| Looking for a pump for your garden pond can be | | | | imperative that you get this calculation right. |
| quite daunting there is such a diverse array of | | | | Are you just looking to have a pond as an area |
| these water pumps for ponds on the market. | | | | to have water plants and to just look nice and |
| The first thing you have to consider is how much | | | | restful in your garden or do you intend keeping |
| water is in your pond because the pond pumps | | | | fish? If you do intend having fish in your pond |
| are rated on how many gallons per hour [or | | | | then you must ensure there is sufficient oxygen |
| minute] of water they can re-circulate. | | | | for the pond filter bacteria and fish to keep them |
| Don't think that because a pump is cheap that | | | | in tip top condition. |
| you will get the same performance from it as | | | | If for some reason your pond pump stops for a |
| another costing more. You might in the beginning | | | | length of time over 4 hours the bacteria in the |
| but in time it could cost you more because it will | | | | biofilter could die. These bacteria are there to |
| not be energy efficient. | | | | purify the pond water and if this stops then the |
| There are magnetic drive water pumps for ponds | | | | levels of ammonia and nitrtes build to an |
| that could prove to be a much better choice | | | | undesirable level. You only need a low |
| because they are energy efficient, also they are | | | | concentration of these to be toxic for pond fish |
| compact and very durable. | | | | and most especially expensive koi. |
| You must go for a pump that will prove durable | | | | If you have your pond connected to a natural |
| because you have to consider that these pumps | | | | water feature such as a stream and you get a |
| may be running for months on end. Plus the pump | | | | continual supply of fresh water through it then |
| is the very heart of your pond and can mean the | | | | you are lucky. If however, your pond is |
| difference between a clean and healthy | | | | self-contained it will be totally reliant on the water |
| environment for your plants or fish and a dirty | | | | pump that you choose - so choose wisely. |
| one which is a breeding ground for bacteria and | | | | Always make sure that your pump is up off the |
| algae. | | | | bottom of the pond, perhaps placed on a stack |
| A suitable water pump should be able to pump | | | | of stone blocks or something like that. If you |
| around 50% of the contents of your pond every | | | | place it on the bottom it may such up debris and |
| hour so if your pond had 600 gallons the pump | | | | that is going to make it not only run more slowly |
| should re-circulate 300 gallons per hour. It is | | | | but it could shorten it's life. |