Call or visit the store to purchase submersible and aeration pond pumps including Big Frog, Little Frog, Max Flo, Hakko, and Alita

If you’re planning a pond that will include plants and fish many customers ask, what size of pump do I need? The first question we ask is, what type of waterfall do you want to see?

The most important consideration when choosing a pump size is the circulation of your pond. You want to make sure that you’re circulating your pond fast enough to give maximum benefit to your plants and fish. A trickling waterfall is not enough to accomplish effective circulation of your pond, so you may need to take into consideration a larger pump and more powerful waterfall.

With plants and fish you want to turn your water over, or circulate it, 1-2 times per hour. For example for a 2,000 gallon pond you want a 4,000 gallon per hour pump. You have several different options for circulation and not all of your water has to go through your waterfall or UV filter for circulation. Sending all of your water through a UV filter requires slowing down the water which is something we don’t recommend.

All of our pumps have their own specifics and working with one of our experts will help you determine which path is right for your pond. We can help you find the right solution whether it is to do a bypass with your water, running part of it through a filter, or running all of your water through your filter, if it can tolerate it. Most people keep it simple and run their pump to their waterfall, filtering the water back and forth. If you’re interested in long term fine-tuning of your pond you’ll want to use a UV filter, including a bypass. You can control the flow going through the UV bypass to create the most effective way to kill parasites, bacteria and algae.

Is it cheaper in the long run to fine-tune your pond with a UV filter?

Yes, you’re also using your UV light to its fullest potential by slowing only the flow through it. By utilizing the UV filter you reduce your dependence on chemicals, while still turning your pond over, and you’re getting proper aeration, which is the most important thing to your pond, plants and fish–Producing Oxygen. You will save money on chemicals and preserve your fish, as well, by keeping algae growth under control.