Solar Pump FAQ
Solar Pump FAQ
Why buy a solar powered waterfall of fountain pump kit?
Solar pumps are ideal for ponds that have no electrical supply nearby, or for people who simply want to reduce their electricity bill. Ponds, especially those with fish, benefit from water movement and aeration. Pumping water through a filter, waterfall, or fountain helps add oxygen and supports a healthy ecosystem.
Our kits include one or more solar panels. We offer two panel sizes, 25W and 50W. The larger 50W panels can still run the pump in hazy sunshine, although at a reduced rate. The 25W panels generally require full sun for best performance.
Batteries are available for all our pump kits except the MNP SP25 water pump kit. Batteries require sunshine during the day to charge and draw some power from the panels to maintain that charge. When using a battery, pump output is reduced by about 20 percent and the maximum pumping height is also slightly reduced. More details about maximum head and battery operation are explained below.
What’s in the Solar Pond Pump Kits?
We sell two types of solar pond pump kits. One range includes four models designed for waterfalls and comes with a hose. The hose can also be connected to a filter box if required. We sell a suitable filter box and details are shown below.
The other type also in four models creates a decorative and powerful fountain that is ideal for aeration, water movement, and enhancing the beauty of your pond. More details about both types are explained below.
Each kit includes everything you need to start a waterfall or fountain within minutes of unpacking. Just add sunshine. ☀️
Where do I place the solar panels?
The solar panels should be placed in the sunniest location you can find. All pump kits include 16 feet of cable (32 feet on the floating solar fountain pumps) so you can position the panels for the best sunlight. However, for some ponds this may still not be enough distance.
To solve this, we sell extension cables in 16 foot and 32 foot lengths that can be connected together to reach a more suitable location or to help hide the panels from view. Some customers even install the panels on a nearby roof.
Each kit also includes a guide explaining how to position the panels based on your nearest city and the time of year. If you cannot find a sunny spot even with extension cables, a solar pump may not be a suitable option for your pond. ☀️
Which solar fountain kit should I get?
We offer two types of fountain pumps. Both require reasonably sized ponds to work properly. For the smaller models we recommend ponds of at least 7 by 7 feet, and for the larger models at least 10 by 10 feet. This is especially important on windy days when spray can be blown outside the pond.
For ponds three feet deep or less we suggest our fixed fountain pumps. These are placed on the bottom of the pond or raised slightly on a few bricks. Each kit includes several six inch risers that lift one of the supplied fountain heads so it sits just above the water surface.
For deeper ponds our floating solar fountain pumps are recommended. These require just over two feet of water to float, but they work best if there is at least another foot of water beneath them. When pumps sit close to the pond bottom they can draw in sediment, which may require more maintenance.
Floating pumps can operate at almost any depth and will automatically adjust to changes in water level. They are supplied with 32 feet of cable, a weighted bag for stones, and a cord with hook so the unit can be anchored in position.
Both fountain pumps offer a variety of attractive fountain spray patterns.
Which solar waterfall pump kit should I get?
Our solar pumps are larger and heavier than most others we see in this price range, weighing over five pounds and measuring roughly 8 by 8 by 7 inches. A competing pump we tested weighed only 13 ounces and a fraction of the size. The larger size generally means better durability and performance, but it also means these pumps are not suitable for small decorative water features such as statues or small basins. If your application is anything other than a pond, please contact us first to confirm suitability.
Pond experts often suggest circulating about half the volume of a pond every hour. That may not always be possible for very large ponds, but it is still a good guide when choosing a pump. In general, select the pump that can move the most water for your needs.
All pumps have what is called a maximum head. This is the maximum height the pump can push water from the pond surface to the highest point of your waterfall. For best performance, try to keep the waterfall height to about half of the maximum head. The smallest pump kit, the MNP SP25, has a max. head of six feet, while the more powerful MNP SP100S has a max. head of about 16 feet.
All waterfall pump kits include 16 feet of hose. We also sell hose extensions, but keep in mind that even long horizontal runs can reduce the flow rate. If you are still building your pond or have not yet installed a waterfall, we recommend testing the pump first to see how the flow performs at different heights.
Each kit includes everything needed to start a waterfall on a sunny day. This includes the pump, hose, solar panels with panel stands (two in most kits except the SP25), and a Y connector for systems with two panels. Optional accessories include extension cables to help position the panels in the best sunlight, additional hose, and a filter box which is best suited for ponds under about 3,000 gallons.
See our waterfall pump kits
Can I add a backup battery?
A large (100W pumps) and small (50W and 70Wpumps) backup battery is available for all of our solar pump kits except the SP25. Providing battery support for powerful solar pumps requires some compromise between performance and cost. Our lithium batteries provide extended run time, but to do this they slightly reduce pump performance.
When connected, the battery reduces the pump speed and the maximum pumping height. For example, the maximum head is reduced from about 10 feet to around 6 feet for the 50W and 100W pumps, and from 16 feet to about 10 feet for the 100W “S” kit. For best performance with the battery connected, your waterfall should ideally be no higher than about half of the reduced maximum head to maintain a reasonable flow. Pump output in gallons per hour will also decrease by about 20 percent.
The pump can provide about 7 to 12 hours of additional run time if the panels have had a mostly sunny day. The battery usually takes about an hour to begin charging on a sunny morning. On cloudy days there may not be enough power to charge the battery or run the pump. Extra run time depends on how sunny the day is and the time of year. Proper placement of the panels will help ensure optimal performance from the battery, and we include a placement guide with every kit.
An optional waterproof LED light is available that connects to the battery and automatically comes on as daylight fades. It typically uses about one hour of the pump’s available run time.
For full specifications and compatibility details please see the product page below.
What is the warranty period?
All our pump kits have a warranty period of one year from the date you receive it. If anything goes wrong please contact us as in most case we can suggest a fix by email or in a phone call. In the event a component needs replacing we will send this to you at our expense and send you a return label to return the part that has failed.
