Adding a pond fountain to an outdoor space enhances its appeal and calmness, but water circulation depends on how a pump has been chosen. A properly selected pump ensures that the fountain runs actively while unnecessarily blocking water stagnation in the pond, thus protecting the aquatic habitat.
Don’t panic; although there are many pumps to choose from, a few hints can make your decision easier. Here are five tips for choosing the most effective pump for your pond fountain.
Know Your Pond’s Water Capacity
The first step before you buy pond pumps is to find out your pond’s water volume or capacity. This will assist in picking the pump with suitable flow rates. Flow rates can be represented on a gallons per hour (GPH) flow measurement scale. Generally, one pump should flush out an entire pond’s water every two hours. For instance, if your pond holds 1000 gallons of water, a pump with a flow rate of a minimum five hundred GPH and higher should be sufficient. (This figure is for small ponds, not for large ponds, e.g. ¼ or ½ acre and above.
Match the Pump with the Type and/or Dimension of the Water Feature
Before you buy a fountain pump, know that different water features will, of course, come with specific fountain pump requirements. The small-tiered fountains are fitted with small pumps, but the large, greatly tiered ones have larger pumps fitted. Each feature comes with specifications concerning the required size of the pump. Also, the height of the head should be noted. The head is the maximum vertical distance that a pump can push water upward. The pump must fit the height of the highest outlet features in the fountain. Also, a customer should pay attention to the “pump curve,” the amount of water a pump can push at various heights. A pump pushes less water the higher the lift.
Choose Between a Submersible and an External Pump
There are two main varieties of pond fountain pumps: submersible and external. Submersible pumps are fixed in the water. They are easy to put in place, quiet, and size-saving pumps. External pumps, on the other hand, are placed outside the pond (think swimming pool pump).External pumps are not submersed but require priming, often by using a priming pot. What you decide will depend on the size and configuration of your pond and your maintenance and aesthetic preferences.
Consider Energy Efficiency Featuring In The Pond Pump
Energy efficiency must always be considered when picking a pond pump, especially when it will operate continuously. A very power-hungry pump will lead to high electricity expenditures in the long run. Search for efficient models with a solid GPH-to-watt ratio. Most fuels’ use made modern pumps energy efficient without compromising performance. Though energy-saving pumps may cost more upfront, they compensate in the long run with savings for the users and environmental benefits.
Prioritize Durability and Maintenance of the Pond Pumps
In this case, the pond pumps can be treated as an investment and, therefore, must be durable as an important factor. Take a pump constructed using good quality materials that may be operated continuously and in the presence of water and debris. Look for integrated filters or filter housings that are claimed to prevent many clogs and increase the effective life of the pump. Also, how easy it is to maintain the pump is a factor worth considering.
Conclusion
Selecting a pump for your pond fountain requires consideration of your fountain’s requirements as well as the particulars of your pond. First of all, it is important to know the volume of water in the reservoir and the configuration of the pump to the fountain, then the pump type and energy consumption and resources, and finally, the operational requirements of the structure. However, while it is crucial to ensure that a fountain is operational, it must also be attractive and be able to maintain a pond ecology.
Featured Image Source: https://www.fountaintechpumps.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/fountain-tech-ft-150-o.jpg
