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It's a pleasure to deal with such an efficient business. Many thanks. Kim, Brampton, ON

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The following material is provided as a service to our customers, for the purpose of sharing our knowledge of ponds and water gardens with other enthusiasts.
We recommend that you treat this material as a guideline and general information only and obtain paid professional advice to look at your individual circumstances and evaluate whether the material presented on this website is accurate and applicable to your situation.

All figures, guidelines, advice, performance specifications, etc. on this website are based on US gallons.

If you can't find the information you need, please send us an inquiry.

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Length of liner required = Max. length of pond + (2 x max. depth of pond) + min. 2 feet (min. 60 cm) overlap

Width of liner required = Max. width of pond + (2 x max. depth of pond) + min. 2 feet (min. 60 cm) overlap

If you are measuring off a completed excavation, use a flexible measuring tape or a rope that completely conforms to the contours of the excavation.

To determine the full length of liner required, run the tape or rope down into the pond, exactly following the contours of the excavation, across all the ledges, to the bottom of the pond, and back out the other side.

Then add at least 2 feet or 60 cm (minimum 1 foot or 30 cm per side) to allow for sufficient liner overlap outside of the pond.

Use the same method to determine the width of the liner.

Be sure to measure across the maximum length and width and at right angles to each other.

Example

Using one of the above formulas and including a minimum liner overlap of 2 feet (60 cm) for both length and width, you determine a required liner size of 23' x 27'.

Now all you have to do is go to our pond liners page and look for a suitable size. In this case, the only suitable liner size is 25' x 30'.

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Actual Pond Volume (US gallons)

= average length (ft) x average width (ft) x average depth (ft) x 7.48

Example

Pond is 12' avg. length x 10' avg. width x 2' avg. depth
Pond Volume: 12 x 10 x 2 x 7.48 = 1,795 US gallons

When selecting the proper size equipment for your pond, actual volume alone is not enough. You must determine the effective volume of your pond which is influenced by various environmental factors. Determine if your pond is affected by direct exposure to sunlight, shallow depth, or climate conditions, and add to the actual volume by the factors listed below:

Average pond water depth is less than 2' 6": + 25 %
Pond is located in full sunshine: + 25 %
Pond is located in subtropical climate (e.g. Florida): + 35 %
Pond is located in temperate climate (e.g. Eastern Seaboard, Southern U.S.): + 15 %
Pond is located in Northern climate: + 0 %

Example 1

If you have a 1,500 gallon pond, 2' deep and exposed to full sunshine in Kentucky, your pump and/or pond filtration equipment would need to be increased by 65 % (25 + 25 + 15). You would therefore base your selection on a pond volume of 2,475 gallons.

Example 2

If you have a 2,500 gallon pond, 4' deep, located in full sunshine and you live in a Northern climate, the effective volume of your pond is 3,125 gallons (2,500 + 25 %).

The information listed above is based on a fish stocking level of not more than 100" of fish per 1000 gallons of pond volume. Any variations in stocking level above this number will require a pro-rata increase in the size of all equipment. Thus, a 2000 gallon pond stocked at 150" of fish per 1000 gallons will require equipment appropriate for a 3000 gallon pond, i.e. 50 % more fish requires 50 % greater equipment capacity.

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The higher the pump must push the water, the less water will be pumped. The terms "head" or "lift" are used to indicate the rise, measuring how high the water must be pumped for a particular application.

Pumping water through tubing (to a waterfall, for example) adds resistance. Please calculate friction loss as per the chart below.

Add the allowance for friction loss to the vertical distance (in feet) that you will be pumping the water.  The vertical lift is measured from the surface of the pond. The resulting sum will be the TOTAL head that the pump will be required to pump. You should compare the amount of flow that you require to the flow rate that the pump provides at this specific head.

