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.
Decorative Garden Water Features
Water features provide homeowners with a unique and creative way to decorate their outdoor living space. Many homeowners desire the soothing sounds of running water, but are just not ready for a pond or simply can’t afford one. Aquascape’s AquaBasin® system, paired with our handcrafted line of pond decorations and accessories, provides the perfect solution for capitalizing on these small, entry-level water features. Here are some of the decorative garden water features from aquascapes
Aquascape spillway bowls
Aquascape spillway bowls and basins can be used in a variety of ways to spice up your front or back yard. Notice the spillway waterfall that provides a relaxing atmosphere to any person nearby! These spillway bowls are not only relaxing and peaceful, but also beautiful to the eyes. Notice the water fountain in the center of this spillway bowl. These beautiful pieces of art have been traced back in history to Rome, and the main reason they have been around so long is because of how they affect those around it. Entrancing yourself with these water basins will become a daily occurrence as you grow accustomed to the nature being brought into your yard!
Spillway bowls typically come with lighting, but be sure they are on a timer so they come on at just the right time! Whether you have a large basin, small basin, or several basins, just one light per spillway bowl will be sufficient.
Aquascape water fountains
Sometimes adding in a fountain can add a focal point to the water garden and provide a relaxing moving-water atmosphere. Watergardens are unique in the aspect that they can be designed in a way that compliments the landscape provided.
Many water garden features don’t have water at all. We call these Fire Fountains. Some fire fountains include water, and some don’t. A few of our water features have the capability of both! When considering which fountain to place inside your water garden, try to think of where your guests will walk around. Are they on the patio? Is the fountain close enough to the water garden and your guests? When we install a new water garden, we consider all aspects of the design to create a feature that will be both pleasant to your guests and your family.
Aquascape water garden lightning elements
Watergarden lighting doesn’t have to be just for waterfalls or for you to see your fish! Many aquascape urns already have lighting inside the feature so that you can enjoy it even at night. Imagine a backyard water feature with the focal point being a stunning display of water, fire, and light. Paradise is just around the corner with our beautiful water features.
Water Garden Urns
Water garden urns come in a vast array of sizes, colors, shapes, and water flow. These urns are a highlighted product by aquascapes for one reason; they’re beautiful. What better reason for impressing your guests is there?
Why should you have water features in your garden
Any water features can easily mix and blend with your backyard. You can add a water pond, artificial river, or fountain in your garden, and it will immediately become a focal point of your garden or backyard. Water features can be suited to large as well as small gardens. They can change the complete ambiance of your backyard.
Water introduces calmness in your garden.
A water feature such as a fountain or a waterfall creates a tranquil and serene sound that helps calm down your mind. A garden with water features is the best place to unwind yourself after a hectic workday. A garden with water features provides a small piece of heaven right into your backyard. You can add other water garden features like decorative stones, water plants, and flowers for more therapeutic effects.
Adding water features makes your garden look bigger.
The reflective properties of water tend to make the spaces look bigger. For more enhanced effects, you can use dark colours for water features like waterfall stones or fountains. Another way to enhance this effect is by using the underwater lights at night time. You can save on energy bills on these lights by using solar-powered lights that charge during the day to glow at night.
Having water in the garden helps to attract wildlife.
Birds and other small wildlife animals like frogs frequent your garden when it has sources of water. The garden pond or fountain acts as a source of fresh drinking water for birds. A garden pond can also attract small aquatic animals. You can also add fishes in garden ponds to create a natural aquatic habitat.
Maintenance of water features is easy.
Water features such as ponds may require regular cleaning up. However, the cleaning task is a lot easier. Also, the water machinery installed like water pumps or water filters needs to be maintained regularly for the proper function of the water features and to prevent any malfunctioning and blockages. These tasks can be easily carried out at home without incurring any additional costs. It also provides a very indulgent activity helping to take away your mind from work-related stress.
Different Water Features for Your Garden
Having water features in the garden adds an entirely different dimension of calm and serenity. Moving or still, water is peaceful to look at. It makes you and your guests feel good over a gathering in the garden. A garden water feature could be as simple as a water pool or a complex mechanism like a waterfall with a fish pond. Here are some of the water features that you can install in your garden.
Fish Ponds
These are small to medium-sized ponds build to fit in your garden. Various varieties of fish can be added to such ponds like goldfish and koi. The critical thing to keep in mind while selecting fishes for a pond is to avoid rival and predatory species. Fish added the colours of nature to your pond. Fish will require life-sustaining mechanisms in your pond, like the supply and circulation of oxygen by installing pumps and filters.
Fountains
These water features come in different sizes, shapes, and styles. Regardless to say, a fountain adds an extra charm and beauty to your garden. The beautiful sound of water splashing along with its stunning architectural looks makes water fountains a very appealing water feature for the garden. Fountains do come with an increase in the cost of installing mechanisms like pumps for creating a sustainable water flow.
Waterfalls
Waterfalls are a prevalent water feature for gardens. Waterfalls can be added to an existing pond or fish pond to make it more appealing. Like fountains, it adds the splashing sound of water to your garden. Waterfall gives a very relaxing and soothing effect on the mind. One can easily relax beside a garden waterfall after a hard day of work and get revitalized. It usually is creating by adding stones and boulders and adding a water flow. Like a fountain, a waterfall requires mechanisms to maintain constant water flow like pumps and filters. Adding a waterfall to a garden pond can also help to keep the water clean as it’s continuously flowing.
Garden Streams
Streams can be easily created in the garden along pathways or around pools. Water streams are normally created as a part of the overall garden water feature and a waterfall and a garden pond. The water from streams is made to flow in a waterfall, which then gets flowed into a garden pond. Different plants can be grown along a stream and garden pond to provide a small natural aquatic habitat for visual aesthetic purposes.
With years of experience, our experts can help you create any water features in your garden customized to your needs.
