Fountains

Fountain Pumps - Choose The Right One For Your Needs

Just as the people who work behind the scenes in a film do not get their due credit, the main component of a fountain – the pump, is not given enough importance. Everyone admires the beauty and craftsmanship of a fountain but fails to spare a thought for the pump which is responsible for the working of this piece of art. The pump performs the function of drawing the water up and creates the flow of water from the top or sides of the fountain. It is usually concealed for aesthetic purposes.

There are three main varieties of fountain pumps and each is better suited to certain situations compared to the others.

Direct Drive Pump – It is one of the oldest and most common types of outdoor pumps. Its motor is enclosed in a waterproof shell which is filled with oil. Even the areas around the cord and impeller shaft are sealed to prevent water from damaging the motor as this can hamper the working of the fountain. Their design dictates that these pumps are large in size and the disadvantage is that they cannot be hidden in many garden fountains and are not very practical for smaller indoor fountains. 

Magnet Drive Pump – These pumps are smaller than direct drive pumps and can be used with smaller fountains in your home or garden. The impeller is joined to a magnet that twirls outside of the pump housing. The wiring is kept away from the moving parts. But because some of the parts are located outside the sealed area debris or pebbles can get stuck inside and shut down the pump.  

Solar Powered Design – With increasing environmental concerns in this day and age using a solar pump is a great option. Though they are more expensive when compared with a direct drive pump or magnet drive pump, they payoff in the future as they incur no electricity charges. You will not have to worry about installing your fountain close to an electric outlet and this increases your flexibility as to the placement of the fountain. The only requirement is that the area where the pump is installed must receive a lot of sunlight.

You must ensure that you choose the right sized pump for your fountain for its optimum working. When choosing a pump a few terms that you must keep in mind are – Head (the maximum vertical lift of the pump), GPH – Gallons per hour (usually rated at different heights), GPM – Gallons per minute (also rated at different heights), Pump Curve (the amount of water volume “curved” depending on different heights and the Water Volume.
 
External pumps are more energy efficient compared to submersible pumps. Battery operated pumps are quite expensive and do not last long. You must clean your pump by opening the impeller case as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Also, make sure that your fountain does not run dry as most pumps are water cooled and will burn up in the absence of water.  

You will find a whole range of pumps available both in stores and online. Be sure to study your needs before you make a choice.

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