Example

Vertical distance between pond surface level and the top of the waterfall is 3 feet. You have 20 feet of tubing between the pump and the waterfall. Using a 3,200 GPH pump with 1-1/2" tubing, your total head is approx. 5.4 feet (3 ft. + 2 x 14.4 in.). Using a 3,200 GPH pump with 2" tubing, your total head is approx. 3.8 feet (3 ft. + 2 x 4.8 in.).

The tubing size running from the pump is determined by the maximum flow rate of the pump you select. Pick the tubing diameter that is most appropriate for the volume of water coming from the pump. A hose adapter or a combination of adapters is required to attach the hose to most pumps. Following are the maximum flow rates in GPH for various tubing diameters:
 

Recommended tubing sizes are listed for each pump that we sell. Please click on the pump model number for more details. The requirements of different pumps can vary and the above chart is meant as a guideline only.

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When operating a waterfall, an important consideration is appearance. The volume of water required to achieve different effects (a robust waterfall or just a trickle)  will depend upon the width of the waterfall lip (weir) or stream and the material that it is constructed from. The chart below will tell you how much water is required PER inch of waterfall width to achieve different thicknesses of water over the entire width of the waterfall weir. Once you have calculated the total head of the waterfall, it becomes quite easy to determine which pump to use.

Desired Water Thickness Sharp Metal Weir	Desired Water Thickness Stone Weir 6" to 11" wide	Desired Water Thickness Stone Weir 12" or wider	Required GPH per inch waterfall width
1/4"	3/16"	1/8"	30
3/8"	5/16"	1/4"	50
1/2"	3/8"	5/16"	75
3/4"	9/16"	7/16"	140
1"	3/4"	5/8"	200
1-1/4"	1"	3/4"	275
1-1/2"	1-1/4"	1"	375

Example

You have a 3' tall (above the surface of the pond) waterfall and will have 15' of tubing run between the pump and the top of the waterfall. The total head is thus 4.5'. To achieve a 3/4" water thickness over the width of an 8" wide stone waterfall weir, you would require a pump that would produce 1600 GPH (200 GPH per inch x 8 inches total width) at a total head of 4.5'.

You can also use this chart to predict the effect that you will get from different volumes of water.

Example

If you use the same 3' tall and 8" wide waterfall as above with 15' tubing run and you have a pump that only supplies 500 GPH at 4.5' total head, you would expect to get 62.5 GPH per inch (500 divided by 8) over the 8" width of the waterfall weir. This would result in a little less than a 3/8" water thickness.

This formula can be used to measure the flow rate of your pump.

Take a container of known volume (i.e. a 5-gallon bucket) and time how long it takes to fill it (in seconds) at the flow that you have. Then divide 3600 by the number of seconds it takes to fill the container and multiply by the volume (gallons) of the container. The result will be the flow rate in gallons per hour.
Example: It takes 10 seconds to fill a 5-gallon bucket.
3600 : 10 seconds x 5 gallons = 1,800 GPH

You can also use this formula to decide how much flow you would like over a waterfall.  Simply place a garden hose at the top of the waterfall and adjust the volume of water until you find the flow that you like. Measure this flow and you will have an idea of the volume required to get the effect you desire.

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You may find the following helpful:

To calculate power consumption: Volts x Amps = Watts
To calculate yearly cost of operation: Watts divided by 1000 x the price of electricity in $ per kilowatt hour x 24 hours x 365 days

One US gallon = approx. 0.834 Imperial gallons
One US gallon = approx. 3.78 litres
One Imperial gallon = approx. 1.20 US gallons
In most cases the flow rates for pumps in North America are given in US gallons

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Nursery Pro AquaSurge Waterfall Pumps

OASE Nautilus Water Feature Pumps

Fountain Systems Pond Pumps

OASE Aquamax SF Series Filtration Pumps

From the smallest barrel garden to the largest koi pond, no water garden can survive very long without water movement. And for water movement, a pump is essential because it keeps the water circulating and the pond healthy.

A cascading, bubbling stream adds interest and serenity to the garden, while a waterfall can create a dramatic centerpiece. Fountains, while aesthetically pleasing, provide the additional benefit of aerating the water, essential for providing a healthy environment for fish. Water must also be supplied to filters that help keep the water clear.

