How to Know what Fountains to Use?
To choose a fountain pump or replace one, keep these key terms in mind: A pump’s maximum vertical lift is known as its “head.” For instance, a 6-foot head pump can pump water six feet high. Although at a vertical height of six feet, the pump would pump only a trickle of water, it is possible to determine how much water is pumped by looking at the pump curve listed for each of our pumps. When choosing a pump, you must consider the amount of water pumped at various heights. For example, you may need a pump capable of pumping 200 gallons per hour at 72 inches.
A few factors determine the amount of water produced: As explained previously, the size of the pump determines how much water is produced. But the inside diameter (i.d.) of tubing also matters. If customers hook up a 500-gallon-per-hour pump to ½-inch-diameter tubing, they are shocked when they only receive a trickle of water. You may only receive a flow of around 200 gallons per hour on the most. You have restricted the flow too much. When you buy a pump, ensure you obtain the right type of tubing. The tubing should not be run too far away from the pump.
You must decide whether you desire a trickle or a roar. Fountains usually include a flow rate. You must deliver 100 gallons per hour for every inch of stream width or waterfall sheet at the pumping height for waterfalls. Therefore, if you are installing a waterfall 12 inches wide and 3 feet tall, you must buy a pump that will flow 1200 gallons per hour at 3 feet of height. It is usually a good idea to recirculate the water in ponds once an hour. To recirculate water at a rate of 500 gallons per hour, you should purchase a pump with a 500-gallon-per-hour capacity for a 500-gallon pond. It is not required for large ponds and is too costly.
When to Get an External Pump?
In-line pumps are the most economical option if you want a lot of water pumped or to save money on electricity. Even more important than the purchase price, these pumps outperform standard submersible pumps in electricity savings. Purchasing an energy-efficient pump is particularly critical if you have a large pond since electricity costs range from $10 to $100 per month. For those who need a lot of “head” or who must pump water a long distance (rather than “push” it) from the pond to the skimmer, these pumps are not suitable.
What is a Battery-Operated Fountain Pumps?
Many companies manufacture battery-operated pumps, but we have yet to find one durable or reasonably priced. We receive many, many calls about battery fountains. For those who want battery-operated fountains for wedding centerpieces (a common request), we suggest finding what you want and purchasing as many as you can at a store like Walmart. You can get the whole fountain for as good a price as we can get you these specialized pumps all by themselves!
Where is the Pump Made?
Before purchasing a fountain pump, we suggest you examine the manufacturer and review the testing procedures to ensure quality. Asian pumps used to be inferior, but that has changed drastically. The most critical aspect of fountain pumps is the quality of their construction and the materials used. Italian manufacturers have been prominent fountain pump manufacturers for centuries (think of all the fountains in Italy), but nowadays, Germany, Korea, Taiwan, and China are also creating pumps. American fountain pump companies such as Cal Pumps and Beckett import their pumps overseas as long as American engineering is used and the plans are followed.
Should my pump Have a 2-wire plug or a 3-wire plug?
Outdoor water features should always have a three-pronged plug, and indoor ones often do. If you want a thin cord, pick a two-wire pump; these are more aesthetically pleasing. Some retail stores may require a three-wire cord for indoor water features even if their aquarium pumps don’t (which is, of course, ironic). A GFCI outlet must be used with any pump. Plants, stones, or other decorations may conceal the cord.
How to Pick Long-lasting Pumps?
Fountain pumps are water-cooled and burn out when the fountain is dry. Every time a fountain is drained, the pumps get hot enough to burn out, and usually, there is nothing you can do to prevent this other than get a new pump. However, per the manufacturer’s instructions, it would be best to clean them periodically by removing the impeller case on a fountain pump.
What are Solar Pumps?
The performance of solar pumps could have been more reliable, which has prevented us from carrying them. Although the pumps are unique, they are becoming more functional, employing brushes instead of a magnetic rotor and requiring strong solar panels to push the water up. We sell many of our small solar pump kits.
