A water feature will make the perfect addition to any garden. Not only will a water feature make a nice feature for you and others to enjoy looking at in your garden, but it also provides a relaxing, tranquil ambiance for your garden that can be enjoyed whether you are working in your garden or just taking some time in your outdoor space! If you are deciding to fit a water feature in your garden then you will have a wide range of sizes to choose from, regardless of whether you are building it yourself or purchasing one that is ready-made!
However, anyone that is wanting to create or purchase a water feature for their garden is going to need a water feature pump to make it work. There are a variety of water feature pumps to choose from depending on exactly what you are wanting it for. Some will simply be there to aerate and cycle the water around the water feature to avoid it becoming stagnant, whereas others will actually be used to CREATE the water feature, by pumping the water to a different part of the water feature or up and out of the water to create a fountain.
There are a variety of aspects that you need to consider before purchasing a water feature pump, from power and pressure, to type and size, so keep reading for all that you need to know about the best water feature pumps.
Best Water Feature Pumps – Direct Global Trading Large Solar Powered Water Feature Pump
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In A Hurry?
Ready and waiting to build your water feature? Or maybe your water feature is already in progress and you just need the water feature pump to finish it off? Whatever your reason for being in a hurry we are here to help with all the essential information that you are going to need to purchase the best water feature pump. We have also included the best water feature pumps around to help you choose the best one.
Water Feature Pump Types
The first thing that you need to think about when purchasing a water feature pump is the type that is going to be best for you. The way that the water pump works will determine the water features that you are going to be able to create with it.
A waterfall type of water feature pump is going to be your most flexible of options, as you essentially just need a water feature pump that also comes with a suction pipe to transport the water. These pumps work by sucking the water in through the main tank and filter and then moving it to another location. The main factor you need to consider is that the further distance that you are hoping to move the water, the more power you are going to need from the pump.
The other type of water feature pump that you can choose is a fountain model, which is designed with a strong enough pump that it will push the water out of the filter to break the surface of the water on the rest of the feature to create the fountain effect. This type of pump will usually be designed as all part of one block machine so can be more simple to fit, but you will have to follow the specific instructions as to the depth it should be positioned under the water.
Pressure and Power
The next thing that you need to think about is the power and pressure that your pump is going to be able to offer you. This is going to control the flow rate, the size of the water feature and also the type of water feature that you will be able to create!
It is important that you opt for a water feature pump that is going to offer you a good balance of pressure, flow rate and power as the three need to work together for your water feature to work effectively. For example, if you have a water feature with a low power but a high flow rate then the pump won’t be able to keep up with the flow rate being offered. Equally a high power and low flow rate means that the power is essentially being wasted!
The flow rate determines how much water can be pushed through your water feature pump at once. This is going to determine how aerated your water will be and the amount of water that can be filtered over a period of time. For a standard sized water feature, we would recommend looking out for a flow rate of between 100 and 200 liters per minute. This will be enough to keep your water clean and aired, whilst also creating an attractive water feature. Any less than this and you could find your water becoming stagnant quickly!
There are varying powers of pumps that you will have to consider too. This is important as it will impact on the distance that you will be able to move the water in your feature from one place to another. If you are wanting to create a waterfall feature this will require you to raise your water to a higher level for it to cascade back down – without a strong enough pressure you will not be able to do this! The models that we considered ranged from 5W all the way up to 30W so you have quite a variation to consider between. Most residential, standard sized water feature pumps are going to be electric models, although there are some petrol powered ones if you are creating a considerably larger water feature. Electric models are more than sufficient but you do need to consider that you will be restricted by how far away from mains electricity you can travel, as all the models that we have seen are corded. Check the cord length as this will help you to make a judgement – the cords are usually around 5 metres in length but some are much longer!
TOP TIP: If you are wanting a water feature that is going to lift the water above the surface in a fountain then it is also worth looking at the maximum head height. This will tell you the height at which your pump will be able to lift the water from the surface.
Underwater or surface pump?
