Best Pond Pump Information 2021

Pumps keep the water in your pond healthy. They help evenly spread nutrients in the water to fish, plants and other aquatic life. Running water prevents stagnation and cuts down on algae and mosquitoes. Keeping the water moving ensures that oxygen levels are distributed throughout the pond. Pumps also provide power for a pond’s water features, like waterfalls and fountains.

This guide will help you learn about the best pond pumps for your garden.

The best water pumps for your pond and its fountain or waterfall come in variety of types and styles. They include submersible, external, magnetic drive and direct drive. Each of these water garden pumps offers its own advantages.

Submersible Pumps: These pumps are designed to work while wholly submerged in water. Typically, they are installed in the deepest part of the pond. Submersible pumps can be placed either directly into your pond or in a skimmer box or pond vault.

Easy to install.
Work well in environments that capitalize on a natural setting.
No need to camouflage the pump.
Run very quietly so there’s no distracting noise in your garden.
Submersible pumps can be used to drain your pond, if needed.
Range in pumping size from 50 to 5,000 gallons per hour.
Can generate higher energy costs than other pump types.
For smaller ponds, submersible pumps are generally more economical.

Tip: Some submersible pumps use oil to operate. If the pump seal breaks and leaks harmful oil coolant into the water, fish can be hurt or killed. If you have fish or other aquatic life in your pond, you’ll want to look for a submersible model that does not use oil.

External Pumps: External pumps can move a high volume of water, yet usually have lower energy costs than submersible pumps. They are not as quiet as submersible pumps. They should be placed in a dry location near your pond. External pumps are a lot more complicated to install. However, they are generally more reliable.

Available as self-priming pumps able to draw their own water.
Can be loud, disturbing the quiet of your garden.
Work well for larger ponds that are 1,000 gallons or more.
Offer long-lasting performance and easy repair.
Require less routine maintenance than submersible pumps.

Tip: Pumps that are not self-priming can burn out a motor if the power shuts off momentarily and then comes back on. Protect against this by installing a check valve.

Magnetic Drive: In a magnetic-drive pump, an electrical charge creates a magnetic field that causes the magnet on the impeller to rotate and pump water. Since they have no seals to wear out, they require little maintenance. Occasionally, you will need to clean the impeller and its chamber for the most efficient operation.

Completely sealed. Magnetic-drive pumps do not require lubrication.
Because they don’t contain oil, magnetic-drive pumps are safer for ponds with fish, since oil leaks don’t occur.
Don’t generate high head heights. Magnetic-drive pumps are unable to lift pond water vertically, which you might need to supply water to a fountain. They are not the best water pumps for fountains.
Work best in cleaner environments with little or no debris.
Highly efficient and cost-effective.

Direct Drive: Direct-drive pumps have an enclosed motor that is powered by electricity, which turns the impeller shaft.

Achieve significant head height, so they are able to move water vertically. They are among the best water pumps for fountains and waterfalls.
Typically more expensive to operate.
Push water rather than pulling it.
Not easily repaired.

Tip: Some models seal the motor in an oil-filled shell with seals around the cord and impeller shaft. These are risky to use if you have a pond stocked with fish. There is an ever-present danger of water contamination if a leak occurs. Many newer pumps, however, feature alternative lubrication that is safe for fish. Look for oil-free models if you have fish or other aquatic life in your pond.

Pond Pump Calculations

Figuring out the correct pump size depends upon the how big your pond is. Other factors include whether or not the pump is being used for filtration, re-circulation or water features. Another factor is the number of fish and plants your pond contains. Larger fish populations have greater air requirements.

A good rule of thumb is that pumps should be able to pump out about half the pond volume every hour. For example, a pump that moves 500 gallons per hour would be appropriate for a 1,000 gallon pond.

You don’t have to refer to a fountain pump size chart to figure out the best water pumps for your garden. With a few measurements and calculations, you can determine the size pump you’ll need.

Flow rate for filtration

Filtration flow rate in gallons per hour (gph) = 0.5 x pond volume (gallons)

Flow rate for fountains

For every inch of stream width at the top of the fountain, you need 100 gph at the height you’re pumping

Flow rate for waterfalls

Light flow = 50 gph x waterfall width (in.)
Average flow = 100 gph x waterfall width (in.)
Strong flow = 200 gph x waterfalls width (in.)

Pond volume

Pond volume (gallons) = 7.5 x average width (ft.) x average length (ft.) x average depth (ft.)

Pond Pump Features

In-line, utility, solids and axial pumps are just a few of the many varieties of water garden pumps that are available.

In-line Pumps: These pumps draw water through an inlet that connects to a hose so you can pull water from a remote location. All external pumps are in-line pumps.
Utility Pumps: Utility pumps draw water through openings that screen out debris. When placing one into a pond, use a pump sock or other enclosure to reduce the amount of cleaning needed. If you use a pump sock, be aware that sock-like screening can cause a dry pump situation.
Solids Pumps: These pumps draw water through a large opening and pump small debris through without clogging. For this reason, they can be placed into a pond without prefilters. This pump type is not safe for ponds with fish, frogs or other aquatic animals, however.
Axial Pumps: These special utility pumps are designed for high-flow, low-pressure pond environments. Because they are big, they require piping that is large in diameter.
Solar Pumps: Solar-powered pumps perform well in climates with lots of sunshine. They can cost less to operate since they don’t require an outdoor electrical outlet. Solar pumps also work well if your fountain is located far from the power supply. However, flow rate is minimal compared to typical voltage.
Heavy-Duty Pumps: Heavy-duty pumps are typically made of stainless steel and are more costly. However, they offer greater energy efficiency and last longer.

