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Best Pond Pump 2024 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
Adding a pond to your garden creates an atmosphere of tranquility and peace. It makes your garden space where you can truly relax for the day. Ponds do require maintenance, and one of the most important decisions you will make is to pick the best pond pump.
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Purchasing a pond pump will be a crucial aspect, as well as one of the larger expenses on the list. However, a pump is necessary for any garden pond.
Pumps ensure the flow rate stays at the level you need for your specific dimensions. If you decide to add features such as a waterfall, you will need to pick the perfect pond pump to generate the right flow.
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**Below, you'll find more detailed reviews, but you can also click links above to check current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon.
5 Excellent Choices for the Best Pond Pump
Understanding the Pond Pump Types
The first thing you need to do is determine what type of pond pump you want to buy. Submersible and externals pumps are the two types you will find.
As you can guess by the names, a submersible pump works inside the pond water, while an external pump sits beside the pond with pipes running to the pond.
There are pros and cons to each type, so take your time deciding which one works the best for your situation. Here are some things to consider, making your decision easier. This short video describes the types of pumps.
#1. Submersible Pond Pumps
Via Amazon.com
Submersible pond pumps have many positive reasons to use them. The setup is easier. Typically, you put the pump inside and fill up the pond. When you are sitting around the pond, you won’t hear the sounds of the pump, since the water muffles the noise.
Lower powered submersible pond pumps are cheaper than other options, good if you are on a budget. These are great for smaller style ponds.
However, there are a few negatives you will want to think. Submersible pumps clog easily due to the debris falling into the pond. You will have to clean it out regularly.
As you can imagine, taking care of the pump requires you to put your hands into the water. There is no way to stay dry and deal with a submersible pump!
- You May Also Like: How to Choose the Best Pond Filter On the Market
#2. External Pond Pumps
Via Amazon.com
External pond pumps are perfect for larger sized ponds, and they typically are energy efficient, costing less money to run over time. If your pond exceeds 1,000 gallons, an external pump is the best choice.
Because of their location, maintaining the pump is easier and drier. You don’t need to change your clothes afterward.
However, external pond pumps do have a few negatives to consider. They do tend to run on the pricey side. The major negative is the setup. You have to run piping, consider fittings and more.
You also have to keep the pump in a location that is away from rain, in a protected area. At the same time, you don’t want plants growing into the pump. It can be hard to find the right location for an external pond pump. Plus, external pumps are louder and may disrupt your atmosphere.
Type of Drive
The next thing you should consider is the type of drive that pump uses. There are a few choices available.
#1. Magnetic Drive
A magnetic drive uses magnetic force to run the pump. An electrical charge, created by the impeller, generates the magnetic force.
Many people love magnetic drives because they are completed sealed. You don’t have to add oil, so it is safe for fish and other pond life. Anything with little maintenance is appealing.
There aren’t too many obvious negatives for the magnetic drives except that you shouldn’t use them if you have a fountain. Magnetic drives don’t exert enough force to shoot the water vertically.
#2. Direct Drives
The other option to consider is a direct drive pump that uses electricity to turn the impeller. If you want a water feature like a fountain, a direct drive exerts much more force, creating the height needed.
There are a few negatives to using direct drives. They require electricity, so your electricity bill will probably increase. They are harder to maintain and repair because of how they are sealed. Some require oil, which you may not want to introduce to your fish and pond life.
It is especially important to avoid any pond pumps with oil if you have Koi fish, as it can kill the whole population in your pond.
Determining the Power Needed
Via Amazon.com
Before you make a purchase, you want to consider how powerful your pump should be. It is an essential factor to decide.
The first thing you want to do is figure out the GPH, or gallons per hour, which you need. It can feel like a complication decision to understand.
The easiest way to calculate GPH is to take the number of gallons that your pond holds and halve it. So, if your pond is 600 gallons, you want a 300 GPH pump that circulates that amount of water every two hours.
However, if your pond contains fish, you need to double the GPH. So, your GPH should be however many gallons of what your pond holds. If you have an 800-gallon pond, you need a GPH of 800.
If you have a waterfall, that also changes the GPH you want to have. There are a lot of complex ways to try to figure out the answer, but most people will tell you to look at the slipway and add 100 GPH for every inch of width of the slipway. You want to add this on top of the original GPH you calculated.
Top 5 Choices for the Best Pond Pump
Image | Product Name | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | 96 /100 | ||
| | 95 /100 | ||
| | 98 /100 | ||
| | 95 /100 | ||
| | 92 /100 |
1. Little Giant 1900 GPH WGP-65-PW Premium Pond Pump
Via Amazon.com
If you have a pond with a waterfall feature, you need to take extra care when selecting your pond pump. Little Giant is powerful, running at 1900 GPH, and is perfect for ponds with waterfalls or fountains.
PROS
- Little Giant includes a 16-foot cord, longer than typically included.
- It is a direct-drive pump, which means it runs on electricity. With 1900 GPH, this pump provides fantastic flow pressure.
- This pond pump can run multiple water features at the same time. It is for ponds that are more ornamental and exciting.
- The body of the pump features corrosion-resistant materials, making it a great submersible pump.