You also need to decide whether you are wanting a submersible pump or a surface pump. Submersible water feature pumps tend to be the most popular, as they can all be part of one boxed system then so there is less room for anything to go wrong! These will simply be positioned under the water and then suck the water in and out again as necessary. Whereas surface pumps will work with pipes to suction the water to where it needs to go!
The main benefit of underwater pumps is them being hidden underwater so they won’t ruin the ambiance of the water feature with their look and noise when they are switched on! However, there are downsides to purchasing a submersible model that need to be considered. For example, if you are wanting to complete routine maintenance or any repairs if anything goes wrong, then you are going to need to be able to get access to your pump, which is going to be much easier with a surface model. Not just that, but surface models will usually be longer lasting thanks to them not being in the harsh environment underwater 24/7.
TOP TIP: If you do opt for a submersed water feature pump then make sure to check the distance underwater that your pump will be able to sit. Most can go to a depth of 5 to 7 metres, which is going to be more than sufficient for most residential water features.
Fitting
Once you have decided on whether you are going to purchase a surface or a submersible water feature pump you need to look at the features that come with the pump to make it easier to fit. Most of the best models are going to come with suction cups that will allow you to literally stick your water feature pump to the base or side of your water feature. We would definitely recommend looking out for models that come with more than one suction cup though as this will just help to add that extra security for your water feature pump.
Some will come with bases that your actual pump can then be slotted into. There are benefits to these are it means the base can be secured fully but also it is easier to remove the pump as and when you mean to. However, these do require you to have a water feature that has sides or a base compatible with having the pump secured to them!
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All You Need To Know About Water Feature Pumps
Now that you know the main things you need to consider when purchasing a water feature pump, here are some of those additional aspects that you definitely need to consider if you are wanting the best water feature pump for your water feature and your garden overall!
Filter
One of the first things that you need to think about is the filter that comes with your water feature. Although one of the reasons you are buying a water feature pump is to create a lovely feature in your garden, you also need it to consider the filter as that is going to be there to clean the water in your water feature. Without a good quality filter you could find your water becoming dirty and full of debris, or you could find your filter regularly becoming blocked! Make sure to check for a good quality, layered filter that is going to be easy to remove and clean/replace when necessary.
Size
You definitely need to think about the overall size of your water feature pump – particularly if your water feature itself is only small as you don’t want the pump stealing the show! You will usually find that the more powerful of a pump that you go for and a larger flow rate is going to result in the water feature pump itself being larger!
Some are as small as 6cm x 5cm x 6cm whereas other models are much closer to being 22cm squared! This is quite a considerable difference, especially when this is going to be taking up space in your water feature basin so is definitely worth checking for!
Pump Features
There are some technical water pump features that you also need to think about when you are looking for the best water feature pump to buy!
- Nozzles – Look at the nozzle that comes with the water features as this will determine the direction and style that you can achieve for your water feature (particularly if you are looking for a fountain effect model). Some will come with varying nozzles that can be changed so that you can choose the one that is going to be right for you.
- Water flow adjuster – Some models come with adjustable water flow rates, which are great if you want to be able to adjust the amount of water that is cycling round your water feature!
- Silent running – We are yet to find a water feature pump that is COMPLETELY silent when running. But there are many models that are designed in a way to help reduce the sound so that they run ALMOST silently. This will really make a difference to the ambiance of your garden when your water feature is running.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What guarantee comes with a water feature pump?
Water feature pump guarantees will range between one and three years. This usually depends on the wattage/power and the quality of the water feature pump. It is also worth checking the terms of the warranty, It is rare that a water feature pump will be covered if it appears to have been run “dry” as this can cause the water feature pump to overheat.
How should a water feature pump be maintained?
The main way to maintain your water feature pump is to clean and replace the filter every few months or if it becomes clogged. This will help to avoid putting extra strain on your water feature pump. It is also recommended to oil the moving parts of your water feature pump occasionally to make sure that they are kept well lubricated.
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