Pond & Fountain Pumps

 Choosing the right pump for any project can be a challenge.  The pump is the heart of every water feature, and each pump has it's strengths and weaknesses, so it is as important as ever to know what you want and need.  A few things to keep in mind is the volume of the pond, the overall width of flow you need the water to cover and the size of the pipe the pump will be pushing the water through. 

Tips:

• A fish pond pump should turn the full volume of water in the pond over at least twice and hour for circulation and aeration purposes.  For larger water features, over 10,000 gallons, this is not always practical so it is recommended to turn the water over as close to once an hour as possible.  Supplementing the pump flow with an aerator can also be beneficial.
• Calculate 100 gph for every inch of flow width you need at 1/2 inch deep.  So for a 12" wide flow of water at 1/2" deep you would need a pump rated for at least 1200 gph.
• Every pump should have a rating for what flow you can expect at different head heights.  Head height is calculated using how high above water level your pump is pushing the water as well as elbows, pipe size and any other restrictions to flow.  The higher the head height the less water flow you get.  You may need to upsize the pump you buy in order to adjust for head height.
• There are several types of pumps.  Direct drive, asynchronous, magnetic drive, DC solar and external pumps are the most common types in water features.  Each have their pros and cons for any job.
• Use the correct diameter hose or pipe for the pump you are using.  You can only get so much water through a pipe.  Using a large pump on a pipe that is too small will give you an inadequate flow and shorten the lifespan of the pump.
  

Feel free to contact us at Mud Monsters for more information or advice regarding any of these pumps.