Everything You Need To Know About Swell UK Pond Pumps

When it comes to creating a healthy, thriving garden pond, a quality pond pump is essential. These powerful pieces of equipment come in a variety of models, but they all serve the same ultimate purpose: to pump water around your pond. But how exactly do pond pumps work, what type will work best in your pond, and how to do you clean/maintain them? Let's answer those questions...

How do pond pumps work?

A pond pump works by sucking water through an inlet using the force created by a rapidly rotating impeller. This water is then forced through an outlet and either back into your pond, or through some pipework that connects your pond pump to a pond filter and/or water feature like a pond fountain or a pond waterfall. The flow rate of water through your pond pump is determined by two factors: the size of your pond pump's impeller, and the amount of power (typically measured in watts) turning it.

There are two main types of pond pumps, external pond pumps and submersible pond pumps. They're very similar in the way that they operate, using an impeller to create water movement, but they're mounted in very different parts of your pond. As their names suggest, external pond pumps sit outside your pond white submersible pond pumps sit inside. The former are larger, more powerful and great for use in large garden ponds, while the latter are better suited to small and medium-sized garden ponds.

What pond pump do I need?

Choosing the right pond pump for your garden pond depends on a number of different factors, the most important being: the size/volume of your pond, the number of fish your pond houses, and the kind of equipment you're planning to partner with your pond pump (e.g. pond filter, pond fountain, pond waterfall). The first step in choosing the perfect pond pump is identifying what you want your pond pump to do.

There are many different varieties of pond pumps and while they all fall into the two categories outlined above - external pond pump or submersible pond pump - they're each designed to perform a slightly different task. Here's a breakdown of the different pond pumps for sale on our website, what they do and the type of equipment they're best paired with:

• Filter Pumps - These pond pumps provide pond filters with a constant supply of pond water. They're typically solids-handling, meaning they can handle sludge, grit and other abrasive waste solids. They're best paired with a pressure filter or a box filter.
• Fountain Pumps - These pond pumps are designed to work with fountains, keeping water under high pressure to make sure it 'shoots' out of the top of your pond fountain, rather than 'trickles'. They don't handle waste solids very well, making them unsuitable for use with pond filters.
• Water Feature Pumps - These pond pumps are very similar to fountain pumps in that they provide water features, like pond waterfalls, with a constant supply of pressurised water. They work best when partnered with pond fountains, pond waterfalls, and pond streams.
• All-In-On Pumps - These pond pumps take the best parts of pond pumps and pond filters and combine them into a single, easy-to-install unit. They typically come with fountain attachments and are best suited to small ponds that don't have space for lots of other equipment.
• Solar Powered Pumps - These pond pumps are powered by, you guessed it, the sun. They're great for keeping water circulating in wildlife ponds during spring and summer, but they may need to be replaced with a more reliable pond pump in autumn and winter.

The next step in choosing the right pond pump is working out what size you'll need for your garden pond. A lot of our pond pumps come in a large range of sizes, so no matter the size of your pond or the max flow rate requirements of your pond filter, pond fountain, or water feature, there's no doubt a pond pump that's perfect for your needs. Make sure you check the specifications detailed below each product listed on our website to determine which size is most suitable.

What else should I look for in a pond pump?

There are several other things you should look out for when choosing a pond pump, features that'll make your life a whole lot easier when it comes to maintaining your garden pond. A great feature to look out for is an adjustable flow rate. A lot of pond pumps have a set flow rate that cannot be changed - this is fine for a lot of first-time pond keepers, but for experienced pond keepers who may want to change their flow rates at different points of the year an adjustable flow rate is a fantastic feature.

Another great feature to look out for is solids-handling capacity. As mentioned above, solids-handling pumps are capable of handling waste solids. This increases the longevity of your pond pump and decreases the risk of abrasive particles wearing down your pond pump's delicate components, e.g. its impeller. They also don't clog nearly as frequently as other pond pumps, ensuring your flow rate remains at an optimal level year-round.

A detachable strainer cage and/or some kind of internal cleaning mechanism is worth looking out for too. These features make mucking out your pond pump a quick and easy job, rather than a long, difficult, and downright dirty ordeal.

