Best Pond Pumps for Waterfall

Much like aquariums, ponds do need some circulation to keep the water flowing like a regular body of water. For your fish species to thrive better, it not only needs to be cleaned but it should also be circulated properly. Also, there are pond filters out there that do need pumps to work.

Pond pumps for koi fish can be bought from any pet store, but is it really okay for your fish? Do you know which specs are okay for your fish and your pond size? With so many questions, it can be hard for you to decide on an ideal pond pump.

This is when you may want to look for the best pond pumps out there. We’ve taken the liberty of bringing you some of our personal pond pump reviews for your convenience.

Top 5 Best Pond Pumps for Waterfall

Here are our top picks for the best pond pumps:

KEDSUM 880GPH Submersible Pump

We chose this pump due to its great ratings and its just-right flow rate for most fish ponds, at 880 GPH.

Using 100 watts of power, it has a lift of up to 13 feet so it has more reach. Since it has a low profile design at 5.1 x 3.9 inches, it can be easy to hide within your pond vicinity using its suction cups (horizontal or vertical).

It comes with its own power cord at 5.9 feet and it even has a detachable design to make it easy to maintain. There are 3 nozzles for you to use and replace on the go.

Epoxy resin has been used to completely seal the working parts to avoid corrosion and the like.

Things We Liked

• Up to 880 GPH of flow rate
• 100 watts of power
• 13-foot lift
• Low profile design
• Sealed using epoxy resin

Things We Didn’t Like

• May have some water vibration

VIVOSUN 2600 GPH Submersible Water Pump

This one at 2,600 GPH is probably best for larger ponds. It has a consumption of 120 watts but doesn’t compromise on its noise levels at only 30 to 40 dB, so your fish won’t get irritated.

The IPX-8 rated silicon carbide material for the shaft and drive can add to its durability. It can be used with either 1-inch of 1-1/4-inch tube for easy installation so you can choose depending on the setup that you want.

It also comes with a 20.3-ft-long power cord. The handle makes it portable while the filter is detachable so you can set it up or take it apart anywhere in a breeze. It is also backed by a 1-year warranty to give you peace of mind.

Things We Liked

• Has a heat-overload sensor
• Low noise levels
• High flow rate output
• Suction cups for easy installation
• Adjustable nozzle

Things We Didn’t Like

• May have some design flaws for the hose

FREESEA 25W 400GPH Submersible Pump

If you would like a submersible fish pump that’s used for a pond fountain, this one may be for you.

At 400 GPH, this pump has an IPX8 waterproof rating and is also made with ABS plastic and resin to keep its internal components intact.

With only 25 watts of power for its design, it has low power consumption and may be ideal for smaller ponds.

It has 2 water nozzles at 0.5/0.6 inch and 0.8-inch sizes so you can choose accordingly. Its impeller shaft is okay to use for both freshwater or seawater setups so it can be flexible.

It even comes with a free sponge filter for added pond filtration (especially if you already have a filter but want to add more).

Things We Liked

• Easy to clean without tools needed for disassembly
• Low power consumption
• Has a max height of 5.9 feet
• IPX8 waterproof rating
• Comes with a free filter sponge

Things We Didn’t Like

• The electrical cord could be improved

Pond Boss Waterfall Pump

With a powerful flow rate of 2,300 GPH, this one has a quiet operation and has anti-clog technology, which can be ideal for those pond filters and pumps that constantly get debris from their pond.

It has a max wattage of 130 watts so it can be powerful enough for most large ponds.

It has a 16-foot power cord so it has a long reach. It is also a submersible pump so there may not be many problems with setting it up.

It even comes with its own barrier bag for convenience. You can use it for waterfall setups in your pond as well since it can push up to 4 feet of water.

This could be useful if you haven’t added a waterfall yet or if you want to improve your current waterfall setup.

Things We Liked

• Quiet operation
• Powerful flow rate
• Anti-clog technology
• Good for large ponds
• Long power cord

Things We Didn’t Like

• May overflow on some very small ponds (may require a ball valve to reduce its flow)

Pondmaster Magnetic Drive Pump 7

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This pond pump is a submersible unit but you can also use it for an inline setup. It has 1.3 amps and 60 watts of power so it’s not very power-consuming.

It comes with a long 18-foot power cord for a longer reach while it has a powerful 700 GPH flow rate.

Encased in ABS material and sealed with epoxy, it can keep its internal parts intact for a long time. It is also backed by its corrosion-proof fasteners and copper winding, as well as the o-ring.

It can be used on most ponds, even those with fountains. It comes with a pre-filter as well as the 1/2 Inch FNPT intake and 1/2 Inch MNPT discharge parts. The unit is backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

Things We Liked

• Sealed with epoxy resin
• Low power consumption
• Long power cord
• Corrosion-proof fasteners
• 5-year limited warranty

Things We Didn’t Like

• The inline design could be improved

Things to Consider Before You Buy

If you’re looking for the best pond pumps for koi, here are some things you might want to know first:

What are the types of pond pumps?

