General information
Why do I need a pump in my pond?
Running a healthy garden pond without a pump is actually impossible, because stagnant water warms up, providing perfect conditions for algae growth and the water not only starts to turn green - it also starts to smell unpleasant.
What does a pump do in my garden pond?
MOVEMENT - is the keyword here! By circulating the water, it gains in quality. Oxygen is added, which ensures that living beings survive at all.
What can I do with this pump?
- Circulate / aerate the water
- power a well
- Install on a gargoyle
- Feed a stream
- Connect to a waterfall
- Operate different water features
- Connect to a filter
- etc.
What do I absolutely have to consider?
It is important to know: "What do I want to do with this pump."
The right type of pump to install in your garden pond depends on the size (volume), type of pond and intended use.
The following guideline applies here:
The pump should be able to circulate the pond water every 2-4 hours. But the type of pond and the fish stock are further criteria that should be considered:
- Natural ponds without fish: once every 4-5 hours
- Ponds with little fish stock: once every 3-4 hours
- Ponds with a high fish stock: once every 1-2 hours
gross and net power
Manufacturers tell us the gross output of a pump in the description (e.g.: 1500 l/h). This gross output is the amount of water that a pump delivers per hour can .
However, no resistances such as the delivery height, filters, UVC lamps and pipes / hoses are taken into account. Now, if all the resistors that you build in are included, you get the net power of a pump.
The delivery height is one of the most important factors, which very quickly leads to a significant drop in performance. The head is the height difference between the water surface and the highest point to which you want to transport the water.
Example: If the connection of your filter is 1m above the pond, then you have a head of 1m.
On the packaging or in the shop, each of the pumps we offer is provided with a graphic that gives you an insight into this.
Which pump is the right one for my pond?
If you have observed the criteria listed above (volume, type, fish stock and intended use), you will quickly find the right pond pump with our guide.
>> If you prefer professional advice, then simply contact us - because that's what we're here for!
The size of a pond is expressed in liters (Ltr.) or cubic meters (m3). You can measure the size of your pond by multiplying the length by the width and depth.
We will now guide you step by step to your pump:
purpose of use
In principle, we allocate two possible applications to a pump.
- Circulation and/or operation of the pond filter
- Drive various water elements as a stomach run or waterfall pump.
Every application places different demands on a pump. We explain in the following steps what needs to be considered. You can also combine both options. In this case, consider both steps to get the best result.
1. Clear and healthy water in the garden pond:
Circulation and filtration are the two main pillars for a clear pond (you may know them from an aquarium).
If you already have adequate circulation and a biological balance (naturally or with the help of a pond filter) in place, you can generally be sure that you have a clear pond.
How much circulation is necessary depends on the type of pond (see above: What do I have to pay attention to).
- Natural ponds without fish: once every 4-5 hours
- Ponds with little fish stock: once every 3-4 hours
- Ponds with a high fish stock: once every 1-2 hours
2. Operate a waterfall or stream.
With a pump you operate a stream or waterfall in which water is pumped up to the desired starting height.
The required power of the pump is first and foremost a matter of taste, because if you want to call a "mountain stream" or a "trickle" your own, you not only have to consider the height, but also the width of the waterfall or stream.
It can also be a good idea to get an adjustable pump or dedicated dimmer so you can choose a pump with a little more power and adjust it to your liking.
Guide value: For each centimeter of width you need a thickness of approx. 65 l/h. (gently flowing) up to 100 l/h. (strongly flowing).
location of the pump
Choosing the right location should also be considered. Pond pumps are usually not self-priming. This means that the pump can either be installed directly in the pond (wet installation) or via a culvert in the wall, a floor drain or similar outside of the pond (dry installation). below must be placed on the water surface.
A pond pump is generally suitable for installation in a garden pond (swimming ponds excluded). However, not every pump is suitable for installation outside the pond.
Advantages (wet installation):
- No running noises
- No vibrations
- Additional cooling by the water outside the pump.
- No additional space required
Advantages (dry installation):
- "Safety" factor - external pumps only indirectly come into contact with the pond water. This means that there is a significantly lower risk of electric shock for people and animals, for example from a brittle or damaged cable. (This can happen despite the FI circuit breaker!)
- Visually, it looks tidier in the pond
- Easier replacement in the event of a defect in the device
Selection of the desired pond pump
Knowing the performance and location, you can make the appropriate selection. What you can pay attention to, among other things, are the guarantee (of 2-5 years), the setting option, accessories and the manufacturer. We have been working with Messner for more than 10 years, as well as with Pontec and Oase. Qualitative and solid workmanship are among our criteria for selecting suppliers. A pump that is more than 10 years old is no exception for our customers!
Example: A pump with a performance significantly higher than your pond content is not advantageous, since the level in the pond can already drop by a few centimeters when feeding in a waterfall or stream. On the other hand, a pump with too little power cannot achieve the desired result for your pond because not enough water is circulated.
If no head is required, we recommend that you buy a pump with a capacity that is approx. 25-50% less than your pond volume.
- For a garden pond of 10,000 liters with a small stock of fish, we recommend a pump with an output of 2,500-3,500 l/h.
- For a garden pond with the same volume but with a large stock of fish, we recommend a pond pump with an output of 8,000-10,000 l/h.
Installation in / on the garden pond
Once you have purchased the pump you want, there are (as described above) two ways of operating it in or with your garden pond.
If you have fish in your garden pond, then we recommend the so-called dry installation. The pump is set up in a pump shaft outside the pond and connected to the water with the help of pipe systems. It should be noted that the pump must be installed below the water level to prevent it from running dry. You should also note that all connections are tightly screwed and sealed.
The suction line that is connected to the pond should have a filter sieve so that it does not become clogged or small animals get sucked into it. Regular checking for contamination is important, otherwise the water-cooled pump could overheat and become damaged.
At swimming ponds got to The pump must always be set up outside the pool, even if the power supply is protected by an RCD/FI switch according to regulations. Otherwise there is a danger to life in the event of eclectic problems.
In the wet installation on the other hand, simply attach the hose to the connection of the pump and install it at the bottom of the pond.
The optimal location for this is opposite the water inlet, so that biological processes, such as oxygen exchange, can be guaranteed by slowly mixing the pond water.
This procedure applies in particular to the placement of filter pumps, which pump dirt particles into the filter.
We hope you enjoy your garden pond!
Couldn't all your questions be answered?
Then contact us!
Phone: 05602 915435
Mail: info@wasserkaskaden.de
Your Wasserkaskaden.de team