The Simple Deluxe LGPUMP1056G Submersible Water Pump is the best pond pump for the value it provides.
The beautiful sound of water.
That’s what made you get a pond built for your garden. And the fish in the pond make it even more beautiful.
But the pond seems to get clogged with dirt, algae, and scum. And it’s a nightmare to clean.
That’s why you need a good pond pump that can filter out the water and keep it fresh and clean at all times.
Let’s take a look at the best pond pumps you can get that can keep your pond clean and your fishes happy.
What is a pond pump?
A pond pump is a device that uses suction to move water from one place to another. While the water pump is an ancient invention, the electric water pump has made it much easier to move large quantities of water. A filtering mechanism is usually incorporated for sanitary purposes.
In essence, a pond pump is no different than the small pump on a fish aquarium or the water pump on your car. All pumps are based on the same basic principle.
What are the different types of pond pumps?
The main thing you will need to decide is whether you want a submersible pump or an in-line pump.
In-line pumps are used above the water line, with one line going in and one line going out. Submersible pumps are placed in the water and require only one line for power.
There are also different motor designs that work on different principles. Some pumps create suction via displacement while some others use a part called an impeller, with the latter producing a higher velocity of water flow.
Do you need a pond pump?
If you have a pond, you definitely need a pond pump. At this point, some people might be thinking; “hey, what about natural ponds? They don’t have pumps, do they?”.
To answer that question, take a look at most natural ponds. Most of them are thick with algae and pond scum. While this may work fine for the fish, it doesn’t work so well for you. It will look bad…and it will smell bad. One good pump, even with no other measures taken, will do a lot to keep the scum and algae down to a minimal level.
How to choose the best pond pump
There are some factors that can help you make the best decision when buying a pond pump.
Size
The very first thing you will need to take into account is the size of your pond. As you might imagine, larger ponds require larger pumps. You can use this handy calculator to figure out how large of a pump you need.
The number you obtain is the approximate number of gallons in your pond. So, when you go to the store and look for a pond pump, look at the GPH (gallons per hour) to see if the pump is powerful enough.
Ideally, you want a pump that can cycle the entire pond in half an hour, which means you can simply take the gallons in your pond and double them to figure out the GPH of the pump you need.
For instance, if your pond is ten feet by fifteen feet, and 7 feet deep at its lowest point, we multiply: 10x15x7 which equals 1,050. This means we have 1,050 gallons of water. Therefore, we need a pump with a GPH rating of 2100 or better.
Setup
You also need to consider the way in which you want your pump to be set up. The two most popular choices are submersible and in-line.
By using a submersible pump, you can make it look as if there is no pump at all. The noise of the pump will be muted by the water, so you will have a pump that is silent and almost invisible.
The only downside is that when you use a submersible pump, you will have to go through a little more trouble when it’s time to change the filter. You may even have to get in the pond to access the unit.
Also, a submersible pump will tend to accumulate a lot of algae over time, which can accelerate its demise.
If you use an in-line pump, you can use it to set up a nice waterfall that will filter the water and add beauty to your yard at the same time. If you choose an above-ground pump, there really is no reason not to do this.
If you choose to go this route, be aware that you may need to increase the power level of your pump significantly if you want a high waterfall. A low waterfall isn’t hard to achieve, but a true cascade will require a stronger pump since it has to lift the water to a greater height.
Electric efficiency
You should also consider electric efficiency as a factor. You can read the manual for almost any product online for free, and these manuals will almost always give you the power usage numbers. They will be listed as Hertz, megahertz, watts, etc.
This is good if you are comparing two products with a similar power level because you can find out which one does the job more efficiently.
Filter
Cleaning is another thing to consider. A well-made pond pump should include a filtration cartridge, and it should not be too ridiculously hard to change.
The best models have covers that snap in place and which are easy to pry open. However, a filter that is difficult to change isn’t that big a deal, so I would call this factor a low priority.
One thing that isn’t a low priority is filter availability. Once you have living creatures in this pond that depend on the conditions they are used to, it becomes very important to have extra filters on hand. If they are hard to get or discontinued, that is a major problem.
