A common mistake that people make is installing a pool pump or a sump pump in a pond. People sometimes have a spare sump pump or pool pump available and want to utilise it for their water feature to save buying a new pump. While this may seem like a good idea in the short term, it can definitely end up costing you much more in the long run thanks to significantly higher electricity costs and other considerations spelt out below.
What are the advantages of using Pond Pumps over Pool Pumps or Sump Pumps (pumps often used in stormwater pits) when running a pond or water feature?
1. Running Costs
Pond pump are specifically created for ponds. Often they are designed to move large amounts of water (high flow) at lower pressures (low head height) than pool pumps or sump pumps. This means they use much less energy to acheive the same flow that you need for your pump or filter. You can typically cut the cost of the electricity used by your pond pump to 1/3 of the amount by switching from a pool pump or sump pump to a well designed pond pump, saving hundreds of dollars per year.
2. Rated to run continuously
Pond pumps are always designed to run 24/7. In order for ponds to stay aerated properly, they require constantly moving water which means the pump needs to run all day and night every day of the year. Without this your fish could struggle to get enough oxygen and you will have a much harder time controlling algae in your pond. Pool Pumps and Sump Pumps are often only designed to run for half an hour or an hour at a time or less and when they are run continuously they can wear our very quickly and void your warranty.
3. Noise
Pool pumps especially can be very noisy. Pond pumps operate quietly, much quieter than both sump pumps and pool pumps and because they are often submersed in your pond or water feature the sound is muffled even further, helping to create a tranquil water feature for your to relax by at the end of a long day.
4. Warranty
Pond Pumps often have warranties of 2-5 years depending on the brand you select. Pool Pumps and Sump Pumps often have a warranty of 1-2 years only which may be void if the pump runs continuously.
5. Operating Pressure
If your pump is being connected to a filter, it is important to check the maximum operating pressure of the filter. Many pressure filters can operating at a maximum pressure of 5.0m of head. Most sump pumps easily exceed this and some pool pumps operated at closer to 30m of head, which would destroy the filter if connected to it.
6. Environmental Considerations
Using less electricity by having the correct, most efficient pump possible connected to your pond will see your impact on the environment being reduced and help to control your carbon emissions.
Our most efficient pond pumps are something like the Laguna Maxflo or Oase Aquamax. Or you can check out our entire Pond Pump Range.
If you are after a sump pump to be installed in a stormwater pit, for water transfer, industrial, commercial or other non-pond purposes then you should browse our range of sump pumps to find what you are looking for.