pond waterfall pumps

pond waterfall pumps

Backyard Ponds > Pond Waterfall Pumps

Three Pond Waterfall
Pumps Rules of Thumb

Having gotten a brief pond waterfall pumps pointer overview let's mush on with several rules of thumb that I promised you

For starters, here is a pretty good rule of thumb for sizing pond waterfall pumps. It's pretty simple. For every 100gph coming from the outlet point of the waterfall, the typical waterfall pump will create a flow 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch wide.

Said another way you generally want somewhere between 100 - 150 gph per inch of width that the water spills over. More obviously gives you a deeper flow of water.

Further Translation: You know you want at least 100 gph capacity. So say you had a six inch wide weir (channel) for water to flow over. In that case you'd want to go with a 600gph pump; 750 if you want to create a Niagara look alike.

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Also take into account the height of your waterfall. If it's going to higher, make sure to check head chart for the brand of pond waterfall pumps you're considering. Look for the pump that will give you the flow you need for the stream at the head height your pump will have to push.

You see what matters is the energy it takes to take the water from where it is to where you want it. And don't forget that would include the effort to lift the water up out of the pond, plus around any bends in your pipe, etc. For that reason it might be best (but probably not cheapest) to go with flexible PVC pipe that eliminates elbows and provides higher flow rates because it cuts so called "friction loss". Plus you'll find it is much easier to install.

Bottom Line: Go with the biggest most efficient pump you can afford. One with a larger capacity than you think you will need. Because you don't want to kick yourself after the fact thinking "Geez, wish I would have bought a bigger waterfall pump for my pond!" Which happens all the time by the way.

Pond Waterfall Pumps