Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Pump suggestions

I am relying on a creek running behind my dam to keep my water levels up this time of yr. I currently have a 20gpm 220V submersible but it is only pumping about half that due to what apparently is continued sludge getting in it despite the fact that it is pumping on clean water and I have cleaned the pump on a regular basis. I am wondering if I would be better off with a trash type of submersible or something of the like? I am using an 1.5 " pipe with 80 ft lift. My creek runs reliaable about 20GPM year round.

Sludge, or possibly ground up fish getting into the pump? Have you got any kind of pre-filter installed to keep unwanted species out of your pond? It's amazing how many fish (and the size) can go through high speed impellors completely unscathed!

On my pump, I put the strainer end in a one gallon bucket, then use one very large and one 2-1/2 inch hose clamp to secure metal window screening all the way around, so no minnows or gravel can get into the intake. That gives effectively no larger than a 1/20 inch mesh filter.

Titan88, search Pentair's website for polyester mesh filter bags. I never move water without one of these bags on the outlet.