There are even the floating plants which require no care at all and all they do is float around on the top of the water and make for a nice image. So why is the solar pond pump so fantastic and what benefits does it hold over its competitors? Well there are really a few different reasons as to why you would want to choose the solar pond pump, and so whether you are looking for an external pond pump or any other type, this information is going to be very helpful to you.

Benefits

One of the greatest benefits of the solar pond pump is that it uses renewable energy. Especially in the world today, where we are facing global issues such as global warming, this is vital because the less energy we consume the better off we are going to be. With the solar pump for your pond, you know that you are doing your part for the environment and that you are not going to be contributing to this global crisis.

But not only are you doing your part for the environment, at the same time you will be doing yourself a fantastic favour because you will be saving money. The solar pond pump is powered by the light of the sun, and so rather than you having to keep it plugged in and use a basic electrical source for energy, it will be completely free. The only thing that you have to buy is the solar pond pump, but this initial buy will more than pay itself off within as small as a few weeks of use.

Solar power is non-polluting, a renewable and natural resource, and is silent as well so never again will you have to listen to the annoying sound of electrical pumps bubbling through your water and humming while you are trying to sleep at night. While the pump is charging up through the day it will be completely silent as well, and the only time that you would really ever need another type of pump is when the weather is terrible, for instance during the winter months.

Uses of Pond Pumps

Pond pumps are used in four main applications:

Pond Circulation:  All ponds require water circulation in order to maintain a healthy aquatic environment and to prevent stagnation.  Even if your pond does not include a water fall, pond filter, or pond fountain, a pump is needed to circulate the water.  Moving water provides oxygenation, prevents thermal layer turnover, reduces algae growth, and prevents mosquitoes from laying eggs on the water surface.

Pond Filters:  A very common pond pump application is for use with pond filters.  In this application the pump provides the water flow through the filter, ensuring the optimal amount of toxin removal. 

Pond Water Features:  If your pond includes a waterfall, pond fountain, or statuary fountain, a pump is required to provide the water flow for the feature.  One of the fantastic aspects of water features is that they provide multiple benefits to your pond’s aquatic environment.  Water features provide not only circulation and aeration, but some also provide filtration – such as a waterfall weir with an integrated filter.

Pond Aerators:  Pond air pumps are a fantastic solution for applications that require oxygenation, but when water flow is undesirable.  The most common pond air pump application is pond winterization.  Used in conjunction with a pond deicer, the air pump provides a constant flow of oxygen and gas exchange to the pond without a flow of water which only makes the pond colder.

Types of Pond Pumps

Submersible Pumps:  Submersible Pond Pumps are installed completely underwater, typically in the deepest part of the pond.  This class of pump is generally suited for smaller ponds, or for water features requiring less that 4,000 GPH.  The main benefit of a submersible pumps is that they are visually unobtrusive and run very quietly.  They are also very simple to install, just make sure the cord length is sufficient for your needs. The downsides to a submersible pond pump is that they must be frequently removed from the pond for cleaning and maintenance.  They also generally cost more to operate than an external pond pump, although there have been some significant improvements recently in submersible pump energy efficiency.

External Pumps:  As their name implies, External Pond Pumps are designed to be installed outside of the pond, or “in-line”.   External pond pumps are a better choice for medium to larger ponds.  They can handle greater water flows (4,000 to 10,000 GPH) and are less costly to operate.  Other benefits of an external pump include ease of maintenance, longer average life, and the ability to replace parts as external pumps are not encased in resin like a submersible pump.  On the downside, an external pump takes more time and effort to install, they must be camouflaged from view, and they are generally more expensive than submersible pond pumps.

Direct Drive Pumps:  Direct Drive Pond Pumps are more common to external pumps as they have the ability to draw water toward them.  Direct drive pumps are appropriate for applications which require a significant amount of head height – such as pumping water upslope for a waterfall.  They are generally more costly to operate than a magnetic drive pond pump, but in many cases they are the only choice when a substantial amount of water flow is needed.  If you are purchasing a submersible direct drive pump, be sure that it is oil free, as leaking oil can harm pond fish and aquatic plants.

Magnetic Drive Pumps:  Magnetic Dive Pond Pumps (or Mag Drive Pumps) are usually designed as submersible pumps as most are unable to draw water into the pump.  The power is made through an electromagnetic field which turns the impeller.  Their main benefit is energy efficiency and a longer useful life.  In addition, Mag Drive pond pumps are simple to repair as typically all that is needed is a magnetic shaft and impeller (the only moving parts).  The downsides are they cannot provide sufficient water flow for high head applications, and they are slightly more expensive than direct drive pond pumps.  In general, if you do not have a high head requirement and are looking for a submersible pump, the magnetic drive pond pump is the best choice.

