Pond Pump Pitfalls: Avoid This Common Mistake in 2024 - Expensive vs Budget

This video is all about the latest price increases in pond pumps and the costs of running a pond pump each month and year. Are expensive pumps worth it and just how good are budget pumps?
There are four pumps that we discuss:
Pontec Pondomax 8000
Aquamax Eco Classic 8500
Blagdon Amphibious IQ 6000 - 12000
Aquamax Premium 8000
All monthly wattage amounts are calculated up to date using this tool and website:
www.sust-it.ne...
Hope you like the video, if so click and subscribe for more...
#pondpumps
#pondpumprunningcosts
#oase pump
#pondomax
#blagdon pumps

[@markfleming1177]

I think pump quality has improved in recent years but I buy top premium pumps with the last one running 24/7 for 12 years until it failed. Even under warranty who wants the agro of removing a manky pump and posting it to the manufacturer? If you can afford it, buy the best and forget about it for many years.

[@thep0ndman]

Thanks for comment. To be fair cheap pumps can last the same if looked after. Premium pumps and budget can fail. This is one of those areas where you dont always get what you pay for

[@pstanyer1]

My pondomax managed to pump up a very nice 3 feet in height without issue.

[@keithbstar1]

I USE Jabao DCP pumps Never had a problem from pumping to filters to water fall venture all adjustable flow, they run 24\7

[@thep0ndman]

sounds good thanks for the comment

[@kensteeplejack]

Hi thats good to know. I have been using the super fish pumps on my pond, for the last 6 years, I started with the 5000ltr and after 2 years or so changed to an 8000ltr pump. the original still works like new, I keep it as a spare, the main benifit is the price and the low wattage of them. "SuperFish Pond Eco Plus E 8000" is the model i have and it only uses 41watts.

[@kensteeplejack]

costs about £10 per month at current price, I think they are about £160 at the moment.

[@thep0ndman]

That’s really low wattage for a budget pump! If they last and perform well great find! Thanks for the comment

[@jimargenio6449]

Absolutely great video well needed in the industry very transparent, nice to see folks that aren’t sellouts , subscribed

[@thep0ndman]

Thanks for the sub!

[@Flossy_tops]

At the moment I’m looking at smaller pumps for another project, but with everything being so expensive these days, this is really useful information. Thanks 👍

[@thep0ndman]

No probs

[@leecalladine]

I have to say a lot of what your saying in this video is bang on. makes you really think for sure.

[@thep0ndman]

Cheers thanks for the comment

[@alanthecat59]

You can run the IQ dry, dry running kit is in the instructions as an option (it's amphibious ) . The direct equivalent model Blagdon IQ 9000 ( 8700 LPH ) is 30 to 60w variable FYI. IQ 12000 measured at over 8000LPH at its lowest 40 watts setting ( in my pond ) test it... Also for six / five months?, you can reduce the IQ at the controller to what works on your pond, with no need for a valve ( which is stuck at the same power usage ) . To start with i ran it at 85 watts full power , however i have found the pond filters great at the 40w setting and have kept it there for two seasons now. It also has run dry protection and soft start/ jam protection systems to protect the pump and your pipe work. What's the max head on the four? how good are they at pumping with restrictions like say through a pressure filter or the lift of a waterfall and pipe work friction? what happens to the flow per watt value then? does it change the running cost for water moved for power? my calculations make it considerable. pontect 8000 at 2M head ( normal back pressure for a pond system ) 70w / 2650 LPH = 37.8 LPH per watt spent.IQ 9000 at 2m 60W / 3500 lph= 58.3 LPH per watt spent. Its this pence per watt water moved at a decent pressure which is the true value of a pump's performance for energy used. Like an MPG for a car. Flow at zero head is like having a car MPG at an average speed of 5mph , it's not real-world use. You can optimize a pump to look good at zero head, or be good at real-performance world back pressure/head. I would like to see this comparison as i think would be very helpful when choosing which is the best value. The cost at the start between say an IQ 9000 and pontec will be easily saved in energy usage on your electric bill in the first year by my calculations. ;)...An energy saver IQ 6000 actually dose the same flow 2600lph at 2 meters as the pontech 8000 using only 35 watts!, so 35W / 2600 = 74 LPH per watt ! With power bills as they are say 30p per kilowatt hour it is worth some calculator twirling to save £££££ per year might be worth spending a little bit more i think.

