How to Determine the Pump Size for Your Garden Fountain

December 11, 2017

If you're selecting a pump for your garden fountain, what pump size will you opt for during your shopping trip? Well, the chosen appliance needs to move water dynamically. An active stream of upward moving water creates a calming hiss of fluid merriment. What about a low-velocity model? This model produces a gentle gurgling effect, a flow pattern that barely escapes the primary stream. Let's check out your options.

When Inspiration Rules Engineering

Here's one of the only instances where you'll favour aesthetics over engineering know-how. All things considered, you don't worry about the shape of the water as it gushes out of a kitchen tap. Granted, your shower head is a little different, especially when you catch a glimpse of all the exotically modelled options in your local hardware store. Still, that's the exception to the rule. Garden fountains, however, are designed to discharge a specially profiled stream. Pointed directly upwards or at an angle, the fluid jet kicks high into the air. Conversely, the water tumbles down a series of decorative bowls, a pile of decoratively arranged rocks, or even out through a polished copper tube. The point is, there are few limitations here, so the pump size must adapt to match these many different exterior designs.

Pump Size Guidelines

In a garden fountain, the height of the stream matters. The selected model has to deliver a rated fluid momentum, and that momentum must be discharged at a stated velocity. High-velocity fountain pumps accommodate that fast-moving exit stream. At the other end of the scale, the low-velocity pump family suits the fountain types that emit a lazy gurgle of water. The next factor to consider is the diameter of the outlet pipe. A narrow diameter discharge port is typically selected when a focused jet of fast-moving water is desired by the water feature technician. If that same effect is sought after from a wide-diameter pump outlet, a more powerful pumping mechanism is required. Otherwise, that larger port, when matched with a low-velocity appliance, makes for an excellent generator of sluggish fluid.

The soothing hiss of energized water tumbles over rocks and decorative objects. But that calming hiss becomes weak and impotent if pump sizing factors aren't accounted for during the design phase. Faced with a powerless trickle, that perfectly designed rock pile doesn't have much to do, not unless the garden pump is replaced. Avoid an expensive replacement by initially selecting a unit that aerates that water, one that overcomes gravity, and one that absolutely fulfils its design purpose.

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