Choosing the right pump for your fish pond or water garden is important not only for the maintenance of your pond but for your pocketbook as well, since pumps can easily run into the hundreds of dollars and a poor decision can be costly. Below we’ll look at the major issues you should consider when buying a pond pump, each of which factors into which type of pump you should buy:
Specialized pond pumps versus generic pumps: Don’t be tempted to skimp and try using a sump pump or aquarium pump in your pond. Yes, they’re cheaper but they’re also not designed as pond pumps are to both run continuously and to stand up to the strain placed on them. Always buy a pump specifically designed for ponds.
The size of your pond: For filtration purposes, it’s recommended that your pump should be rated to circulate the volume of water in your pond once every hour. If your pond is 2,000 gallons, then you need to buy a pump with a minimum 2,000 gallon per hour (gph) rating. You should also make sure that your filter is compatible with your pump and that the pump isn’t circulating more water through the filter than is recommended.
Water features: If you have waterfalls or other water features, you’ll need a pump to supply them with the proper amount of water. If these features require the water to be pushed to a considerable height, you should lean towards a direct drive pump instead of a magnetic drive or submersible pump.
Fish and other plants: If you have fish or plants in your pond, there are certain types of pumps you should avoid, primarily direct drive pumps, as they require oil lubrication and this could contaminate the water.
Ease of installation and maintenance: If you’re installing a simple, small water pond yourself, consider a submersible pump, as installation is as simple as plugging it in and dropping it into the deepest part of the pond.
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