- Turn off bottom drains, if possible
- Place intakes to pumps and filters at mid-water
- Place intakes closer to waterfalls or fountains
- Turn off Surface Skimmers
- Turn your pump down to a lower speed
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Troubleshooting Your Pond Pump
1. Check the circuit
breaker on your electrical panel that supplies the power to your pump. Try
resetting the power or switching between “on” and “off” positions to see if
this corrects any issues.Wednesday, October 17, 2012
What Do Fish Do All Winter? How Do They Survive?
Wednesday, October 03, 2012
Top Five Fall Backyard Pond Purchases
What are some of the purchases you need to make when fall
approaches? Use our guide below to help you purchase what you will need to prep
your backyard pond for winter:- Leaf netting – After you work hard to clean your pond and prepare it for winter, make sure no other debris accumulates in it by using leaf netting.
- Pond heater – A pond heater or de-icer will help prevent the top of your pond from freezing. This is especially important if you have fish hibernating in your pond during the winter months.
- Heated water hose – A heated water hose is important if your area experiences freezing weather during winter. This hose can melt ice and regain its flexibility.
- Aeration kit – This can help release toxic gases and replenish the fresh oxygen in your pond during the freezing months of winter.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Why Do I Need a Pond Pump for my Water Garden?

Circulate Water
Limit Bacteria Growth
Assist Filtration
Drive Water Features
Monday, July 02, 2012
How to Add Oxygen to Your Backyard Water Garden
Oxygenating Your Pond
- Pond pumps keep water moving constantly in your backyard pond and make a practical solution to filtering your water and oxygenating your water.
- Water features are another simple way to introduce oxygen to your pond water. Using waterfalls, fountains and other devices constantly aerate your pond water
- Airstones are designed to bubble air into your water to keep oxygen at sufficient levels throughout the warmer months.
- Decreasing plant life is another way to increase oxygen levels. Oftentimes, your plants grow more during the warmer months, which could be depleting your pond of precious oxygen.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
How to Clean Up After a Storm

- Your plants are dying and you are not properly cleaning out the debris
- Mother Nature took her chance to wreak havoc on your pond surface
- Crevices in your pond liner are hiding dirt and sludge
- Your rocks are hiding bacteria and muck
*Photo courtesy of Slawek Puklo via Flickr.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Fish Safety Around Pond Pumps

How can you keep your fish protected from the pond pump in your backyard pond? Fish safety is an important aspect of being a pond-owner. It is your responsibility to properly feed your fish and protect them from weather fluctuations and unclean or unsafe water conditions.
Having a pond pump is a necessary component to keeping your backyard pond clean and clear. However, it’s also important to understand how to place your pond fixtures to ensure your pond pump won’t harm your fish.
By placing your pond pump in a larger pond, your fish will have more room to swim around without every interfering with the pump. Properly placed rocks and water decorations can also help keep your pond pump away from your fish.
It’s important to only add as many fish as your backyard pond can handle. By adding only two to three fish at a time you can see how they acclimate themselves to the pond and decide if any more fish will fit. Over time, you will be able to more easily determine how many fish fit in your backyard pond without interfering with your existing water garden and pond pump.
Looking for a new pond pump? The newer the pond pump you have the better it will protect your fish and your backyard garden. Shop the Pondliner.com collection of functional pond pumps to find one that will work with your backyard.
*Image courtesy of P_Linehan via Flickr.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Top Ten Tips for Building Your Dream Backyard Pond

