Solar Powered Pumps For Ponds

Should I Choose A Solar Powered Pond Pump Or An Electrical Pond Pump

In truth, this is the question we see most frequently, and the answer depends on what you’re expecting from the pump.

If you’re simply looking to power a water fountain in a backyard pond, most people will find solar pumps to be more than sufficient.

If you want it to power the main filtration system in a koi pond, I can pretty much guarantee you won’t be happy with the result because koi ponds need continuous filtration. And as we mentioned earlier, if your pond relies on an air pump to keep its oxygen levels in a safe range, a solar pump won’t be your best option. Unless you can be absolutely sure that enough energy is stored in the battery during the day and the system continues through the night, a solar pond pump won’t be enough to support a healthy ecosystem in these circumstances. We have a complete guide on how to aerate a pond without electricity for more information and other aerating options if this interests you.

So again, in many cases, an electrical pond pump will be required. However, this isn’t to say that a solar pump can’t support any features you decide to add in a larger pond that already has an electrical pump installed.

Best Solar Water Pump Kits For Your Fountain Pond Birdbath Fish Tank Or Hydroponic System

Before we start, keep in mind that all the products listed below will only work under constant, direct sunlight unless it comes with a battery.

For our solar well pump reviews, we looked at each products performance, reliability, and ease of use. The top three choices were tough calls. But ultimately, we chose them based on their overall practicality.

Choosing the best solar water pump kit was not easy because of the tough competition. But in the end, we chose the one that provides the complete package. Heres a preview of whats in the box and how to set it up.

The AISITIN solar water pump combines our budget picks floatability with our high flow picks separate solar panel. Plus, you get a decent backup battery.

Unlike other batteries that take a few seconds to start working, this one works instantly when the device detects unideal sun conditions. But despite the smart feature, the extra power source only provides enough juice to let a few clouds pass.

The 2-hour battery life is not the only winning feature of our top solar water pump pick. It also has a safety feature that automatically kicks in whenever the water levels are low, saving the device from short-circuiting.

Although this best solar powered water pump fountain has many spray patterns to choose from, the small parts are easy to lose. Thats where the budget picks rotating nozzles have the upper hand. All in all, you get a little bit of everything with this solar water pump kit.

Lewisia Solar Air Pump Kit

• Comes with a pair of air stones
• Three working modes for you to choose from
• 2.5W solar panel for fast charging
• Easy to install due to its practical design
• Built-in battery to store energy for later use

• Some users have experienced quality control issues

Lewisia is known for producing high-quality and power-efficient products. Hence, they are quite popular among homeowners.

The Lewisia solar air pump kit comes in 4 different versions that you can choose from. This includes the 1.5W, the 2W, the 2.5W or the 5W version. Both the 1.5w and 2w kit comes with a USB cable. All versions, however, come with a solar panel, an air aerator, two air hoses and two air stones, and connecting tubing. This review will focus on the 2.5W version.

What I like the most about this solar air pump kit is its power. The panel is also adjustable up to a 180-degree angle, allowing it to get the best position to absorb sunlight.

Moreover, the product also boasts a reliable and consistent performance due to its built-in battery. With this, you can still use the air pump kit even at night time or in bad weather conditions.

When fully charged, the Lewisia solar pump can work up to 20 hours. With this, you wouldnt have to charge the unit constantly.

Another thing I like about this solar air pump kit is its design. The kit already contains all the components you will need in setting up. Your only job is to connect these parts, which are relatively easy due to its three-step installation process.

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Viajero 3w Solar Fountain Pump

Next up, we have another affordable option on this list that is offered by Viajero. Its one of the best-rated brands in the market and is also highly trustworthy as it sells a variety of solar-powered equipment.

Starting with its solar panel, this solar water pump comes with a small-sized solar panel that offers 3W power and is highly convenient to install as you can simply stick it in the ground anywhere in your garden. On the other hand, if you are not fond of installing the solar panel into the ground, it also offers you a wall-mounting option as well. Apart from that, the solar panel, as well as the water pump, is rated to have a lifespan of 10,000 hours which is pretty good. Hence, it shows that despite its low pricing, Viajero didnt compromise much on the quality of this solar water pump.

Since its a solar water pump meant for birdbaths, the size of the pumps is pretty small, so it can be easily installed and submerged into water. Moreover, Viajero offers you a total of 7 different spray heads with this water pump that you can use as you like. In fact, the flow rate of the pump can be adjusted to have a spray height between 16-24 inches which makes it suitable for all sizes of birdbaths. Speaking of the water flow, the max water flow rate offered by this pump is about 150 liters per hour or 0.66 gallons per minute which is pretty decent.

