Pond Pumps

Hello all

I my mini pond container.. 60litres, 70"x40"x30".
It has three little fishies in it.

However, my tiny lotus pump/fountain is useless.
It doesn't flow properly no matter how many times i clean it out.
I just want a nice kinda babbling fountain, nothing spectacular.

Anyone advise me on a good long working pond pump?
Ideally one to use with fish in the pond - it's not just a water feature.
Preferably also low wattage - it doesn't need to be high for the small amount it is.

 

It's very difficult to find a small pump that works well and you need a small pump because you want to circulate the volume of the pond every 1 to 2 hours. Could you put an external filter under the bit on the left so that once the muck is out of the pond it stays out ? You could try feeding the fish less, you'd be amazed at how little they actually need and this time of year - when the frosts start stop feeding them completely. It sounds cruel but when the temperature drops they can't digest the food and it rots inside them.
Your floaty plants will die off if you don't take them out and put them somewhere frost free. (I read in your other post about the roots coming away)
Fingers crossed for your surviving fish.

 

I have taken out the hyacinths now, they are in a bucket trying to catch the sun and will move into a green house soon for winter. Hopefully they will make it into next year and re-join the pond!

I could have a look at something like that, yes. At the moment I do fish out most of the dirt and fish poop with my little net which seems quite effective. My parents might have a filter I can pinch as well.
I am still considering a new pump though..
Seen this: http://www.watergardeningdirect.com/acatalog/Lotus-Maximus-Eco-800-Fountain-Pumps.html
And http://www.swelluk.com/pond/pond-pu...mps-293/blagdon-minipond-pump-700-347823.html

But is 10watts still a bit much? Hmm.

 

It is an outside container, yes.
What would be the best thing to do over freezing periods?

I have had a look in B&Q and they all seemed a bit big.. I think the smallest was the Hozelock Cyprio 700, which i think is 11watts?

 

Would you suggest using the heater in place of the pond pump during the freezing times then? I only have one outdoor socket.

 

Yes, i've got it on a plastic rectangle container in the pond to keep it off the bottom

 

Well thanks a lot for the advice Armandii.
Having looked into heaters though, i have decided not to get one. My pond is so small, it seems silly sticking in such a high wattage instrument into the pond and too costly (being only 60litre's).

I am going to wrap it up with bubble wrap though, and create a slanted frame with doubled up bubble wrap to place over the top of my tub to shield it and insulate it from the frost and snow. Hopefully that will help work, along with my pump going to circulate the water and hopefully keep an opening for gases.

I have had a go on a fishkeeping forum in regards to advice, but have been told my fish will not survive long term in my small tub, and that they certainly will die over this winter if i do not either move them into a large pond or bring them inside. Both are not really possible - moving them inside i will have problems filtrating them as they will come back awake, and there is no large pond for me to move them to nor a more sheltered shed type area.
So i am going to try the best i can in keeping them alive. As long as the tub does not freeze right through i stand a chance, i think.

I've already stopped feeding my fish a week or so back. I think they have gone into hibernation by my grass as they seem to spend all their time there now.

 

Thanks Armandii - I feel a little more positive now!

I did wonder why it seemed so doomed, but yet some people honestly keep goldfish in a bowl with no pumps of filters - they seem to be okay. Perhaps if it does start to get a bit worrying I could unfreeze the top with some hot water and then consider getting a large plastic container or keep glass tank to move them inside for the worst part of the weather. Would they then be okay with their oxygenating plants in the tank?

 

Yeah, that's what i had planned. Just the one move if it gets that bad.
Hmm.. I will just have to keep an eye on the tub closely so that if emergency fish removal happens, it happens before it's too late to get to them!

I don't know. What are the chances of a 60litre tub freezing completely through?