I have a small 30 gallon pond with 45 gph pump. Now I want the water to go higher & waterfall. New pump?

Question

I don't mind buying a new pump if not too expensive, but there's so much to choose from, I am confused. What I have is about the right size but just 20 inches of lift. Now I'm wanting maybe 4 or 5 feet of lift. Any advice?

Pond is turtle, fish, plants, etc.

Answer 1

Pump output decreases rapidly the higher you want it to lift water and the narrower and the longer the supply pipe. If you want a waterfall the other consideration is the width of the waterfall lip. You don't want a waterfall that dribbles - it will look pathetic.

Let us assume a waterfall 6 inches wide, 4 feet tall, and a supply pipe 10 feet long with an internal diameter of 1.5 inches (for example). Then you will need a pump that can deliver 400 gallons per hour with a 4 foot head. If you get a pump smaller than this the waterfall is likely to look unimpressive.

Personally, I think a waterfall 4 feet high will look very out of proportion to a 30 gallon pond.