THIS TABLE BELOW IS PUMP COMPARISONS TO HELP YOU MATCH PUMPS. ALL GPH ARE APPROXIMATE. WE USED MANUFACTURERS’ SPECIFICATIONS
| FountainTech FTECH40 40gph, 5/16” | Danner- Pondmaster Mini Pump 35 35 gph | Beckett | Jebao PP300 40gph, 5/16” | Little Giant PES-40-PW 47 gph,3/8”,1/2” | Fountain Pro WT55LV 55 gph 5/16″ | Smartpond Pumps FP45 30-45 gph 3/16″ |
| FountainTech-70 66gph, 5/16” and 1/2” | Mini Pump 65 65 gph | DP 80 80 gph 1/4”, 1/2” | PP333 66gph, 5/16” 1/2 | PES-80-PW 77gph,3/8”,1/2” | WT65p 64.7 gph 1/2″ | FP80 50-80 gph 3/8″ , 1/2″ |
| FountainTech105 105 gph, 5/16” and 1/2” | MD 1 80 gph | PP377 105 gph, 5/16” 1/2” | WT90p 68 gph 1/2″ | FP155 100-155 gph 3/8″ ,1/2″ | ||
| FountainTech130 130 gph 5/16” and 1/2” | MD 1.5 140 gph | JP900 130 gph 5/16” 1/2” | PES-130-PW 130 gph, 3/8”, 1/2” | WT125p 95 gph 1/2″ | ||
| FountainTech160 160 gph 1/2” | MD 1.9 190 gph | DP140 140 gph 1/4”, 1/2” | PP388 160 gph 1/2” | WT160p 160 gph 1/2″ | FP170 130-170 gph 3/8″, 1/2″ | |
| FountainTech250 250 gph, 1/2”. 5/8” and 3/4” | PM 250 250 gph | DP250 250 gph 5/8” | PP399 250 gph, 1/2”. 5/8” and 3/4” | |||
| FountainTech300 350 gph, 1/2”, 5/8” and 3/4” | PM 350 350 gph | WP1500 350 gph, 1/2”, 5/8” and 3/4” | PES-290-PW 300 gph, 3/8”, 1/2” | WT300p 290 gph 3/4″, 1″ ,1/2″ | FP300 200-300 gph 3/8″, 1/2″ | |
| FountainTech450 490 gph, 1/2”, 3/4” and 1” | PM 500 500 gph | DP400 400 gph 5/8” | WP2000 490 gph, 1/2”, 3/4” and 1” | FP500 300-500 gph 1/2″, 3/4 | ||
| FountainTech650 750 gph,3/4” and 1” | PM 700 700 gph | WP3000 750 gph,3/4” , 1” | PES-700-PW 725 gph, 3/4” | |||
| FountainTech 1250 1250 gph, 3/4” 1” | Danner PM 1200 1200 gph | Beckett | Jebao WP3500 1250 gph, 3/4” 1” | Little Giant PES-1000-PW 1150 gph, 1” | Fountain Pro | Smart Pond |
| F1300 1500 gph 3/4” and 1” | WP5000 1500 gph 3/4” 1” | WT1300ip 1300 gph 3/4″ | ||||
| FTech1900 1800 gph 3/4” and 1” | PM 1800 1800 gph | EGP1800 1800 gph 3/4” 1” | ||||
| FTech2500 2500 gph 3/4″, 1″ | PM 2400 2400 gph | JTP10000 2500 gph 3/4″, 1″ | ||||
| FTech3500 3500 gph, 3/4″, 1″ | EGP4000 3500 gph, 3/4″, 1″ | |||||
| FTech6000 6000 gph, 3/4″- 2” | JGP30000 6000 gph, 3/4″- 2” | |||||
| FTech8000 8000+ gph, 3/4″- 2” | JGP40000 8000+ gph, 3/4″- 2” |
Above pumps are rated at zero inches head (vertical lift). Vertical lift curves vary, usually only slightly. Beside the gallons per hour measure www.fountainmountain.com, you will find the inside diameter tubing measures for these pumps.