Air Pumps:  Air Pond Pumps do not provide any water flow.  They draw air into the pump then diffuse it into small bubbles.  Air pumps are most commonly used for pond winterization as they provide oxygenation and gas exchange without providing water flow.

Choosing the Right Size Pond Pump

To choose the right size pond pump, first determine the proper application category: 1) Filtration and Recirculation; or 2) Water Features.

Filtration and Recirculation:  The general rule of thumb for filtration and recirculation applications is the pump should turn the pond water over a minimum of once every two hours, and ideally once an hour.  For example, if your pond is 3,000 gallons the ideal pump size is 3,000 GPH, but not less than 1,500 GPH. My personal preference is to always err on the high end of the range.  A pump’s flow can always be slightly restricted, but never increased.  Also, make sure your pump is the right size for your pond filter’s specifications. 

Water Features:  Choosing the right pump size for a water feature is a bit more involved.  The first step is to determine how much water flow you need at the discharge point of the water feature itself.  Let’s use a waterfall as an example as this is the most common water feature.  For each inch of waterfall width you need 100 to 150 GPH.  So, if you have a 14” wide waterfall weir you will need 1,400 GPH to 2,100 GPH of water flow over the lip of the weir.

The next step is to calculate the head height.  Head height refers to the approximation of the vertical and horizontal distance the water must travel from the pump to the top of the waterfall.  Horizontal distance is calculated at a 10:1 ratio, while vertical distance is calculated at a 1:1 ratio.  For example, if the horizontal distance from the pond pump to the waterfall is 30’, this equates to 3’ of head height.  If the vertical distance from the pump to the top of the waterfall is 7’, this equates to 7’ of head height.  Therefore, the total head height for this application is 10’.

The last step is to review the manufacturer’s power curve for the type of pump you have selected to determine the appropriate pump size.  Let’s use the Cal Pump Mag Drive as an example.  The PWM3900 model is rated at 4,100 GPH of water flow at the pump discharge, but is rated at 2,280 GPH of water flow at a 10’ head height.  This would be a excellent choice for this particular example.  Remember, it is always better to err on the high end of the GPH range as this will place less strain on the pump.

You can also see the changes in methods and manners though these changes are external and not yet at the heart of what needs to occur. Churches are meeting on Friday and Saturday instead of Sunday morning only. More and more preachers are ditching the suits and ties while taking on more reverence- not less. Praise and worship is looking for a new landing place as the “entertain me with your best” is no longer sustainable.

But, the core changes are beginning to be heard.

War and genocide can no longer be supported by the church. It’s the antithesis of Christ-like thinking. Capital punishment is destroying the image(s) of God and our inner man is awakening to such. Mega churches with their millionaire preachers, towering steeples, and luxurious digs offer a picture of hypocrisy in the midst of people begging for food and shelter on the street corners next door.

Luther’s reformation shed some of the law but the church has added many more since then and become even more hardened in others. If people do not do things by and from their HEART it is simply wood, hay, and stubble. Hammering people every Sunday to obey the LAW of TITHING is no substitute for people GIVING from their heart because when they do 10% pales in comparison to the flood of offerings.

How long can the Catholic church continue in the hypocrisy of priests engaging in sexual perversion with the church paying tens of millions of dollars to the victims before the people realize that they are larger victims in so many other ways?

How long can the mainline Protestant church keep up its rituals of high back chairs, million dollar organs, and eloquent robes with dwindling attendees being hammered for more and more sacrifices?

How long can the non-denominational churches continue to pump up the emotional juices with the best rock musicians money can buy and the most dynamic stage productions and illustrations instead of preaching the WORD of God? How long can the prosperity message be preached before that house of cards comes tumbling down? How long will we keep taking God name in vain (which means speaking lightly of Him and not by just speaking a four-letter word)? He’s much larger than we’ve imagined (imaged Him).

And how long can any religion continue to preach conditional like, an eternal hell, dualism, and separation from our Maker and Source? The philosopher has said that evil prevails only because excellent men do nothing. As I see it, more and more excellent men and women are starting to beat on the church doors as Luther did and the reverberrations and getting louder and more frequent. Reformation is on the way- again.

So, how long? Not nearly as long as you might reckon!