How do I clean a pond pump?

Before you jump into your pond, retrieve your pond pump, and start the cleaning process, it's a good idea to gather all of the necessary cleaning supplies. To properly clean your pond pump, you'll need a bucket to hold parts of your pond pump, a screwdriver for disassembly (if required), a soft sponge/brush to remove built-up dirt, a hose for rinsing your pond pump's internals, and - if you want to keep your hands and arms clean - some pond-cleaning gloves.

Once you've got everything you need to hand, turn off your pond pump by disconnecting it from your power supply. Then, disassemble your pond pump according to the manufacturer's instructions and carefully remove any debris and grime from its exterior and interior using your sponge/brush. This is a great time to inspect your pond pump for any cracks or any broken parts.

Before you put everything back together, it's a good idea to give your all parts of your pond pump a thorough rinse with a hose to remove any lingering debris and grime. Then, place your pond pump back inside your pond (or outside if it's an external pond pump) and plug it back in. It's recommended that you clean your pond pump at least once a year or whenever you notice a significant build-up of muck.

How do I calculate the size of my pond?

To work out the size/volume of your garden pond, simply measure its length, width, and depth. These can be rough measurements, there's no need to measure every nook and cranny of your pond. Once you have your measurements, plug them into our handy pond volume calculator and let it do the rest of the hard work for you. After a quick calculation it'll give you a rough estimate as to how much water your garden pond can hold (in gallons and litres); you can then use this information to find which pond pump is best for you!

Pond Pump FAQs

What's the difference between pond pumps and pond filters?

It's not uncommon for first-time pond keepers to confuse pond pumps with pond filters and vice versa. In short, pond pumps move water around your garden pond, while pond filters 'clean' your water and filter excess nutrients and pollutants from your water column. You need both to form an effective and efficient filtration system capable of supporting a healthy pond full of pond fish.

Why has my pond pump stopped working?

The most common cause of pond pump breakdown is a build-up of dirt and grime around the pond pump's impeller. A lot of pond pumps are fitted with thermal cut-off switches that turn off pond pumps in case of such a blockage, ensuring that their motors don't burn out. To clear a blockage, disconnect your pond pump from its power supply, disassemble it according to the manufacturer's instructions, and remove the built-up muck from around your impeller.

When should I remove my pond pump for winter?

It's a hotly debated topic whether or not you should keep your pond pump running during winter. Some say yes, while others say no and that pond pumps should be brought inside in order to protect their delicate internals against frost damage. For garden ponds containing fish, it's best that you keep your pond pump running throughout winter in order to keep your water moving, your pond filter working, and your fish happy and healthy.

For garden ponds that don't house fish, there's no need to keep your pond pump running other than to keep a pond fountain, a pond waterfall, or a pond stream operational. These water features are prone to blockages during particularly cold periods and, on extreme occasions, can cause water to divert away from your pond if left running. If you do plan to remove your pond pump for winter, wait until you see the first signs of ice forming across your pond's surface before you bring it inside.

Can a pond pump be too powerful?

Yes, a pond pump with a large, un-adjustable flow rate can have disastrous effects on a small wildlife pond, creating whirlpool-like conditions that lots of fish and other aquatic life cannot handle. It's important that you choose a pond pump with a max flow rate that's suitable for the size of your garden pond. A good rule of thumb is to select a pond pump with a max flow rate that's half the size of your garden pond, e.g. a 6,000 lph pond pump for a garden pond that can hold 12,000L.

Do pond pumps come with fitted plugs?

It’s worth noting that, as per UK regulations, our pond pumps are NOT supplied with a fitted plug. To plug them into an outlet, you’ll have to purchase a plug separately and fit it yourself, or with the help of an electrician. Our pond pumps’ impellers are also consumable parts that can, over time, wear down. These impellers are not covered by the guarantees that cover the pond pumps, though spare parts can purchased as and when required.

There’s a lot of information here to get you started, but for more advice and tips about pond pumps be sure to read our useful pond help guides all about pond pumps. Also, check out our range of other garden pond essentials, such as pond filters, pond liners, pond fish food, pond treatments, and pond plants.