Pumps

What size pump do I need?
The size pump you need depends on the flow you want, usually measured in gallons per hour, or gph, and the height that you want to bring the water up to, measured in feet and called the head height or Static Head. Pumps are rated by gph at a given head height, so if you want 2000 gallons per hour falling from a 3’ tall waterfall, you’ll need a pump that does 2000gph @ 3’ of head. A flow chart will show you what the pump you are considering will provide throughout its range. For the greatest efficiency of water moved per watt and the longest life for your pump, choose a pump that will run near the middle of its range when your requirements are met,. For example, for the waterfall above you might choose a pump that is rated at 3000 gph at 0’, 2100 gph at 3’ and has a 10’ shutoff.

What kind of pump do I want?
The type of pump you choose is going to make a big difference in your electric bill, so you’ll want to choose carefully. Simply put, it can take 4 times as much power to double the volume of water pushed, but about 8 times as much power to double the pressure, or Head Height, the pump is capable of, so for the sake of efficiency you’ll want a pump that only produces the volume you need at the Head Height you need. Using a pump that can push water up 45 feet when your waterfall is 3’ tall is going to cost a lot more than is necessary. Once you know your desired volume and your Total Head (remember to use large tubing to keep friction losses low!), choose the type of pump that does the job for the least wattage spent. For low and medium heads, MagDrive pumps are the most economical choice for flows up to 1800gph. HY-Drive pumps are even more efficient than MagDrives in the 2000-6000 gph range, sometimes saving half the electricity compared to big MagDrives, and both are MUCH more efficient than high head Direct Drive pumps, which typically cost 4 times as much to run in the 1800 to 6000 gph range, but offer much greater head heights. If you need the high pressure these Direct Drives produce, because of restrictive plumbing, or very long runs of pipe, or for very high waterfalls, or for tall jets of water in a fountain, then choose a Direct Drive. If you don’t need those high head heights, you’ll save money using a MagDrive or HY-Drive pump.