Best Water Feature Pump - Ultimate Buyers Guide

Wanting to create a water feature in your garden but not sure where to start? What you are definitely going to need is a water feature pump! There are lots of different types of water feature pumps depending on the effect that you are wanting to create and the volume of water that you are working with! Water features are actually a lot easier than you would think to install, but the one key point is having a pump that will create the actual water feature – which is what this article is there to help with!

A water feature can create a beautiful feature in your garden and offer a much more relaxing environment. Whether you want a fountain effect, a waterfall or even something more adventurous there will be a water feature pump with the right power, flow rate and design for you.

What Type of Water Feature Pump Is Right?

The first thing that you need to think about is the type of water feature that you are wanting to create, as this is going to determine the pump that will be right for you. The two most common types of water feature are a fountain style, or a waterfall style, however this can be as imaginative as you (and your water pump) allows.

A fountain style water feature is going to require a submersive water feature pump that can suck in the water and then push this out so that it breaks the surface of the pond. This means that you are going to need a water feature pump that has a particularly high pressure level so that it can force the jet up out of the water continually.

If you are opting for more of a cascading waterfall water feature then you can be more flexible in the pump that you are looking for. A surface water feature pump will come with a suction pipe, which is perfect for water features like this one, where you are wanting to move the water from a basin to the top of the water feature, for it to then flow back down again. In these instances you just need to make sure that you have the power and the pressure combined to “force” the water up to a higher point than it was at originally.

Best Pick – Blagdon Inpond 5-in-1 Pond Pump

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In A Hurry?

If you have already started creating your garden water feature – or maybe even worse you have already FINISHED the water feature and are now regretting not installing a water pump…then this is where you need to be. We have given you lots of information on not just our favourite water feature pump but also what to look for when you are buying to help make the process quick and easy for you! Keep reading for all you need to know!

Surface or Submersible Pumps?

The first thing you need to think about when looking to buy a water feature pump is whether you want the pump to be a surface model or submersible. In submersible pumps, the water will be sucked through the pump to the new point that you are wanting to move it to (or possibly just back out again if your pump is being used more to aerate your water feature than anything else!). Whereas, for surface water pumps, the water is transported up a suction pipe and then deposited at wherever you are wanting to move it to – no matter how near or far!

There are benefits to both depending on what you are looking for and need from your water feature pump. We like submersive pumps because they are kept under the water so you don’t need to worry about positioning them somewhere discreet and out of the way! However, you do then need to think about how you are going to maintain or repair your water pump if it is at the bottom of quite a deep pond or water feature. Not only this, but a surface water pump is often going to be cheaper as it does not have to work in the same environment as a submerged water pump. However, you do need to consider that surface water pumps are going to be louder (which can really ruin the ambiance that you are trying to create!). Not just that, but you have to think about the quality of the suction pipe, as if you hide this away you need to know that you are not going to be digging it back up to look for breaks in the pipe!

TOP TIP: Although we know it is unlikely your water feature is going to be considerably deep, it is worth mentioning that for certain depths will be too much for a surface pump and in these cases you will need a submersible pump. This is normally between around 5 and 7 metres but does depend on each individual model.

Pressure, Flow Rate and Power

We felt it important to link all of these together, as all three features have to work together if you are wanting to get the best from your water feature pump. For example, if you have a water feature pump with a high flow rate but then low power, the pump is going to struggle to suction the water through at that high flow rate. Equally, a higher power pump is going to be able to offer a higher pressure. You get the idea!

The flow rate of your water feature pump is the rate at which the water can pass through the pump. A higher flow rate means that your water is going to be cycled through your system quicker and therefore become more aerated. For most average sized, residential water features and ponds, a pump that offers a flow rate of between 100 and 200 litres per minute is going to be more than sufficient. If your pond is particularly large or you opt for a lower flow rate than this, then you could find your water feature doesn’t look as effective or that the water is not being circulated sufficiently. The pressure is largely controlled by the power and the flow rate. A higher power but lower flow rate pump is going to allow for more pressure in the system. If you are wanting to pump your water up and away from the surface to create a water feature, or to a higher point than at which it started, you are going to need a reasonable amount of pressure from your water feature pump.

TOP TIP: Make sure to also check the maximum head or flow height of your water feature pump as this will show you what height above the level of the pump you will be able to raise the water.

Electric or Petrol?

Chances are you are going to be looking at purchasing an electric water feature pump, these are usually the best value for money for most standard garden water features or ponds. However, if you are looking to create a more substantial water feature then you may need a petrol model, but we would say this is more power than necessary for most residential uses.

It is important to remember that electric water feature pumps are going to need to be close enough to either mains electricity or a generator to work, so this will need to be considered when you are deciding where to build your water feature. Not just this, but you need to make sure that key electrical components are going to be protected from the water so that they do not become damaged. Electric water feature pumps will be either single-phase or three-phase.

Best Budget – Tropro Solar Fountain Pump

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Additional Water Feature Pump Considerations

We have discussed the essential elements that you will need to weigh up before purchasing your water feature pump, but here are some of the smaller considerations that we feel are worth mentioning before you buy.

Size – Make sure to look at the overall size of your water feature pump. As a general rule the more power and pressure that you are looking for, the larger the pump will be, but this is worth considering as if your water feature is on the small side you could find yourself struggling for somewhere to place it that is more discreet. You want your water feature to look effortless and natural so having a large pump on show is definitely not the way to go!
Water flow control – Look out for water feature pumps that allow you to adjust the flow rate depending on your water feature. This will allow you to keep the water flowing gently regularly but then increase the flow rate when you are actually wanting to enjoy the garden!
Dry burning-resistance – One of the main causes of damage to water feature pumps is them running without water. This is quickly going to burn out the motor and the machine. However, accidents can happen so be sure to opt for a pump that offers some burn-resistant dry running. This gives you time to see that your water levels have got low and either replace the water or switch off the pump.
Quiet running – Some water feature pumps are actually a lot louder than you think (especially considering it is meant to add a calming feel to your garden!). Look out for models that have noise reduction technology or advertise a quiet running system.
Usability – Some water feature pumps can be a bit of a faff! They require quite a lot of effort to install and can then be just as hard work when it comes to maintenance or adjustment. Look out for models that have taken this into consideration in the design with pipes that can be easily removed/fitted and functions parts that are easy to clean!
Varying nozzles – If you are wanting a water feature that releases jets of water it is worth looking for pumps that come with varying nozzles. This will allow you to adjust the way that the water is forced up, creating different designs and styles depending on what you are looking for.
Securing your water feature pump – Make sure to look at how you can secure your water feature pump to the bottom of the pond or to a wall if it is a surface model. Some come with hooks and others come with suction. What we like about the suction cups is that they are durable but won’t damage the area they are attached to.

Best of the Rest

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I maintain my water feature pump?

Water feature pumps are going to require maintenance just like any other tool or piece of equipment. The three most important things to consider when maintaining your water feature pump is to make sure that the seals of your water feature pump are good quality and not showing any wear, as this will stop water from getting into the mechanics of your pump. You also need to make sure to lubricate moving parts occasionally to ensure smooth running and avoid unnecessary wear. Finally, make sure to clean/replace your filters.

What warranty can I get with a water feature pump?

This often depends on the quality of the water feature pump but we found that most have between a one and a three year warranty. This does usually depend on the water feature pump being well maintained as they are prone to overheating if not cleaned and oiled or left to dry run.

How deep should a water feature pump be placed?

Generally a water feature pump is going to need to be placed around 2 feet under the water. This is always going to depend on the type of water feature pump and the image that you are looking to create so it is always worth checking with each model.