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.
Pondless Waterfall Building
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.
- Aquascape DIY Backyard Waterfall Kit
- Aquascape® Large Pondless Waterfall Kit 26′ Stream
- Aquascape Medium Pondless® Waterfall Kit 16′ Stream
- Aquascape Small Pondless® Waterfall Kit 6′ Stream
Check out our store for all your water gardening needs! Aquascape products are Aquascape Inc. Certified.
Solar Powered Water Features for the Garden
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.
Things to consider before buying a garden water feature
Before you invest in a garden water feature to fill up that empty outdoor space and add a wow factor to your property, there are many logistics to consider. It includes right from the supply of water to the general maintenance. Here are some things you should consider first.
Making water supply available
It is not necessary to always have a water supply. Of-the-shelf water features are self-contained with a need to top them up with water occasionally. If your garden water feature has moving water, you will need to invest in a water pump and an electric supply to drive the pump. Alternatively, you can build a water feature with a solar-powered pump as well. Pretty much all water features with moving water will require a water pump with an electric or solar-powered energy supply to help the pump drive the water.
Maintaining water features
Think about future maintenance and cleaning. Water will get contaminated with dust, algae, leaves, dirt. So you’ll need to know how to drain it, dismantle it and clear out. Thinking about this in advance will help better plan your placement of garden water features. For instance, if it is installed under a tree, leaves are likely to fall and accumulate in the water, which will mean even more maintenance.
Selecting the type and style of water feature
Consider the background settings to determine the overall style and design aspect of the water features. Classic water features like a fountain or a waterfall may look good if it’s placed amongst plants. If the settings are modern, then water feature style will also have to be modern, like glass, but an older style like cherubs will look out of place in a modern setting. Another option is worth having a look at is lighting the water. In such a case, it’s better to opt for water features with an in-build lighting option else; you may have to spend extra on setting up different lights. Lighting can make the water features look good in all seasons throughout the day.
