When you decide to keep a fish like Koi, then you would definitely need Koi pond pumps. Most people, particularly the newbies to the world of Koi, would find it difficult to make a choice between the different kinds of Koi pond pumps available these days. What are the points to be kept in mind? Which pump caters to what kind of pond? Such questions are quite common amongst new and old Koi owners. Here are some points that can help you to make your decision.
The first things to look for are the function and the power aspects of the pump. A Koi pond has considerable volume of water and the pump needs to powerful enough to move that volume. Ideally, in a given hour, the pump should be able to at least move half the total volume of water in the pond. Moreover, it should not groan and grumble while it does that, it should be done with maximum efficiency. In other words, you need a pump with the right Gallons per Hour or gph power.
For bigger ponds, it would be a good idea to think about a Koi pump that can also act as a filter. No matter what kind of biological filters you may have, they are not very efficient in completely filtering all the impurities, particularly the larger ones by themselves. This causes these impurities to build up over time. After some days, they start rotting, which can be very bad for the fish.
If you have a pump that acts as a filter too, then you won’t be worried about cleaning the pond every now and then. Moreover, the water will remain cleaner and fresher for your Koi. Your Koi will be happier and healthier and last longer in a cleaner pond. As a result, most people look for Koi pond pumps that can double up as filters as well.
Apart from Koi pond pumps, you can even think of installing a little water fall or a fountain in your Koi pond. This can help in more ways than one. With the help of their cascading action, waterfalls and pumps help in oxygenating the water. This helps in enhancing the level of oxygen in the pond. These waterfalls are also a great addition from the Feng Shui point of view since they help in enhancing the peace and serenity of the atmosphere. If you are thinking of installing a waterfall or a fountain, then you need a bigger pump since it needs to be efficient enough to circulate the water and even supply it to the waterfall or the fountain.
As far as the types of pond pumps are concerned, there are basically two types you can select from depending on various factors and your personal choice. The pumps can be classified into external pumps and submersible pumps. As the name suggests, submersible pumps remain submerged in the water and are mostly hidden. The external pumps remain outside the pond. People often prefer the submersible type of Koi pond pumps since they don’t spoil the look of the pond. These types of pumps are available in various types like solar, magnetic, and standard.
When it comes to selecting amongst the various kinds of Koi pond pumps, the best way is to research well and see what suits your budget and style!