Best Features:

Pros:

• Features a 10ft long cord
• Plenty of spray heads to choose from

Cons:

How To Choose A Solar Pond Pump

You don’t want to be stuck with a solar-powered pump that’s just not going to do what you want it to. So, before ordering a new solar pump for your pond, ask yourself these questions.

How much sunlight do I need?

If you’re like most, you’re probably wondering how much sunlight you actually need to power the pump. Does the sun need to shine directly onto the solar panel for it to work effectively? Does a cloudy day prevent the pump from working completely?

Ultimately, it’s more about the sun’s energy than the shine itself. Over the course of an average day, the sun’s energy will vary somewhat. At midday, it will peak in intensity, and this is where the output will optimize on a clear day. As the afternoon progresses and the sun starts to fall, the output will slowly decrease until it stops completely at night.

Though buildings, trees, clouds, and other obstructions can slow output, they don’t necessarily halt it altogether . With some light cloud cover, some devices will still offer at least 50% efficiency. For your pump, it’s likely to keep a reasonable flow until the sun drops too low or the clouds get too thick, thus blocking the solar energy needed to power the pump.

Is a solar pond pump powerful enough?

In our experience, 1,000 gallons seems to be the maximum for solar pumps if it’s the sole pump in the pond. If you want to simply add extra features to your larger pond, you can certainly use a solar pump .

Do I need a solar-powered pond pump with battery backup?

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Latitop Solar Water Pump

• Practical design which makes it easy to use
• Built-in 3.7 mAH battery to provide sufficient charge
• Four integrated nozzle sprays to choose from
• Auto-off feature for users safety and convenience

• No LED lights as found in similar models
• Requires a minimum depth of 1.2 inches to work

Compared to other water pumps, LATITOP has innovatively combined both the solar panel and water pump into a sleek, smooth black disc. With this, you wont have to worry about the added weight of separate components as well as the hassle of having multiple wires.

Not to mention, this design is also convenient. With this, you can easily install and transport the productto any location. You just need to slide this 6.3-inched disc into your water fixture of choice, and youre done. The water pump will automatically start working after getting at least 3 seconds of direct sunlight exposure.

LATITOPs solar water pump has also integrated its spray nozzles in the disc, rotating the nozzle will change the water pattern. LATITOP offers four different spray styles, with up to 50cm-70cm jet heights.

Another thing I like about the LATITOP solar water pump is its power. Compared to other similar models, this unit comes with a 180mm x 3mm solar panel with a power of 2.4w. With this, the panel can sufficiently collect and convert enough solar power to make it perform even on cloudy days.

Different Types Of Solar Powered Pumps

First and foremost, you’ll find two different types of solar-powered pond pumps on the market. It’s important to understand the difference between these two.

Solar Fountain Pumps

Arguably, the most common of all solar pond pumps are the solar fountain pump. They typically include everything you’ll need to be up and running quickly, including a fountainhead , the pump itself, and a solar panel.

While there are multiple ways to install a solar fountain pump, which we’ll get into in the next section, they all essentially operate the same by pumping water out of the pond and up and out the fountainhead using power supplied by the sun.

Don’t expect a lot of water height to come out of a solar-powered fountain, though it’s typically more than enough for any smaller pond or water garden.

Solar Air Pumps

As the name suggests, this pump has one goal in mind to add oxygen to the water.

Rather than powering certain water features, the solar panels collect energy, which powers the pump that simply adds oxygen to the pond water. For those without a water feature, this oxygenation can be incredibly helpful because it can improve the water quality . For those with a waterfall or fountain, this may not be necessary.

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Quality Components Dependable Performance

Unlike other solar pond pumps we have tried, the new PondMax solar pumps are more heavy duty and built to last. These kits include everything you need for quick and easy installation in your pond or water feature.

• Reliable, brush-less pump motor
• Dry-run protection to prevent pump damage in low water conditions
• Comes with 18V solar panel and 16 quick-connect cable
• Includes fountain nozzle set with 2 spray patterns
• Operates in direct sunlight, no power outlet required

Best Solar Fountain Pumps At A Glance

Generally, the larger the fountain, the higher the fountain pumps flow rate you need to run it. The flow rate of a solar fountain pump is typically measured in gallons per hour and varies from one product to another, and it defines how much water the pump can produce within a certain period.

