What exactly is a Submersible Pond Pump?A submersible pump operates below the surface of the water, inside the pond itself. You can usually find a low cost submersible pump that will be inexpensive to operate, and will be the right choice for most garden pondsA submersible pump is the best choice for most garden pond applications. Many models are available these days, and most makes are reliable for use in garden ponds. It is critical that you purchase a pump that will be both reliable and economical to operate. The life of your fish and your pond filter are dependent upon a reliable pump, and your bank balance will suffer if you choose an inefficient pump that gobbles electricity. After all, a submersible pump runs 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. There are several power options available with submersible pumps:
Solar powered submersible pumps are becoming more popular as the technology becomes more efficient, but you will need a lot of sunlight to operate one of these units. And if you'll be using your solar powered pump to run a pond biofilter, your pond--and valuable fish--could be in serious trouble without a lots and lots of sunlight. Manufacturers of submersible pumpsYou will find that most submersible pumps are manufactured in Europe. And many are now being made in China. The quality and reliability of these Chinese pumps is constantly improving. If you're searching for a good quality pump made in the USA, look to Danner Pumps, a company that's been making excellent low-cost, high-efficiency pumps for almost 50 years. If your pond is too large for a submersible pump, look at the Sequence brand of pond pumps. They have a wide range of high volume pumps that are inexpensive to run and are especially well suited for koi ponds. Another option is sequence pumps that are installed outside of the pond (ie not submersed). Pumps of this type made in the USA lead this market. Sequence centrifugal pumps are energy efficient and also very quiet, leaving you to enjoy the sound of your fountain or waterfall, not your pump. A normal AC powered submersible pump is quite safe when installed and used as directed. If you'll be placing your pump in a public area, however, or around children, you'll want a unit that's 12 volt powered. Another safety feature incorporated into submersible pumps is the fact that their motors are encased in a resinous material that insulates them from the outer casing. For safety reasons, most submersible pumps are designed so that they cannot be repaired electrically. If the unit has an electrical problem it will have to be replaced -- another reason to buy a pump with a good 2 or 3 year warranty. Some things to consider when shopping for a submersible pump for use in your garden pond:
Do not buy a fountain or aquarium submersible pump for use in a garden pond. This type of pump will usually be in a smaller box, and will have a short, 2 wire cord designed for indoor use. Most countries have banned this type of pump for outdoor use, but be careful as there are some retailers who ignore this and other legal requirements.
And when installing your new submersible pump, elevate it slightly off the bottom of the pond on a brick. This will keep debris that have settled on the bottom of the pond from being sucked into the pump's impellor. Consider a low cost on-line supplierWhen considering an online purchase, it's wise to look at several suppliers and compare prices and shipping costs ... Most suppliers offer specials at times and these often appear in right hand border of their websites. These suppliers do sell other makes of pumps also of high quality and performance which you might want to investigate and you can search the websites for the model you want ... Florida based supplier specializing in very wide range of garden fish pond equipment including pond pumps filters and UV lights ... just click the link |
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