Our website includes a large assortment of submersible pumps from manufacturers like AQUASCAPE / NURSERY PRO, OASE, FOUNTAIN SYSTEMS, CAL PUMP, CYPRIO, PONDMASTER, TETRA, and many more.

When selecting a pump, be sure to look for the GPH for each head height, as well as the maximum height that the unit will pump. At maximum height (or max. head), the pump only puts out a trickle of water. A long-term manufacturer's warranty and energy consumption are also important factors.

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To maintain a healthy pond, experts recommend circulating the water at least once every two hours. This means that for a pond with an effective volume of 3000 gallons, you will need to circulate at least 1500 gallons per hour (GPH). Hence, a pump capable of pumping 1500 GPH or more at the total head of your project is required. This is the absolute minimum amount of water that you need to circulate.

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Due to the special requirements and unique circumstances found in smaller and shallow ponds, including most pre-formed units, we recommend to turn the effective pond volume over once per hour.

Example

If the effective volume of your pond is 150 gallons, look for a pump that can deliver 150 GPH at your total head. If you are pumping up to a small waterfall or cascade 2 feet above pond surface level, you need to pump 150 GPH at a 2 foot head. Also see Waterfalls & Streams below for additional information.

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Sizing a pump for a waterfall or a stream is usually quite simple. The first item to consider is to ensure that you are circulating the effective pond volume at least once every two hours. This would be the minimum flow requirement. The second and usually the most important factor to consider is the characteristics of the waterfall. This includes the amount of flow that you wish to see coming over the waterfall and the width of the waterfall.

Please take a moment to review how to calculate the total head requirements for your waterfall.

Example

Assuming you want to operate a waterfall with a vertical head of 3 feet (vertical distance from pond surface level to top of waterfall) and you will have 10 feet of tubing between the pump and the top of the waterfall. You will have a total head of 4 feet. The smallest pump that you should consider would be one that is capable of circulating half the effective volume of the pond at a total head of 4 feet. Assuming an effective pond volume of 3,000 gallons, the pump that you choose will have to be able to deliver 1,500 GPH at a 4 foot head. This is the minimum requirement for circulation purposes.

Hint: Place your pump as far away from the waterfall as possible to maximize circulation within the pond.

When operating a waterfall, another important consideration is appearance. Depending on the width of the waterfall lip (weir) or stream and your expectations, half the effective volume may or may not be adequate.

The next step is to determine the flow requirements of your waterfall to achieve the type of effect you desire. You may need to consult the waterfall weir chart for more details.

Hint: As a rule of thumb, 100 GPH per inch of waterfall/stream width will provide a good flow equal to a sheet of water approx. 3/8" thick over a stone waterfall weir 12" or wider.

Example
Assuming the waterfall is 18" wide and using the 100 GPH per inch guideline, you should select a pump that can deliver 1,800 GPH (100 GPH x 18" width) at a 4 foot head (as calculated above). This is slightly more than the 1,500 GPH that the 3,000 gallon pond in our example requires for circulation purposes alone but will result in a more aesthetically pleasing display. Within reason, circulating the effective volume of the pond more frequently will not harm the pond.

Once you have determined the volume of water that you will require, go to our main pumps page and select an appropriate pump. In this case, you would look for a pump in the 2000 GPH max. output range because you require 1800 GPH at a 4 foot total head.

A suitable selection for our example would be a Supreme Pondmaster 2400. The final selection is up to you. Criteria would be initial cost, power consumption, and manufacturer's warranty. The yearly operating cost comparison figures on the website make it easy to determine which pump will be most ecomomical to operate over the long term. Sometimes, a less expensive pump with a high power consumption will end up costing you more in the end.

