We have some basic information to help you choose the correct pump for your fountain.

How do you know what replacement pump is best for your fountain?

Here's a few things you will need to know and help you get the "right pump for your fountain".

First: How far does the pump have to push the water "up" to the top of your fountain? In other words, from where the pump sits in your fountain to where it exits at the top, what's that distance? This distance will help determine which pump will work best for your fountain.

Second: You know the distance OK, but you also want to make sure the pump will "fit" in your fountain physically. Measure and make sure your new pump will fit in the cavity of your fountain. Measure all sizes; Height, Width and Length

Is your fountain indoor or outdoors? If your fountain is outdoors you need a pump with 3 prongs on the end of the cord. This is known as a Grounded Plug and is safe for outdoor use. We also recommend a GFCI receptacle which is mandatory in most ALL outdoor electrical outlets. GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.

If your fountain is indoors you have the best and largest variety of pumps to choose from because you can use both indoor & outdoor pumps for indoor fountains. Do you like or want a switch on your pump? The switch simply turns the pump on and off without having to plug and unplug the pump from the electrical outlet.

A switch is very convenient and nice to have. We use pumps with switches for all our indoor fountains.
Note: They do not make an outdoor pump with a switch because of the grounding wire in the pump's cord. We suggest if you'd like your outdoor pump to have an on-off application, plug the pump into an outdoor remote control switch. These can be found in most any hardware store.

So you now have an idea as to what type of pump you will need. OK but you're still not sure if the pump that has a GPH (Gallon Per Hour) of 80 and a maximum rise of 24" will work for your fountain, right?

Example:
Your fountain is indoors and you need the pump to push the water up around 20". Right off the bat, you will need a pump that has a rise of at least 30"-36". You say why? You need the rise to be MORE than the actual height of your fountain. Remember that RISE and LIFT are one of the same when it comes to pump talk.. Make sure you get a pump that is adjustable so you can regulate the water flow of the pump. The higher the water goes, lift, the less GPH (water at the top exit) you will have. That is why you need a pump that will push the water up higher than your fountain is tall.
Back to the fountain with the 20" lift.

We have 2 different pumps that would work for this particular fountain. The Fountain Pro WA 130 or another pump and this one has a switch on the cord, is the United AP-125-S Pump

This is just one example to show you the kind and size of pump for that one fountain.

What about outdoor pumps? Actually outdoor pumps are easier to get a replacement for, just less confusing. Outdoor fountains are usually larger and run 24/7. The pumps are adjustable so you can regulate the waterflow. So a large waterfall type of fountain say with a 6' rise would use an outdoor pump with a GPH of at least 350 to 600. The more GPH you have the more water you will have at the top of the fountain. With most outdoor fountains you want to "see" the water and "hear" it as well. So never get a pump that barely will make it to the top, you'll be wasting your money and time installing the pump.

Our favorite outdoor pumps are the low voltage pumps! Believe it or not these pumps are very good for outdoor use. Being low voltage they are electrical friendly, good on the pocketbook and yet very powerful. These pumps can be connected inline with outdoor low voltage lighting. Remember these pumps are AC pumps and require an AC output transformer. We have Low Voltage AC (Alternating Current) Pumps that range from 65 GPH to 345 GPH.

Just to hit on a pump that is very versatile is the United Inline Fountain Pumps. So what is an inline pump?
An inline pump is a pump that can be used "out of water". These United Pumps can be used either submerged, "underwater" or inline. When a pump is used inline the pump pulls the water by gravity to the pump, then pushes it up to the top of the fountain. These pumps are used a lot for outdoor statutory fountains. They are easily maintained because you don't have to take the whole fountain apart to service the pump. Many fountains are designed for inline pumps to be used and not submersible pumps.

We hope this bit of information has helped you with making your fountain pump choice. Of course there are many different circumstances and should you need further assistance we are here to help you.

You can email us at: info@FountainsnSlate.com or by phoning us at: 1-800-643-5804

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