How To Choose a Pond or Waterfall Pump

Pond and Waterfall Pump Basics:

Pond pumps are the driving force behind beautiful flowing waterfalls and streams while providing necessary water circulation and aeration. The pond pump is the heart of a pond and its filtration system. When selecting a pump, purchase the highest quality pump you can afford.

To support the beneficial bacteria that keep ponds clean and healthy, we recommend that you run the pump throughout the pond season. For best filtration circulate the total volume of pond water every one to two hours.

For example: A 1,000 gallon pond requires a pump strong enough to circulate 1,000 gallons of water through the filter per hour (gph) The minimum gallons per hour for a 1,000 gallon pond would be a 500 gph (gallon per hour) pump. Although more expensive upfront, we always recommend that you select a pond pump that is one size larger than what your gallons per hour calculations call for. 

In colder climates, quality pond pumps can be run well throughout the winter to support aeration and circulation especially if you have koi or goldfish in your pond. If you are going to have koi in your pond in a cold climate area you will need a pond de-icer to keep an area of the pond surface free from ice. The opening in the ice allows toxic gases caused by decaying matter and fish waste to escape rather than to become trapped under the ice.

Pump Terminology:

Buyers beware: a pond pump’s rating can be misleading in that most manufacturers rate their pond pump’s flow without taking into account head pressure or friction loss. Friction loss and head pressure are the two main reasons that when selecting a pond pump you should always go up a size if you are at or near the top of the pond pumps performance range.

Basic Pond and Waterfall Calculations and Tips:

• Determine the number of feet the pump will have to push water upward, and use that flow rate.
• If you plan to stock your pond with several koi or fish and just a few aquatic plants, your pond's flow
  rate should be greater than the pond volume.
• If you plan on creating a Koi pond the recommended flow rate should be equal to twice the pond volume.
• Check your chosen filtration system to ensure the flow you choose is within manufacturer recommendations.
• Absolute minimum pump flow rate should be ½ the pond volume. Ex: 1000 gph (gallons per hour) pump for 2000 gallon pond.
• For waterfall: 150 gph per inch width of weir
• Use flexible PVC to minimize friction loss

What is Head Pressure:
Head pressure or “head” refers to the vertical limit (usually reflected in feet) at which a pump can no longer exert enough pressure to move water. The higher the head pressure of a pump, the more powerful the pond or waterfall pump. Factors which can diminish a pump’s head pressure include tubing diameter, bends or elbows in the plumbing, and the length of the pipe or tubing run.

How to Determine Friction Loss:
Friction diminishes pond and waterfall pump performance as water travels through plumbing. Every 10’ of horizontal travel has the same effect as 1’ of vertical water movement. To minimize friction loss use flexible tubing and avoid pvc pipe elbows. To compensate for friction loss, increase the gph capacity of the pond or waterfall pump.

Choosing a Pond and Waterfall Pump Size:
Choose a pond or waterfall pump that can turn the total gallons of water in your pond every hour after you have subtracted for friction loss. To ensure proper flow rate and to maintain a healthy pond, buy the pond or waterfall pump that is the next size larger than your calculations indicate and use a control valve to restrict flow to the desired rate.

Electric Consumption:
Typically and inexpensive pump will actually end up costing you more in the long run in increased electrical bills. Inexpensive pumps are less efficient and therefore consume more energy and have a higher incident of failure than superior, commercial grade pond pumps and waterfall pumps. Most electrical equipment specifies amperage (amps) on the label. If not, the amps can be calculated by dividing the watts by the volts. The current national average is +/- $8.00 per amp, per month for continual operation at 110 volts ($15 at 220 volts). A continuously operating 300 watt electrical unit (running on 110 volts) would cost $20.45 per month.

Pond Pump Compatibility:
Most pond and waterfall manufacturers today have sized and designed their systems to be fully integrated for maximum performance. If you are installing a Savio waterfall weir system, then you want to make sure that you use a Savio pond pump. The Savio pumps are made to fit neatly and securely into the waterfall skimmerfilter system.