Corrosion resistance is invaluable to the longevity and integrity of a solar water fountain pump. The solar-powered fountain pump will be spending a lot of time around or in water, and without some form of corrosion resistance, it wont be long before it goes bad. Some manufacturers galvanize the fountain pumps while others saturate the pump with a slight electrical charge to ensure this does not happen.

For solar-powered fountain pumps, the maximum lift and jet height are vital. The lift defines the maximum height through which the pump can push water from the water source. The jet height reflects how far up the pump can shoot water through the fountainhead. If the lift and the jet height of a pump are too low, the pump will never push water out of the fountainhead as you would like.

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W Solar Water Pump Kit

In case you are interested in buying a water pump for your gardens birdbath, AEO is one of the most trusted brands which is quite popular for selling such types of solar water pumps at reasonable prices.

Its a solar water pump kit that comes with a 10W solar panel that is highly efficient and eco-friendly. If you are concerned about the installation, you can do it easily on your own as all the accessories are included in the package and everything is fairly simple to connect or join. Apart from that, the solar panel comes with a durable aluminum frame that protects it and ensures its longevity. With that said, the pump, as well as the solar panel, are rated to work fine even after 20,000 hours of usage.

Apart from that, the max flow rate offered by this solar water pump is about 891 liters per hour, so it looks pretty beautiful as the fountain height is very good. Moreover, the pump comes with a 16ft long cord which is sufficient for most installations. Not just that, you also get up to 3 different spray heads with the pump as well. On top of that, the brand also offers a 1-year long warranty for this solar water pump which makes it a highly reliable choice for you to pick.

Best Features:

• Has a lifespan of 20,000 hours
• Comes with 3 different water style sprays
• Offers max flow rate of 891 liters per hour
• Features a 10W solar panel
• Comes with a 1-year warranty

Pros:

Cons:

Primrose 1200lph Solar Pump + Lights

A very powerful solar powered fountain pump kit which comes with solar pump, multiple fountain heads, integrated battery AND LED lights! The Primrose solar pump kit operates at a mighty 1200 LPH and can create a fountain display of several meters on a full battery charge. The pump is powered by a high quality 10 watt solar panel which is also attached to a battery pack providing up to 5-6 hours of operation after a good day of sunlight. The pump comes with 4 different fountain head displays as well as sturdy plastic stakes to secure everything in place.

Alongside the powerful pump and long-lasting battery pack, the kit also comes with 5 LED lights, as well as different mods of operation so you can customize the display. The lights provide a fantastic backdrop to enhance the fountain itself, and since theyre solar powered, they wont cost you a penny extra to run! The battery is also one of the best weve seen, which switches on automatically during low-light conditions and holds a considerably long charge for its small size, allowing up to almost 6 hours of night-time/overcast operation. There is even a dedicated winter mode , which optimizes the panel for winter/low-light conditions and allows a continuous display all year around.

• Solar Panel: 10 watts

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Solar Pump Comparison Chart

*Buying through links in this chart may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you.

How Much Light Do They Need

Like many solar panels, they need direct sunlight to work. Too little light and the pumps will slow down. No light and the pumps will stop altogether.

In times of no light, your pump if fitted with a battery back up will automatically switch to battery power and continue to run. Depending on the model this can range from 1-10 hours running on battery power only.

Really good models , charge the batteries through the day when the light is good. So, you get continual running both day and night.

As most solar panel pond pumps are used to run a water feature only and are not relied on to sustain life, its not vital that they run through the night or in low light. They are mainly used for decoration and fun.

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The Comprehensive Guide To Selecting The Right Solar Pond Pump

Image Source: www.gardenersheaven.co.uk

Solar pond pumps are becoming increasingly popular in the United States after having enjoyed startling success across Africa and Southeast Asia. Of course, in those places, solar powered pumps are almost a necessity in the United States, as the drive for greater eco-consciousness meets the need to pay less on monthly energy bills, theyre rapidly replacing their more electricity-hogging counterparts.

When searching for the right solar pond pump, there are several important factors that need to be considered in order to match the appropriate pump for its application:

What Is A Solar Pond Pump

A solar pond pump is an eco-friendly alternative to a battery-powered pond pump that is used to pump water around the pond. Generally, you find the solar pond pump placed on a pond shelf or ledge upon the liner of the pond.

This type of pump is usually more expensive than the conventional pumps due to the additional cost of the solar panel. However, they are considered cheaper in the longer terms as they save you reasonable bucks in your electricity bills.

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