External Pond Pumps

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Looking to upgrade your pond setup with an external pump? Don’t miss our guide to External Pond Pumps: 5 Important Things To Know before you buy. From flow rate to maintenance, we’ve got you covered. Dive in now!

External Pond Pumps, situated outside the pond, are preferred for koi pond setups due to their advantages like higher water flow and longevity over submersible pumps.

They come in two types: direct drive and magnetic drive, with the former being suitable for high-head applications like waterfalls, and the latter being energy-efficient for low-head setups.

Key considerations while choosing an external pond pump include the flow rate, head height, power consumption, and the size of the pond.

Ready to take your pond to the next level with an external pump? Before you make the leap, there are 5 Important Things To Know. From power usage to installation tips, we’ve got the inside scoop on External Pond Pumps. Let’s dive in and upgrade your pond setup!

External Pond Pumps as the name implies are installed outside of the koi pond making them a popular choice for koi pond builders. They are generally the best-suited pond pumps to use for building a koi pond.

These pumps offer a number of advantages over submersible pumps, including greater water flow and a longer lifespan.

In this post, we’ll explore the different types of external pond pumps, focusing on direct drive pumps, and discuss their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision when choosing the right pump for your pond.

That is because external pond pumps can provide greater water flow than most submersible pond pumps. They are also cheaper to run.

External pond pumps are much more reliable than submersible pumps and have a longer life.

This is important because your pump needs to be able to run 24/7 without clogging or breaking down.

If they do break down external pumps can be repaired. Because submersible pumps must run underwater the workings are sealed in a waterproof resin.

That means when they break, they are essentially throw-away pumps and need to be replaced.

There are two basic types of external pond pumps. They are direct drive and magnetic drive. An important consideration when sizing a pump is head height.

External Pond Pumps And Head Height

The amount of lift a pump has is called its head height. As the height, a pump needs to lift water increases its output decreases.

If you look at the specifications for various external pond pumps you will notice that they are rated at GPH at various head heights.

This is important because a pump that is rated at 4,000 GPH at discharge or 0 head height may only be able to move 2,000 GPH at 10 feet of head. This is referred to as a pump’s power curve.

Direct Drive Pond Pumps

Direct-drive external pond pumps have the advantage of being able to lift and draw water toward them.

This makes them ideal for use in a waterfall where water from the pond must be raised to it or in applications where water needs to be pumped uphill.

They generally will cost more to run than a magnetic pump, but in some situations, they are your only choice when high water flow is needed, for example, if you have a tall waterfall.

There is a hybrid form of direct drive pond pump that is submersible. This offers you an alternative if you really want your pump out of sight but want to avoid some of the disadvantages of the standard garden pond type of submersible pond pump.

One note of caution if you do decide to buy a submersible direct drive pump. Make sure it is oil-free because some pumps will begin to leak and oil as we all know is not good for the water or our fish.

Magnetic Drive Pond Pumps

Magnetic drive pumps are also called mag drive pumps. Usually, they are submersible pumps because they operate at very low head heights and can’t draw much water into the pump.

There are some Mag Drive pumps that can operate outside the pond like standard external pond pumps.

In situations where you can install them below water level, which is called a flooded suction, they can move a lot of water cheaply.

But as head height increases their output falls much faster than a direct drive pond pump.

Mag Drive pumps – Pros And Cons

Magnetic drive pond pumps use an electromagnetic field that turns an impeller. The main advantage of this is they are very energy-efficient and have a long service life.

Mag Drive pumps are also very easy to repair as the only moving part is a magnetic shaft with an impeller attached to it.

Their main disadvantage is in high-head applications, where high water flow is required. They are usually more expensive than direct-drive pond pumps, but this is greatly offset by their energy savings. In

Generally speaking, if you don’t have a high head requirement, magnetic drive pond pumps may be your best choice.

But if you have a tall waterfall or need to move water uphill or a significant distance direct drive external pond pumps would be a better choice.

How to choose the right type of external pond pump for your water features

When choosing a pond pump for a water feature such as a waterfall, fountain, or stream, several factors should be considered:

Flow rate: The flow rate of the pump should match the desired flow rate of the water feature.

A higher flow rate will create a larger and more powerful waterfall, while a lower flow rate will create a more gentle flow.

Head height: The head height of the pump refers to the maximum height at which the water can be pumped.

This should be taken into account when determining the size of the water feature and the height of the waterfall or fountain.

Power consumption: The power consumption of the pump should be considered when determining the cost of running the water feature.

Pond size: The size of the pond should also be considered when choosing a pump. A larger pond will require a more powerful pump to circulate the water effectively.

It’s also important to choose a pond pump with the appropriate size for the tubing that will be used to connect the pump to the water feature.

FAQ

Q: Can I use a pond pump for a waterfall and a fountain?

A: Yes, a pond pump can be used for both a waterfall and a fountain.

However, it is important to ensure that the flow rate and head height of the pump is appropriate for the desired flow and height of the waterfall and fountain.

Q: How often should I clean my pond pump?

A: The frequency of cleaning your pond pump will depend on the environment and the amount of debris present in the pond.

A general rule of thumb is to clean the pump at least once a month, or more frequently if it becomes clogged with debris.

Q: Can I run my pond pump all the time or should I have a schedule?

A: A pond pump should be run continuously to ensure proper circulation and oxygenation of the water if there are fish in the pond.

However, it is recommended to turn off the pump during cleaning or maintenance.

Q: Can I use a larger pump than what is recommended for my pond?

A: Using a larger pump than what is recommended for your pond can cause damage to any water features and may not be energy efficient.

It is important to use a pump that is appropriately sized for your pond and water feature to ensure optimal performance and energy efficiency.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, external pond pumps, particularly direct drive pumps, are a great choice for those building a koi pond.

They offer a number of advantages over submersible pumps, including greater water flow and a longer lifespan.

However, it’s important to consider the head height of your pond and the specific needs of your setup before making a final decision.

Direct drive pumps are ideal for high-head applications and moving water uphill, while magnetic drive pumps are more energy efficient and suitable for low-head applications.

Ultimately, the best pump for your pond will depend on your specific needs and budget.