Please click here if you would like our help sizing your pond components!
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Please click here if you would like our help sizing your pond components!
| Minimum Flow | Pipe Size |
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The first thing you need to know is your minimum flow rate. You need to have a pump that will move your
pond's water volume at least once every two hours. If your pond's water volume is 1000 gallons, you will need a pump
with a minimum flow rate of 500 gallons per hour (GPH). This is your starting point. If you plan on having
a waterfall, you will want to use the next 2 sections to calculate your pump head pressure and waterfall spillway volume.
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The next thing to consider is pipe size. The general rule of thumb is: less than 300 gph: 0.50 inch; less than 1200 gph: 1.00 inch; less than 4800 gph: 2.00 inch; less than 9000 gph: 3.00 inch; |
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For waterfalls and streams, you will want to consider the amount of pump head pressure
(generally referred to on pump flow charts as "Head") that your system will have, in order to
help you determine the correct pump size. Note: This calculator will give you a good ballpark estimate for planning your pond; if you would like to do the math for yourself and get a more exact measurement, here is a link to an excellent reference document - the pond plumbing primer! |
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The three main sources of pump head pressure are:
Static Head - this is the vertical distance (rise) you want to pump the water above the pond surface to the waterfall spillway.
Friction Head - this is the resistance from pipe as the waterflows through. (Since the number of pipe elbows and tee fittings can significantly raise pressure requirements, we recommend using flexible tubing instead of rigid PVC pipe.)
Pressure Head - the additional pressure required by 90°fittings such as at the check valve, and any reducers required to make your plumbing connections. The total number of other adapters, such as bulkhead fittings and valves, also comes into play here. When you finish this calculation, please go to the next section to calculate the flow requirements for your waterfall spillway. |
To estimate the total pump head pressure: |
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You will want to size your pump to provide the water depth you're planning for your waterfall spillway and/or stream.
Use this calculator to help you estimate the pump's flow rate (GPH) to achieve your desired flow. Use the manufacturer's waterfall vault spillway width, or the width of the stream you're planning if you want it to carry this depth for it's entire length. When you get the GPH estimate for the calculator, simply use the pump's flow rate graph to find a pump that will deliver the flow you want - at the head you calculated on the previous page! Hint: For aesthetic reasons, you'll want to balance the water flow into your pond with the pond's size. Although a large volume of moving water can be spectacular, it will never look right in a small pond! |
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The cost of running a pump depends on how may watts it uses, since electricity is measured in terms of kilowatt hours.
As a general rule, the larger the pump the more watts it uses - but pumps with the same GPH can differ quite a bit in their watts rating. Pond pumps should run 24 hours a day to maintain your pond's ecosystem. To estimate what running your pump will cost each day, simply plug your pump's watt rating and your cost of a kw/hr into the calculator on the right. |
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| Submersible pumps can be installed inside your pond's skimmer, which provides an easy way to hide your pump without additional landscaping. External pumps are typically more energy effiecient above 3000 GPH, but may require additional landscaping. Which pump is right for you? Visit our pumps page to help you decide! | |
In a well-balanced ecosystem, filters are not absolutely necessary.
However, filters can help keep your pond clear, and must be sized correctly to purify the water. They
should be sized to match your pump's output, so they don't restrict the pump's flow. Some common factors
that may contribute to your need for a larger filter are:
Your pond receives six or more hours of direct sun each day;
For asthetic reasons, you choose to have less plants than recommended for your pond's water volume
(see the "Fish and plants" page for more information)
You stock fish at a capacity greater than recommended for your pond's water volume
(see the "Fish and plants" page for more information)
Your pond location makes it vunerable to storm water runoff, increasing the nutrient level and the amount of organic materials
in
your pond.
There are two types of pond filtration: biological filters use bacteria to break down organic material, and mechanical filters trap debris for later removal. Some filters combine both types of filtration.
Common filter types include waterfall filters, skimmers and external filters. Choose the filter type that makes it easy for you to clean and maintain. Waterfall filters typically provide biological filtration. Skimmer filters typically combine mechanical and biological filtration. External filters can typically be backflushed, and are good choices for ease of maintenance. Savio skimmer filters and some external filters allow the option for aditional built-in UV filtration.
Your pond receives six or more hours of direct sun each day;
For asthetic reasons, you choose to have less plants than recommended for your pond's water volume(see the "Fish and plants" page for more information)
You stock fish at a capacity greater than recommended for your pond's water volume(see the "Fish and plants" page for more information)
Your pond location makes it vunerable to storm water runoff, increasing the nutrient level and the amount of organic materials
inyour pond.
There are two types of pond filtration: biological filters use bacteria to break down organic material, and mechanical filters trap debris for later removal. Some filters combine both types of filtration.
Common filter types include waterfall filters, skimmers and external filters. Choose the filter type that makes it easy for you to clean and maintain. Waterfall filters typically provide biological filtration. Skimmer filters typically combine mechanical and biological filtration. External filters can typically be backflushed, and are good choices for ease of maintenance. Savio skimmer filters and some external filters allow the option for aditional built-in UV filtration.