[@thep0ndman]

Yes I 100 % missed out the dry part regarding the iq pump. The video was mainly aiming towards the expensive side of some “premium” pumps which do nothing more than the pumps which cost half the price. I didn’t really go into to techs but I think another video would be a good idea to show the difference especially as we like the iq pumps. We weren’t trying to single any brand out just that some are so expensive and others are a good price and work just as well or even better as the extortionate range available👌. People never want to be ripped off now more than ever

[@alanthecat59]

@@thep0ndman all other things being equal,true value for money for a pump ( it pumps water ) is what it costs, versus what it costs to run annually in real-world conditions on a pond in use for the flow you get per watt. that's how I would recommend a purchase between the four pumps. expensive or cheap can then be compared in this way. other features can be weighed like convenience of use etc , but just like a car, a real world , great MPG is hard to argue with

[@matcrutch1]

i always go for the cheapest pond pump with the lowest wattage. 4years later and there still working. if they did fail it would still be cheaper in the long run to replace with another cheap pump than what i would have paid for an expensive pump. there all well made in my opinion. probable the same parts.the same make of pump ran in my dads for over 10 years

[@thep0ndman]

Yes 100%. If the cheap pumps were bad I would never recommend them. I would always push the premium. They aren’t worth the money

[@jeffsomebody6463]

Hi may i ask what pump you use ? and the size of your pond ? i would like to build a pond my size will probably be 20 feet by 10 or 12 feet wide and 3 feet deep. i dont want to use a pump that uses alot of electric. thankyou

[@matcrutch1]

@@jeffsomebody6463 my pond is about half the size of yours. i used the all pond solutions eco 10,000l pond pump, buy if you just earch for the eco pumps and look at the wattage they use. you would probably want the 20,000l per hour pump

[@Auto_Blip]

I have one of the Oase AquaMax Eco Premium pumps and it’s a great but if kit. One thing you failed to mention which is pretty important is that that pump has twin Inlets so you can attach it to a skimmer or satellite filter which is a massive bonus and the reason I bought mine.

[@thep0ndman]

hi cheers for the comment, we are just talking about running costs etc not each pumps features cheers

[@socialmediaisterrible]

@the pondman. That is a VERY poor way to look at it. The feature of being able to run things like skimmers is a large part of the running costs. Being able to run a skimmer without a second pump is a huge energy saving. You also have failed to even consider the performance curve. In a real working scenario you cannot just go by the pump model number. You must factor in the working conditions, to do otherwise and just compare 8000 to 8000 is not an honest comparison. As an example the average pond owners needs should be considered on the pump curve at somewhere between 1 and 1.5m . Just with the two oase pumps you get a disparity between the two at this point. In fact at 1.5m the aquamax 8500 classic and aquamax premium 6000 is a fairer comparison which means an energy consumption difference of 35 watts not the 5w you stated. Over the pumps lifespan this is a considerable difference increased further if you factor in features like skimmers. This is just a comparison between two pumps from the same manufacturer. Other manufacturers should also be considered in a similar way. Videos like this, while i appreciate what you are trying to do, do not give useful information in the pond

[@Ibnfunk]

​@@socialmediaisterrible​@hubsfan9603 lol people try so hard to justify their poor buying decisions. Do you really think any variance performance curves are going to noticeably affect the pond performance at that scale? And you're telling me you can't figure out a way to plumb an extra little skimmer onto a single inlet for less than £300? Just admit to yourself you've been had and learn from it instead of making up excuses to feel better mate

[@thep0ndman]

@@socialmediaisterrible the satellites you are talking about are rubbish and more pipework all over the place, just because you use a skimmer most people don't.

[@readmore7180]

I have a hoselock 9000 pump with fountain and built in uv light, it does the job. I've put it on a timer, off at 10pm on at 8am. No problems

[@thep0ndman]

Great! Thanks for the comment

[@roppie]

I owned 3 Oase pumps, they all broke down way too soon, changed to Pontec, best choice of my life.

