How to Size a Fountain Pump
- 1.. Measure the diameter of the fountain spout with a tape measure. You will be calculating the gallons per hour, or...
- 2.. Measure the entire height of the fountain from the pump to the fountain head or spout. This measurement determines...
- 3.. Look at the pump package for fountain specifications. For example, you might see the following...
What size pump do I need for my water feature?
If you are using a pre-made basin this is easy. If your basin holds 20 gallons, you’ll need a pump that says 20GPH (or higher). The head height is another measurement you’ll need to know. The head height is the vertical height from the water feature’s water level to your fountain head (where the water spits out).
How do you size a fountain pump?
The most important element in sizing a fountain pump is determining the maximum head height rating and maximum lift. Measure the diameter of the fountain spout with a tape measure.
How does the size of your pump affect your water feature?
The size of your pump directly affects the appearance of water features like fountains and waterfalls. For simplicity, we’ll stick to setups where the water feature is the only thing connected to the pump. If you want to include other components, like extra filters, you’ll need to account for them as well.
What is the Max head of a water feature pump?
A pump with a max head of 7 metres, can push water to a maximum of 7 metres straight up. So, to find the correct max head for your fountain, all you need to do is ensure the max head of the water feature pump is greater than the head height of your fountain.
How big a pump do I need for my water feature?
Choose a pump that is at least one and one-half times the head height for optimal performance. For example, if your fountain is 30 inches tall, find a pump with a maximum lift of 45 inches or more.
How strong of a pump do I need for my fountain?
Once you have the measurement, choose a pump that is at least 1.5 times the head height. So, if a fountain has a head height of 40 inches, you will want to choose a pump that has a maximum lift of at least 60 inches or more to ensure strong water flow in and out of the fountain.
How do I choose a pump size?
Flow rate: Calculate your desired flow rate by multiplying the total volume by the time in which you want to move the liquid. For example, for a 500-gallon pond that needs full circulation once an hour, you would want to select a pump with a minimum rated flow rate of 500 GPH (gallon per hour).
How do you measure a water feature pump?
To determine the GPH/GPM needed for your waterfall or stream - multiply the width in feet x 30 GPM. Example: To build an "average" waterfall 3' wide and 10' high above the pond - multiply 3' (width) x 30 GPM which equals 90 GPM or 5,400 GPH at 10 feet of head.
How do you calculate water flow in a fountain?
To do this, first, measure the diameter of the fountain spout. Multiply that number by 100. This calculates the gallons per hour – or GPH. If the fountain spout is 2 inches in diameter, then the fountain has 200 gallons per hour – or 2 x 200 = GPH.
How many gallons is my water feature?
Assume the diameter is 10 feet and the average depth is 4 feet. Divide the diameter (in feet) by 2 to get the radius. (Radius = ½ Diameter). Then multiply the radius x itself x 3.14 (Pi) x the average water depth (feet) x 7.48 gallons per cubic foot.
How do I choose the right pump?
Before you can select a pump that will fit your needs, you must know four things: 1) the total head or pressure against which it must operate, 2) the desired flow rate, 3) the suction lift, and 4) characteristics of the fluid.
How do I choose the right water pump?
The most important factors to consider when sizing a water pump come down to GPM/PSI ratings, inlet/outlet size for water and hoses, how high you'll need to pump the water (measured in vertical feet), referred to as total head lift, and how far you'll need to pump the water horizontally.
How much water can a 4 inch pump move?
A 100 mm (4 in) pump capable of pumping water containing rocks and debris at 1,640 litres per minute.
How much water can a 6 pump move?
A typical 6-inch wellpoint pump is capable of pumping 1,500 gallons per minute with head pressures of 100 feet or more.
How much HP do I need a water pump to lift water to a height of 60 feet?
Example - Horsepower Required to Pump WaterPower Required to Pump Water (hp)Volume Flow (gpm)Height (ft)450.05680.568500.06310.631600.07580.75813 more rows
What flow rate does my water feature pump need?
Flow rate is the term used to describe the amount of water flowing through your pump over a period of time. In the UK, flow rate is calculated in Litres per Minute/LPM (not Gallons per Hour/GPH, which is the US calculation). For example:
What head does my water feature pump need?
The head height is another key specification you'll need to know when buying a water feature pump. The head height refers to the distance between the water level and your fountain head.
