need pump recommendation

[tewa]

Hi to all of you who are kind enough to give your opinion.
I am looking for a pump or 2 smaller pumps to give between 11,000 to 12,440 gallons at a head height of 4-5 feet(over bakki showers in Australia). My pond will be using 4 inch pipes most of the way. I am looking for the most cost efficient and energy saving pumps that I can import in because in Australia we only have small range of pond pumps that are usually for smaller pumps. The pumps here are more for mining and agriculture where electricity is not a concern. There are literally no good high flo, low head pumps (0-18ft) that are very energy efficient. I have been looking on the web at several pumps but would like a hobbyist view.

1) Dolphin pumps superamp master 7500 USA 1/3hp motor, 380watts (230v), 5827 UK gallons @ 4ft, 56 frame, emron motor, not self priming, with leaf basket ***edit out price**sale price)

2) Dragon pumps 1/3hp, 437 watts, 5489 UK gallons @ 4ft, 56 frame, baldor motor, self priming up to 4 feet, large leaf basket (* edit US retail)

3) Sequence primer 1/3hp, 376 watts, 4560 UK gallons @ 4ft, baldor motor, self priming with leaf basket (*edit US dollars)

4) Wave 2 PUWV13 1/3 hp, 425.5 watts, 5320 UK gallons, baldor motor, not self priming, no leaf basket, (*edit USD)

5) performance Pro artesian 1/3hp, 428 watts, 4772 UK gallons @ 13ft (minimum head), self priming up to 4 feet, with leaf basket, 570 usd

please let me know what you think of these pumps.

 

[dwf73]

you should copy this to the freshwater products and DIY section

 

[Joana333]

If I were in your shoes, I’d lean toward the Sequence Primer or the Dragon pump for what you’re describing. Both are self-priming, which is a big deal when you’re running over 4 feet of head it saves a lot of hassle with starting and maintaining flow.


Looking at your flow needs, you’d probably be fine using two smaller pumps instead of one massive unit. That gives you redundancy if one goes down, your bakki showers still run. Energy-wise, the Sequence Primer is slightly more efficient at 376 watts versus the Dragon at 437, but the difference isn’t huge. The Dolphin and Wave 2 options aren’t self-priming, which could get annoying since you’re dealing with larger 4-inch lines.


A practical tip: line size really matters for efficiency. Keeping the 4-inch runs mostly straight with minimal elbows will reduce head loss and let your pump hit the rated flow. Also, make sure your leaf baskets are accessible some of those units have decent flow but awkward maintenance.


Overall, for high flow, low head, and energy efficiency, something like the Sequence Primer paired with a secondary smaller pump usually gives a reliable setup. For options locally available or easier to import, you might check Best Pond Pumps From EasyPro as a reference they tend to balance flow, efficiency, and ease of maintenance nicely.


Takeaway: prioritize self-priming, decent wattage, and accessible leaf baskets over chasing slightly higher GPH numbers. That combo usually gives the smoothest, most energy-efficient operation.

 

[ethonbrook0707]

For a setup like this, I’d focus on the actual flow at the required head height rather than the pump’s maximum flow rating. Energy consumption is important too, especially when the pump will run continuously. I’d also consider pipe diameter, head loss from elbows, and whether the pump is self-priming. Comparing different Pond Pumps by flow, wattage, and operating head can make it much easier to find an efficient option for a high-flow pond system.

 

[Joana333]

The main thing I’d look at here is the flow you’ll actually get at 4–5 ft of head, rather than the advertised maximum flow. With 4" pipe for most of the run, your plumbing losses should be fairly low, but the bakki showers and fittings still need to be included in the total dynamic head.

Of those you listed, the Dolphin Super Amp and Sequence Primer look interesting from a watts-per-flow standpoint. I’d probably lean toward two pumps if the plumbing layout allows it, since you get some redundancy and can adjust flow between the showers.

I’d also check the pump curves at your exact voltage/frequency before importing anything. A pump that looks great on paper at 0 ft can be a very different story once it’s operating continuously at 4–5 ft.

For this setup, I’d prioritize actual watts at the operating point, reliability, and replacement parts availability over the 1/3 hp rating. The efficiency difference over a year of continuous operation can be pretty significant.