Replacement pump for 1,000 gallon pond

10 years ago

I have a 1,000 gallon pond with several plants and about 30 goldfish. I've been using a Smartpond WP1300UV, which pushes through a filter, and then to the top of a waterfall.

Here it is on Amazon for specs:

http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Pond-1300-Pump-Technology/dp/B00BY9B2J4

Today, the pump just stopped working. There's no apparent reason; I brought it inside and took it completely apart to make sure there's no obstruction, but the motor clearly isn't running. This is my second one in 3 years.

I was about to buy a third one, but I see the Amazon reviews on this pump aren't so great; several people say there are better pumps for the price (but no idea of what pump they mean).

So before I order a new one, can you guys recommend a better pump for my pond?

Featured Answer

chas045

10 years ago

Well, first: when running, did you like the flow from your waterfall? Some would find 1300 gph to be low. Otherwise: my personal feeling is that one should use a mag drive pump. They are approx. twice as efficient (saves on your electric bill) as regular pumps. They are more expensive.

I have a Laguna mag drive pump. It has run fine for ~8 years. The impeller gets tangled up with vine stuff every year or so and the flow decreases or stops, but that doesn't seem to damage the pump. It is easy to take apart and clean and would be perfect except when I shake the housing out in the pond while forgetting to remove the bolts that can end up somewhere in the pond.

I doubt that Laguna is better than other well known pumps, and they are sometimes less common than some. I got mine from Webbs Water Gardens and the link above at least shows some Laguna pump (I didn't look closely). I see that Amazon now sells Laguna too.

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Comments (6)

Jason GoNC
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the advise! I'm in a time crunch since I'm currently without a pump, so I'm kind of limited to ordering whatever Amazon has available for Prime shipping, or what Lowes has in stock. Lowes just has Smartpond, though.

The largest Laguna I could find on Amazon was a 1350GPH:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0079WZH7S/

It has great reviews, and an 8 year longevity is great!

I also found this 3,100GPH mag drive pump, though, for a lot less money:

http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-Magnetic-Drive-Pond-Pump/dp/B00VKMKTTE/

It fits my existing 1" tubing, too, which is important. It only has 2 (vague) reviews, though, which isn't very promising.

So I'm torn; do I buy the Laguna with lower pressure but good reviews? Or go for the higher pressure and risk getting a piece of junk?
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chas045
10 years ago
To be honest, I don't know. However, I don't think that it is normally all that critical that you always have a pump running. Some people never have a pump! I have two ponds. For seven years, I ran the pump 24/7/365 but last year I stopped it during the winter on the theory that circulating water thru cold air would make the pond colder. I have been OK both ways. I have a second water storage pond (also for eight years) without ANY circulating pump. It has fish doing just as well.
Karen Robidoux
10 years ago
Not really sure but looks and sounds like the one I have been running for about 4 yrs,
Jason GoNC
Original Author
10 years ago
FWIW, I ordered the Jebao 3100GPH pump. It was only $100, so I figured that worst case scenario I could keep it as a backup.

The installation wasn't too bad, except that the 1" tube was slightly larger than the adapter. The pump didn't come with an O-ring or anything like that, but luckily I had some zip ties so I was able to squeeze it in place.

But honestly, the output is less than the Smartpond 1300GPH pump! I thought maybe it was just me, but then my girlfriend came outside and the first thing she said was, "is that one smaller than the old one?"

So it's OK, but I'll probably end up ordering a new one in the next month or so.
nmpondguy
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
You can't go wrong with the Danner (Pondmaster ) mag drive pumps. They are extremely durable/long lasting. My pond is about 1500 gallons. I've been running this 32gph version for 5 years. http://www.amazon.com/Danner-02680-Drive-200-Pump/dp/B001D0WC0C?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00