And there’s one seemingly minor detail that has a major impact on the performance and longevity of your pump: placement.

Location, location, location

Most pumps for backyard projects are submersible, meaning they are designed to work underwater rather than external to the pond or water feature.

But how deep should your pump sit? Should it be close to the waterfall or far away? In the centre or nestled in a dark corner?

Submersible pump placement is particularly important in Australia, where the hot and dry climate makes water conservation a top priority.

The golden rule of submersible pond pumps

Submersible pumps work best on the bottom of your pond, as far away from the output as possible. Putting distance and depth between the intake (pump) and output (the waterfall or separate fountain) ensures maximum circulation, keeping your entire pond healthy.

Here’s what else you need to know about submersible pond pump placement.

Depth

A submersible pump works best in the deepest part of your pond, where it can draw water from the bottom to oxygenate the entire pond. This way the water that is most at risk of becoming oxygen depleted is being constantly circulated. It’s also circulating the coolest water, which is of great benefit in hot weather.

Access and maintenance

Although depth is important, the pump should be easily accessible for maintenance and cleaning. This makes it more convenient to clear any clogs or debris. Submersible pond pumps need cleaning around once a week. If a deep pond makes it tricky to reach your pump, consider attaching a string or rope for easy retrieval.

Choosing a submersible pond pump with the flexibility to work vertically or horizontally, like our Aquapro AP6100DW, gives you more room to find the most practical position.

Shade

Although Aquapro submersible waterfall pumps feature burnout-preventing technology, it’s still best to position them out of direct sunlight. This helps extend the life of the pump and prevent overheating. 

Partial shade also helps to maintain your pond’s temperature year-round and reduce evaporation. However, be wary of debris from overhanging trees settling into the pump’s intake.

Pond filter pumps: The best of both worlds

Combination pond filter pumps simplify maintenance by rolling filtering and circulation into a single easy-to-maintain unit. At the most basic level these units feature a sponge block in front of the intake.

However, pond filter pumps should still sit in the deepest water. This makes the maximum head height a crucial consideration. We also recommend choosing a pump with slightly more power than you need if you’re on the fence, as fish and plants need a lot of oxygen to stay happy and healthy. 

Positioning your submersible pump 

The generic name “submersible pond pump” doesn’t quite give these little wonders the credit they deserve. Submersible pumps use water for lubrication and cooling and are used in fish ponds, water features, fountains, bird baths, and anywhere else water needs to move from one place to another.

Fountains

Fountains often have built-in pumps and filters. Or, more accurately, many submersible pond pumps have optional fountain kits. This adds an element of complexity to positioning because you need to consider the optimal depth and the maximum head height to achieve circulation and the all-important fountain effect.

Waterfalls

As well as looking lovely, waterfalls oxygenate pond water. This reduces the need for a fountain kit.

Waterfalls in larger ponds require higher-power pumps and, ideally,  a separate filter. This makes submersible pond pump positioning a science and an art, as the water needs to pass through the filter and reach the waterfall from a pump placed in the deepest, shadiest part of the pond. 

Aquapro makes this simple. Our range of high-quality submersible pumps and filtration products covers everything you need to bring your backyard pond vision to life.

Fish ponds

Like water features, submersible pumps work best in the depths of fish ponds. Positioning the pump as deep as possible helps to regulate water temperature while providing life-giving oxygen for the fish and plants that call your pond home. 

Decorative water features

Submersible pond pump positioning is a slightly different story for small water features and fountains in full sunlight. With no fish or significant plant life to support, a low-voltage solar-powered pump like our Aquapro AP300SP Solar Pump & Panel Kit should do the trick. Just make sure to check the maximum head height and capacity to ensure the pump has the requisite power.

Find the right submersible pond pump 

Aquapro has a wide range of submersible pumps for every type of pond and water feature. Browse the selection or check out our guides for expert advice on building your dream pond project.