If you are looking for a way to turn your backyard into an escape from the everyday, you know a backyard pond is the way to go. And you also know that when installing a backyard pond, you need to consult the experts at Pondliner.com.
While there are a million different things you need to know when creating a backyard pond or water garden, there are ten basic tips that will help you break down the process into manageable chunks. And with spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning your backyard getaway.
- Plan your pond – Make sure you have a large enough area for a pond and ensure that the soil is stable enough to support one.
- Determine your depth – If you are considering fish in your backyard pond, it’s important that you have enough depth to allow the fish to hibernate during the winter months.
- Purchase pond supplies – A pond supplies kit can be a great way for you to guarantee you have the pond supplies you need to start your backyard pond.
- The thicker the liner, the better – When it comes to lining your backyard pond, spare no expense. Your liner should be thick and contour nicely to protect against tears and pebbles.
- Incorporate oxygen – Incorporating a waterfall, fountain or pond pump into your backyard pond is a necessity. By circulating the water, pond pumps and waterfalls prevent algae from growing and mosquitoes from laying eggs.
- Use edging – Proper edging can ensure your pond looks natural and fits with the current landscaping in your yard. You can purchase natural rocks and plants at any pond supplies store to hide exposed liner
- Invest in quality pond supplies – When it comes to the maintenance of your pond, it’s important to invest in all the pond supplies and essentials you need to maintain a clean pond.
- Choose the right pond pump – There are a variety of available pond pumps on the market and it is important that you choose the right size for your pond. Understand that backyard ponds with fish have to be run constantly.
- Build a curb around your pond – By creating a curb around your backyard pond or water garden, you can prevent any chance of an overflow during heavy rains.
- Choose Pondliner.com – You can trust the experts at Pondliner.com will help you find the perfect pond supplies you need to create a backyard pond that suits you and your yard perfectly.
Take this backyard project one step at a time! Shop Pondliner.com today for quality pond pumps and the pond supplies you need to create your backyard oasis.
*Image provided by cwwycoff1
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Put the Spring Back in Your Yard with Spring Pond Supplies

While it may seem hard to believe, spring is just around the corner. The first official day of spring is March 20th. That gives you just over a month to start putting the spring back in your yard with pond supplies and pumps from Pondliner.com.
What do we suggest you do to prepare for spring? The second the snow melts and the temperature starts to change, it’s time for you to prepare your pond for the warmer months ahead. Pondliner.com is happy to help you shop for all the pond supplies you need to get your backyard in shape for spring and summer.
While every backyard koi pond and water garden is going to have different needs, there are some general preparations you should make as spring approaches:
- “De-winterize” your pond by turning on your pond pump and replacing your dirty pond filter
- Clean your pond filter and check your pond pump to ensure both are in proper working order
- Begin feeding your fish once the water temperature in your pond returns to a consistent 50 degrees – simply invest in cold weather food
- Remove any debris that accumulated during winter using pond supplies such as a pond vacuum or pond skimmer
- Fertilize your existing plants and consider purchasing any new plants for your pond
Keep in mind that when spring is on the horizon, it may be a good time to invest in a variety of pond supplies you will need during the summer months. Because when you are in the middle of cleaning your pond or trying to “de-winterize” it, you don’t want to find out you’re missing the pond supplies you need.
Now is the perfect time to start investing in fertilizer, cold weather fish food, pond skimmers, a pond vacuum and other warm weather essentials.
Need further instructions about how to get your pond back in shape for spring? Check out the instructional Pondliner.com video on preparing your water garden pond for spring.
*Image provided by Andrea_44
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Why Pond Pumps and Pond Heaters Cannot be Friends

Your pond pump and your pond heater. Both essential parts of your backyard water garden. Both incredibly important to you. Both necessary for your pond life’s health and happiness.
So why can’t they just get along?
Well, as it turns out, it’s not that pond heaters and pond pumps don’t want to be friends. It’s just that they are not designed to work together.
Pond heaters are thermostatically controlled. They pump out heat to keep an area of your ponds’ surface free of ice. This allows critical gas exchanges to occur, without which your pond life would suffer and possibly die.
So how does your pond pump get in the way? It’s by no fault of its own, but pond pumps are designed to keep water constantly moving in your pond, and this causes problems for pond heaters.
Think about it. If your pond pump is consistently moving cold water around, your pond heater is going to go crazy trying to heat that water. It will pump out tons and tons of electricity/energy, but there will always be more cold water coming at it. It will be a never-ending cycle, and you will not get the results you are really looking for.
Basically, you need to choose one or the other. If you live in an area that doesn’t get incredibly cold during winter, you can probably get away with leaving your pond pump running year-round, which will keep your pond water moving and eliminate the need for a heater. However, if you consistently get ice forming on the surface of your pond, using a pond heater during the coldest months is your best bet for keeping your pond life healthy.
Have questions about pond pumps and pond heaters? Wondering which one your pond needs more this winter? Contact one of our pond supplies representatives today.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Get Great Deals on Pond Supplies at the Bargain Basement
In case you weren’t aware, Pondliner.com has a Bargain Basement that features all kind of great pond supplies at discounted prices. What’s better than getting a brand new pond pump? Getting a brand new pond pump at a great price!- Pond pumps
- Pond heaters / pond deicers
- Pond lights
- Pond filters
- UV sterilizers/clarifiers
- Pond liners / pond underlay
- Pond skimmers
- Pond vacuums
Monday, September 12, 2011
How to Keep Your Pond Pump from Clogging this Fall

