Hit 500 hours on my backyard pond pump and it still runs like new

I installed a small pond and waterfall feature last spring, and I just passed the 500 hour mark on the pump this week. Honestly I was surprised because I figured it would start making noise or slowing down by now, but it's been totally solid. The whole project cost me around $300 for the liner, pump, and rocks from a local landscape supply place. I check the filter every month or so, but otherwise I just let it run 24/7 during warm months. Has anyone else had a pump last way longer than you expected? What kind of maintenance do you do on yours?

2 comments

2 Comments

amy_anderson1mo ago

Ngl I was totally the opposite for years, I always thought you gotta drop serious cash on a name brand pump or itll crap out in a season or two. My first pond pump from the hardware store started rattling after like 3 months so I just assumed anything under $100 was junk. But I got a similar setup last year with a random pump from a local supplier and its been running nonstop since April without a hitch. I pull the filter out maybe every 6 weeks and rinse it with a hose and thats it. Definitely changed my mind about these cheaper pumps being worthless.

the_alice1mo ago

The 500 hour mark is nice but my garage fridge has been running for like 15 years straight and I've never once thought about it until right now. @amy_anderson your experience mirrors mine with a random pump I grabbed off clearance that still hums along. Only difference is I completely forgot to check the filter for four months and it was disgusting but the thing just kept going.