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Choosing the Right Size Pond Pump

Home > Blog > Pond Pump Blogs > Choosing the Right Size Pond Pump
how to choose the correct size pond pump

How to choose the correct size Pond Pump

By following the information below on how to choose the correct size pond pump or fountain pump, you will know which pond pump is going to work for your situation.

TIP !

Pumps don’t last forever. Always install to allow easy access and replacement!

Choose the right flow rates

Make sure you get the right pond pump the first time. Do you know what flow rate you want? – Use a garden hose to do a mock-up and get a rough idea of what you are trying to achieve.

Suggested flow rates:

  • Wall and table fountains………………………………..200 to 300 L /Hr
  • Small statues to 400mm high…………………………400 to 500 L /Hr
  • Medium statues to 800mm high…………………..….600 to 750 L /Hr
  • Large and tiered statues to 1.5m high………………..1000 to 1200 L /Hr
  • Statues over 1.5m and pond cascades…………..….1200 to 2000 L /Hr
  • Waterfalls and streams up to 0.4m wide……………..3000 to 4000 L /Hr
  • Large waterfalls and streams up to 1.0m wide…..…6000 to 12000 L /Hr

TIP!

Add 20% to required flow-rates to allow for friction loss in pipework.

Don’t forget the head height!

Measure the head height from the water level to the highest outlet. Add together the flow rates required, add 20% for friction losses. If more than one function is being performed by the one pump, then choose a pump that can give the total flow at the highest height.

TIP!

Remember it is easier to throttle back an oversized pump, but there is nothing you can do with an under-sized pump!

Pond size – Turnover rates Suggested turnover rates:

  • Ponds up to 1000L……………………….once per hour
  • Ponds 1001-5000L……………………….once every 2 hours
  • Ponds 5001-15000L……………………..once every 3 hours
  • Ponds over 15000L……………………….once every 4 hours

TIP !

High fish stocks and koi ponds will require higher turnovers.

Tubing size and length

Too small tubing over a distance severely restricts the performance of the pump. Long runs and high waterfalls may require larger diameters or multiple tubing. Please enquire if in doubt.

Suggested tubing sizes:

Flow in L/Hr…..Tubing Diameter

  • 300-600……………..12mm
  • 601-1200…………….16mm
  • 1201-2000………….20mm
  • 5001-8000………….32mm
  • 8001-15000………..40mm
  • 15001-20000………50mm
  • 2001-5000…………..25mm
  • over 20000…………..Please enquire

Cost to run pumps – The Cheapest pump is not necessarily the best long term option! Example: A REEFE® RP18000 L /Hr filter and waterfall pump (250 watt) costs approximately $550.00 per year, run continuously. In comparison, a ¾ hp pool pump 15000 L /Hr (550 watt) would cost approximately $1220.00 per year, run continuously. So a short-term saving becomes a long-term liability!

TIP !

Have an electrician set up a daylight sensor switch on waterfall pumps so the pump turns off at night – this saves power and money!

Dimensions of pumps – We have included the dimensions of all our pond pumps. The sizes are in mm and include the cable exit in the length, and outlet height in the overall height.

DRY – Mounting pond pumps, in-line use –  Pond Pumps are not designed to be self-priming, so when they are installed in a dry mount or in-line situation, they must have “flooded” suction. That is, the pump must be installed below the water level so that the water gravity-feeds into the inlet of the pump.

When dry-mounting, it is also necessary to protect the pump from the sun to avoid over-heating, and install a pre filter of some sort to prevent particles entering the suction line and blocking the pump.

Dry Mount Flooded

Not all pond pumps may be dry-mounted, check the tables in this product description , there is a column that is headed, “DRY-MOUNT FLOODED” if this says NO, then you cannot use that pump in a dry-mount situation

Note that these guidelines are broad generalizations, and may not suit every application.  It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the product chosen is suitable for the users application. Incorrect use of products voids all warranty.