Supreme Pondmaster 2400

If you would like to see a higher amount of water pumped over your waterfall, simply multiply the required GPH x the width of your waterfall in inches (see waterfall weir chart). For example, a 3/4" thick sheet of water over a 12" wide waterfall will require a pump that can deliver 3,300 GPH at the total head of your waterfall (275 GPH x 12" width). If your waterfall is 18" wide, your pump would have to deliver 4,950 GPH (275 GPH x 18" width) to get the same 3/4" water coverage. As you can see, the wider the waterfall, the greater the volume of water that is required.

Hint:  Make sure your lower pond is sized in relation to your waterfall and the pump's output. This helps ensure an adequate water supply for the pump at all times and helps contain any splash that the waterfall may cause.

If half the effective pond volume once every 2 hours is too much flow for your waterfall, we recommend to split the flow coming from the pump discharge by using a hose tee and diverting part of the flow to another water feature or to the other side of the pond to maximize circulation. You may have to install a ball valve in one or both of the lines to control the amount of water going in each direction.

All that is left to do is to choose the correct size of tubing as dictated by the maximum flow rate of the pump you select. Recommended tubing sizes are listed for each pump that we sell. Please click on the pump model number for more details. As each pump has different requirements, the tubing flow rate chart is meant as a guideline only.

If the pump you are using is not listed on our website, you may want to consult the tubing flow rate chart to determine which size is most appropriate for the pump.

A hose adapter or a combination of adapters may be required to connect the tubing to most pumps.

Hint: If your pump does not deliver the amount of water it is rated for, perhaps you are using the wrong size tubing.

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You asked for an easy way to compare pumps and their operating costs. Here it is, all on one page. All pumps are sorted by maximum flow rate in GPH. All figures are current as of January 01, 2008. Please check the individual pump pages to verify all figures (prices may change, and we may not be able to get this page updated right away). The figures presented are for illustration purposes only. They are based on $ 0.10 per Kilowatt Hour and 12 months continuous use. Your actual costs may vary depending on your cost per KWH, head height, tubing diameter and actual use.

Synopsis

When comparing pumps and their overall costs, manufacturer's warranties play an important role. Most smaller pumps in the up to 2,000 GPH range now carry a 2 or 3-year warranty. The longer the warranty, the longer you are protected against premature failure. Please note that the figures presented in the charts below do not take into account the possibility that a pump with a 1-year warranty may break down after one year and require replacement. Your total operating costs would then increase by the purchase price of a replacement pump.

Electrical costs are probably the most important factor that is not always considered at the time of purchase. While a pump with a 1-year warranty is generally less expensive to purchase than a pump with a 3 or 5-year warranty, the electrical costs associated with running a low-cost pump can add up quickly and eat up the initial savings, thus costing you more in the end.

Example

While the OASE Aquamax 3700 at $ 1,099.98 is not an inexpensive pump to purchase in the 4,000 GPH size range, its low energy consumption and 5-year warranty (+ 1-year extended warranty if purchased through PondsOnlineCanada.com) far outweigh the initial cost savings of purchasing a much less expensive sump-style pump. As you can see in the chart below, the initial cost savings of buying a pump at less than one quarter the price of the OASE Aquamax 3700 are already wiped out after 2 years of operation. At this point the sump-style pump is already long out of warranty whereas the OASE Aquamax pump has another 4 years of warranty coverage left. Please note that the figures presented in the charts below do not take into account the possibility that a pump with a 1-year warranty may break down after one year and require replacement. Your total operating costs would then increase by the purchase price of a replacement pump or two.

The total warranty coverage on an OASE Aquamax, Aquamax SF, Nautilus, Neptun, and Profinaut pump is 6 years. As of today (January 01, 2008), you would be covered until January 2014.

Since starting in this business in 1986, we have literally sold thousands of submersible pumps. We started with OASE and, although we have added many other pump makes to our product line over the years, we are still recommending OASE today. For energy efficiency and reliability, OASE is our number one choice. In our own ponds, we have been running an OASE Aquarius 8 and an OASE Nautilus 21 for many years. Both models are long out of production and have been running virtually non-stop since 1989. That is now 19 years and counting.