There are many kinds of pond pumps, such as:

1. External pump. This one is best for those who need a lot of flow rate for a bigger pond. It does make a big amount of noise and can be hard to maintain, but if you are going to use it for heavy-duty or large-scale purposes then it will be worth investing.

 

2. Debris pumps. These are submersible pond pumps that can be used to clean up your pond water. This can be a supplemental filter system to your existing one in case your pond really gets dirty fast with all your koi fish and the like. This would be useful if your pond sits under a tree or other vegetation.

 

3. Submersible pump. This is the general submersible pump that encompasses all pond pumps that can be submerged underwater. Therefore, these pumps are quiet and don’t overheat as much. They can be easy to install but they could be a hassle to clean sometimes, as you have to take them out from the water to disassemble or service them.

 

4. Fountain pump. This kind of pond pump is usually in a package that comes with the pond fountain unit. It would be a nice startup if you don’t have a fountain yet for your pond and you are willing to add it to the setup. Usually, they also contain the pond filter that you need to use with it.

 

5. Magnetic drive pump. These are the most energy-efficient of all the types of pumps for ponds. They are great for those who keep waterfalls and other fancy stuff in their pond. They use electromagnetism to keep the water going so it could save some serious wattage.

 

6. Statuary pumps. These are also used in pond fountains however they are not as high powered as the other pumps. They are typically best for just an added attraction such as creating a small fountain in your pond. They don’t push water as much and can go for only about 3 feet high.

 

7. Solar pump. The solar-powered pump is an eco-friendly choice for you if you prefer anything that’s powered by the sun. They are probably the best for you if you live in California or anywhere else where there’s more sun than clouds and rain, as solar energy from the sun is needed to charge it up. You can also use this as a backup plan in case of emergency power outages or shortages.

What are the benefits of buying pond pumps?

Pond pumps have a lot of benefit for your pond and your fish, such as the following:

1. They help in pond maintenance. Most people buy pond pumps for clear water and their ability to push water can help with that. Usually, pond pumps are combined with a filtering mechanism so that your water can get clearer, much like in an aquarium.

 

2. To maintain their waterfalls. Pond pumps for waterfalls are actually available in the market, other than the regular pond pump. They help maintain the circulating water so that it doesn’t become stagnant or dirty throughout the whole process of cycling.

 

3. To achieve an aesthetic design. This practically means that pond pumps give more “oomph” to any pond setup. This is because you can add fountains and whatnot, which not only cleans the water and circulates it, but it can also “wow “ your audience, such as your guests and your family members while sitting by the pond or looking at your fish.

 

4. Happier fish. Any aquatic life that dwells in your pond can benefit from using quality pond pumps since the water flows freely and not stagnant. This allows them to feel like they are in a regular pond or stream so they can live better and feel less stressed in captivity.

How do I choose a pond pump?

In choosing the best pond pump, you should look for the following:

 

1. The rated size. For a pond pump for a small pond, you may want to choose something with lower power. A pond pump for a large pond, on the other hand, should have a higher GPH or gallons per hour.

A common rule of thumb in choosing depending on the pond size is at least 1/2 of your pond size. For example, if you want to add a pump to your 1,000-gallon pond – you may opt for one that has a rating of 500 GPH.

 

2. Your fish species. Most fish keepers are usually keeping koi fish for ponds. Know how big or small your fish are, how many are there in the pond, and whether you intend to keep them for a hobby or for commercial purposes.

There are also other pond fish that you can keep other than koi, so it’s best to ask your local pet store as to how much GPH you’ll need to keep them in a clean water environment without all the fuss.

 

3. Waterfalls and fountains. In choosing a GPH rating, you may also want to consider whether you’ll keep waterfalls or not. Some people have a higher setup of a waterfall or fountain so they may need much more water pressure. This is usually measured in feet and is called the lift height. Most of the pond pumps can push up to 4 feet of water.

 

4. Your current pond filter. If you are going to choose a pond pump, do consider your existing filter system. Some of them do have recommendations for the pump rating, so it’s best to stick with that.

 

5. The type of pond pump. As we mentioned above, there are many kinds of pond pumps, so it may be ideal to choose depending on your needs.

 

6. Your budget. Of course, when all is said and done, you get to decide which pond pump fits your budget and won’t leave your wallet dry (and your fish unhappy).

Conclusion

To wrap it up, our top pick for the best pond pumps is the KEDSUM 880GPH Submersible Pump because of the 880 GPH flow rate and it has 100 watts of power. Added to that, it has a 13-foot lift and a low profile design so it’s easy to keep hidden.

We also liked its detachable design and the fact that it’s sealed using epoxy resin makes it kind of durable. Although it may have some water vibration, this is a minor caveat.