Can I Have A Fountain Pump In My Fish Pond?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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When deciding on a pump for a pond project,

you can either choose a submersible pond pump or an external pump

. As you may have guessed, a submersible pump is installed and operated beneath the surface of the pond, and an external pump sits outside of the pond in a dry location.

What is the difference between a pond pump and a waterfall pump?


Direct Drive Pond Pumps are stronger pumps usually referred to as a Waterfall Pump

and best used for taller waterfalls and higher head lift situations. Direct Drive pumps usually take a little more energy since they are more powerful and since they have more parts that can wear down usually have a shorter warranty.

What kind of pump do you need for a pond?


Submersible pumps

can be used to drain your pond, if needed. Range in pumping size from 50 to 5,000 gallons per hour. Can generate higher energy costs than other pump types. For smaller ponds, submersible pumps are generally more economical.

Are pond fountains necessary?


Fountains and aerators help starve out the negative nutrients that algae need to grow and prosper

. The aeration caused by fountains also effectively mixes algae spores into the deeper parts of the lake or pond so that they will have less available sunlight and the ability to grow.

Will a fountain keep my pond clear?

Keep The Water Clean

While larger fish ponds are too big for any type of filtration system that smaller ornamental ponds may enjoy.

A fountain can help keep your pond clean by promoting the growth of the healthy bacteria that remove nitrates and ammonia

.

Do fish ponds need pumps?

Why is a pump necessary?

A natural pond with no or minimal wildlife needs a water turnover equal to its volume every two hours to keep the system healthy

. A garden pond is an un-natural size and would not normally exist in nature so it needs help with a correctly sized pump and filter to keep the water clean.

How do I hide my pond pump?

External pumps and UV lights are probably the hardest to hide.

External pumps need to be placed in an efficient location between pond and filters

. If necessary they can be placed in a large, in-ground landscape valve box or in a box built specifically for them. Fake rocks of hollow plastic can also be used.

Where should a pond pump be placed?

The pump should be positioned

at the bottom of the pond yet within easy reach for maintenance

. A top tip is to attach cord or rope to the pump so it can be easily lifted out of the pond – never lift a pump by its electrical cable as this is dangerous.

Do you need a filter for a fish pond?

Do All Ponds Need Filtration? No.

If you are intending not to have any fish, or you’re creating a wildlife pond with high plant stocks and just a few fish you may choose not to have a filter

, and try to create a natural balance instead.

How long can pond fish live without pump?

The worst-case scenario is that you may see some fish die within

24 hours

; though if you have an air pump (which is advised for all fishponds!) your fish are more likely to survive.

Does a small garden pond need a pump?

Do I Need A Pond Pump? Ideally yes,

if it’s a fish pond then you should always have one

, whether it’s to circulate the water or to feed a filter, it’s going to be beneficial. If it’s a wildlife pond then you do not need a pump as wildlife such as frogs prefer a bog type habitat.

How big of a pond pump do I need for a waterfall?

For waterfalls and streams, your pump should pump

at least 100 gallons per hour for every inch wide the waterfall is

. For more noise and “white-water” from your falls, increase the flow rate to 200 gallons per hour per inch of waterfall width.

What size pump do I need for my pond and waterfall?

For example: if the Waterfall is 18 inches wide, an 1800 gallon per hour pump is suited nicely. For a gentler Waterfall, use a 900-1800 gallon per hour Pump and for a more aggressive flow use a 2400-3600 gph Pump. These numbers can be adjusted for any waterfall size.

Do pond pumps use a lot of electricity?

To figure the monthly operation cost of this pump; 322 watts X 24 hours ÷ by 1000 kilowatts =

7.72 kilowatts per day

the pump is consuming. Multiply 7.72 kilowatts by your kilowatt cost (in our case it is $0.08 per kilowatt hour) to get the daily cost of running the pump. 7.72 x $0.08 = $0.62 per day to run that pump.

Does a wildlife pond need a pump?


No, wildlife ponds do not need pumps

. As opposed to other types of ponds, wildlife ponds are an organic, natural environment that relies on the number of plants and water to attract insects and animals such as dragonflies, frogs and newts.

How deep does a pond need to be for a fountain?

Pond Depth: Aeration Fountains work best in ponds with depth of

six feet or less

. Size of the Pond: The larger the pond the more horsepower required. The height of the spray should be no more than half the width of your pond.

Does my fish pond need an aerator?


You don’t “need” to aerate your pond

. BUT, a properly designed and installed aeration system will greatly slow down the eutrophication process, help prevent summer and winter fish kills and prolong the life of your pond.

Should I leave my water fountain on all the time?


Auto-fill fountains should be left on pretty much all the time

. If you have a glass, mirror, or metal fountain and turn it off, we recommend that you use a good squeegee to remove drops of water rather than letting them dry on the fountain.

How do I keep my fish pond clean?

  1. Don’t Buy Too Many Fish! …
  2. Take it Easy on the Fish Food! …
  3. Make Sure You Have Enough Plants! …
  4. Find the Right Size Pump! …
  5. Clean Your Pond! …
  6. Filter Your Pond Properly! …
  7. Watch Your Water Temps During the Summer!

How do I stop my pond going green?

  1. Keep a Good Amount of Fish.
  2. Don’t Overfeed Your Fish.
  3. Provide Some Degree of Shade.
  4. Use Beneficial Bacteria.
  5. Keep the Pond Aerated.
  6. Add Plants.

How do I circulate water in my pond without a pump?

  1. Solar Fountain Pumps. A solar fountain pump is a solar-powered machine that creates movement at the water’s top surface for dissolving oxygen. …
  2. Solar Aerators. …
  3. Windmill Aerators. …
  4. Pond Plants. …
  5. Water Depth. …
  6. Cover the Pond. …
  7. Water Floats. …
  8. Do Not Overstock Your Pond.

Can you over filter a pond?

As far as the health of your fish are concerned,

over-filtering is not really an issue

. While they do not naturally live in water that is completely devoid of suspended particles and without the merest hint of algae or weeds, they will quite happily exist in such an environment as long as it is kept healthy and stable.

How do I stop my pond going stagnant?

Plants will increase the oxygen levels in the water, but if you feel that your pond is too over crowded already, then consider

installing a pond pump

. This will mean that the water will move around and help to prevent the water from becoming stagnant, and increase the oxygen content of the water.

What can I put in pond for fish to hide?

Plant Cover:

Water Lilies and other floating plants that cover the top of your pond

will help hide your fish and may give them enough time to escape predators. 7. Pond Netting: This netting does work to deter predators but it can detract from the beauty of your pond.

How do I hide my fish pond filter?

Option 1 (Recommended) –

Rock Covers

Artificial rock covers are without a doubt the most popular choice amongst pond enthusiasts. Using artificial rocks to hide your filter provides the most effective and practical solution to successfully hiding your hefty filter box with a natural-looking rock formation.

How do you hide a fountain pump?

When the pump is submerged in water,

place rocks around it

. The rocks hide the pump. Don’t prevent the pump’s water intake.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.