What type of pond pump do I need?

Identifying the right type of pond pump should be your first step before choosing a model. Good quality pumps are designed to perform specific tasks, and while they may excel in one role they may function poorly in another.

Some are built for cost-effective running such as filter pumps. Others are designed to lift water to waterfalls and water features, produce attractive fountains, or for supplying streams with large volumes of water. In this guide we explore the different types of pond pumps in more depth, to help you make the right choice.

Filter Pumps

Filter pumps are designed for supplying pond water to pond filters. They are in constant use, running all day and all night, every day of the year. A good filter pump is built to last and cheap to run.

Pairing a filter pump with a pond filter is very easy. Pond filter models usually have their own maximum flow rate you need to achieve. It is vital to choose a pump as near to the top end of the max flow rate for perfect filter performance.

For example, the Filtoclear 13000 pressure filter has a maximum flow rate of 9,000 litres per hour. The ideal pump to compliment this filter will be as close to 9,000 litres per hour as possible.

Aquamax Eco Classic

Aquamax Eco Classic - Energy-efficient pumps suited to supplying filters and watercourses

Aquamax Eco Gravity

Aquamax Eco Gravity - For gravity filter systems on koi and swim ponds

Aquamax Eco Premium

Aquamax Eco Premium - Extra inlet for satellite strainer or surface skimmer. Ideal for filters and watercourses

Fountain Pumps

Fountain pumps combine a pump and fountain nozzle in one. They are placed under water, with the telescopic riser adjusted so that the fountain nozzle protrudes just above the surface. You can place a fountain pump directly onto the base of your pond if it is relatively shallow. Or for deeper ponds, it is a good idea to build a small plinth to set your fountain pump upon. These are simple to make by stacking a few bricks or blocks into a column to achieve the desired height.

For very deep ponds and lakes, a floating fountain pump is a sensible choice. As the name suggests they float on the surface and can anchored to the base of your pond or to the banks using nylon ropes and weights or pegs. They can be combined with lighting attachments for impressive night time displays.

Aquarius Fountain Pumps

Aquarius Fountain Pumps - Submersible pumps with adjustable fountains

PondJet Eco Premium Floating Fountains

PondJet Eco Premium Floating Fountains - Floating fountains with built in pumps

Waterfall and Feature Pumps

Waterfall and feature pumps are specially designed to lift water. Unlike simple filter pumps, that quickly lose performance pumping uphill, these pumps are built for performance at greater head heights.

If you have purchased a readymade water feature, manufacturers generally provide the required flow rate or even recommend the actual pump you need. But for custom built water features, you will need to factor in both the flow rate and head height when choosing a model.

If you need guidance, the best thing is to get in touch via email and send us a few photos of your water feature along with some measurements. Our experts can then assist you in selecting the correct model.

Aquarius Universal Classic

Aquarius Universal Classic - Ideal for small waterfalls and water features

Aquarius Universal Premium

Aquarius Universal Premium - Ideal for waterfalls and water features

Aquarius Eco Expert

Aquarius Eco Expert - Ideal for large waterfalls and water features

Swim Pond Pumps

The key consideration when buying pond pumps for swim ponds is safety.

Thankfully there are excellent models of pond pumps that are specifically designed for supplying water to swim pond filters and water features. These use 12 volt technology making them completely safe to use.

Since swim ponds are generally large bodies of water, swim pond pumps have to be powerful to move large volumes of water to filters and water features. A good choice of swim pond pump for filters is the Aquamax Eco Expert 12v range. For larger water features we recommend the Aquarius Eco Expert 12v models. The Aquamax Eco Premium 12v models are a good option for supplying water for smaller water features, pond skimmers with pump fed systems.