Centrifugal Pumps vs. Submersible Pumps

Pond pumps come in numerous varieties, and for those new to the hobby, choosing between them can be challenging. The two most common options are centrifugal pumps and submersible pumps. Below is a description of each, with the respective advantages they offer to those that install them.

Centrifugal Pumps

Centrifugal pumps are designed to be non-submersible and will be used outside the pond water. As such they are readily accessible and offer greater pressure than pumps which are submersible. These pumps come in a range of different sizes as well as voltages. Before purchasing one it is important to review the performance chart, which should be visible under the product description. It is essential to ensure that the centrifugal pump you buy has the correct head and pressure for your needs. These pumps will also vary in terms of energy efficiency.

While GPH, or gallons per hour, is the standard used when evaluating pond pumps, when it comes to centrifugal pumps the more important metric is GPM, which stands for gallons per minute. There can be a significant performance variation in pump performance so it is essential to study the chart which demonstrates performance. High quality centrifugal pumps will work well with fountain nozzles, various plumbing projects, and waterfalls which are taller than average. They are also weather proof.

Submersible Pumps

These pumps are designed in such a way where they are completely submerged, either within a tank, pond, or other storage location. Submersible pump motors are typically sealed in cavities which are filled with oil, which are shielded from exposure with transfer media. Many standard pumps can be modified by manufacturers to become submersible, such as bladder pumps, fountain pumps and dewatering pumps.

Submersible pumps have a variety of potential applications. They can be used for the pumping of big solids, or to grind bigger solids into smaller ones. They can also be used to move wastewater at flow rates which are larger and pressures which are high. For most pond owners, these pumps can also be used to pump water from the bottom of the pond, depending on the manner in which it is designed. These pumps come in many variations, such as solar submersible, sewage submersible, sand submersible and irrigation submersible.

When purchasing a submersible pump, there are four primary specifications that pond owners should pay attention to. These are the total discharge flow, total discharge pressure, horsepower and discharge size. Total discharge flow is a measure of the total flow that the pump can generate. Total discharge pressure is a measure of the total pressure that the pump can generate. Horsepower is a measure of the rate for which the pump expends mechanical energy. In the English system it is designated fps, which stands for foot pound second. Discharge size is a measure of the amount of discharge the pump will produce, along with its outlet connection.