This pump is rated at 1000 gph for 500-1000 gallon ponds, but it's more suitable for 500 gallon ponds as it's rather weak. The pump is tiny, but it works well so far. If you have a pond that's more than 500 gallons, get the next pump up which is the Tetra 1900 gph pump which is for ponds of 1000-1500 gallons.
I like the fact this pump has a hose intake and Tetra sells a bunch of different pre-filters that are more or less modular. I've attached a skimmer and a pre-filter to this pump with a piece of T-tube coupling and am pretty pleased with the results so far. And gallon for gallon, this appears to be the best deal.
Update: I had to go to the hardware store to find step up and down adapters because the filters and the pump had different size hoses but I've found that Laguna sells hose fittings and adapters that make connections between different sized hoses a snap. Just follow the links below:
Laguna Y-Connector Supplied with 3 Click-Fit Connectors, 1-1/4-Inch
Laguna Multi Hose Adapter, 3/4 to 1-1/2-Inch
Pros:
1) Price.
2) Modular design. I've had a lot of fun adding different types of filters to it, in fact I'm having so much fun that I'm building my own larger filter for it.
3) I've read on a forum that Tetra products has fantastic customer service. I hope I don't have to use it myself but this pump has a 3 year warranty and that particular forumer said he got his pump replaced with a better one and even got extras thrown in. The fact that Tetra pond has an 800 number listed and people on the phone to help sounds great. Also, Tetra has been around for a long time, about 20 years that I know of.
This pump is excellent for what we needed in our above pond. We have approximately 500 gallon pond and it works amazingly well.
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This is exactly the type of pump I was looking for. This pump is submersible but it can also be used as a non-submersible. I live in the tropics and submersibles tend to heat up the water so I was able to connect this one so that just the intake is below the water's surface. I then connected a homemade filter box, on the bottom of the pond, to the intake with a hose. This way, the back end of the pump is above the water surface and shouldn't heat the water as much.
My pond is only about 130 gallons but with the 5-foot lift to the filter/water-fall this pump is too small. I should have bought the next size up.
09/10/12: The output nipple broke at the base. When you first get your pump you may want to re-enforce the base of the nipple with some waterproof epoxy. I was actually able to fix mine. I used a one-inch piece of 1/2 inch PVC pipe and a screw in brass nipple. The plastic base of the broken nipple fits into the PVC pipe. So, I glued it in. I had to heat the other end of the pipe to stick the threaded base of the brass nipple into the pipe. I pressure clamped it while hot then took the clamp off after it was cool. It's not pretty but better then new!
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My water garden is 14 years old and is in direct sun all day .The pond is 12 X 15 feet and 2.5 feet deep ( 3 feet in the middle).I use the Tetra in pond skimmer, a UV light and a net over it to keep the herons out.
I have two pumps in my water garden/Koi pond, one for the filter (a 4,000 gph) and one for the water falls (1,000gph).
Last year I purchased a new Beckett water falls pump for $150 it lasted 3 months I will never ever buy one again.
This Tetra pump is great, just right for the waterfalls, I have had it about a month hooked it up,plugged it in and viola runs great, very easy to install. I have always liked Tetra products my filter is also by Tetra .Both pumps run 24/7 /365 days a year. I also run an air pump 24/7/365. .It is a good price a quality product and a company that stands behind their products should their be a problem. Highly recommend.
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Works very well with my IBC aquaponics set up. My bell siphon works with this water pressure coming in the tank. Perfect flow of water and GPH for an IBC aquaponics set up. It says it has 3 year warranty. I surely hope it lasts that long. I'll post an update if I remember. Great price by the way
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It is a sturdy wall decoration that looks great underwater. I like the colors and the swim holes. I am using as the main piece in a five gallon hex though it could certainly be used in any size larger tank as well. It is the exact size for the effect that I was looking for. Will add picture as well.
