I need a good pond pump

[Jonnydread]

Hey folks,

We have a little man-made goldfish pond on our property. It it fairly small, and slightly over 1' deep at the deepest portion. The previous owners used a small water fountain pump to circulate the water, but it got clogged up with duckweed and shit the bed. I would like to get a relatively powerful, outdoor-use pump that either doesn't clog easily or has a easy-to-clean filter on it. We are not planning on putting fish in the pond, but I would like to keep the water well circulated to avoid mosquitos and allow birds, etc. to use it. Does anyone have a recommendation? I don't care too much about aesthetics, function first.

Thanks!

[Shaftski]

I've always liked Danner pumps, good bang for the buck and I've never had one fail on me. Something like this would probably work great:

https://www.dannermfg.com/pondmaster-eco-fountainhead-pump-kits

Has the fountain head right in the kit and not too expensive.

I would add some barley or mosquito dunks/bits to the water to help keep things clear and bug free organically.

[Jonnydread]

Thanks man! What are barley/mosquitos dunks?

[Flounder]

Two different things. Barley straw helps clarify the water. Mosquito dunks are some cookie shaped things that keep the larva from hatching in the water.

[Jonnydread]

Flounder Cool, thanks!

[Shaftski]

There's both mosquito bits and mosquito dunks. The dunks treat up to 50 gallons of water. The bits come in a large shake container, are sized like rabbit pellets.

I like the bits because of more precise dosing. They are great for gardening too, just mix into topsoil, keep moist, and it wipes out fungus gnats pretty good. A must for indoor plants IMO. Completely non-toxic so go nuts anywhere water collects.

I could bring a sample of some bits in a bag with me on Saturday to Bridgewater if you want to try some. I use a lot for my indoor gardening.

[punkncat]

Gosh....I want to answer this intelligently so bad, lol.

I worked in the aquarium and pond field for a few years, but it's been SO long now....I really can't recall the brands involved then or what if any of them are left now.

Generally. Look for a good submersible "power head" style pump. Use something that is magnetic drive not direct. The best deployment that I dealt with was a good brand of pump as described and it was contained inside a box roughly the side of a shoe box. About 4/5th of the box was various filter media. It allowed for the weeds and crap to stay mostly on the outside and never past the first stage. The pump size in GPM would be determined by your pond size and desired turn over.
The whole unit would readily be lifted out and could be cleaned with the hose and some grubby hands.

[MAr]

If the goal is to make bubbles underwater, try a PPS marker

[Jonnydread]

If the goal is to make bubbles underwater, try a PPS marker

Instructions unclear

[MAr]

that's hot

[Jonnydread]

MAr I had a feeling you'd appreciate it <3

[Tarsun2]

as PunkCat stated. Magnetic drive and continuous duty cycle (ie, designed to run 24/7). there is also water cooled vs air cooled.
ill also add that the flow rate (gph) is measured at the output with zero head water. so whatever you calculate for flow, add a 1/3rd or 1/2 to that.
aquarium filters do the same BS. they show flow rate but in fine print say its measured with zero head water as well as no filter media installed. if the aquarium needs 300gph of water circulation, you have a buy a filter rated for 600gph.

youll start to find out that good pumps are expensive.

ive used small JEBAO DC series pumps in the past with 90 gallon aquariums. they make larger sizes as well.

[Shaftski]

For the pic above, something in the range of 4-500GPH that could push a 6-8 ft head should be fine. You'll want a head height rating higher than your application calls for, pre-filters jam/clog and you'll need more power to compensate or flow will stop.

Aeration with a fountainhead will also increase the rate of water evaporation. Running a pond pump dry could mean instant death. A float valve attached to a garden hose works for keeping the water level high enough.

If the water feature is very shallow, be careful of vortex forming on the pump input if you run the pump submerged. If that starts happening you need to increase water depth, change orientation direction of the input pipe, use a lesser powered pump, or run the pump inline exernally and add plumbing.

[Flounder]

a float switch to shut the pump off might be a better option. Keeps your water bill in check if you get a leak you do not notice.

[Shaftski]

That's a good idea if you are connected to mains.

I've used rain barrels on the other end of the hose instead of house supply. Gotta remember to treat that barrel water for bugs/etc while it is being stored though. Same treatment, barley ball and a dunk.

[Jonnydread]

Wow I have a lot to learn. Thanks for the advice everyone!

[Mr. Hick]

This is MCB. You probably could get away with rigging up 5 dollar pump.... but if you want it done right, and "code+" this is the spot to ask.

[Jonnydread]

I could bring a sample of some bits in a bag with me on Saturday to Bridgewater if you want to try some. I use a lot for my indoor gardening.

That would be great, thank you!

[chrislognshot]

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