How To Choose The Correct Pond Pump
Choosing a pump for your pond or fountain is a crucial step to ensure you maintain proper water movement. Failure to keep the water adequately circulated can result in stagnation, algae buildup, and mosquitoes. In addition, if you have fish, plants, or other aquatic life in your pond, you must keep the water healthy by evenly distributing the oxygen levels and other nutrients.
Types of Pond Water Pumps
There are two main types of pond water pumps: submersible and external (out-of-pond), also known as centrifugal pumps. Depending on the application, each pump offers specific advantages.
Submersible Pond Pumps
Submersible pumps are designed to be fully submerged underwater at the deepest part of the pond. They are placed directly into your pond or in a skimmer box or pond vault. Submersible pumps range in size from 50 to 5,000 gallons per hour. They are easy to install and are sometimes a more economical solution for smaller ponds (up to 1000 gallons of water). They are also quiet and can also be used to drain your pond. If you have fish or other aquatic life in your pond, you may want to consider a model that does not use oil because there is a danger of the pump seal breaking and oil coolant leaking into the water.
Centrifugal Pond Pumps
External or centrifugal pond pumps are a reliable, energy-efficient option. They are installed in a dry location near your pond. External pond water pumps are suitable for larger ponds (over 1000 gallons). Compared to a submersible pump, they are typically louder and more complicated to install; however, they are easier to maintain.
When selecting a pond pump, it’s essential to keep in mind that pumps have different cord lengths. Ensure the cord is long enough to go through the pond and plugin far away from the water. Some electrical codes specify that the outlet for water features must be at least 6 feet away from the water. Therefore, it is recommended that you avoid using an extension cord. However, if you must use one, make sure it’s suitable for outdoor use and plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) so that it will immediately shut off if there is an overload.
How to Size a Fountain or Pond Pump
Pond pumps are sized by gallons per hour (GPH) at one foot of lift or height. Larger capacity pumps are rated by horsepower (HP). To determine the size pond pump, first, you need to calculate the volume of water in the pond. To calculate the volume of water in gallons, multiply the length x width x average depth x 7.5.
Water Circulation Factors
It is recommended that pond water is circulated at least once per hour. For example, if you have a 500-gallon pond, you need a pump that runs 500 gallons per hour at the discharge height. If your pond has a pressurized filter, you ideally want to turn the water approximately once every two hours. For example, if you have a 1000 gallon pond, you need a pond pump rated at a minimum of 500 GPH. If your pond has a skimmer or waterfall, the water should be turned approximately once every hour. Therefore, if you have an 1800 gallon pond, you will need an 1800 GPH rated pump.
Calculating Head and Lift Height
Two of the most critical measurements in sizing a pond or fountain pump are the maximum head height rating and maximum lift. Head height means the vertical height the pump raises water above the surface of the pond. The pond fountain pump’s top height can lift the water to is called “Maximum Head” or “Max Head.” The “Head” is measured straight up from the water level of the pond. Its length then measures any horizontal/diagonal flow, and 1’ of “Head” added per 10’ of horizontal/diagonal distance. To calculate the lift, you need to measure how far the water in your fountain has to travel from the pump’s location in your rush to the top of the fountain where the water comes out. Then you need to select a pump that lifts higher than that measurement. For example, if that distance is 24”, than you will need a fountain pump that lifts at least 36” tall. The “maximum lift” is the maximum height that the pump will raise the water.
Selecting the Proper Pond Water Pump Tubing
It is also essential to use the correct tubing size because it directly affects the pond pump’s maximum lift capability. If you use smaller tubing than specified, you will limit the pump’s maximum lift and the amount of water circulated.
Choosing the right pond water pump for your pond or fountain requires careful consideration and a little upfront research. However, doing so will go a long way toward keeping your water clean and healthy and your pump operating efficiently.
Fish Care for Garden Water Pond
The addition of fish to a garden water pond gives one a lot of enjoyment. However, it also makes the owner knowing about water maintenance of paramount importance. Although fish care for garden water pond isn’t tricky, it does adds an extra effort on your part when it comes to pond maintenance.
Fish require a shady location inside the pond to escape from the sun’s scorching heat and hide from birds. Adding floating plants like lilies and lotus and placing stones inside the pond can provide the fish with plenty of areas to hide. Oxygenating plants are essential if you want to add fish to your garden pond. Oxygenating plants help in removing carbon dioxide and increasing the levels of oxygen in the water.
Always check and maintain proper levels of chemicals such as chlorine in the water. An excessive level of such substances can prove to be incredibly harmful to fish in the water. Herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers used for aquatic and surrounding pond plants can harm the fish in the water. Try limiting the use of such chemicals and make sure the waste flows through the drainage properly.
Fish require clear and freshwater. To avoid stagnation, ensure that the filters and pumps are functioning correctly and water flow is maintained. It is essential for a regular check of these pumps and filters and to replace them whenever required.
In the summer, when the water temperature is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 C), feed your fish a high protein food every day or every other day. When the temperature drops below 50 degrees F., discontinue feeding as the digestion of fish drops drastically in winter. Knowing this is very important for fish care for garden water pond.
Fish, like all creatures, need healthy, nutrient-rich food to thrive. Aquascape fish foods contain probiotics that aid in digestion, optimize growth rates, and reduce fish waste. Quality ingredients, including multivitamins and stabilized vitamin C, provide superior nutrition and will not break apart and cloud pond water. Aquascape fish foods are scientifically formulated to provide all pond fish, including koi and goldfish, premium quality nutrition at an affordable price.
- Floating pellets are ideal for all pond fish
- Includes stabilized multivitamin and probiotics
- Will not break apart and cloud water
- Contains high-quality protein
Things to remember for Garden Pond Maintenance
Garden ponds of all sizes need regular maintenance. Mostly they need to be looked after every week. Various factors affect the pond’s maintenance, such as the materials from which the pond is constructed, if fishes are there in the pond, the plants surrounding the pond. Garden pond maintenance also depends on the climate, and the seasons like winter and spring will require different maintenance requirements.
Locate and fix any patch leaks. You can use a pond repair kit for this purpose. Check regularly for any issues in garden pond machinery like pumps and filters. Replace the parts if necessary. Proper functioning of pumps is crucial for keeping the water circulating in the pond. It helps to prevent stagnation and restricts the growth of algae and mosquitoes. Pumps and filters also help in maintaining the water flow.
It is also advised to regularly clear the pond of any leaves and debris from surrounding plants and trees. Adding some aquatic plants can also help to increase the oxygen levels. In addition to planting floating plants, keep a check on algae growth.
Garden pond maintenance requires having a balance water level is exceptionally crucial. It helps to prevent the build-up of minerals. Also, the chemical levels of chlorine and chloramines in water should be kept in check. An excess of these chemicals may prove extremely harmful for fish and other aquatic animals in the pond.
Ensuring the health of fish in the pond is also very important. Reduce fish feeding in winter as their digestion slows down in winter months. During the winter months, move the fish to an indoor pond if the temperatures drop too much. Take care of the surrounding plants by using proper fertilizers.
Selecting a Correct Pump For Your Garden Water Features
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.
