I agree, you don't get much for $55 when it comes to pumps. Afriend of mine owners a large pond company and holds several patents on filters. He has some company in China that builds his pumps for him and he pays $60 to get the pump, sells for about $175.

Hi ballengerb1, and yes, I paid $55 for a pump that at the moment is sitting in my pond collecting algae :)

I purchased a Watermaster Fountain Pump for medium sized outdoor pumps, 1000lph, 12 volt. It says it has a maximum flow of 1000 litres per hour - more like 10 drips per minute, I'd say.

It has a 2 year warranty so I'll take it back to where I bought it this weekend, and ask if I haven't set it up wrong.

The plugs are both 3 prong and I am definitely feeling nervous about the cord not being grounded.

Ok we may have a typo here or something is mixed up. 12 volt is like a car battery, they do make 12 volt pumps but they would not necessarily have a 3 prong plug. If you have have a 3 prong plug that plugs into a household outlet is is nearly 100% sure its grounded. The third propng is the ground wire but once in a blue moon somebody will install one improperly. If you have a testor or meter I can tell you how to safely check. No meter, I can still tell you how to check but just not quite as safe.

I have the packaging with me and it clearly says 12 voltage/16 watts pump rating. I'll have to wait until I get home to double check the number of prongs at the pump outlet. The extension cord is definitely 3 pronged.

Thanks

There must be a transformer in this wiring, usually a black brick shaped thing the size of an egg. Have a look at my buddy's company site reagrding pumps. AquaForce Pond Pump When you are done reading about his pumps take alook at the rest of the site or save it as a favorite for future use. I have used his stuff foir nearly 20 years, not cheap but very high quality.

Here are the bits as they're labelled:

Regulator
Front plate
Impeller holder
Seal ring
Shaft
Impeller
Motorhead
Suction bracket

No transformer mentioned on the packaging...

Am I supposed to hook the hose up to the pump by any chance to get the fountain working?

I've looked at your buddy's company site -- looks good, but just hope I won't have to buy another pump :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by frangipanis

am i supposed to hook the hose up to the pump by any chance to get the fountain working

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Yes or no... depending on how you are wanting it. The little hole on the side (if I am looking at the correct model) towards the bottom. If you are wanting a waterfall... use a hose at that hole and run to a build up of rocks to flow over to make air bubbles for the fish. If you are wanting an over the water fountain... the pvc piping will connect to that hose to run up towards the surface of the pond to make the "fountain".

Hi ballengerb1, the pump has a 3 pronged plug...

And thanks rpg219. I have not attached a hose and water is only dribbling out of the top. Shouldn't the pump make a reasonable amount of bubbles for stirring the water without attaching a hose? Does fresh water need to be running through the hose?

Frang... the water that runs though the hose is being pulled in from the pond and recirculated. From the top (if we are not confusing each other) there should be some type of pvc hookup that has the water going somewhat like a fountain. See the attached link...
Wholesale Pumps, Pond Fountains, Pond Pumps, Submersible Lights, Floating Fountains, Kasco, Scott

Okay, I fiddled around with the pump and took the spray attachment off the top, then voila, water is not exactly gushing, but certainly pouring nicely up out of the spout. It looks pretty and makes that lovely sound of a babbling brook.

It isn't a fountain and looks nothing like the examples in your link, but will do.

Thanks for that! And sorry you had to 'frang' :)

Glad you got it to work... the way you like it! :) Any help I can offer... always glad to do it.

You've all been wonderful... only I'm now wondering about the electrical cord that's been exposed to a lot of rain already. Unfortunately it has to run along the ground for about a meter and then up and around through the shed window, which doesn't seem ideal.

Do you happen to have any ideas on how to make sure it's safe?

Its been a while since we talked about three prongs but I think you said your pump and cord were 3 prongs. That means its grounded but does not insure its 100% safe. If you want to go the big step toward safety you would need to install a GFCI outlet or a breaker in your panel. They do make a GFCI that plugs into a normal outlet and then you plug your cord into that. If you do the work yourself you are looking at $20.

Okay, that doesn't sound so daunting. I'll look into it. Ta.

The easiest is the GFCI that plugs into a standard outlet, just ask at the home store.

Okidoki...

Our cord to the pump has been going along the ground for well over 10 years.

Safe? Not sure now, lol. When we originally started digging for ponds... we were told the cords are made to withstand weather and such... they are made to be submersed in the water, so rain wouldn't hurt it.


Hey ballenger... what is your take on this??

OMG! 10 years is a long time for a cord to be running over your lawn... lol

Lol... yea, guess it can't be that bad... no fires or explosions... yet, lol

Well geez, I guess that should make me feel a lot better... not! Lol