If you are happy using the sump pump and getting good results, then keep using it.

The sump pump costs a lot more to run so the answer is money. My mag drive pump costs less. It is up to you to decide what to use. Good luck.

Why, thank you folks. We were just wondering. Glad to know we are not going to cause the planet to slowly deconstruct or anything. ;) We are using the sump cause that is what we had on hand when we dug this pond. We plopped it in to try it and it worked really well, moves the right amount of water, etc. When it goes belly-up we'll probably invest in something more pond-appropriate.
Thanks again.

Most sump pumps are oil filled. So when it goes belly up it may contaminate your water.

Matt

oil fill is biggest concern. they are generally designed for lower duty cycle and intermittent use. and it will be a hungry pump. but have at it.

another reason not to use a sump pump is they get hot if they are used continuously. They aren't designed for continuous use so they aren't designed with cooling in mind. And when I say hot I mean HOT. So if you need a heater in your pond that costs five times as much to operate as a pond pump, have loads of extra cash and fish who like hot springs wellllll.
If you have loads of extra cash why don't you just buy a good pump?

You mentioned that you don't run the pump all the time. This is not a good practice. Your filter has live bio-bacteria in it that handles and converts the ammonia into components that your fish can tolerate. The bacteria needs circulation to survive. If you are in the habit of shutting the pump down, the bacteria suffer during this period. Additionally, a filter needs to run to keep the water in the pond circulated and oxygenated for the health of the fish. So you need a pump that can run 24/7. Also, you need a pump that is either water cooled, or one that is designed to operate outside of the pond. A sump pump might have it's place (like to empty sump pits), but for use with a fish pond is not one of them.

I looked at this for our pond and the cost diff in electricity for one year was more than the cost difference in the pumps so as long as the pump lasted me more than a year the pond pump was cheaper. If you're not running your continuously, have low electric rates (we're about $0.048/kwh), fish and plants have been healthy, and don't mind the potential problems when it starts spitting oil out at the end of it's life then you may be OK.

I just wanted to put my quick opinion in. I have seen Wayne utility pumps that state they are made for water fountains. Also drains stock tanks, clogged sinks etc. Is this the same as a sump pump?

A sump pump is a pump designed to pump water out of the bilges (or sump) of your boat, to remove standing water from your basement, cellar or any other place where you might have a leak. They usually move a lot of water in a short time but they are designed to only come on when the water reaches a certain level and then shut off when most of it is gone.
The run HOT. They are for SHORT-DUTY utility use.
They cost a LOT of money to operate and if somebody is too cheap to buy a good EFFICIENT pump then they are really fooling themselves because they will pay for the GOOD pump many times over with their electricity bill

Using an inefficient pump is also a problem in green house gas generation. Just like with our cars, even though 4 or fewer cylinders will get you there comfortably, six and eights are preferred. There really is no good reason, but people buy them anyway. Pond pumps are also able to do the job more efficiently than utility or sump pumps, and are designed for the job they do. You can get there real fast and spend a lot on the gas to do that, or you can get there fast enough, and spend half as much on gas. Same with water pumps. You can spend a lot of money to move the water, or you can spend less. You can risk polluting your water with oil, or you can get a safe pump.

Any of the primary options creates bigger problems for the planet. I try to live efficiently. And hope others will too, as it is less expensive personally, and more healthy for everyone in the long run. Being able to afford to do something wrong, doesn't make it right. If you can't find the right way to spend your money, give it to someone that can.

Oh, in the interest of full disclosure, I am not perfect, that is god's business. I am simply trying to be excellent! (Though still FAR from that!) I smoke, I drink, I use weed killer, I use bug killer, I drive a car, I have an OLD septic system, I have some incandescent light bulbs, and I have a chlorinated swimming pool. But, I smoke and drink less than I used to. I follow the directions on the killer cans, and use them now as a LAST resort, I drive a car that gets 38 mi/gal, have compact florescents in my most used fixtures, and want to convert the pool to a pond, just couldn't sell the Mrs. on it. Yes, I have a long way to go, but I am better now than ever, and encourage others to try to improve as well. Little bits here and there from everyone, ad up to big bits that are good for everyone.

So please, use the most efficient pump you can.

-TT

-TT

A friend had her pond dug by her sons as a gift and they installed a sump pump and it worked for her for 3 years. Unfortunately her water was muddy, there were no filters and while she had comets and shubunkins that reproduced, she couldn't see them.The pump died and she thought the price of a $89 sump pump compared to a pond pump was too good to pass up so she bought the second sump pump. It died in two weeks. The store said it overheated from continuous use and the 6 inches of gunk on the pond bottom and were very reluctant to give her a refund. They pointed out the manufacturer's instructions said it was not intended for use in a pond. I suggested she try the 59.95 pond and fountain pump from Harbour Freight and it has been perking along for 2 years now. She can see her fishies for the first time since I helped her put together a filter. If your water is tea colored because of the tannins from the leaves, you can get rid of it quickly by putting a bag or other perforated container of Activated Carbon in the water flow.Sandy

thank you that answers my question. I have seen a great pump on ebay for 88.00 that does I believe 3800 gph that probably will be my choice.

Patricia

I'm with Tillertilter. Thanks for speaking up. Our daily choices make a difference in the world.

I ran a sump pump for a couple of years (for me electricity wasn't an issue because I had it on a variac).

The real issues:
Oil filled: usually mineral oil though. If the pump isn't sealed well and water gets in you have to change the oil and check your windings. Water/oil mix or low oil can make them stop. Call the manufacturer to make sure the pump's not running 10w-40 :)

Clogging: It is fairly easy to totally shut one off with impeller clogging. Again the pump will need a complete physical after this happens.

Power: If you want to cut the power use a variac. The pump will not run hot to the touch as long as it and all the plumbing are clear to run like they should. The first page I came across with new ones start at 45$ and end at about 175$. If you would buy one for this you may as well buy a pond pump. Then the variac needs service too...It needs shade and it can't get wet. Anytime it rains it needs checked up on (I live in the desert...).

There is always a possibility your sump pump cannot be serviced at all. Then you may end up like the story above where it ran for a year needed replaced new one died in a few weeks...

I think if your running an Adam's filter where your pulling from you shouldn't have to worry about clogging the impeller as long as you keep it clean.

I'm running pool pumps from easy sets(these constantly have issues with the impeller shaft gettin eaten due to solids) right now once I rehaul the pond it gets a sequence 750 though....it's less hassle.

Adrea

Sump pumps for like basements are filled with oil to lubricate the motor and the bearings if that oil leaks out through the seals it will kill your fish and possibly your plants pond pumps have magnetic drive with ceramic bearings and shafts so there is no oil needed other types of pumps have mineral oil which is non-toxic to the fish but can leak out and make your water oily looking possibly dangerous to fish in high quantities just call me Rich hope this helps