Hape E4046 Double Sand and Water Wheel - Beach and Bath Toys

Product Information

Place your water wheel in the kitchen sink. Open the faucet so that a small amount of water runs out and spins the wheel. Experiment with the placement of the wheel under the stream of water and the amount of water coming out to see what works best. Place the water wheel on the stand, with the axle (skewer) resting in the grooves at the top of the stand.

How Do Pond Water Wheels Work? (Best Types for Ponds) Waterwheel diagram showing an “overshot” design where water flows over the top of the wheel blades. Public domain. The falling water is transmitted to another machine by the wheel’s shaft or rotating element. It works like a gear. Water Wheel Project Submersible pumps are great choices for undershot water wheels as they can be placed directly in-line with the wheels blades, which also provides you extra flexibility in terms of placement. The pump doesn’t need large head heights as an undershot design is powered via water flow, so the pump will simply need sufficient gallon per hour (GPH) turnover to get the wheel turning. The watermill kit comes in two sizes; one with a 15 inch diameter wheel and the larger being a 30 inch diameter wheel. Both are hand-crafted with yellow pine wood and treated with a non-toxic fish safe soy bean resin. The bearings are also oil-free, so the wheel is 100% safe for fish, plants, and wildlife. Like other water wheels, the metal bearings will eventually fatigue and should be replaced every 2-3 years and should never be greased with harmful oil.

A full support frame is included, so no need to create a DIY framework to keep the wheel in place. The wheel works best as decoration, either moving or static (no water), and is not suitable for energy production due to its small-form factor. Finally, the wheel is safe for fish ponds and wildlife ponds thanks to it’s oil-free bearings and natural wood coating. Overall, a great little water wheel which would be perfect as decoration in a small water garden or small goldfish pond. Overshot wheels are another common type of pond waterwheel design, being more efficient than undershot but more difficult to install and get moving. These wheels can achieve up to an 80% efficiency with specialist design, but the height of the wheel and diameter of the blades are directly proportional to power generation. This means you often need to go BIG to achieve decent power generation, making them sometimes non-practical compared to other eco-power methods. For decorative purposes, overshot wheels can look great and will have plenty of movement if installed with a quality pump with decent flow rate and head height values. Most water wheel kits will be an overshot type as they’re easier to keep moving when the water framework is installed correctly. Overall, a great hassle-free water wheel kit crafted from high quality wood, non-toxic materials, and with the addition of a water pump ready for operation. Although you have less flexibility in terms of design, the water wheel is a good choice if you just want a fancy decoration without the added fuss of construction. In terms of pond water wheels, the most common types are undershot waterwheels and overshot waterwheels. There are many more sub-types, but these two designs are usually better for smaller water gardens as they’re more efficient with lower water flow, as well as being easier to set up!

As well as looking fantastic as decorations, a moving water wheel will also provide other benefits, such as increased aeration and oxygenation. The continued movement of the wheel against the water will create more flow and provide additional nutrients and oxygen across the pond system. For the budget consensus or for smaller sized water gardens as décor, this 12″ diameter decorative wooden water wheel is a great choice of entry-level wheel. Hand-crafted from high quality pine wood, the wheel features a 12 inch (30 cm) diameter design with a popular overshot movement type. Unlike undershoot wheels, this wheel requires water flow coming from overhead for the best operation. Water which hits the wheel will be collected in the blades, and the wheel will turn on it’s shaft and axle as water builds to the correct capacity. Other eco-power methods, such as solar power and wind power, are more reliable for general power generation, and we’d usually recommend these over water power for regular pond owners. With that said, waterwheels are some of the best pond décor around, and still have a few extra benefits which make them great choices for fish ponds: Benefits of Pond Water Wheels: 1) Provides Aeration & OxygenationTo just see the general principal of a water wheel at work with a one time experiment, you can use cardboard and white glue. If you would like your water wheel to last under numerous experiments in the water, go for the more water proof option by using foam board and pins. Hot glue is waterproof and can be used in place of the pins if making the foam board water wheel.) What You Do: The movement from water wheels helps distribute extra nutrients and oxygen across the pond system, which can be very beneficial if you have koi and goldfish in your pond. The added aeration will also improve filtration as beneficial bacteria have more dissolved oxygen to help break down harmful substances in water. 2) Deters Pests & Algae Growth Water Wheel Powered Pond Pumps – What Should You Choose? Submersible ponds are placed underwater, making them convenient for “undershot” wheels, but can also easily power “overshot” designs, too.

A small submersible pump is included for convenience and has been fitted to easily power the wheel by pumping water to a small outlet in the head of the watermill. The pump will require electricity to work (6″ length cable), so you would need to make sure you have a power outlet handy to get things running. If you have the DIY know-how or the determination to take on such a project, constructing a water wheel for your pond can be both fun and rewarding. The designs of wooden wheels have been refined over the years, but the basic construction remains fairly similar – consisting of the wooden wheel, blades, support, and metal axis and bearings. The wheels are all overshot designs, so will require water flow to enter from the top of the wheel for best operation. The smallest wheels (15″) can be powered easily with solar pumps, small submersible pumps, or even a garden hose. The large wheels, such as the 48″ wheel, would require a stronger pump which can maintain higher water pressures at up to 1 foot of head height (height of water wheel). Although these are approximate values, we’d recommend a pump ranging from 400-600 GPH for the largest wheels to ensure smooth movement and the best aesthetic. Overall, a fantastic range of hand crafted water wheels with options for both small and large water gardens. A great choice if you want a durable wheel which will function for years without trouble!

Cut out the water wheel pieces from the foam board or cardboard with scissors or a box cutter. Have an adult help you!