Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Waterfall pump advice

The 8ft waterfall is for aesthetics, as well as to kep the water flowing to avoid mosquitos and pond scum. As for aeration, I assume the waterfall works for that since the fish love hanging out under it. My pond is so small (1/4 acre) that I figure it would be all the aeration I really need if I just move the intake as far from the falls as possible.

Anyways, my Tetra 3600gph pump died today. It only lasted two months. I sprayed some algaecide on it, and I think the copper in it led to electrical failure. It just pops the gcfi every time I plug it in now. I've ordered a Lifegard 4500gph pump that I plan on using externally, but it is also made in China, so probably won't last. I was desperate to get something quick for the short term. But what brand of pumps do experienced pond owners prefer?

This is the one I have on our waterfall. This bad boy is great on hydro and flows a pile of water. I have this attached to a 2" all the way up to the back of the waterfall where we split into two 1.25" that crisscross on the top rock of the falls. The top rock is about 5 feet wide.

Here is a poor video but you get the idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVcnwm6kr2g

Cheers Don.

Wow, that's quite a neat waterfall! Did you build a platform for the pump to rest on underwater or anything?

Ahh yes. I zip tied it into a red milk crate with some plastic snow fence over the open end. All zip tied together. Its just thrown into the pond out at the length of the cord on the pump from the front of the falls on the bottom. Use house brick with the holes in them and zip tied them to the crate so the end sunk. Zip tied the power cord to the pipe and need to add some brick to the pipe too to get it down a bit more. I really think the fish like the structure of the pipe running the off the shore off the bottom. Can nail some of the biggest perch from the pond over there.

Cheers Don.

I used pump number TM13500 for a clients waterfall when his orig. pump died. It has to be installed in the vertical position, but it's performed well the past 3 years.

http://www.stoneycreekequip.com/form/pumps2.htm#TM

Picked up a Totalpond 3600gph Revolution today after hunting all around town. I was willing to buy literally anything, and I feel lucky that I ended up with this, since I didn't find any other pumps over 1200gph. I'm still getting the other 4500gph one off Amazon (unless you can talk me into something better, but there doesn't seem to be a consensus).

Anyways, quick review of the Totalpond: It is very small, energy efficient, and lightweight, plus it came with a mesh bag, which was a nice bonus. The flow seems identical to the Tetra 3600gph pump I replaced, which I think was a direct drive system (cheaper, but less efficient). The one thing I don't like is that the cord seems kinda short, which is annoying since the pump is required to be completely submerged, and the power outlet obviously can't be too close to the waters edge.