Ensure the Health of Your Fish With Pond Pumps for Koi Ponds

Koi are known for their bright colors and beauty. Their addition helps enhance any pond's ecosystem, adding value to the property and reducing stress due to their calming presence. Caring for this fish is a rewarding hobby, and koi ponds are a living, breathing feature that provides a quiet, peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

However, keeping this fish healthy requires more than feeding them every day. You also need to properly filter and oxygenate the water with the right pond pump to keep koi healthy and the water clear.

Why Every Koi Pond Needs a Quality Pump

High-quality koi pond pumps are the beating heart of any pond. They perform the following key processes to keep water in good condition:

Water circulation: Constant water movement is necessary to prevent stagnation and distribute oxygen, nutrients and beneficial bacteria evenly throughout the ecosystem.
Oxygenation: Koi and other organic features of your pond need plenty of dissolved oxygen in the water to thrive. A pump constantly moving the water helps ensure fresh oxygen is consistently dissolved, which supports active and healthy koi.
Filtration: Water that is clear of uneaten food, waste and other debris is essential for fish health. A filtration system reduces harmful toxins, controls algae growth and keeps water clear.

How to Choose the Right Koi Fish Pond Water Pump

With so many koi pond pump options, finding the one that's right for you can be challenging. We recommend making your decision based on the following factors:

Energy Efficiency

Pumps run 24/7, so researching energy-efficient models can help you save money in the long run. Tsurumi and ShinMaywa are established pump manufacturers with models that offer variable speed and smart controls for energy efficiency.

The best way to get the most energy-efficient pump for your pond is to calculate your flow rate and compare it to the model's wattage. Your pump needs to have enough power to push the water through at the required rate. Any extra wattage will be a waste.

Durability and Ease of Maintenance

Since they are constantly working, pond pumps must be durable and reliable — a breakdown is an emergency and can cause harm to your fish. Check for features like corrosion resistance, stainless steel motor casings and built-in motor protection to ensure the pump's durability.

Your pump should also be easy to maintain. Look for options that are simple to disassemble and that have an easy-to-access location, an intake screen that can be cleaned easily, and clear maintenance instructions.

Type of Pump

There are two types of pumps for your koi pond: submersible or external. A submersible pump is easy to install since it's placed at the bottom of the pond, and it works best for small to medium ponds. If you have a large pond with many koi, an external pump may be the right option, as it is installed outside the pond near the water's edge. They are also energy-efficient for larger ponds, and because they are not submerged, they tend to have a longer lifespan.

Determining Your Head Height, Flow Rate and Filtration Needs

Head height is the vertical distance the pump needs to push the water with resistance from pipes, filters and features like waterfalls included. To determine the correct height, measure from the water's surface to the highest point it needs to be pumped, adding resistance for pipe length, bends and filters. Add between one and two feet for every 10 feet of horizontal pipe and each bend.

Flow rate is the amount of water that pumps through your system in a given time frame. The right flow rate will circulate the pond's water every one or two hours, keeping the water clear and oxygenated.

To determine the right flow rate for your pond, calculate the pond size by multiplying its length, width and average depth. Then, times that answer by 7.5 to work out the gallons your pond holds.

Koi pond pumps on the market will display the flow rate in gallons per hour (GPH), so you must match the GPH to your calculations. It's also important to perform head height calculations and match your flow rate to the head height.

Best Practices for Maintaining a Healthy Koi Pond

Maintaining koi ponds is important to keep the features looking good and the inhabitants healthy and happy. Regular maintenance practices should include:

Scheduled water testing: It's important to test your water weekly for ammonia, nitrite and pH levels as these can harm your fish if not balanced. Check oxygen and temperature weekly in summer and monthly in the cooler months. Check the phosphate and salinity if your water is murky.
Introduction of beneficial bacteria: Helpful bacteria break down waste matter and convert ammonia and nitrite into less harmful nitrates. You can introduce these bacteria in powder or solid form when you start the pond, after water changes or when adding new fish.
Addition of water conditioners: A water conditioner helps remove chlorine and detoxify heavy metals. Use one when adding tap water to your pond.
Seasonal cleaning: It's a good idea to perform a deep seasonal cleaning in spring and fall to remove debris and clean filters and pumps of accumulated sludge, helping the water remain oxygenated. Seasonal cleaning will also refresh the look of the pond for greater visual appeal and beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pond Health

Explore our FAQs about how to keep koi fish healthy in their pond.

Why Are My Koi Gasping at the Surface?

If you notice your koi are at the surface gasping for air, this is likely due to low dissolved oxygen levels. Ensure your pump is aerating properly by checking for clogs and testing the water quality and temperature. You may also want to check for and address excessive algae growth.

Too many fish in a pond can also lead to less dissolved oxygen. A good rule of thumb is to allow for 10 gallons of water per inch of fish to avoid overcrowding.

What Plants Are Safe for Koi Ponds?

Common pond plants include water lilies, water lotuses and water poppies, and all are safe for koi. These plants provide shade for the fish, add nutrients to the water and offer places for koi to lay their eggs under the leaves.

How Do I Control Algae?

First, check that your koi have enough space using the rule of one inch of fish for every 10 gallons of water. This balance is important since too much waste will encourage algae blooms. Algae loves sunlight, so it's a good idea to add plants that will create shade. Incorporating beneficial bacteria into your pond can also help keep algae at bay.

Keep Your Koi Happy With One of Our Pond Pumps

ePumps is a family-owned and operated distributor of pumps, compressors and seals from top manufacturers. Explore our selection of pond pumps or contact us with any questions — our team is here to help!

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Pond Pumps for Koi Ponds: Ensuring the Health of Your Fish