2010 Pond Pumps - Which One?

Pumps are used to move water. So, depending on your pond the type of water feature you may have, its location and also if your pond contains fish there are a number of things you need to consider.

The vertical height of the waterfall inlet above the water surface of the pond. - This may sound technical but basically what it means is how high is the water above the level of your pond or water reservoir.

The width of the water overflow point for the waterfall. -This is most relevant to something like a cascading waterfall which may have one or more outlets such as a water feature in a rockery. All you need to do is measure the width of the over flow points. If the water falls back into the pond at numerous points then you will need to total the width of all points. This is not required for water features such as fountains.

What is the water capacity of your pond or reservoir. Usually you calculate this in gallons. You will need to know the the length x width x average depth (in feet).

Are you going to have fish? - if so, you will also need to have a filter and UVC (ultra violet clarifier). The fish pollute the water and will increase the toxic levels of your pond. Filters remove these suspended solids. There are there main types of filters, gravity flow, a pressurised filter and specialist filets that are a combination of both.

The tables below will help you buy the relevant pump for a pond or water feature;

Pond with over flow point (s) - you need the length from the pond and total width of over flow.

height	1 ft high	2 ft high	3 ft high	4 ft high	5 ft high	6 ft high
width
3" wide	350 gph	500 gph	500 gph	500 gph	700 gph	700 gph
6" wide	700 gph	700 gph	700 gph	700 gph	1200 gph	1200 gph
9" wide	1200 gph	1200 gph	1200 gph	1200 gph	1200 gph	1200 gph
12" wide	1200 gph	1200 gph	1200 gph	1200 gph	1200 gph	1200 gph

Pumps recommendations for ponds with no waterfall;

Volume	300 galls	500 galls	1000 galls	1500 galls	2000 galls	2500 galls
GPH	350 gph	350 gph	500 gph	700 gph	1200 gph	1200 gph

Therefore if you had a pond whose total volume is 1,000 gallons then a good pump choice would be one that can pump about half of of this volume per hour.In this case a pump of 500 gph flow would do. If in doubt always go one pump size bigger.