How to Choose a Pond Pump « Adelina Nett
Magnetic Drive Pumps: Magnetic Dive Pond Pumps (or Mag Drive Pumps) are usually designed as submersible pumps as most are unable to draw water into the pump. Air Pumps : Air Pond Pumps do not provide any water flow. Submersible Pumps : Submersible Pond Pumps are installed completely underwater, typically in the deepest part of the pond. External Pumps : As their name implies, External Pond Pumps are designed to be installed outside of the pond , or “in-line”. Direct Drive Pumps : Direct Drive Pond Pumps are more common to external pumps as they have the ability to draw water toward them. In general, if you do not have a high head requirement and are looking for a submersible pump, the magnetic drive pond pump is the best choice. On the downside, an external pump takes more time and effort to install, they must be camouflaged from view, and they are generally more expensive than submersible pond pumps. They also generally cost more to operate than an external pond pump, although there have been some significant improvements recently in submersible pump energy efficiency. Other benefits of an external pump include ease of maintenance, longer average life, and the ability to replace parts as external pumps are not encased in resin like a submersible pump. The downsides to a submersible pond pump is that they must be frequently removed from the pond for cleaning and maintenance. External pond pumps are a better choice for medium to larger ponds. The pond pump is truly the “heart” of your pond. Direct drive pumps are appropriate for applications which require a significant amount of head height – such as pumping water upslope for a waterfall. Air pumps are most commonly used for pond winterization as they provide oxygenation and gas exchange without providing water flow. For example, if your pond is 3,000 gallons the ideal pump size is 3,000 GPH, but not less than 1,500 GPH. Filtration and Recirculation : The general rule of thumb for filtration and recirculation applications is the pump should turn the pond water over a minimum of once every two hours, and ideally once an hour. The downsides are they cannot provide sufficient water flow for high head applications, and they are slightly more expensive than direct drive pond pumps. They are generally more costly to operate than a magnetic drive pond pump, but in many cases they are the only choice when a substantial amount of water flow is needed. This class of pump is generally suited for smaller ponds, or for water features requiring less that 4,000 GPH. If you are purchasing a submersible direct drive pump, be sure that it is oil free, as leaking oil can harm pond fish and aquatic plants. In addition, Mag Drive pond pumps are easy to repair as typically all that is needed is a magnetic shaft and impeller (the only moving parts). To choose the right size pond pump, first determine the proper application category: 1) Filtration and Recirculation. In this article we will provide you with a solid foundation to select the right pump for your pond application....
