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Pond Pumps

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right Fish Mate pond pump for my pond?
You can choose the right pump in three easy steps. Please consult the Fish Mate Pond Pump Selection Chart - "Pond Pump Chart English UK 0810.pdf" - that is available to download from the Literature section on this website.
How often do I have to clean my pump?
Due to our innovative design, our pump does not have to be cleaned as often as other pumps. Brushing off debris from the outside of the case will be occasionally necessary dependant upon pond conditions and water. A more thorough clean will be required once or twice a year.
I have read about Fish Mate's energy saving pond pumps - how much do they cost to run?
Fish Mate pumps are designed to be extremely cost-efficient. A selection from our range are shown in the table below.
Model Max. Flow Wattage   Total Running
Cost  For 1 Year
   Total Running
Cost For 3 Years
FISH MATE 700 700 L/h 9W 9.01 27.03
FISH MATE 1200 1200 L/h 18W 18.02 54.07
FISH MATE 1800 1800 L/h 23W 23.03 69.09
FISH MATE 2400 2400 L/h 27W 27.03 81.10
FISH MATE 4000
 3800 L/h 29W 29.04 87.11
FISH MATE 5000 5500 L/h 75W 75.10 225.29
FISH MATE 9000 8900 L/h 95W 95.12 285.36
FISH MATE 16000 16200 L/h 295W 295.37 886.12
FISH MATE 22000 21500 L/h 445W 445.56 1336.69
Costs are based on London Energy general purpose charge @ 11.43p per Kilowatt hour as of August 2010. Running costs will vary depending on your local rates.
What size solids can the pump handle?
As supplied, our small and medium pumps (Ref. 290, 291, 292, 247, 248 and 249) will handle solids to 1mm, ther intermediate pumps (Ref. 277, 278 and 279) will handle solids to 1.2mm and the large pumps (Ref. 326 and 327) will handle solids to 12mm.
If required, sections of the pump casing may be cut away to allow solids handling of up to 5mm on the medium pumps and up to 6mm on the intermediate pumps.
Will my pump harm wildlife in my pond?
The outer strainers on all Fish Mate pumps are designed to be wildlife friendly by allowing particles of 1mm to a 12mm maximum size to pass through. The strainer covers on the large pumps can be modified as above, to let larger particles pass through if required. Our pumps also draw the pond water in from a larger area than many of our competitors, which minimises the pull and allows wildlife to escape the flow more easily.
What safety precautions should I take when installing a new pond pump?
Basic safety precautions should be observed, including the following:
a) All electrical work must be carried out by a competent electrician.
b) The pump must be wired into a circuit breaker and a 3 AMP fuse (13 AMP fuse for large pumps - Ref. 326 and 327).
c) Connection to the power supply should be made through a double pole switche enclosure with minimum 3mm contact.
d) This appliance must be earthed.
e) Do not carry or pull the pump using the power cable.
f) Disconnect electrical supply from pump before contact with the pond water or pump.
g) Use pump only for ponds - do not use in connection to swimming pools, showers, etc.
h) Use conduit approved by your electricity authority to protect power cables where damage from gardening equipment, children or animals may occur.
i) Do not allow the pump to run dry.
j) Do not operate the pump in freezing conditions.
How often should I service my pump?
Fish Mate pumps have been designed to require very little maintenance, but should be serviced with the appropriate Fish Mate service kit after about three years of use. Your Fish Mate dealer will often be happy to assess the condition of your pump and any service requirements.
The cable on my pump has become damaged/cut. Can I repair/replace it?
It is not possible to make a durable and safe repair to the electrical cable and because it is permanently attached to the pump at the time of manufacture (for safety), it cannot be replaced. You should stop using the pump and dispose of it.
Sometimes when I turn off my pump, it does not start again when I turn it back on?
The most common cause is sludge or limescale build-up on the pump's impellor or rotor mechanism. Sludge can be easily removed from the impellor by wiping with a clean sponge. You can use a proprietry kettle descaler to remove limescale, but remove all traces before returning to the pond. Always disconnect your pump from the mains when performing routine maintenance.
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