What does a pond pump do? Pond pumps help to maintain the ecological balance of the pond and stop the water from becoming stagnant. They move water through filters which keep the water clear and healthy and they circulate water around the pond, providing fish and vital bacteria with the dissolved oxygen they need to inhabit the pond.

There are many varieties and sizes of pond pump available. Each has its own unique features, but they are all comprised of similar operating components.

1. Pump Housing

The pump housing is the first part of the pump which the water passes through. This casing acts as a pre-filter, blocking any solids which may be too large for the pump to handle. There are many housing designs, but most have a maximum amount of surface area so they don’t block up too quickly.

2. Intake

After the water has passed through the pump housing it is pulled towards the impeller intake. Some pumps have an intake which can be attached to a remote submersed pre-filter, or a secondary intake which can be used for attaching a satellite or surface skimmer.

3. Impeller

The impeller, or rotor, is driven by the pump’s motor. It has a cylindrical magnet through which a shaft runs, and is inserted into the motor body. As the impeller spins it draws water through the intake and pushes it up the outlet. There are many different impeller designs; smaller models have flat paddles while larger expensive models have more efficient, curved vanes.

4. Motor

In the motor electricity flows through coils of wire which surround the impeller’s magnetic base. The current in the wire creates a turning force which drives the impeller. The pump’s motor is enclosed in a block of resin, this ensures that the unit is completely waterproof, but also means that any electrical faults within the motor cannot be repaired.

5. Outlet

Water pushed from the impeller travels up the outlet, which can be attached to a fountain stem, and/or length of hose, which can take the water to a filter or to the top of a waterfall.