[@thep0ndman]

yes pontec are surprisingly good, they are actually made by oase

[@chuckcrowe2466]

DUDE BLASPHEMY IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE...😎

[@rackprime8000]

If you're comparing only on price vs power consumption the of course the "premium" pumps will looks expensive. However, if you took the time to really understand the differences you'd know that, cheap pumps do not pump the same pressure as higher end pumps. Head height means more than the physical height. It's also about the backpressure of your filters etc. Also the Aquamax Premiums have 2x inlets so you can run skimmers etc. They also pass 10mm solids so don't jam up as often as cheaper pumps. The Premium range also has SFC (Seasonal Flow Control) on the larger pumps where it steps the power and flow down depending on water temperature so sure, at full pelt it's only a little bit more efficient but over winter, you'll save a fortune when the pond is in hibernation. I agree that there are different price points and not everyone needs an expensive pump but you can advise someone to buy a Kia over BWM just because it's cheaper.

[@thep0ndman]

Thnx for the comment, we get lots of bias comments on here from people that bought an expensive pump and feel that they need to defend it as we have called them out on it, I’m sure you aren’t one of them but for the price there is is pretty much no difference and you are just waisting your money. BTW the satelittle version of oases pumps are pretty rubbish, we take them out of people pond quite regularly which just block, look unsightly, more pipe work and just something extra to mess around with. Bmw over a Kia how strange to compare that to to a pond pump wow

[@muppit666]

My biggest problem with the warranty from Oase is the only thing that can really go wrong with them, the impeller, (its the only moving part) is not covered by the warranty. The chances of anything going wrong with it is almost non existent. I can’t comment on the others.

[@gerrysones6833]

Important consideration is quality and longevity. Oase takes some beating if you take these considerations into account. I have a large pond and many pumps and bitter experience has taught me don’t go cheap.

[@thep0ndman]

Thanks for the comment. They are expensive for what they are, especially the "premium" range from oase in all fairness. Perhaps if they offered a 5 year warranty that could justify the extra cost.

[@peterdewfall11]

I bought on very expensive pump with 3+2 years warranty. Grate pump till 18 months in when it stopped .the local dealer lent me a pump till I got mine sorted after 3 days the dealer range to say my pump was back. When I got it there was a not saying that as I lived in the uk and that being a hard water area the garenty would not covered Evan though I got it from a dealer in the UK. Never again. If you read the small print

[@thep0ndman]

That’s bad news sorry to hear it. They should have swapped it out of good will. Which pump was it?

[@peterdewfall11]

@@thep0ndman a blagdon with now moving parts .magnetic I think but in the end I bought a cheap one .and it's still works 6 years later not on pond all the time now as it's water turnover as dropped along but I use it some times to move water or for water changes .

[@richardsandwell2285]

With pond pumps I despair a bit sometimes, they have certainly not kept up with the times. Before I started generating my own electricity I could not even afford the electricity to run a Fridge let alone have my Oase pump running all the time using 80 watts of power on top of all my other monthly out goings. Now that I am off grid and using Lead Acid batteries my current problem is having to use a mains pump at all, I only use an inverter when I need mains, everything else runs on 12 volt and few pond pumps of any size seem to, it means running a dedicated inverter with the usual nasty quiescent current draw of about an amp from the batteries. Managed to get a cheap 12volt 20watt pump off the internet, which seems to work great but apart from tiny water features, aquarist shops have not really embraced the world of solar power yet. The way forward with ponds is very low flow rates at night and in winter and higher flow rates when more solar is available. Also larger direct solar powered pumps from there own larger panels.

[@thep0ndman]

Yes they are quite pricey at the moment with current energy costs thanks for the comment

[@stormbroke]

Loving your videos. I’m from West Sussex. Would not have known of you without the vids. Keep it up. Very informative. Not sure if you are aware but Oase is a German brand and Oase is German for oasis.

