How to Choose a Fountain Pump

Sometimes, when trying to replace your fountain pump or purchase one for a fountain you're building yourself, choosing the right one can seem like a daunting task. Here are a few guidelines to follow to help you make the right choice with confidence.

The first thing to consider is the flow rate (gallons per hour, or GPH) that your fountain requires in order to produce an adequate water flow. This is explained further in the paragraphs below. The second is the 'head' height, which is the distance between the basin of the fountain and the water discharge point. This 'head' height is not affected by the depth of the basin the pump is placed in - only the point from which the tubing emerges from the water to the 'spout' at the top of the fountain. 'Max Head' refers to the very highest level to which a pump can raise water. At a pump''s max head, it will yield only a fraction of the flow and will not be adequate for fountain purposes. You must choose a pump with a max head higher than the height of your fountain. For example, if your fountain measures 2 feet from the level of the water in the basin to the discharge point, you will need a pump that has a max head of 3 feet or higher. Also pay attention to the 'tube outlet size', given in each fountain pump's description. This is represented in fractions of an inch and reflects the inside diameter. The tube outlet is the part that connects to the rubber hose, or tubing, that is included with your fountain.

For large outdoor fountains that require a powerful water flow, use the following guidelines: For each inch (25 centimeters) of stream width (the width of the stream of water that comes out) at the top of the fountain, choose a pump that will deliver 100 gallons of water per hour. Typically, you will want to choose a pump that provides 500 GPH per 3 feet of fountain height, or 'head'. These guidelines are best if you are building your own waterfall or similar outdoor feature. For large waterfalls that are being placed in ponds that hold hundreds of gallons of water, you may require a pump that can produce up to 2,000 gallons per hour.

However, smaller indoor features do not require as much water power; it would likely cause excessive splashing. Small tabletop fountains up to 10" in height typically require a pump with a GPH between 45 - 65. This will move the water easily up the height of the fountain and allow it to stream down the face of the fountain without splashing. Our WT-55-LV, WT-55-L and WT-65-L are perfect for this job, and have a flow adjustment switch on them so you can increase or decrease the force of the water flow as needed for your particular fountain and water sound preference. If your fountain is splashing excessively, your pump is too powerful for your fountain.

Medium sized fountains - whether tabletop, floor, or wall - up to 36" in height will require a pump with a GPH between 100 and 200. Once a fountain reaches a height taller than 12", it is better to choose a pump that may have a bit too much pressure rather than not enough, since these pumps also have flow adjustment switches and you can modify the flow as needed.

Larger floor and wall fountains, up to 6 feet in height, will require a GPH of 250 -345. If your fountain is between 6 and 7.5 feet in height, go with the WT-470.

For a broad selection of fountain pumps for a variety of needs, visit Kinetic Fountains, a wonderful source for high quality fountains and fountain accessories.