- Little Giant includes a three-year warranty. Long warranties mean that the company trusts their quality.
- The price is fantastic. Because it is strong enough to work two water features, you get a lot of power for your money.
CONS
- The newer models by Little Giant seem to break easier than their previous models.
- Some submersible pumps can also work externally, but the Little Giant is not one of those. Do NOT try to work this outside of the water.
2. Laguna Max-Flo 2900 Electronic Waterfall & Filter Pump
Via Amazon.com
The Laguna Max-Flo is a sleek, modern, highly-rated pond pump. While the Laguna Waterworks comes at a higher price tag, it is a waterfall, pond, and filter pump. You get multiple functions on one machine, making it one of the top choices for pond lovers.
PROS
- You can purchase it in 6 different GPH models, ranging from 600 GPH up to 2500 GPH.
- The shape is unique. It’s rounded yet flat shape allows it to stay steady on most surfaces. The shape also helps to increase efficiency.
- There is an integrated circuit board that monitors the performance of the pump at all times.
- When you have to move the pump from place to place, Laguna added ergonomic handles to make moving it easier.
- The lower GPH models only use 60 W of power, saving you money on your electricity bills.
CONS
- If you only need a simple pond pump, there is no need to spend this much money. However, Laguna is one of the only pond pumps that also does waterfalls and works a filtration system. There is a chance it is just too much for your pond!
3. TetraPond Debris-Handling Pump
Via Amazon.com
TetraPond is made to circulate water throughout your pond without clogging. If you don’t want to spend much time on maintenance, TetraPond is designed to handle debris.
It features quarter inch holes in the cage that surrounds the cage, stopping it from getting clogged. This feature is unique; the impellers are some of the strongest on the market.
PROS
- TetraPond features a safe, closed system that requires no oil. It is a great choice if you have fish, especially Koi because it is safe for them.
- If you want to set up your pond and forget about it, for the most part, TetraPond doesn’t require frequent maintenance.
- It features wear and corrosion resistance; this pond pump will last for years to come.
- This pump is super quiet; it will never disturb your peace while outside.
CONS
- Unfortunately, TetraPond only comes in two sizes. Both of the sizes are larger, so it isn’t an ideal choice for smaller ponds.
- Many would consider this to be on the higher side of prices.
4. Aqua Pulse Hybrid Drive Submersible Pump
Via Amazon.com
Do you have Koi fish in your garden pond? If so, you need to make sure your pond pump is ideal for them. The Patriot Aqua Pulse Koi Pond Pump is perfect! It features a hybrid drive, using both a direct and magnetic drive.
PROS
- You can purchase this pond pump in three model types: 550, 8000 and 10000.
- It is a submersible pump that helps to aerate the water fully. The flow rate is fantastic; all of the water circulates very well.
- If the pump is overworking itself, there is a convenient overload switch, making it easy to reduce the risk of overheating.
- Patriot includes a fantastic, 2-year warranty. If you end up disliking it or having issues, you can return it. That is a great thing.
- The 550 GPH and 8000 GPH features a speed controlling option for the water flow.
CONS
- There is no pre-filtration system in front of the pump. You will have to purchase a separate skimmer filter. Otherwise, this pump will get clogged up easily with debris.
- The price is higher. It could be out of your budget range.
5. PonicsPump PP40016 400 GPH Submersible Pump
Via Amazon.com
The last choice for the best bond pump is by PonicsPump. If you need something for a smaller garden pond, they offer eight sizes with over 19 different models available. This particular model is 400 GPH, circulating either a 200 or 400-gallon pond.
PROS
- They designed the pump to last for years. It features an aluminum oxide ceramic shaft and stainless steel that is three times the hardness. You never have to worry that it won’t have a long life.
- It uses a magnetic drive rotor design that doesn’t feature a seal.
- PonicsPump offers a limited, one-year warranty.
- You can use it for ponds, aquaponics, large aquariums or small waterfalls. It is a versatile purchase.
- The price is awesome! It won’t break the bank at all.
- If your small pond has fish, the PonicsPump is safe for them. It features no oil or exposed copper.
- You don’t need any tools to disassemble the pump when it is time to clean it out.
CONS
- This pump isn’t designed to work all the time. It is best if it is turned off throughout the day.
- It is a smaller pump. You can’t use it for large ponds, so you are limited.
- There is no filter in front of the pump, so you will need to check and clean out debris regularly.
Conclusion
Picking the best pond pump can be overwhelming. A quick search leads to you to dozens of choices! There is one clear winner here – the TetraPond Pump. It does only come in a few sizes, but the TetraPond is unique.
It filters out debris much easier than other pumps. Little maintenance is required. If you have fish in your pond, TetraPond requires no oil; it is safe. Also, it is super quiet; you won’t even know it’s there!
If you are a pond owner, we would love to hear from you. Do you have a favorite pond pump? If so, let us know about it! Your experience helps other pond lovers.
About the Author Laura Bennett
Hello, I’m Laura Bennett. I love nature especially when it comes to flowers and different kinds of plants. I started a very small garden behind my house and I named it Humid Garden. So, I created this blog to provide aspiring and inspiring thoughts about gardening for gardeners and anyone who has the intention of keeping a garden.
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