When researching how to best care for your water garden, you’ll encounter several components called pond pumps. This term usually refers to mechanisms that transport pond water to filters, waterfalls, fountains, or water features. However, there are different types of pond pumps that you should know about.
Pond Water Pumps
Pond water pumps for water gardens are essential for circulating and filtering water. They are used to transport water from the pond to a filtration system or feature, such as a waterfall, fountain, or spitter. Water pumps may either be submersible or external, depending on the model and setup.
Water garden pumps contain impellers powered by one of the following mechanisms:
- Direct Drive: Suitable for moving high water volumes, the impeller is connected directly to the motor for maximum power.
- Magnetic Drive: Seal-less water pumps that are better for lower volume applications; in these systems, a set of magnets is attached to the motor and impeller to drive motion.
- Asynchronous: A hybrid pump design that combines the efficiency of magnetic drive with the power of direct drive, asynchronous pumps are ideal for mid-size ponds and waterfalls.
Our pond experts created a pond pump calculator guide to help you choose the right pump for your pond.
Pond Air Pumps
Pond aeration pumps, also known as pond bubblers, transport air from the atmosphere into the water column. Water garden aerators achieve this by using either a compressor or diaphragm to pull air in and send it to diffusers located on the pond’s bottom.
A compressor air pump can move high volumes of air deep beneath the surface, making it ideal for large ponds. A diaphragm air pump is much more efficient and quiet but only suitable for smaller, shallower ponds and water gardens.
Other Types of Pond Pumps
Two special types of pond water pumps you will likely need in your water garden are solids handling pumps and pre-filter pumps.
Solids pumps are robust water pumps that can handle small debris without additional wear and tear on the impellers. They are the driving forces in pond vacuums and debris skimmers.
Submersible pre-filter pumps sit in the water before the filter to block larger debris from entering the filtration system. These pond filter pumps reduce filter maintenance and prolong the life of filtration systems.
Learn More About Pond Pumps
The world of pond pumps can be overwhelming when you are first getting started. We are here to help. Contact our pond experts online or call 866-POND-HELP for advice tailored to your pond.
Read more about pond pumps in the following handy guides:
Pumps for UVC and Pressure Filters
Last Updated: May 8, 2025