Pump gave out - need recommendation on a new one

[dscl]

Hello everyone,

Sometime last night the pump in my pond gave out so I'm in the market for a new one. The pump was a Sunterra, but I am unable to locate any marking on it to indicate the model or GPH. Sunterra themselves were also less than helpfull in identifying it and I was told they aren't making pumps anymore anyways.

So a few questions (mostly based on the attached picture)...

1) Any idea what the GPH that is?
2) Recommendation on an affordable (I'm paying for a wedding right now) pump around that size (GPH and physical dimensions)
3) For a approx 2200-2500 gallon pond was that pump even sufficient?
4) About how long can I go (Assuming I have to have a pump shipped) before the fish are in danger?

Thanks!

 

[ididntdoit99]

Well, i have no idea what kind of pump that is, but it does look tiny, my guess is it probably didnt pump enough for that pond, I have a cheap sunterra I run in my qt tank that is about that size and only pumps around 300 or 360 ( i cant even remember) gallons per hour.

as for recommending a pump, harbor freight has cheap pumps, I have this one linked below, and would be about perfect for your pond.

http://www.harborfreight.com/submersible-waterfall-pump-68418.html

 

[sissy]

Try to find one local if you have a problem with it you can replace it fast .I go with 2 pumps figure one goes out i still have the other one working .Google your area for pond stores .I got one of mine at lowes hardware

 

[dscl]

So for a 2200 gallon pond what GPH do I want? Somone told me you want 1-1.5 the size per hour so for a 2200 Gallon Pond I want about a 3000 GPH pump right? I called my local pond store ad they had a Aquascape pump for $430!!! So why is that so much more than the Harbor Freight pump you listed? Also one of the firs review comments on the Harbor Freight pump is it's not for use in ponds with fish....

 

[capewind]

I'm on the same page as ididntdo it...

It looks way tiny to me, but my opinion here means nothing, hubby is the expert on all the filtration stuff, not me (he makes sure to compensate for my over feeding and population habits LOL).

The good news tho is if that pump was way too small, you may just need some type of aeration while you get a new pump.

 

[capewind]

Pump size isnt just based on water volume, but stocking levels as well. My husband is always telling me well stocked fish ponds should be flipped at a bare minimum of once per hour, but better at twice per hour. So a 2000 gallon pond needs a 4000 gph pump assuming more than just a couple of fish.

 

[sissy]

I have 13 fish 2 of them are 2 feet long and I have 2 filters one pump is 2900 gph and the other is 2150 gph and the pond stays clean and use some of the water to aerate the pond ,

 

[dscl]

So based on the comments (and my brief research I'm able to do at work) the big winner appears to be the pump ididntdoit recommended from Harbor Freight. My big concern though is that the manual says it's not for use in ponds with fish. Reviewers though seem to indicate that having fish are not a problem.

Can anyone here weigh in with their opinion?

Thanks

 

[sissy]

Thats the one i have also but buy the warranty it pays .I bought it last year but the cage around it does not keep out the small stuff and it does clog with roots from my koi ripping roots off .I tried even putting mesh bags around the roots but fine ones still grow through

 

[sissy]

They have a 3200 gph at my harbor frieght that is supposed to replace this one and it was on sale for 69 dollars

 

[dscl]

Thats the one i have also but buy the warranty it pays .I bought it last year but the cage around it does not keep out the small stuff and it does clog with roots from my koi ripping roots off .I tried even putting mesh bags around the roots but fine ones still grow through

Cool, can I ask where you placed it in the pond? basically just wondering if it's in an area the fish can get to and if you had any issue with them.

 

[capewind]

Im wondering too LOL... such a cheap price... saw the comment of not to use with fish as well, and then the good reviews...

 

[sissy]

I hung mine by a plastic rope from a pipe that extends the with of my pond so that it hangs around 2 feet from the bottom .I did have it wired to a crate but 2 koi over 2 feet kept knocking it over .It is not well balanced because of the swivel nozzle that comes out the side of it .The new one harbor freight had in there ad for this month I looked at and it is better balanced .Also this pump can be used out of the water which i have started setting up to move it to under my new bridge .I put the brackets there and just have to pull the pump and put it on the shelf under the bridge and trying to figure out some kind of prefilter that will not clog so fast and be easy and light to clean .

 

[dscl]

Here's another affordable option

 

[sissy]

I have that one also and really like it .I bought it at lowes .it has a cut off switch in case of low water ,but switch is a little hard to reset but once you do it one time it is easy to do .Took me about half hour to figure it out and it also low energy .