Pond Pumps

[natureguy]

Does anyone know anything about pumps. My first pump kept losing power but pulling the plug out for 10 mins seemed to get it going again for a while. It eventually died last summer and I bought a new one which lasted for about a month before losing power again, now that one's dead as well. Is it the pumps that are faulty or am I not looking after them properly?

I also read in another thread about it being better not to use one, how does this work?

[JeffH]

I've had a couple of Blagdon pumps running my pond filter (24/7 all year round) and my stream (on and off as required) for coming up to 4 years now and haven't had any problems with them at all, with the only maintenance being occasional cleaning - about every 3 months on average but more often in summer.

I can't imagine what's causing yours to lose power except to say that in the summer months when the oxygenating plants are quite rampant I do have to keep an eye on the pump filter heads to make sure the plants aren't blocking them. If they do the loss of pump volume is quite noticeable, though I doubt that would lead to them burning out.

As for it being better not to use a pump (presumably for filtration), I know that ponds are supposed to find a natural balance after a while but pumped filtration is the only way I can keep my water crystal clear and that's how I (and our visiting Kingfishers ) like it

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers and Barn Owls)

[natureguy]

ok thanks for the reply Jeff. yes I was checking for blockages etc but as you say that could cause it to slow down a bit but doesn't make any sense why the power failed.

I would prefer to keep the water clear so that you can see what's in it more clearly, but was wondering if it may be better for wildlife unfiltered.

[galanthus]

we had a fish mate pond pump which kept dying every few months natureguy, turned out to be the 'impeller ? looked like a propeller type thing to me., The company sent a few spares out and fine since.

[nightshade]

As Jeff H says the Blagdon Amphibian pumps last well, given the occasional clean when necessary. I house mine in an easter egg shaped basket which greatly extended the cleaning frequencies.
Currently I am running my no.2 pump (I cannot remember the maker possibly Oase?) it is a "dirty water" design with a small bright red impeller,again housed in a basket this again works very well and seems to have a good lifespan.Using a couple of lily baskets wired together with the pump inside may help
I have been looking at the industrial style submersible pumps with a view to use the large capacity to make a raging torrent in my two mtr. "stream" so I can learn Kayaking

[natureguy]

Hi guys thanks for your responses, I will have a look at the Impeller, if not I'll try the baskets. Let me know how the Kayaking goes nightshade, may have a try myself.

Glad to see you're sticking around lily and those frogs are keeping you occupied. I might have some myself if I can sort this bloomin pump out.

[dampflippers]

If you have a pump, please try to have good filter media round it.
They are very likely to suck up and mince tadpoles, newt larvae and even newts. I visited a pond last year where they admitted that they had found 2 dead newts in the pump.

I wouls suggest that if it is a wildlife pond, try to manage without a pump or filter. If you have fish and need one, then try to make sure it is enclosed so small creatures can't get in. If all else fails, put it in a pair of tights.