The Importance of a Pond Pump

Executive Summary by: Allen Jesson

A pond pump not only helps to drive a filter and keep the water fresh, it is also used for many water features such as a waterfalls, pond spitters or statues.

pond pumps

Pond Pumps are categorized by the quantity of water they pump. Pump manufacturers offer simple to use charts that give details of each pump and how much water they move.

Water garden pond pumps are ideal for water features such as running waterfalls and filters, choosing a well known make and model will deliver the high performance needed by modern pressure filter systems to run spectacular waterfalls and features.

To stop your pond turning stagnant or even worse into a man made bog it is worth spending some time considering which pond pump will suit your ponds needs best.

If you are unsure what you require then just ask, most garden centers or pet shops will supply a wide variety of pond pumps that will suit your pond.

Choosing a Pond Pump for your Water Garden

Executive Summary by: Gerry Fung

Our advice is to always choose the magnetic-driven pumps over the direct drive pumps. Magnetic-driven pumps are designed for continuous pond pumping, are quieter, and are more reliable than the direct-drive pumps.

Pumps are sized by gallons per hour (GPH) output at one foot of lift or height. For example, Algreen Products provides pond pump sizing charts that can be referenced online. For example, if you have a 1000 gallon water feature, you will require at least a 500 GPH pump.

However, pond owners with waterfalls or aquatic life will require significantly more pumping power. Calculating the proper pond pump for waterfalls is a bit trickier, because you must estimate your waterfall’s height. Here’s a tip to help you out: One high-end waterfall pump that we strongly recommend is the MaxFlo series of waterfall pumps.

The general rule of thumb is that you must double your pump GPH if you plan on raising fish. An example of a pond pump that would be appropriate for fish and aquatic life is GardenSuperMart’s UltraFlo line of pumps. These pumps have oxygen intake valves and an unique air/water air mix system which effectively increases the oxygen concentration in your pond.

Check out my other guide on water garden botanical and pond filter