Water Features - Fountain Pump
About Fountain Pumps
Introduction
The beauty of a water fountain is to watch the water trickle down the sculpture and to hear the soothing sounds it creates as if you were in some retreat. What lies behind the scenes to do this exact job is the fountain pump.
Fountain pumps act as the heart of any water fountain. The pressure that causes water to move through the fountain is produced by a motor-driven and regularly submersible electric, fountain pump. Without a fountain pump, water can not be transported and as a result, no waterfall! Your fountain will end up lacking life and looking like an ordinary statue. Fountain Pump Terminology
You may have bought a new water fountain, are planning to build one, or need to replace your existing one - either way, choosing the right pump for your water fountain may seem like a tricky task. To start with, you will need to get acquainted with the terminology.
“GPH” stands for gallons per hour which is the maximum amount of water that the pump will drive to produce an adequate water flow. This is usually measured at different heights.
“Head” is the measurement that refers to the maximum height the pump will lift water before it runs out of pumping power. For example, a 6’ head means the pump is rated to pump water up to 6 feet high. The head height is not affected by the depth of the basin the pump is put in, only the point from which the tubing appears from the water to the discharge point at the top of the fountain.
“Max head” means the very highest level to which a pump can raise water. Note that at the pump’s max head, it will only produce a fraction of the flow which is not sufficient for fountain purposes. To overcome this, choose a pump with a max head higher than the height of your fountain. For instance, if your fountain measures 3 feet from the level of the water in your basin to the discharge point, then choose a pump with a max head of 4 feet or higher. Knowing these terms makes things clearer and easier to understand before you go out to search for a suitable pump.
Choosing a Fountain Pump
When it gets down to deciding on a fountain pump, you need to consider how small, or big, your water fountain is. With the following guidelines, you can set off conscious of precisely what you need for your water fountain.
For smaller water fountains like tabletop ones up to 10” in height, go for a pump with a GPH between 45 and 65. This is enough to move the water easily up the height of the fountain and to stream out and down its face. Anything stronger is likely to cause excessive splashing.
Medium sized fountains (i.e. tabletops, floor or wall) with a height up to 36” will require a pump with around 100 to 200 GPH. If the fountain reaches a head more than 12”, then it is best to choose a pump that has a bit too much pressure instead of one with not enough. Most pumps have flow adjustment switches so you can modify the flow as desired.
With larger fountains requiring a more powerful water flow, for each inch of stream width (the actual width of the stream of water that comes out) at the top of the fountain, select a pump that will deliver 100 GPH. Naturally you will want to choose a pump that provides 500 GPH per 3 feet of fountain head. For the really large outdoor fountains placed in ponds, a 2,000 GPH pump will be needed.