Precautions when using a pond pump
While a pond pump isn’t exactly a hazardous piece of equipment, there are certain things you need to watch. The biggest hazard comes from the fact that you are using electricity and water together, which is always a little hazardous.
As long as your unit is not damaged, it should be able to keep water away from the electrical parts. However, even the slightest crack in the casing can create a potential electrical hazard.
This risk is particularly large when it comes to submersible pumps. If the casing is somehow damaged and an electric shock is released into the water, it can stun or even kill your fish.
You should always read the manual of any pump before you use it so that, if there is anything strange or different about your model, you will be well-informed.
If you really want to make sure that there are no electrical hazards to your fish, do this: Put your pump in an empty aquarium, start it cycling, and then use an electrical tester to see if the water is charged.
Pro Tip: Make sure you never run your pumps without at least some water in them. Dry running can quickly ruin any water pump.
How to use a pond pump
These kinds of pumps are generally very easy to use and set up. Of course, some of it will depend on which kind of pump you have chosen.
If you are using a submersible pump, you will need to work out a power source. Make sure that the plug of your pump is NOT submerged. Also, it’s a good idea to make sure that your plug isn’t too close to the water.
You should have at least three feet of dry cord between your plug and the water. You should also anchor the cord firmly in place so that it will not be pulled into the water. When you plug it into the extension cord, make a “pretzel” knot so that it will stay firmly in place even if someone trips over the cord.
If you are using an in-line pump, you just need to set it in place, connect your suction line, and set your output so that it flows back into the pond. Other than this, the only thing you need to worry about is changing the filter.
Maintaining your pond pump
The most common maintenance task will be changing the filter. It doesn’t do much good to run your water through a dirty filter. It would be like washing your laundry in the same water over and over again. Your product manual should tell you how it’s done, so make sure you follow the instructions.
It’s also not a bad idea to turn off your filter and give it a deep cleaning from time to time. As you use this pump, minerals from the water will gradually build up and cause what is sometimes known as “water scale.” Eventually, this can build up and cause problems.
In many cases, this “scale” is nothing more than calcium and a few trace elements. However, if you live in a place where the water isn’t so good, this problem may be a lot bigger for you. Either way, hot water, and a little rubbing alcohol can be used to get rid of all that nasty buildup.
For submersibles, there will be a need to clean the algae and pond scum from time to time, so that they don’t build up and clog the intake.
Reviews
- #1 has pre-filter included - Pre-filter on the intake prevents debris from entering your pump and extend the life of your pump, max flow rate: 1056 GPH, max lift height 12 feet
- Durable quality - Our polished aluminum oxide ceramic impeller shaft insures long pump life because it is non-corrodible and more than 3 times as hard as stainless steel. Epoxy resin encasement of key internal motor components prevents unwanted conductivity and corrosion of metal parts
- Safe & easy - Safe for fish with no exposed copper. Easy to clean with no tools required to disassemble and clean filter/impeller. Our electric cord is waterproof, 18# gauge copper wire, molded plug with ground, heavy duty flexible vinyl jacket, resists oil/grease/moisture, abrasion resistant and very good flexibility at all temperatures
Last update on 2024-04-10 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
The Simple Deluxe LGPUMP1056G is a submersible water pump that comes with a pre-filter. This helps prevent debris from entering the pump. And extends the life of the pump.
The impeller shaft is made with aluminum oxide ceramic. The internal motor components are encased in epoxy resin. This makes the pump very durable and non-corrodible.
There is no exposed copper which makes it safe to use in a pond with fish.
It’s easy to clean the filter and impeller without the need for special tools to disassemble the pump.
The Simple Delux LGPUMP1056G has a max flow rate of 1056 GPH and max lift height of 12 feet. This makes it suitable for ponds, aquariums, fountains, and hydroponic systems.
The only issue with this pump is that the pre-filter captures a lot of debris and needs to be cleaned often.
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The Homasy is a submersible pump that comes with an adjustable knob to control the water flow. You can get a maximum flow rate of 400 GPH and max lift of 6.9 feet.
The 25W engine has high efficiency and helps save power.
This pump has an ultra quiet design so it gives you a quiet environment in your garden.
The impeller shaft is made with stainless steel. This makes it durable and corrosion resistant.