What cable length does my water feature pump need?
It may seem a tad bit stupid, but you should also pay special attention to the cable length of the fountain pump. Some fountain pumps come with extra-long cables which are ideal for plugging into a power outlet in the garage or another accessible power outlet.
Pump Specification Cheat Sheet
There are some other specs on your fountain pump that you should be aware of, but the only specs that are critical to sizing your pump are Flow Rate, Max Head and Cable Length. However, saying that, knowing what all these different specs are, can help you make a better, more informed choice.
How high should a fountain pump be?
Once you have the measurement, choose a pump that is at least 1.5 times the head height . So, if a fountain has a head height of 40 inches, you will want to choose a pump that has a maximum lift of at least 60 inches or more to ensure strong water flow in and out of the fountain.
How to measure GPH for water fountain?
What’s GPH and How Many Do I Need For My Fountain? GPH measures the number of gallons of water per hour a pump will circulate . According to hunker, you can measure this by taking the diameter of the fountain spout and multiplying that by 100.
How to run a solar fountain at night?
This type of pump will operate the fountain via solar energy during the day. Then, if you want to run your fountain at night, the battery mode will operate the fountain when the sun goes down .
How do electric pumps work?
Some electric pumps come with an on/off rocker switch and some are operated by simply plugging and unplugging the pump. Solar Pumps. Solar pump/panel kits with battery packs: These kits often include a fountain pump that goes in the fountain and a cord connects the pump and plugs into the solar panel.
What type of pump should I use for a fountain?
Types of Fountain Pumps. The first thing to consider when replacing the pump in your fountain is whether you want an electric pump, or a solar pump. Electric Pumps. Electric pumps with a 3-prong or 3-pin plug can be used in indoor or outdoor fountains.
What is the maximum lift for a fountain?
The maximum lift or “max head rating” is the height of the fountain from the pump to the fountain head or spout. This indicates the measurement at which the pump will need to push the water to reach the spout or head. Once you have the measurement, choose a pump that is at least 1.5 times the head height. So, if a fountain has a head height of 40 ...
Can you run a fountain at night?
Then, if you want to run your fountain at night, the battery mode will operate the fountain when the sun goes down. Solar pump/panel kits without battery packs: These kits include the pump, necessary cords, and solar panel. To use, you place the pump in your fountain basin, connect the cord to the solar panel, and place ...
1. Water feature volume
Larger volumes need larger pumps. To figure out the volume of a pond or fountain in gallons, multiply its length by width by average depth (all in feet) by 7.5. For a 300-gallon water feature of a type (explained below) that requires water circulation every two hours, you’d look for a pump with a flow rate of 150 GPH.
2. Water feature type
Minimum water circulation frequency (or flow rate) will depend on a few different attributes: • Water falls and water features with skimmers should circulate once every hour. • Ponds without fish can have a water circulation rate of once every two hours, while stocked ponds should be at least double that. • Water in smaller ponds under 250 gallons should circulate at least once every hour, while larger ponds need a circulation frequency of about half that rate..
3. Height
Fountains and other water features that need extra water pressure will also need stronger pumps, and a pump will have this designated “head height” in its product information.
4. Discharge diameter
If you plan to use a certain tubing size for your water feature (as would be the case when matching the inlet hole of a fountain feature) refer to a pump’s rated discharge diameter. The two numbers should match; otherwise, the indicated flow rate will not be accurate.
5. Livestock
Water features that house animals like fish will need more aeration. A larger pump creates greater water circulation and consequently increases both aeration and filtration. Ponds with more powerful pumps can support more fish.
How to measure a fountain pump?
To do this, first, measure the diameter of the fountain spout. Multiply that number by 100. This calculates the gallons per hour – or GPH. If the fountain spout is 2 inches in diameter, then the fountain has 200 gallons per hour – or 2 x 200 = GPH. Next, measure the height of the fountain. Locate where the pump sits if it has a housing unit that isn't at the base of the fountain. Measure from where the pump will rest to the top of the fountain to where the spout meets the air. This is the head height rating. The head height rating is the measurement needed to know how high the pump needs to be to push the water in order for it to reach the spout and release the water into the waterfall, rock feature or basin. The pumping height is the space between the outlet port on the pump to the surface of the water level.
