Can I Use a Sewage Pump for a Pond Aerator?

Aerators vs. Pumps

• Pond aerators should not be confused with pond pumps, which circulate, filter, and re-oxygenate water. Pond aerators pump air through a hose and into an aeration device or stone. These devices essentially make bubbles of varying sizes in the pond. They help keep the water moving and keep oxygen levels high enough to sustain fish and plant life.

Pumping Water and Air

• Sewage pumps are designed to pump waste water. They can be submersible or inline, but they utilize the water to help cool their otherwise hot-running components. Using a sewage pump to pump air in to a pond aerator will simply overheat and destroy the pump. Pumps designed to move water cannot be used to pump air.

Oil

• Sewage and grinder pumps are typically filled with oil. The oil keeps the moving parts lubricated and helps diffuse the heat generated by the electrical components. Using such a pump in a pond setting could potentially lead to oil leaks that will harm fish or aquatic plans.

Continuous Operation

• Sewage pumps are designed to run for brief periods of time, pumping sewage from a basement sink or toilet in to a nearby drain line. They run only when needed, while an aerator for a pond has to run continuously. Sewage pumps can actually overheat if they are left to run continuously.