Water garden pumps are very important to maintain a healthy pond, and choosing the right pump can save you lots of problems down the road. This article covers what to look for when choosing water garden pumps, and provides recommendations on good brands. It also discusses solar pond pumps and how to install and maintain pond pumps.
First things first
Always buy a water garden pump that is designed for use in a pond. It’s just not worth it to try to save money by buying a pump that is designed to do something else, such as a sump pump or swimming pool pump. They will not be able to meet the demand of running continuously, and they may cause you serious headaches.
Next consider…
When buying a garden water pump, you first need to know how much water the pump will be circulating in your pond. This determines what size of pump to purchase. Measure or get a good estimate of the gallons or liters of water your small water garden will contain before you go shopping for a pump. If you have a waterfall in your small water garden, you will need even more power behind your pump to push the water up.
Solar panel for pond pump
Solar panel for pond pump
Electrical or Solar?
You also need to decide whether to purchase a traditional electrical pond pump, or a solar-powered pond pump. The main difference between them is the power method. The solar pond pump uses a small solar panel and therefore doesn’t rely on electricity. Beyond that, the traditional pump and solar pump accomplish the same function of powering your pond filter (photo from flickr).
What does a water garden pump cost?
The cost of submersible pumps for your pond garden can run anywhere from forty dollars to a hundred or more depending on your needs. Do plenty of research before you buy one, as you want one that can do the job and cost as little as possible to run. And as mentioned above, it’s better to pay more for a pump that will consume less energy than get a cheaper one that costs a lot to operate.
Be sure to consider the energy cost of running the pump in your small water garden. Determine what it will cost per month or per year to run and how that will fit into your budget. It is better to pay more for a pump that will consume less energy than get a cheaper one that costs a lot to operate. A good economical alternative is a solar pond pump.
Which brand of garden water pump is the best?
Look for a known brand that has a good reputation. From my experience I can tell you that it just isn’t worth it to take a chance with a brand that doesn’t have a good reputation and track record.
The Cal Pond System has simple solutions for your garden pond needs. No tools are needed to install the pump. They have been around since 1958, making fine quality pumps. Clyde Pumps are also known for reliability. The Pond Market has a great website with high quality products. They have been in business eleven years and nine years on the internet. They have many resources to answer any questions you have about your garden pond.
What to avoid in a water garden pump
You want to be careful about buying pumps that are not from a well-known manufacturer. Find one that can offer you energy efficiency as well as trouble free operation. As mentioned above, avoid buying a regular sump pump or swimming pool pump for use in your yard pond. These will not hold up to the demands of running day and night as is required for a water garden. Also, a sump pump can short out when it breaks down – sending dangerous electrical current through your pond.