How many gallons per hour is a fountain?
If the fountain spout is 2 inches in diameter, then the fountain has 200 gallons per hour – or 2 x 200 = GPH. Next, measure the height of the fountain. Locate where the pump sits if it has a housing unit that isn't at the base of the fountain. Measure from where the pump will rest to the top of the fountain to where the spout meets the air.
How many gallons of water can a 15x10x4 pond hold?
For instance, if you have a large water feature or pond at 15x10x4, it can hold 600 cubic feet. Each cubic foot holds 7.48 gallons of water. Therefore, the pond can hold a little more than 4,000 gallons (600 x 7.48). A small water pump for an indoor fountain that offers a bit of ambiance in the corner and only pumps out less than 50 gallons is easy ...
How to get water to fall from a spout?
If you want a trickle of water to gently fall from the spout, you will need a pump that measures at just about the same vertical measurement as the head height rating. For a strong flow of water from the spout, choose a pump with a maximum height that is higher than that of where the water emerges.
How high should a water pump be to dribble?
A pump with a max head height that’s about 1.5 times greater than this distance can supply a healthy stream of water to the top of the fountain.
How to determine the flow of a waterfall?
To obtain the optimal waterfall flow, you need to consider both spillway width and vertical height of the feature. Sizing a pump for a waterfall is similar, but there are a couple of twists. To find the head height, measure the vertical distance from the surface of the water to the top of the waterfall.
What is the head of a pump?
Head is an engineering term that refers to the height that a pump lifts water above the surface of a pond. As head increases, a pump’s flow rate decreases. That’s because the higher water travels, the more gravity and friction resist its flow. Stronger pumps can supply larger flow rates at higher amounts of head.
Why is it important to have a pond pump?
Choosing the right size pond pump is important to obtain optimal flow , but also so not to damage equipment. The right pump can be a crucial part of a garden pond’s ecosystem. By circulating the water in your pond, a pump helps keep fish healthy by maintaining safe levels of dissolved oxygen. Keeping the water moving also helps to promote aeration ...
Why use a thinner pipe for a water pump?
Smaller pipes mean less room for water and therefore less flow rate. Using a thinner pipe is a waste of your pump’s power and can even damage certain setups. You can also account for friction by adding 1 foot of head for every 10 feet of horizontal piping between the pump and your filter or feature.
Where do pond pumps sit?
Most pumps are either submersible, meaning they sit on the bottom of the pond , or external, meaning they’re positioned above the water line. Pumps come in a variety of sizes and strengths, and the type you choose should depend on what you need it for.
How much head does a UV clarifier add?
Your filter may also add pressure head to your system. Most pressurized filters add 3–5 feet of head. A few models add up to 10 feet, which you’ll usually see in the user manual. UV clarifiers add 1–2 feet. Make sure to clean your filter regularly, too. As filters become dirtier or clogged, less water can pass through them, increasing the pressure.
What happens if a waterfall pump is too big?
If the waterfall pump is too large, you could have too much pressure for the size of waterfall unit you have and the water will flow over the sides instead of off the front of the waterfall unit and be a huge mess. As always, if you need any help determining what size of waterfall pump you need, we're happy to help. ~~~~~.
How many gallons per hour for waterfall pump?
Now, for every inch wide your waterfall weir is, you will calculate using 100 - 150 gallons per hour for your waterfall pump size. If you want a nice, steady flow you may use around 125 GPH or so. If you want a 'Niagara Falls' look, you may use around 150 - 200 GPH. Multiply every inch by what type of look you want.
Why are waterfall pumps not returnable?
Another bad thing is the fact that the pumps aren't returnable because you would have put it in potentially scummy water and no one wants to buy your returned waterfall pump. So, it's important that you figure this out correctly.
How high should a fountain pump be?
Choose a pump that is at least one and one-half times the head height for optimal performance. For example, if your fountain is 30 inches tall, find a pump with a maximum lift of 45 inches or more. Choosing a pump with a maximum head height that is higher than your fountain ensures a strong water flow into the fountain and out of the fountain head.
Can you pick up a submersible pump with wet hands?
Always make sure the submersible pump is unplugged during installation or when making adjustments. Picking up a live pump with wet hands or when standing in water or on wet surfaces can cause a fatal electrical shock.