Your pond pump is an essential part of what keeps your favorite ecosystem functioning. During the fall, it has to work extra hard to try to combat all the leaves, sticks and other falling debris bombarding your pond on a daily basis.
Because of all the falling debris, your pump would probably need to be cleaned out daily just to keep the water flowing. Not only is that a time-consuming process, but it can really disturb the ecosystem you’ve worked so hard to create.
Since your pond pump takes care of your fish and pond plants, what can you do to take care of it during this strenuous season?
You can change the size of your filter screen, but if you have a significant amount of debris coming off the trees around your pond, it’s unlikely that this will make much of a difference. A better idea is to get in there and give your pump an extra hand. Instead of waiting for it to filter everything, you can manually clear out the leaves and other material a couple times a week.
Using a pond skimmer can get things on the surface, but you can even go a step further and remove matter from the pond floor using a swimming pool leaf-raking net, or some other similar device. This will cloud the water temporarily, so you may want to follow it by exchanging out some of the pond water.
If you find that this isn’t enough to combat all the crazy debris falling off the trees and plants in your backyard, you may even want to consider redirecting your pond pump system outside of your pond to an external basin. Sink your basin of choice into the ground a few feet away from your pond. You can connect it to your pond either with an underground pipe, or an aboveground PVC pipe. By placing your pond pump inside this basin, the water will be drawn into it, and the accompanying debris will be trapped.
Take care of your pond pump this fall, and it will take care of you. For more tips on how to stay on top of pond maintenance for this busy season, contact a pond supplies professional today.
*Image provided by Wonderlane on Flickr.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Seasonal Pond Pump Maintenance

Taking care of your pump is not a one-time endeavor. It’s important to do seasonal pond pump maintenance to make sure that it your machine is properly prepared for the conditions that come with changing temperatures.
Fall
During fall you’ll need to be extra vigilant about removing leaves and other falling debris from the surface of your pond. If this detritus is allowed to pile up, it has the potential to clog your pond pump's filter, which can result in all kinds of nasty problems.
Winter
Unless you live in a very temperate climate (in which case you probably aren’t interested in an article about seasonal pond pump maintenance), winter is a time for shutting down your pump and storing it. If your pond has the potential to freeze, you don’t want your pump anywhere near it. Frozen water can cause internal pump pieces to freeze and break.
Spring
Your pond pump has been in storage for a while, so examine it closely for signs of damage or wear. Look at the power cord and cables, filter, pump housing and the complete exterior. Then give the pump a thorough cleaning from the inside out. Get rid of any accumulated dirt or grime, especially inside the pump where the impeller is housed.
Summer
The only maintenance that must be done during summer is cleaning. The frequency with which you should clean your pump will vary based on the size of your pond and its location in your yard. Be proactive about cleaning to keep your pump in optimal working condition.
Have questions about your pond pump or other important pond supplies? Contact us today.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Quick Fixes for Your Pond Pump

If your pond pump starts malfunctioning, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to purchase a replacement. Some of the problems that occur have a quick fix, and you may be able to take care of them on your own.
What to do when your pond pump starts acting up:
- The first thing you want to do is clean it. If algae, dirt or debris has built up, it may be blocking the pump or otherwise preventing it from functioning properly. My last post was all about cleaning your pond pump, so refer to that for additional instructions.
- The next thing you want to look at is water level. If it’s not at the right level, it may be preventing your pump from functioning properly. Water levels that are too low can cause your pump to make weird noises, while those that are too high can cause overflowing. You want your pump to be submerged, but your pond does not need to be filled to the brim.
- Are you hearing a weird vibrating noise? If your pump is hitting up against the water basin, that could be the cause. Place a small rubber kitchen mat beneath your pump to take care of this minor problem.
- Finally, you always want to examine the tubing. If it is too small, place the connecting end in boiling water for a few minutes. Immediately after removing it, place it over the pond pump tube outlet. As it shrinks it will form a watertight seal. If it’s too small, purchase a corkscrew clamp to hold it in place. If neither of these solutions work, you can always buy new tubing. Although this is a slightly more expensive option, it is still more affordable than completely replacing the pump.
As you can see, many pond pump issues can be fixed without requiring you to invest much time or money. The biggest factor in keeping your pond fully functioning is to monitor its performance. As soon as you notice a problem, take the proper steps to identify it. If it’s a quick fix, follow our suggestions above. If you need assistance, contact one of our pond supplies experts for more information.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Cleaning Your Pond Pumps: Why, How and When

