Pond Pumps
We stock a wide range of pumps from several
manufacturers, including Oase, Blagdon & Pontec. From
a small fountain to a gushing waterfall, we’re sure to
have a pump to meet your needs.
Pond pumps can be used to run fountains, filters, waterfalls or a combination
of these, where more or larger features are required a more powerful pump
will be required. There are a number of factors which need to be considered
when selecting a pump...
The higher a pump lifts water above the surface of a pond, the less water it will pump, the maximum head is
the height at which it stops pumping. Note the "head" is measured from the surface of the pond, not from the
position of the pump in the pond.
Many pump manufacturers quote maximum flow rates on their boxes, this is the flow rate at zero head;
although this figure can seem very impressive, it is important to consider what the pump will actually deliver
at the head you intend to use it at. We quote flow rates for pumps at 1 metre & ½ metre head. These figures
give realistic flow rates for the majority of waterfall features. However if your waterfall is significantly higher
then you will need to take the maximum head into account. e.g. a pump with a maximum head of 3 metres,
which delivers 500gph at a 1 metre head, is likely to give about 250gph at a 2 metre head.
As a rule of thumb a small fountain will require a flow of about 100 gph (7.5 lpm) whilst a waterfall will require
between 300 - 400 gph (22.7 - 30.3 lpm) for every 6" (15cm) of pouring lip.
Some pumps are designed as "dirty water" pumps, these are ideal for use as filter or waterfall pumps as they
require very little maintenance. This type of pump is not suitable to run a fountain as the jet will become clogged with small particles. For fountains a pump
with an efficient strainer which is large enough not to need frequent cleaning is required.
The higher the wattage the higher the running costs will be. Pond filters must be run 24 hours a day throughout the spring summer and autumn; and in
general it's a good idea to do the same for waterfalls and fountains. It obviously makes sense to choose a low wattage pump. As a rough guide a 100 watt
pump running 24 hours a day will cost about £2 a week to run.
Most pumps can be used with a variety of sized hoses. Small hoses will restrict the flow. For waterfalls up to about 600gph 1" hose is usually sufficient. For
larger waterfalls, 1 1/4" or 1 ½" is usually more appropriate. Where a pump with a low maximum head is used or where a particularly long length of hose is
used a larger diameter of hose is usually required.
Most pond pumps are 240v mains voltage. These are supplied with 10m of electrical cable. Should you need to extend this cable we supply a range of
waterproof and outdoor cable connectors.
It is strongly recommended that an RCD trip is used with all mains voltage pumps.
If you are in any doubt about the correct installation of a pump - please consult a qualified electrician.
We stock an extensive range of pumps from a wide range of manufacturers, which cater for almost every conceivable need, from small, low powered
pumps for self contained fountain ornaments and fountain pumps for small ponds, right up to large, high powered pumps for filters and/or waterfalls. We
also stock a number of solar powered fountain pumps. Our experienced staff will be able to help you select the right pump to meet your specific needs.
In addition to our extensive range of pond pumps we also stock a range of utility pumps, specifically designed for use around the home and garden. These
include pumps for emptying cellars during and after flooding and high pressure pumps for garden irrigation uses, such as running hoses from water barrels
and wells.