New Pond Pumps

Archive for the ‘Buying Tips’ Category

For people who own ponds that are above average in size, it is recommended that they chose an external pond pump for several reasons.

Keep in mind, this discussion does not apply to external pool pumps, but only external pond pumps. The following paragraphs will discuss why an external pond pump is a wiser choice than an submersible pond pump for large pond owners.

External pond pumps were specifically designed for energy efficiency. For example, a 4000 gallons per hour submersible pond pump can draw up to 15 amps of energy, depending on the brand. Imagine the increase in your power bill! On the other hand, an average 4000 external pond pump will only draw an average of 2-3 amps! The average 7,770 gallons per hour external pond pump burns only the average of 6 amps! That is a huge savings in energy alone!

As well as being more energy efficient, there are more benefits associated with external pond pumps. They are overall easier to clean than submersible pond pumps, and with an external pond pump, you do not even have to get your hands messy! Most external pond pumps come with a removable trap, causing them to clog less often than submersible pond pumps.

Finally, external pond pumps have the tendency to last quite a bit longer than submersible pond pumps. When external pond pumps malfunction, or need repair, the cost is often a lot less than with a submersible pond pump, for parts, as well as for labor.

If you have a smaller pond, a submersible pump might be for you. But for larger pond owners, it is well worth looking into an external pond pump. While an external pond pump may cost more money to purchase, the energy savings alone will pay for the pump quickly!

It can be difficult to decipher the differences between various models of pond pumps.

They all claim to be the most efficient of course. But are these differences enough to make one brand substantially better than another brand of pond pump? That too can be difficult to decide. The best way to make this decision is to conduct side-by-side comparisons of several different brands of pond pumps. Compare the features from one brand versus others. Does one have more than another? Or do they have the same number of features but a higher rating stated than the other brands you’re comparing together?

The manufacturers of pond pumps all say that it really boils down to the amount of energy consumption required and the amount of power produced per gallon of water contained in a pond. Brands and models of pond pumps that use a lesser amount of energy to produce a greater amount of power per gallon of water are the most energy-efficient.

The amount of energy that a particular model of pond pump requires its power can be found in the listing of features under wattage, or amps. This will tell you the kilowatts per hour that will be consumed for the proper operating of the pond pump. Clearly those that use a lower percentage of kilowatts would be the more energy-efficient models of pond pumps.

The size of your pond is a factor in the size of pond pump you will need to properly circulate the water in your pond. Larger ponds will of course require larger pond pumps and a greater use of energy in order to properly circulate the water in the pond. There are a number of the larger models of pond pumps that have proven that they can be just as efficient at saving energy as their smaller, energy-efficient cousins.

The internet is by far the easiest way to do side-by-side comparisons of different brands and models of energy-efficient pond pumps. You can place several images on your screen to really get a good look at what each offers. Consumer report and product review magazines are also good for comparing several models and brands of energy-efficient pond pumps.

Some people balk at the higher costs of energy-efficient models of pond pumps. But over the long-term, these energy-efficient pond pumps more than pay for themselves in the amount of money saved from out-of-control, rising utility costs.

Choosing between submersible and an above-ground pond pumps is a matter of individual preference really as there are advantages and disadvantages to both models.

With submersible pond pumps the unit is hidden underwater which may be an attractive feature for some people. The noise from the pump motor is also ‘hidden’ under the surface of your pond. This too can be an attractive feature for those that don’t want the pump to be seen or heard as they sit relaxing by their pond.

The downside to having a submersible pond pump is that if a problem occurs with the pump, you may not become aware of it immediately. That could result in your pump experiencing even more damage to due not detecting small problems before they become big and expensive ones.

Furthermore, should your submersible pond pump quit working; you would need to drain the water from your pond in order to gain access to the pump for repairs. This process could be even harder if you have goldfish that need to be relocated until you can refill the pond with water.

Routine checks to make sure that water is being circulated in your pond could help you to avoid some of the problems that can occur with submersible pond pumps

With above- ground pond pump models you have easy access to the unit itself should a problem crop up. You can also hear any changes in the sound of the motor of the pump: which could signal a building problem and take action before the pond pump breaks down completely.

But there is a downside to above-ground pond pumps as well that must be considered. Although most models now have what is commonly labeled: “quiet-operating,” they do still generate some noise. This might certainly be a disturbing feature for those who are sensitive to these kinds of sounds.

You also have a free-standing unit with a hose reaching into your pond and this could be seen as a negative feature to having an above-ground pond pump for some people. You will need to somehow ‘hide’ the unit or choose models that ‘blend’ more easily with the scenery.

You can purchase a hose for your pump that adds character to your pond rather than taking away from it.

You will need to carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of both submersible and above-ground models of pond pumps when deciding which is right for you.