Keep your pond clean, beautiful, and healthy for your fish with the right fish pond pump for your setup. Whether you have a pool, fountain, or waterfall fish pond setup, a pond pump is a must to keep the water moving, aerated, and clean. Fish pond pumps come in both submersible and external or "dry" designs. You'll need to consider a few factors to determine what type and size to get:
You may also need special adapters or accessories to make your pump fit your existing plumbing and fixtures like prefilters and fountains. So be sure to read each product listing carefully and order all the equipment you need.
While fish can survive in a small pond without a pump, it is not ideal for their long-term well-being. Water conditions will usually deteriorate quickly—especially in warmer temperatures—without a pump for oxygenation and filtration. While plants can provide some filtration and aeration, they are not usually enough on their own. Without a pump, your water may become murky and unhealthy and you may experience fish loss.
Fish pond pumps usually do need to run continuously to keep the water well-aerated and healthy. Check the product package to be sure, but most pond pumps are designed for 24-hour operation.
The difference between a pond pump and a fountain pump lies in the pressure and volume of water moved. To power a fountain or other water feature, you need a certain pressure and flow rate to achieve the desired water height. Many pond pumps can be used as fountain pumps, too—check product details or look for ones labeled as fountain pumps to be sure.
A pond pump can be too powerful, creating turbulence that may disturb—or even harm—fish and plants. Choose a pump with the right amount of power for the size of your pond and one that's appropriate for your type of fish.