How to Choose the Best Pump
The following 4 steps will allow you to quickly decide the best option for your pond.
Step 1: Examination
First, measure the pond in question. The larger the pond, the bigger the pump will need to be.
Check the depth of the pond, as well – these factors can impact which pump is the most practical to purchase.
Examine the amount of fish and plant life. If there are a lot of fish present, a pump with more power is needed. Fish need plenty of oxygen.
Step 2: Decide on a Pump Type
Decide whether a submersible pond pump or an external pump is best for the pond. The type of pump will impact the amount of work it takes to install the pump and the amount of electricity needed.
Magnetic drive-pumps and direct drive pumps are both submersibles but are more resilient than the standard pump available.
Step 3: Finding the Right Size Pond Pump
Simple math can help figure out the needed size of the pond pump.
First, calculate the volume of water in the pond. Length multiplied by width, multiplied by average height, multiplied by 7.5 will equal the number of gallons in the pond.
Then, calculate lift height. Measure the distance between where the pump is (or will be) and where the pond begins. A correctly sized pond pump needs to be higher than that measurement.
Step 4: Determining the Level of Power Needed
Determine whether the pond has a pressurized filter or not. If yes, a pond pump that circulates at least once every two hours is necessary.
If there is no pressurized filter, a pump that circulates once every hour is needed.
Note that substantially sized ponds will use a pump that measures circulated water in horsepower, not gallons.
Following these steps and ensuring the measurements are correct will make purchasing a pond pump much less stressful.
Exploring Pond Pump Features
Not all pond pumps are created equal. Many on the market offer unique features and benefits to keep ponds looking healthy and running smoothly.
Solar Pumps
As the name suggests, these pond pumps rely on sunlight to work. A solar pump thrives best in areas with plenty of natural light.
The downside is that solar pumps are not as powerful as electric pumps. However, they do cut down energy costs.
Heavy-Duty Pumps
These pumps are made of stainless steel and work well in large ponds. Heavy-duty pumps are more expensive than their counterparts but last longer and are more durable.
Solids Pumps
Ideal for environments riddled with debris, a solid pump can sift through detritus without a pre-filter. Solids pumps prevent clogging to ensure circulation is occurring.
These pumps should never be in any pond with fish, frogs, or other aquatic animals.
Utility Pumps
The utility pump is similar to the solids pump but is not as extreme. These pumps use a screen to filter out debris.
If a pond owner chooses a utility pump, purchase a pump sock before installation.