Below is an interactive chart that shows the various pond pumps. The analysis that follows will help determine which pond pump is best for you.
I have been working with outdoor ponds for 9 years and have used many different types of external and submersible pumps (8 different brands + sizes). This experience allows me to recommend the right pump for you.
The pump is the most critical expense when creating a garden pond or water feature. It will allow your pond to function properly. To ensure that your pond is running at the optimal flow rate, it is important to choose the right pump. A pump that can produce a strong flow is essential if you plan on having a vertical element in your pond such as a waterfall.
There are two types: Submersible and external pond pumps. The submersible one is installed inside the pond, while the external one is outside the pond. Pipes connect the pumps to the pond. You can also use them externally or sub-water.
Let’s now see the pros and cons of different types of pond pumps:
Submersible Pump positives
- It is easy to set up – simply place it in the water, and then plug it in.
- It is quieter and less noisy, but still has a lot of power (gallons per hour).
- Perfect for smaller ponds.
Submersible Pumps negatives
- It is easy to clog and must be removed from all debris.
- When maintaining the pump, be prepared to get wet.
External Pumps positives
- It’s located outside of the pond so it doesn’t require any hands for installation or maintenance.
- Larger ponds will be more cost-effective and last longer.
External Pumps negatives
- It is more costly to purchase, but the return on investment will be much lower.
- It’s more difficult to set up, as the fittings and piping are to be installed. The pump must also be guarded from rain, direct sunlight, and other hazards.
- The pump must be hidden from the “landscape”, but accessible for maintenance.
However, submersible pumps are preferred by most people. They are easy to install and reliable, and work well in smaller ponds. You might consider an external pump if you need a pump to pump bigger ponds (1000 gallons or more).
Comparison of Top 3 Submersible and External Pond Pumps
You must consider both the pros and cons of each product before you make a decision. Although there is no perfect pump, all the pumps listed below are great options.
Here’s a comparison of technical specifications for each product, as well as their Azon score and prices:
/tablehere/
Top 3 Pond Pumps:
Quick summary on the top 3 products:
Alpine Cyclone Pump 3100 GPH
- Available in 7 sizes: 2100, 3100, 4000, 5200, 6550, 8000, 10300 GPH.
- Ceramic impeller shafts are long-lasting.
- Vortex impeller features a large prefilter.
- Vortex can be removed without the use of tools.
- For reliable, long-term use, oil-free magnetic-drive motor unit.
- You can use the pond either externally or internally.
- Adapters for multiple pond setups included-
- Works horizontally or vertically.
- 3-year warranty
The Alpine Cyclone Pump is powerful, cost-saving and energy-efficient. It is also submersible (underwater) and has a ceramic shaft. The motor turns by using magnets. This allows the motor to be completely enclosed in a separate housing. This increases water resistance and prevents leaks. The unique ceramic impeller shafts are epoxy protected. The pump includes a vortex impeller and an easily removable pre-filter. There are five sizes and models to choose from, covering a range of gallons/hour from 2100 gph up to 6550gph. This pond pump is a favorite of ours, it’s durable and comes with a three-year warranty. Measurements of the 2100 gph model are 13’x7’x8”
This pond pump is one of the most popular. It’s versatile, so it can be used both as an external and submersible pump, you can also use it horizontally or vertically. This is a rare feature that not many other models have.
TotalPond 1200 GPH Waterfall Pump
- 1200 GPH
- New Revolution Pump Technology
- Perfect for small waterfalls
- Maximum 5ft waterfalls recommended. Maximum pumping capacity 18ft.
- 16-foot cord
- Fits 1 Inch tubing
The TotalPond 1200 GPH Waterfall magnetic drives pumps were specifically designed to meet the needs of a pond. The magnetic drive pumps are designed to be used continuously. This is why the TotalPond 1200GPH Waterfall Pump is very energy-efficient. It uses less energy than other pumps and can save you money in the long-term. This pump was specifically designed for waterfalls. It has a single moving part: a ceramic shaft, and an impeller. TotalPond pumps are suitable for water garden ponds, fountains, waterfalls, and piped statuary.
This pump is extremely adaptable thanks to its new, improved design. This pump can only be used as a submersible pumps. This pump is quiet and reliable. This pump is recommended for waterfalls above 5 feet.
1 year warranty.
Tetra Pond Debris-Handling Pump
This is the first Tetra pumps for ponds and it’s one of the most popular. The Tetra Pond Debris water pumps are high-quality and can be used in all types of ponds. The debris handling pond pump can pump up to 3000 gallons per hour (GPH), making it ideal for large ponds. If necessary, you can upgrade to 4,000 gallons an hour.
The waterfall pump can be used for other purposes. It handles water and debris like a pro. This pump can even be used to create a submersible water pond. If you follow the instructions, your water feature will be clean in no time. The pre-filter cage ensures that water flows freely and does not get clogged.
Maximum flow rate and protection are possible. If necessary, you can use your power cord to keep the pump running 24/7. The pump is very easy to maintain and clean. The pump operates with a direct drive system and is oil-free.
- Operation that is energy efficient
- 3000 gallons an hour
- It is great for large ponds, stream pumps and waterfall pumps.
- Continuous operation
- Catch debris feature, to prevent clogging.
- This pump is good for fresh water only.
- Many users say that the performance is excellent, but they need to use warranty replacement more often than they expected.
How to Choose the Best Pond Pump
These 3 pond pumps are not the only ones I recommend. You can put together your own list of top 3 products using the criteria I used to create it. These are some of the most important factors that you might want to include in your search:
- Price
- Energy Efficiency
- Water flow rate
- Warranty
- Durability
- Customer Reviews
My view is that the three most important factors are price, reliability, and rating from other customers.
People will search for the lowest price product available. This is not the case if your device runs 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. Never buy the cheapest pond pump, as they can have a very low value.
A well-functioning pond water pump is a key component of a functioning ecosystem pond. The pump is responsible for the filtering system and can create streams and waterfalls. It must be reliable to work 24 hours a days and 7 days a weeks without any downtime or problems. The pump must also be energy efficient so that it can continue to operate on a reasonable electricity bill.
Customer satisfaction is a significant factor, regardless of whether you’re buying garden plants or pond pumps. You can gain a better understanding of the products by looking at Amazon reviews so you can make the right choice. You should not skip reading what other people have to say about the product.
Conclusion
The Alpine-cyclone pump is my favorite pump. It has a great set of strengths, and very few drawbacks. It is also recommended by more than 1,100 real buyers on Amazon. These are just a few of the many reasons I have decided that this pond pump is the best for me. These are also excellent products!
To remind you, there are generally two types of pond pumps: the external and submersible. The submersible pump goes inside the water, while the external pump is outside the water. You can also use the more expensive units externally or sub-water.