation, width of waterfall, and depth of water over the falls primarily affect pump selection, but also help establish reservoir requirements. By calculating cubic feet of water in motion, we are able to determine the amount of water storage needed.
How wide is the stream channel?
Our calculations are based on excavated streambed, as the water will seek to fill the entire space, though may only be visible in the center of the channel.
How long is the stream channel?
Since we must have enough stored water underground to complete the recirculation cycle from top to bottom, and fill up pools along the way, this may be our most critical dimension to consider.
How much rock is in the stream channel?
Cobble size and depth is important because more water is needed to rise above the rock - which is, of course, our primary objective. As sediment fills in the pore space, less water will run through the rock, increasing the water depth of your stream. You can speed this process by adding some coarse sand in places along the stream, creating a more realistic dimension to your Vanishing Water feature.
How wide and deep is the waterfall?
Use the chart below to determine the approximate volume of water required to deliver the performance you're trying to achieve. (For gallons per hour (gph) multiply by 60.) The pumps we've selected for our Vanishing Water kits maximize the balance between storage capacity and performance. When you increase the waterfall width, but want to maintain the water depth, a higher volume pump is required; a higher volume pump may draw down the tank faster, necessitating a narrower/shorter stream, or more storage. Pump performance is affected by elevation and pipe size. If the elevation is significantly increased over our recommendations, or the pipe size reduced, you will experience a decrease in water flow.
Which is the right kit for me?
Based on the previous considerations, we've packaged several kits to meet the demands for a wide variety of conditions. When choosing between two sizes, if budget allows, bigger is better. Greater storage capacity captures more rainfall and helps reduce the need to replace water that is lost to evaporation or splash out. A pump that is a bit too much can be adjusted with a valve to a lower flow without damage; a pump that is too small will always be too small. Perhaps the most important factor to consider, however, is to choose a system that is appropriate in scale for the surroundings.
We sell lots of these kits to people all around the county, and we are very experienced at helping pick the right kit for their project. Give us a call at 1-800-959-8353 with any questions. We can give you valuable insight into different aspects of your project that you might not have considered.