You’ll need to consider several factors when deciding between the best water pumps for your garden pond. A pump should be able to handle the size of your pond and support your water features. It also needs to be compatible with any fish or plants you may have.

Selecting a Correct Pump For Your Garden Water Features

December 28, 2020/0 Comments/in General Pond Information, Lake Management, Pond Tips/by Aquascaping101

Water pumps are one of the most crucial features of the garden pond. Although a static garden pond pump isn’t an absolute necessity, a pump is required when we install a fountain, waterfall, and filter. A water pump helps to keep the circulation of water. Water circulation helps to keep the fish and plants healthy. Water circulation helps in the prevention of algae build-up, breeding of mosquitoes, and stagnation of water. Water circulation also helps in the proper distribution of oxygen levels throughout the garden pond system.

Choosing the correct pump can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be!

For a heavy waterfall flow, you’ll want to use about 2,000gph per single foot of waterfall discharge. If you would like a lighter waterfall flow, use about 1,000gph per foot of waterfall discharge.

Take note of your tubing from the pump to the waterfall. If its greater than 10′ then we recommend to add about 1 foot of head for every 10′ of tubing.

First you will want to determine the head pressure. Head is the same as the total number of feet from the top of the waterfall to the top of the water’s surface.

Second, you’ll want to determine the desired water flow. How much water do you want moving over the waterfall per hour? Usually you’ll want about 1,500 gallons of water per hour (GPH) for every 1 foot of waterfall discharge. This is just the average though, you may want more. For instance, if your waterfall is 2′ you’ll want a 3000gph pump.

Lastly, in this example the head pressure is 5′ and the estimated pump needed is 3000gph. Noting this information, we find out that we will need a pump that is 3000gph at 5′ of head.

Aquascape pond pumps can be tricky if you’re uncertain what you need. The simplest solution is to give us a call and ask what size you need for your water garden, but beyond that, take a look at a pump calculator to see which one you need. Simply add in the values for your water garden and you’ll be able to find out exactly which pond pump you need.

Pondless Waterfall Building

December 28, 2020/in General Pond Information, Pond Tips, Uncategorized/by Aquascaping101

What is a Pondless Waterfall? Well, a Pondless waterfall is a water garden that has a waterfall, but no attached pond. Notice in the picture how the water drains through the pebbles? The water is then pumped to the top of the waterfall to begin the cycle anew. In this article we will take a look at various waterfall design ideas and provide insight into installing your very own DIY waterfall!

Our experts love to design and install pondless designs. You can have multiple options with one stream or many streams attached to a water feature. It might sound overwhelming, but that’s why we’re here! We love to help design and install pondless water features.

Always ensure that you have enough space to install a water feature along with its associated pumps and other garden water features machinery when you install waterfall on your own. Also leave sufficient space around the waterfall for adding rocks, pebbles, water plants and other complimentary features which will add beauty to your waterfall.

The Pondless Waterfall

Sometimes adding in several waterfalls in a single line down your property will be the best option. When this is the case, we like to recommend small rock bridges for passing over top! This can also help you get an up-close view of your waterfall, perhaps even close enough for a bit of water spray…

Sometimes large rocks can be the perfect way to create your backyard paradise. Notice the several large boulders hanging over the waterfall!

Our Pondless Waterfall Kit was simple to install and setup. Notice the colored pebbles surrounding the feature and the added flowers complimenting the design.

If you’re ready to get started, we have four waterfall kits to choose from! Give us a call if you have any questions.

Check out our store for all your water gardening needs! Aquascape products are Aquascape Inc. Certified.

Solar Powered Water Features for the Garden

December 28, 2020/in General Pond Information, Pond Tips/by Aquascaping101

Nothing can complement water more than a lovely beautiful sunlight. Water along with sunlight is what really makes up a beautiful summer day. Ancient water features were powered using gravitational forces, human power or animals to pump in the water. Since the 18th century, the majority of water features have been powered by pumps. In the modern garden features the source of power is almost always electricity. As more and more people become aware of alternate installation methods, there is an increasing range of innovative designs in market running on alterante sources of energy like solar power. The advantages of using solar power include environmental benefits, no electrical lines in the garden, and free energy.

Solar water features combine the beauty of sunlight and water by using the sun to run their submersible pumps, which send water tumbling downward to the basin and back up to the top again. The same natural looking resilient materials used to make other regular fountains are used to build these solar powered water features, however, these water come without the ugly looking cables. One of the biggest advantages of using solar powered water features is there is no cost on electricity as sun being a natural resource. A Solar with Battery Backup fountain even includes a battery to save up energy for nights and cloudy days.

Solar water features free from the electrical cords present a great amount of flexibility in regards to their placement in garden as they are no longer limited due to constraints of wires and cables. These solar powered water features help you in making your little bit of contribution towards the environment. With solar powered water features in your backyard garden your outdoor space will truly be one with nature.

Solar water features provide beautiful additions to any landscaping or garden. With great flexibility offered by solar water features, you can customize the placement of water features in many ways. You can choose from a plethora of water features such as solar powered fountains, waterfalls, lightning. All of these run on pure solar energy thanks to solar panels and help to add beauty to your garden.

Best Pond Pump Information 2021