If your pump has to go up 4 ft. your pump is probably not big enough. It is 375 gph from base of the pump not the height from where you are pumping to. To see if your pump is working right fill your sink with water and try it there.

It may not be big enough...but to get mine started I sometimes fill the pipe from the top back to the pump with water from the hose.

Kind of like the old days when they "primed the pump" by pouring water down it.

I think it creates a vacuum.

patti

Hi there,

Your pump is rather small for a 4' vertical climb, however that will depend on the pipe size you are pushing through. anything bigger than 3/4" pipe will be a difficult push for that little pump. To help it out you can install a check valve in the line to hold the water in the verticle pipe so it does not need to fill the whole vertical climb every thime you turn it on.(observe direction of the check valve before installation) Also, check all your fittings to ensure they are solid and be sure to open the pump occasionally to clean out the sponge filter inside it which will clog up.

Cheers.

Steve

Hi All,

Thanks for the answers. I thought this pump would be big enough. It is 2x bigger than the one the store sold me, so I called up the Manufacturer, Trevi and they said I should have a 500Gph. Yikes, Any recommendations on a efficient, and quiet pump? Stick with Pondmaster?

Steve, the check valve. Any links to one of those check valves for a fountain? They definitely don't have one of those at my local summer winds nursery.

thanks,

Chris

Hi Chris,

The check valve is something you need to get from a plumbing supply store (or home depot or other large chain)

The type you need depends on the type and size of pipe that you have. If you can take a picture of the pipe or read the specs off the pipe itself I should be able to point you towards the correct part.

Cheers.

Steve Goodale