Thread: Water bills! How much do you use?

Originally Posted by NamoAmituofo

. I delay paying them by 2-3 months - not that I can’t afford, but I really hate that company as they kept sending me letters and calling me to chase - eventually I logged a complaint with ombudsman and I still delay my payment by 2-3 months just to show them as a consumer I CAN

I do this with the TV license ha ha.



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When I started the hobby I read this - https://www.koiforum.uk/koi-carp-cha...r-changes.html

Originally Posted by NamoAmituofo

When I started the hobby I read this - https://www.koiforum.uk/koi-carp-cha...r-changes.html

I see @Feline suggesting 25% a week!

I've never changed that much in the pond (tanks, yes). That would be 4000 litres a week!

Can't help but wonder if my koi would be better for it, but then it comes with risks due to the extra crap and metals we find in tap water these days.

I'd be doubtful that I change more than 15% a week in the height of summer, though possibly up to 20% on occasion.

Never more than 10% in a week in winter, and only top ups when they aren't feeding.

My phosphates are through the roof this year, but nitrates hanging around the 40 mark which is better than previous years, possibly helped by the shower.

TDS all over the place due to salt, but the 300 mark about the lowest I've ever got it.

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Just got my latest water bill, and it’s got me thinking about how I’m topping the pond up after filter cleaning.

Currently I have to manually switch off a valve in the filter house (no auto top up) and if I forget the pond will go over the overflow pipe in the skimmer box and onto garden.

I would like something where I can set the pond to top up 500 litres of water or whatever figure I like, so I can more tightly control my water use.

I’ve had a look and not sure if such a thing exists for garden hoses? There are simple timer ones that might be ok.


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There are options. You could try a timer like this. I've run one as a watering system and an trickle in. It's proved reliable for both.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-sin...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Or just fit one of these, it's compact and might even fit in the skimmer to keep it out of the way. Again I ran one on an easypod for a couple of years without issue. This will top up to your level and prevent you from wasting a drop.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392778973...is&media=EMAIL

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Originally Posted by Ukzero

One simple solution if you don't want to go down the auto-top-up route is to use a solendoid valve controlled by a Tapo WiFi plug.
You adjust the flow rate with a normal inline valve to give you a known quantity per minute.
The Tapo App allows you to run with a user defined "Auto off" time which would give you total and remote control.

Years of trial and error taught me that proper auto-top-up only really works if you have your measuring device (EG float valve) floating at exact pond level - which rules out putting it anywhere in the filter.
When I built my latest pond I included a 40mm pipe from the pond into a dedicated float chamber which also included an overflow weir. The top up water can be added anywhere EXCEPT this float chamber as adding water here would raise the water level "falsely" (40mm too small to avoid this).

Cheers Ukzero, that’s a neat idea using a solenoid controlled by a tapo plug. Funnily enough I just got one for the ASHP, so would go nicely together on the same app.


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Originally Posted by Hovis

There are options. You could try a timer like this. I've run one as a watering system and an trickle in. It's proved reliable for both.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-sin...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Or just fit one of these, it's compact and might even fit in the skimmer to keep it out of the way. Again I ran one on an easypod for a couple of years without issue. This will top up to your level and prevent you from wasting a drop.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392778973...is&media=EMAIL

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Cheers mate, do you find that screwfix one ok if you need to run it for say 6 hours? Guess you programmed it to run a few cycles?


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Originally Posted by BrucePondsteen

Cheers mate, do you find that screwfix one ok if you need to run it for say 6 hours? Guess you programmed it to run a few cycles?


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Yes, ita basically a battery powered solenoid. You have the option to change both the frequency and duration. Basically any combination you want. Just adjusting the tap allows you increase or reduce the pressure and therfore the flow rate. Not bad for 20 quid.


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Thanks fellas, that’s given me a few good ideas water only seems to be getting more expensive, so keen to not waste it!


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