| Spring will be here soon, and many of you will | | | | rule of thumb is that each inch of width of the |
| either be looking for a pump for your pond, or be | | | | channel will require an extra 100 GPH. For |
| looking to replace a non-functional pump. | | | | example, if your stream or waterfall spillway will |
| The pump is one of the most important features | | | | be 10 inches wide, you will need a pump that |
| of a pond, because without a pump, there will not | | | | generates an additional 1000 GPH of flow at your |
| be any trickling or moving water, and you will | | | | waterfall's height. One affordable line of pumps |
| effectively have a bog. If you choose the wrong | | | | that we recommend is the Algreen MaxFlo line of |
| pump, your water will either not flow the way | | | | waterfall pumps. These pumps (rated at 2200 |
| you desire, or you may have insufficient flow to | | | | GPH and 3170 GPH) are powerful submersible |
| filter your water and/or feed your waterfall. | | | | units that can fit into any skimmer. |
| Therefore, it is worth taking the time to choose | | | | If you wish to feed water into a statue or |
| the proper pump to suite your needs. The first | | | | fountain, you will need a smaller pump that has a |
| question you should ask yourself is: "What | | | | large head (I.e. maximum pumping height), and |
| functionalities do I require from my pump?" Are | | | | preferably an adjustable flow control. The highest |
| you using your pump to drive a waterfall? Do you | | | | quality pumps that we have found are the SICCE |
| have a statue? Or do you need a pump to | | | | magnet-driven statuary pumps. These pumps |
| circulate your water and drive a filter? | | | | have a built in sponge filter, vibration-damping |
| Many people require a pump merely to circulate | | | | rubber pads that allow them to run in absolute |
| and filter their water. It is recommended that you | | | | silence, suction cups at the bottom to increase |
| circulate your pond water at least once every 2 | | | | their stability, and variable flow-rate adjustment |
| hours to ensure that mosquitoe larvae do not | | | | knobs. The SICCE statuary/fountain pumps vary |
| accumulate in stagnant water. Thus, you should | | | | from 60 GPH up to 468 GPH and can generate |
| measure the number of gallons in your pond and | | | | maximum heights of up to 7' and 4"". The various |
| obtain a pump that pumps at least half that | | | | models in the SICCE line include the Extrema, Irda, |
| volume every hour (I.e. the gallons per hour rating, | | | | Nova, Micra Plus, Micra, and the Mi-Mouse. |
| or GPH, should be 50% that of the pond volume). | | | | If you have multiple pond considerations, or you're |
| If your pump needs to feed a biological and/or | | | | not sure which pump to choose, you can always |
| mechanical filter (E.g. submersible, pressurized, and | | | | go with a multi-purpose pump. Magnet-driven |
| above-ground filters), make sure that you consult | | | | multi-purpose pumps usually come with mechanical |
| the manual for the filter to determine the minimal | | | | pre-filters to trap large debris, variable flow |
| required water flow to run the filter. | | | | control, built-in fountain with various fountain |
| You will need to increase your pump rating to | | | | heads, and diverter values to allow you to split |
| accommodate both fish and waterfalls. Calculating | | | | your output flow into multiple devices (E.g. |
| the proper pump for waterfalls is a bit trickier, | | | | watercourses, statues, and larger external filters). |
| because waterfall pumps are rated by both GPH | | | | Several examples of multi-purpose pumps include |
| and maximum waterfall height. To estimate your | | | | the Shott Nursery Pro, Algreen SuperFlo, and the |
| waterfall's height, you must measure the vertical | | | | Algreen UltraFlo. |
| height from the top of your pump to the top of | | | | Before you start building your pond, you should |
| your waterfall or stream. In addition, you must | | | | take the time to consider the many pump options |
| add another foot of height or lift for every 10 | | | | available. Make sure you shop around to find the |
| feet of hosing you will be using (to account for | | | | most affordable and the most effective pump to |
| loss of volume from hose resistance). The general | | | | meet all of your requirements. |