Pump	Cost of Ownership After 1 Year *	Cost of Ownership After 2 Years *	Cost of Ownership After 3 Years *	Cost of Ownership After 4 Years *	Cost of Ownership After 5 Years *	Cost of Ownership After 6 Years *
OASE Aquamax 3700 3,700 GPH - 260 W 5-year warranty + 1-year extended warranty	$ 1,327.78	$ 1,555.58	$ 1,783.38	$ 2,011.18	$ 2,238.98	$ 2,466.78 out of warranty
Nursery Pro NPH4000 4,000 GPH - 326 to 775 W (assuming a 5' head, pump will be operating at near maximum wattage) 1-year warranty	$ 938.88 out of warranty	$ 1,617.78 out of warranty	$ 2,296.68 out of warranty	$ 2,975.58 out of warranty	$ 3,654.48 out of warranty	$ 4,333.38 out of warranty

* Cost of Ownership
Purchase Price + Estimated Yearly Energy Costs (please see detailed information on purchase price and estimated yearly energy costs in the charts below).

Estimated Yearly Energy Costs
For illustration purposes only. Based on $ 0.10 per Kilowatt Hour and 12 months continuous use. Your actual costs may vary depending on your cost per KWH, head height, tubing diameter and actual use.
Watts divided by 1000 = Kilowatts x $ 0.10 per KWH (Kilowatt Hour) x 24 hours x 365 days

Pumps up to 500 GPH	Pumps 501 to 1,000 GPH	Pumps 1,001 GPH to 2,000 GPH
Pumps 2,001 GPH to 3,000 GPH	Pumps 3,001 GPH and Over

* Estimated Yearly Operating Costs
For illustration purposes only. Based on $ 0.10 per Kilowatt Hour and 12 months continuous use. Your actual costs may vary depending on your cost per KWH, head height, tubing diameter and actual use.
Watts divided by 1000 = Kilowatts x $ 0.10 per KWH (Kilowatt Hour) x 24 hours x 365 days

** Cost of Ownership After 1 Year
Purchase Price + Estimated Yearly Operating Costs for 1 Year

** Cost of Ownership After 3 Years
Purchase Price + Estimated Yearly Operating Costs for 3 Years
When comparing cost of ownership after 3 years, please keep in mind that some pumps only come with a one or two-year warranty. If a pump with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty fails after one or two years and must be replaced, the cost of ownership increases by the purchase price of a replacement pump or two.

** Cost of Ownership After 5 Years
Purchase Price + Estimated Yearly Operating Costs for 5 Years
When comparing cost of ownership after 5 years, please keep in mind that some pumps only come with a one or two-year warranty. If a pump with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty fails after one or two years and must be replaced, the cost of ownership increases by the purchase price of several replacement pumps.

* Estimated Yearly Operating Costs
For illustration purposes only. Based on $ 0.10 per Kilowatt Hour and 12 months continuous use. Your actual costs may vary depending on your cost per KWH, head height, tubing diameter and actual use.
Watts divided by 1000 = Kilowatts x $ 0.10 per KWH (Kilowatt Hour) x 24 hours x 365 days

** Cost of Ownership After 1 Year
Purchase Price + Estimated Yearly Operating Costs for 1 Year

** Cost of Ownership After 3 Years
Purchase Price + Estimated Yearly Operating Costs for 3 Years
When comparing cost of ownership after 3 years, please keep in mind that some pumps only come with a one or two-year warranty. If a pump with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty fails after one or two years and must be replaced, the cost of ownership increases by the purchase price of a replacement pump or two.

** Cost of Ownership After 5 Years
Purchase Price + Estimated Yearly Operating Costs for 5 Years
When comparing cost of ownership after 5 years, please keep in mind that some pumps only come with a one or two-year warranty. If a pump with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty fails after one or two years and must be replaced, the cost of ownership increases by the purchase price of several replacement pumps.