The month of August is going to be all about pond pumps. We’re going to talk about how to clean them, how to care for them and how to make sure they work effectively in your pond for years to come.
Let’s start with cleaning. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my years of being a pond enthusiast, it’s that cleaning your pond supplies is the key to keeping them working effectively.
This is definitely true when it comes to pond pumps. They are the heart of any successful water garden, because they aerate the water and circulate it through a filtration system to keep it clean.
Follow the tips below to make sure you keep your pond pump sparkling clean and in great working condition:
- Unplug your pump from its power supply to prevent the possibility of electrocution.
- Gently remove the pump from the water (do not yank or pull aggressively)
- Dismantle all parts of the pump and lay them out individually.
- Clean each piece separately using only water. It’s best to use existing pond water as opposed to tap water so you don’t disrupt the ecosystem. DO NOT use any chemicals or cleaning agents. IMPORTANT NOTE: when cleaning your pond pump filter, rinse only about one-fourth of the media with water. Some of the bacteria that grows in your filter is beneficial to your pond, so you don't want to eliminate all of it.
- Check the hose to see if there are any blockages, and clean them out if necessary.
- Make sure all cables and wiring running from the pump are well connected and don't show any signs of damage. Repair or replace if needed.
- Reassemble the pump and return it to its proper place in your water garden.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
How to Use Pond Pumps to Create Stand-Out Water Features
- Streams
- Waterfalls
- Fountains
- Spitters
But with dozens of pumps to choose from, how can you know which is best for your feature? While our pond supplies experts can help you find the right pump for your pond, you can get a good idea of what range you’ll be looking at by taking the following steps.
- Run a standard garden hose through your feature. The average 5/8” garden hose pumps between 850 and 900 gallons per hour (GPH). Running the hose through your feature will give you a good baseline to determine how much more or less power your pump will need to provide.
- Factor in head height. When browsing water pumps, you’ll notice GPH listings for different head heights. Head height refers to the number of feet of pipe the pump has to push water through. In head height, every vertical foot equals one foot, while every 10 horizontal feet equals one foot. So a pump that is located 20 feet from the feature and needs to push water four feet to the surface has a head height of six feet.
- Understand the feature. Most manufactured features like fountains and spitters list GPH recommendations. If you’re running water over a ledge to create a waterfall, however, the power depends on your taste. Most experts recommend pumping 100 GPH over every four inches of ledge for a trickle, two inches of ledge for medium flow and one inch of ledge for a dramatic effect.
Thinking about using a pump to liven up your pond this summer? Call one of our pond experts at (866) 766-3548 to narrow down your options.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Pondliner Promotions: Rack up the Pond Supplies Savings
From May 12th to May 25th, Pondliner is running promotions on four different kinds of pond supplies. You can save up to 25% on items from top brands such as Little Giant and CrystalClear. - Blackwater Gold Koi Food - 20% off
- Little Giant Flex Pumps - 10% off
- CrystalClear Biological Clarifier - 20% 0ff
- Koi and Goldfish - 25% off
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Pondliner Promotions: Cash in on Pond Supplies Savings Now

In the second half of April, Pondliner is running several great promotions on some of your favorite springtime pond supplies. You can save up to 25% on products that help get your pond ready for the warm weather that's ahead.
- 10% off Alpine Cyclone pond pumps
- 15% off Alpine LED lights
- 20% off Pond Care AlgaeFix and EcoFix
- 25% off koi and goldfish
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Pond Pump Feature of the Week: Shinmaywa Pumps
- Reliable and efficient functions
- Durable design
- Corrosion-resistant structure
- Continuous-duty motor
- Cast aluminum bearing housing
- Long life span
- Low operating cost