[@thep0ndman]

thanks for the comment

[@jamesmgreen15]

Interesting. A friend has an amphibious pump. Pretty sure it's proud of the waterline but really close to the outtake and he seems to get away with it. Not suggesting you are wrong or giving advice, just that he seems to get away with it even when something blocks it. Sadly everything else he gets wrong thus far (after taking over running it), but that is a different story. The advice from the bricks and mortar Koi shop was don't get it wet - Incredible.

[@thep0ndman]

thanks for the comment james

[@judechopper]

I have 16,000 lt per hour au$600 Laguna, 5 years old, just replaced impeller $102, had 3 cheap pumps before that all lasting 2 years, I do have outdoor river with lots of debris, bog filter pond 2000litres, silver perch, koi, turtles, and Aussie Natives! All in 4 separate flowing ponds total 25m long 2 foot deep.

[@thep0ndman]

That sounds like a very interesting pond! Thanks for the comment

[@davefrancis2581]

Can these pumps also run a fountain head as well?

[@tropicaltanklover2160]

Fantastic video and learned something new... I'm new subscriber. I'm into aquariums (got 3 of them! 🙂) but am working on a wildlife pond in which I am going to put in a pump. Looking at purchasing a Swell branded pump which look remarkably like the Pontec ones which are made by Oase... I wonder 🤔

[@thep0ndman]

Haha yes same pumps, pretty good ones tbf for the price

[@connorguest2099]

Great video 😊You can run a amphibious dry too if it’s gravity fed

[@thep0ndman]

cheer thanks for the comment

[@chrisartis6317]

Generally any pump can

[@davidantony6146]

I have had an Oase aquamax classic pump for an amazing 25 years and it has just given up the ghost; and unfortunately Oase does not now stock the parts to repair it, but still, I have no complaints and have just replaced it with its contemporary equivalent. I have had friends buy cheaper pumps and they do not last much past the guarantee period, so, there is an extra dimension to this equation. The Pontec range you mentioned, made by Oase, is a great choice and will last, probably beyond the 3 year guarantee period, however they are made of slightly cheaper and lighter materials and do represent as much longevity in the long run. In my humble opinion the mid range Oase is the best buy and will last the longest compared to Pontec Pondo range and others, so I suppose you pay your money and make your choice, however, I always thought Oase premium range are overpriced for the so called extra benefits as you illustrated and avoid them like the plague, as I think it is a case of emperor's clothes and marketing from the manufacturers.

[@thep0ndman]

Thanks for the comment. You know what pumps are a strange product as some of the cheapies last and last and the pricey ones don’t then on the other hand a cheap one may not last the warranty etc. I guess some people may look after them better than others etc but yea mid range a safe bet but avoid the premium as there is no justification on the extra cost. Perhaps if they offered a 10 year warranty…🤔

[@davidantony6146]

Yes I agree that the premium ones should come with an extended, perhaps 10 year guarantee. You are also probably right that some people look after their pumps better that others; in my experience taking pumps out of the pond for winter, letting them dry out and storing them dry, usually spells premature failure and pump death. Curiously there seems to be Pontec clones on Swell UK which appear identical in every way to the PondoMax range with identical performance stats and guarantee period at a considerable saving and also made in Germany; I myself was tempted but, in the end, went to good old Oase aquamax classic which I feel is one of the best pumps on the market and represents good value with great service life, although, time will tell.

[@chrisartis6317]

Pontec is oase sub brand …nothing to do with swell and your original oase Aquamax if 25 yrs old was the asynchronous motor very reliable product

[@paulroberts9704]

Pondomax 11000 and 17000 have both these pumps been running for 8 years and no problems

[@thep0ndman]

Decent pumps at a decent price…hooorah

[@TController]

Excellent information, thank you.

[@Smog104]

I use the evolution aqua vari pumps compared to some you displayed they seem decent value and mine can run up to 20,000 litres an hour obviously you can alter the flow rate and run them dry

[@thep0ndman]

Thanks for the comment. If it’s a decent price then defo worth it! 👊

[@FredaFlynn2008]

Thanks again for a very informative video.

[@thep0ndman]

Our pleasure!

[@petelongrs]

The main consideration would be the flow rate? Big pond = bigger flow rate?

