Phoenix homeowners often think that pond pumps are rated in horsepower, the same as a swimming pool pump. This is a common misconception. However, horsepower is really not the appropriate rating for a pump meant for a living ecosystem water feature (pond or water garden). So, let’s explore pond pumps in a little more detail.

Why You Need a Pump in a Backyard Pond

A backyard pond pump is an essential component of the circulation system. It creates water flow that helps the pond skim off debris into the skimmer, as well as adds necessary aeration for your fish. And then there’s the all-important waterfall element that simply won’t exist without a pump. And we all love our waterfalls, don’t we?

When designing your pond and discussing pond pumps, there are a few things to consider:

• Appropriate water flow to the size of the pond (waterfall and/or stream sound without splash leaks, as well as the distance and lift from the pump to the headwater)
• Energy efficiency (electrical power usage/cost)
• Handling heavy solids without plugging up (reducing maintenance)

Appropriate Water Flow for Your Pond

Without getting too technical here, let’s just say that the rule of thumb is that you want to turn over the water in your pond completely between 1 and 2 times per hour. A backyard pond pump is properly rated in gallons per hour. For example, a Tsurumi 3PL is rated at 3,000 gph at 5’ of head pressure, and this is plenty of water flow for the average backyard pond and waterfall, most of which hold 2-5,000 gallons of water. Save the horsepower question for the next car you plan to buy!

Energy Efficiency

Any pump being marketed based on their rating in horsepower is likely going to cost a fortune to run 24/7. Not to mention, it will probably be quite noisy and you’ll end up hearing it rather than your waterfall or babbling brook. This is typically not the desired outcome for a backyard pond — most Phoenix homeowners are looking for peace and tranquility. For a backyard pond pump, you’re looking for a product that’s basically an aquarium pump on steroids, and should cost between $20 and $35 per month to run (based on today’s power pricing). This is much more sustainable than your average pool pump running around the clock!

Handling Heavy Solids

Another MUST feature of a backyard pond pump is that it must be DESIGNED to be used in a backyard pond. This means that it will pass heavy solids (fish waste and dead plant material), or a small stone, through its mechanisms without plugging up or jamming up on you. A swimming pool pump is absolutely NOT designed to do this, as they assume the water to be a sterile environment. A living ecosystem backyard pond is not a sterile environment.

So, the simplest answer to the question of “how big is your pond pump” is that the pump is only as big as it needs to be. Clear as mud?

For more specifics about choosing a backyard pond pump for your DIY project, START HERE.

For more information on having The Pond Gnome do all the work for you, and letting you simply enjoy the results, START HERE!

Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Arizona (AZ) & Surrounding Areas

To Learn More About Installing a Phoenix Pond: https://pondgnome.com/pond-construction-phoenix-az/