Power Many self-contained water features such as pebble ponds , carry recommendations regarding the size of the pump required. Some manufacturers make a range of special feature pumps for such applications. These are often good value for money containing many accessories, including alternative fountain heads to create different effects. When buying a pump to create a special effect in a pond, such as a fountain , the size of the pump will determine the size of the effect. Therefore, if you require a one metre fountain, a pump with a flow rate of 600 litres per hour will be ideal.
Waterfalls work on a similar rationale to fountains.
The rule is 133 litres per hour per centimetre width, or 333 lites per hour per inch width. The type of pond that the pump is to be used in also has a bearing on the calculation of the size of pump required. Nature ponds, pond with goldfish and ponds with koi all need to be considered differently. Nature pond owners may not want crystal clear water but something more in keeping with a natural environment. In this circumstance, plenty of oxygenating plants and a simple pump operating a fountain or waterfall to further aerate the water is usually sufficient.