Phoenix homeowners who want to be environmentally responsible and/or conserve electricity often ask us about solar pond pumps. Yes, Virginia, they DO exist. However, there are some things to note about this option if you have a living pond with plants and fish.
CAN I USE A SOLAR PUMP ON MY PHOENIX POND?
Solar pond pumps alone are still not up to the task of keeping your koi alive on hot summer nights, which is when you most need your circulation system running for aeration and oxygenation of your pond. You would need to install a battery collection system for the pump so that it had enough power to work during the non-sunny times. However, if you have a non-living water feature that you don’t mind being off at night, it would work just fine.
WHAT KINDS OF SOLAR POND PUMPS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET?
In checking with various sources, the best solar pump option that we found is a 50-watt 900-gallon per hour (gph) pump that only works when the sun is shining, no battery storage option available. Well, now we’re back to that same problem of no oxygenation or circulation at night for a living ecosystem environment. The manufacturer of this particular pump markets it as “Perfect for large ponds!” Hmmm…
First of all, define a “large” pond. Here at The Pond Gnome, we feel water movement is paramount and as such the standard equipment on our medium pond (starting at 10’x15’x3’ deep) is equipped with a 3,000-gph solids-handling pump. Second, if your fish are over 12” long, the first 85-degree low nighttime temperature will kill your wet pets before the sun comes up in the morning if your fish are counting on this pump for healthy oxygen levels. Remember, warm water holds less oxygen than cold water. On top of that, at night, aquatic plants respirate carbon dioxide and steal oxygen from the already low-oxygenated warm water. This is NOT a good combination for the survival of your pond fish.
WHAT’S MY BEST OPTION?
Honestly, the best option for the health and safety of your pond fish is to use a low-energy low-maintenance pump designed for pond life (can pass a 3/4” stone without even a hiccup). These pumps should run you between $30 and $45 per month to operate 24/7/365, depending on the pump size.
In the alternative, you could check in with a local solar company and have your entire household put on solar power tied into the city power grid. It’s the Green thing to do, and we’ve found that it works awesome! Then your pond pump would BE a solar pump, so to speak.
Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Arizona (AZ) & Surrounding Areas
To Learn More About Installing a Phoenix Pond: https://pondgnome.com/pond-installation-phoenix-az/
