Monday, June 9, 2008

So you want to install a backyard pond? You're going to need a pond pump!


A pond pump is a paramount component of any water feature, because without a pond pump, your water will be stagnant and mosquitos will thrive. If you choose the wrong pond pump, you may not have sufficient water circulation for your needs. Therefore, it is worth taking the time to choose the proper pond pump to suit your needs.

Prior to purchasing a pond pump for your water garden, there are several trade-offs that you need to take into consideration:

1. Functionality
2. Cost
3. Durability

The most important thing to keep in mind when buying your pond pump is that it must suit the needs of your water feature. It is recommended that the pumping capacity of the pond pump (in gallons per hour, or GPH) be at least half the volume of your pond, in gallons. Stagnant water attracts mosquitoes. Therefore , an adequately sized pump is critical to ensure that your pond water gets circulated at least once every two hours. If you have fish or a waterfall, your GPH requirements will obviously need to be increased. Consult the pump specifications of each pond pump (available on reputable pond websites) to ensure that these requirements are met.

You must also select an appropriate type of pond pump for your application. Do you have a large waterfall? Then you should look into a waterfall pump. Do you need a pump to circulate water through a fountain? Then consider a submersible pond pump. Are you raising fish? Then consider a fish pond pump.

Whatever you do, do not purchase the cheapest pump in the market. Ensure that any pump that you do purchase is energy-efficient. Note that magnetic-driven pond pumps are not only the most energy-efficient pumps, but also operate the quietest. Magnetic-driven pumps are also more durable than other pumps (E.g. direct-drive pumps), and should last for at least 2 years. Any pond pump that you do purchase, if it’s a reliable product, should also come with at least a 2-year warranty.

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