[@thep0ndman]

yes you would need a bigger pump etc but you can still use a budget option

[@lilu7427]

Thanks, very informative

[@thep0ndman]

You're welcome

[@dhewitt2514]

Hi, I have a DIY filter that is basically a barrel. It feeds from the bottom and exits at the top - obviously there is quite a bit of pressure needed to fill the barrel initially. The pump seems to do it fine but wonder if this setup could put too much strain on it?

[@thep0ndman]

It’s not the barrel etc that’s will strain the pump it’s the height above the surface of the pond. Depending on your pump, some pumps aren’t good at pumping too high, but if it’s working it should be fine cheers

[@dhewitt2514]

@@thep0ndman thank you - great channel btw

[@cowboyyoga]

Great video! Thank you for sharing )))

[@thep0ndman]

Thank you too

[@davidmelia7819]

I have the OASE Eco Premium didnt pay that much for it 5 yr ago.

[@thep0ndman]

Yes they are terribly expensive now

[@mick6427]

Hello mate, really good video,my question is off topic if you don’t mind answering, my pond temp this evening is 8.6 degrees, would it be ok to add a new koi or would I be better waiting until next year , thanks Mick

[@thep0ndman]

Hi mick you can add new koi if you need too, they won’t feed that much any way, if it’s a new pond I would wait if mature it will be fine just be stingy with feeding extra and keep an eye on water quality. If the wAter quality is good you can do pretty much what ever you want with koi cheers

[@mick6427]

Thanks for the reply, I’ve asked you because I knew I wouldn’t get a generic answer , pond is just over a year old and I’ve had fry already off the gold fish so water quality seams ok,

[@thep0ndman]

@@mick6427 yes should be fine don’t add too many and feed too much over next four weeks after

[@chrisartis6317]

To be fair I’d personally not be inclined to move or introduce new fish at a water temperature of below 12 degrees..23yrs on the retail side of the industry and we always stopped selling fish at below this water temperature

[@Zeamus634]

superfish eco plus E 8000 is £110 and uses 41 watts.

[@thep0ndman]

That pretty impressive thanks for the commentp

[@zachlittle1787]

My pump needed upgrading i got a superfish pond eco pump with controller 15000 are they any good not got it yet 😢paid 186.99😮

[@thep0ndman]

We have not used them but I have heard good things from other peoples comments

[@bionicftmprosthetics375]

Do you have a link for where I can purchase a 8000gph pump for $155pounds? The best I am able to find is $355

[@thep0ndman]

www.cotswoldkoi.co.uk/product/pontec-pondomax-eco-8000/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwrjkxdLH_AIVZoBQBh2N5AV-EAQYAyABEgKi3_D_BwE

[@ces69]

Look on eBay, usually a good selection available new and used!

[@stevealdridge8918]

Good video mate

[@thep0ndman]

Cheers bro

[@stevealdridge8918]

@@thep0ndman also I spoke with the technical team at Blagdon as they sponsor me at Gloucester Koi Rescue and he said the 6000 - 12000 amphibious even though says 6000 pretty much runs at 8000

[@Im2awesom]

The conclusion is completely wrong, you haven’t taken in consideration head hight. The premium give an unbelievable 6 meter head hight. And so many other factors you haven’t talked about. I sell hundreds of pumps a year. This is just to over simplified unfortunately

[@thep0ndman]

Yes you are correct most people need to pump 6m high so I was completely wrong my bad 🤣

[@Insolation1]

These a large ponds if they require 8000 lph.

[@thep0ndman]

Large to some small to others I guess cheers for the comment

[@keesslooten]

upwarts streaming (high pump)

[@thep0ndman]

thanks for the comment!

[@departe5672]

I have 2 fishponds in a L shape,each has 3000 litter...I am thinking about getting the OASE PONTEC PONDOPRESS 10.000 or Bermuda Box filter kit 9000 ...what you think I should get and why?Price range will be top 150 pounds fir pump and filter including the installation kit.. houses and other parts.Thank you!

[@thep0ndman]

If possible could you fit in a box style filter, Pontic do a range which could suite your budget. They tend to be more efficient and easier to backwash….