How Big of a Pump Do I Need for a Yard Pond?

Purpose

• A pond pump keeps the water in your pond moving to help promote a healthy ecosystem in your pond. Choosing the correct size pump is vital, as a pump that is too small won't circulate water properly and will lead to stagnation. A pump that is too large may move the water too much for the fish.

Formula

• The pump you choose must completely circulate the volume of water in your pond once every one to two hours. For example, if you have a pond that is 3,000 gallons, the pump you choose should be rated to circulate water at a rate of 1,500 to 3,000 gallons per hour.

Considerations

• The exact size of pond pump you need depends on what types of water features you have. A pond without any water features, such as fountains, needs a smaller pump than a pond of comparable size with water features.