Pond Pumps
There are a number of things to consider when choosing a pump for your pond and the various different makes, styles and models is at first quite daunting.
This list is designed to help you know what to look for in a pond pump.
- Flow rate, measured either in gallons per hour (GPH) or litres per hour (LPH), you need to pump the full volume of your pond through your filter approx. every 1and ½ to 2hrs but check the requirements of your chosen filter system. For example a 2000-gallon pond needs a pump of around 1000 to 1300 gallons per hour. You should also allow some extra turnover for restrictions caused by pipe work and UV’s etc.
- Waterfalls running off the same pump will require extra flow rate for example a 1ft watercourse will require around 500gpH.
- Wattage is another important consideration, as your pump will need to run 24hrs a day 365 days a year. It is worth paying extra for a lower wattage pump as you will soon save yourself the additional cost via your electricity bill.
- Warranties vary a lot any good pump will have at least three years cover.
- A pump that can handle solids up to 10mm is preferable.
- Large inlet holes or slats clog a lot less and save you a lot of work.
- Always tie some nylon string onto the pump as pulling it up to the surface by its cable will permanently ruin the pump.
- Maximum Flow head is how high above surface level the pump can force water, if you need to pump water any height above the surface then check the chart normally found on the pumps box and allow extra GPH if needed.
- If you have any doubt about a pump ask an experienced member of staff for advise as choosing an inappropriate pump is a very costly mistake.
- Make sure that it will fit the pipe work needed to connect it to your filter or UV.
- Choose the right style of pump. Submersibles go in the pond and are the most commonly used for small box filters, although some can be used externally so long as they are below surface level. Vacuum pumps sit externally and suck the water from the filter back into the pond, these can pump vast quantities of water but are expensive to run.
- Separate pumps are available for solely running fountains.
Pump Tips
- Do not allow pump to run dry.
- Make sure water is circulating through the pump.
- Always install inlet below water level
- Check pump for connections, even the smallest drip will loose around 50 gallons per day.
- Do not attempt to operate pump without proper electrical grounding.
- A suitable inlet screen should always be used to prevent foreign matter from entering the pump and jamming the impeller.
- Do not attempt to open the electrical motor housing.
- Clean the impeller chamber regularly, otherwise the flow will continually lessen and eventually cease.
- After installing Immediately skim off any oil from the water surface using a bucket to prevent depriving fish of oxygen.
- To reduce the risk of electrical shock, connect all electrical items to an earth leakage circuit breaker.
- Do not allow an out-of-pond pump to become externally submerged in water.
- Do not run the pump with the inlet restricted by more than 25%,i.e. with too small an inlet pipe.
- Do not use a pond or fountain pump for any other liquids.
- Harsh water conditions can result in foreign matter build-up on the pump's internal surfaces that can prevent the impeller's function and chemically attack its housing structure.
- Control (reduce) flow by valving the discharge pipe work.
- The pump cord with plug must be long enough to make electrical connection outside of the pond while allowing its proper placement within the pond.
- Some pumps must be physically primed before operation or damage could be caused to the pump.
- If your out-of-pond pump is not self-priming, position the pump physically lower than the pond surface, (not in the pond) use a check valve and primer pot in the suction line. Make sure all plumbing joints are air tight.
- Ensure when designing the pond that the pump inlets are as far away from its pond return point as possible.
- During winter you need to keep the filter operating, raise the pumps inlet to around 1ft below the pond surface, this reduces the chill effect on the deeper water.
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