Garden Pond Water Pump Problem

Omega_1

Pond Pump Problem
The pump in my pond has been working for a goodly number of years but of late has been malfunctioning. This is a proper pump (as opposed to a sump pump type) with a side inlet and top exhaust. After a day or so running at full flow this then gradually reduces to a trickle. Switching off for a few minutes (maybe half hour) and on restart the flow is normal until the next time. Have stripped the unit down to ensure no blockages from stray frogs, bark chippings etc but the problem persists - can anyone offer a solution (or, failing that, an inexpensive replacement source) Thanks

wildbri

Hi, this does sound like a blockage of some sort, perhaps in the tubes somewhere. From time to time I back flush by putting my hose on the fountain or other outlet and turning on the water, this is with pump turned off, of course. Replacements can be bought on ebay there is a good selection and delivered to your door! regards bri

Omega_1

Well worth a try with the back-flushing. Previous blockages have been a decomposed frog or similar drawn up into the pump restricting the flow. Have recently added a mesh type of cover at intake end to prevent the frogs being sucked up and thus allowing a continuous flow of water but for some reason the fast flow then deteriorates into a trickle until after a re-start up but solution works briefly and getting shorter each time. Hopefully the 'blow-back' will do the trick. Thanks

Wookey

Heat buildup maybe a cause, another could be loss of the pumps prime, is there a foot valve or non return valve fitted to the pump line intake? A new pump which has been in use will become worn and maybe wont draw water up as well as it should.