The Homasy submersible pump has 4 suction cups that help you fix it firmly either in a vertical or horizontal position.
This submersible pump has sufficient power for use in an aquarium, hydroponic system, or small pond.
It comes with a limited one-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
The inlet of the water tends to get clogged easily and needs cleaning.
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- Flexible Design: Whether for an aquarium or an outdoor pond, this submersible aquarium pump ensures optimal performance in submerged and inline configurations, tailoring to your water system needs
- Safe Operation: Our water pumps submersible outdoor pond pump operates without oil, copper, or harmful chemicals, ensuring your aquatic life thrives in marine and freshwater systems
- Control at Your Fingertips: With an adjustable flow rate, customize your water from gentle streams to powerful cascades. The 1200GPH koi pond pump caters to any setup
Last update on 2024-04-10 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
The Flexzion pond pump gives a max flow rate of 1200 GPH. It can be useful as a pump in aquariums, fountains, and hydroponic systems.
It’s a versatile pump because you can use it as a submersible or inline. You can also use it with fresh or saltwater. And indoors or outdoors based on your needs.
The flow rate of this pump is adjustable. It has no oil, copper, or harmful chemicals which makes it safe for fish.
The Flexzion pond pump has a good design with a variety of settings such as small power, large flow, or silence.
The pump is durable and is made with non-corrosive material.
The only con of this pump is that it does not come with suction cups that would be useful to secure it in place.
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The VicTsing is a submersible water pump that comes with a max flow rate of 80 GPH. This low flow rate makes it suitable for small aquariums, ponds, or hydroponic systems.
The flow rate can be controlled with the help of an adjustable knob.
The high-quality motor comes with an ultra quiet design that provides a quiet environment for you.
The impeller shaft is made with stainless steel. This makes it durable and non-corrodible.
The pump is easy to detach and clean without the need for any tools.
The VicTsing submersible pump comes with 4 suction cups at the bottom that help to keep it in place.
This pump comes with a limited one-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
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- 🐳Powerful Speed Flow: The rotor is made of hard polyacetal material, which pumps water faster and more. Max Flow Rate: 880 GPH per hour(3500L/H), Max Lift Height: up to 11.3 Feet.(Length of power cord:5.9ft)
- 🐳Ultra Quiet: This submersible water pump adopts a ceramic shaft, which is more wear-resistant, high temperature resistant and quieter than steel shaft. And it is equipped with one more steel shaft as a replacement shaft, which has a long service life, energy-saving and low power consumption. (Power: 100W, Voltage: 110V)
- 🐳Perfect size: This profile size pond pump is great to hide or disguise (Dimensions: 5.1"(H)*5.1"(L)*3.9"(W)). It is made of epoxy resin, no seals or messy oil, the suction cups mounting feet for either vertical or horizontal mounting.
Last update on 2024-04-10 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
The KEDSUM submersible pump can get a max flow rate of 880 GPH and a max height lift of 13 feet.
The pump has an ultra quiet design that provides years of service at low power consumption.
The size of this pump is small enough to hide or disguise so it does not spoil the beauty of your garden.
It comes with suction cups at the bottom that is useful for horizontal or vertical mounting.
This pump is versatile and can be used for fresh or saltwater. It can be used in aquariums, ponds, hydroponic systems, or fountains.
The KEDSUM submersible pump is easy to detach and clean. The plug may feel a little short and the filter clogs up fast.
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Our recommendation
The Simple Deluxe LGPUMP1056G Submersible Water Pump is the best pond pump you can get based on our opinion.
The pre-filter helps keep the pump clean from debris and extends its life. The pump itself is quite durable and non-corrodible thanks to it’s aluminum oxide ceramic.
It’s a safe pump for your fish because it does not have copper or harmful chemicals. And it’s easy to detach and clean the filter and impeller.
Fact Checked, Written, and Published by Kevin Rodrigues
Kevin is the founder of Gardening Mentor, a website that aims to teach people to grow their own food in a limited space. As a self-taught gardener, Kevin has spent several years growing plants and creating gardening content on the website. He is certified in Home Horticulture and Organic Gardening from Oregon State University. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening from Mumbai University.
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