How to Hook a Pump Up to a Backyard Pond
Pond pumps improve the overall health and aesthetic qualities of your pond by circulating the water of the pond throughout the day. Pumps add oxygen to the water by aerating the pond and prevent stagnation. Moving water can limit algae growth and prevent mosquitoes, as well as well as eliminate distasteful odors from stagnant water. If you have decorative fountains or waterfalls you wish to use in your pond, these also require a pump to move the water through their hoses. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Decide on the kind of pump you need. Pumps come in submersible and out-of-water styles. If your pond is small, typically 1000 gallons or under, a submersible pump is the easiest and most cost-effective to use.
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Select the appropriate size pump based on your pond size. You should have a gph (gallons per hour) rate of circulation that is equal to the size of your pond quantity in gallons so you can filter the entire pond in an hour. At a minimum, it should circulate the whole content within two hours. Thus, if you have a 1,200-gallon pond, you need a pump with a gph of 1,200, but no less than 600. If you have fish, pond professionals recommend doubling your gph to keep the oxygen in the pond clean and available for the fish.
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Make sure your outdoor electrical circuit is a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) circuit. Because you are combining water and electricity to run the pump, this is a necessary (and sometimes code required) safety feature. Check the cord length on your pump to ensure it reaches the circuit from its placement in or near the pond.
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Test the pump's operation by plugging it into the GFCI outlet before placing it in the water. Run it for 30 to 60 seconds to make sure it is working properly. Unplug the pump again before submerging it.
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Place a submersible pump into the pond at the deepest part of the pond so it will not sit directly on the bottom or against the side. The filter screen needs to be clear for water to flow in and out easily. As you drop the pump into the water, make sure to hold onto the hose and power cord to secure them above the water's surface or connect them to a fountain device.
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Tips & Warnings
Magnetic drive (mag-drive) pumps are more expensive, but run more cost efficiently and don't risk polluting the water with lubrication oil like direct drive pumps. They can save money in the long run.
For an external pump, dig and place it in a hole that is below the water level (remembering to thread the hose and power cord out of the hole), as this keeps the pump from running dry and burning out the motor.
Never substitute other kinds of pumps in place of pond pumps to circulate your pond---meaning, don't use sump pumps, aquarium pumps or trash pumps instead.
