How to Choose the Right Solar Pump

While pond and lake size is the main factor, there are a few other important considerations to keep in mind:

Sunlight Availability
Solar pumps run on sunlight, so the more direct sun your pond and solar panel receive, the stronger and more consistent the performance will be. We offer 16 foot and 32 foot panel extenders that may allow you to move the solar panel to a sunnier location. If you cannot find a spot with good sun exposure, solar may not be a practical option. A battery alone will not solve this, as batteries still require sunlight to recharge.

Water Feature Height (Head Height)
If you are powering a waterfall or filter box, you will need a pump with enough head height to push water upward. This applies to all pumps, including those powered by electricity. Look for the “Max Head” rating, which refers to the maximum vertical height the pump can move water from the surface of the pond to the highest point of your feature. For best results, try to stay within about half of the listed maximum head, as this rating is measured in full sun under ideal conditions. Long horizontal hose runs beyond the 16 foot hose we supply can also reduce flow. Please feel free to contact us if you would like help selecting the right setup.

Gallons Per Hour (GPH)
All of our pumps list a maximum GPH rating, such as our 100 watt waterfall pump, which is rated at 1,298 GPH. On a sunny day, a pump of this size can move roughly 5,000 to 7,000 gallons of water over the course of the day. Ideally, you want to circulate about half of your pond’s total volume each hour, but even partial movement can make a noticeable improvement.

As a general guideline, keep fish populations to no more than one inch of fish per ten gallons of water, and plan on significantly more space for koi, roughly 25 gallons per fish. For ponds of 3,000 gallons or less, we offer a filter box that connects directly to the hose from all of our waterfall pump kits.

You can view the filter box here: Filter Box

While pond size is the main factor, there are a few other considerations to keep in mind:

Choosing Between a Fountain and a Waterfall Pump

• Solar Fountain Pumps – Best for decorative effects, aeration, water movement.

• Solar Waterfall Pumps – Designed for waterfalsl and/or to run water through a filter box and from there dow a waterfall.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right solar pump doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with your pond’s size, then consider sunlight, head height, and your goals for water movement. By selecting the correct pump, you’ll ensure your pond stays oxygenated, algae is kept under control, and your fish thrive.

Stil have questions – please call or text us 760-716-5542 or email us at [email protected]