Hydroponic water pumps are devices that are used for moving water from the water/nutrient reservoir to the grow bed where plants can absorb the water and nutrients that they need for growth. Hydroponic farming utilizes only water (mixed with plant nutrients) to grow plants and produce them for consumption.

Water pumps in hydroponic farming are like hearts in animals. The heart pumps blood to other parts of the body and the blood contains nutrients that body tissues and cells need to function properly. In the same way, hydroponic water pumps ensure that water that contains plant nutrients gets pumped continuously to the plant roots for absorption so that the plants can have the necessary nutrients to grow and flourish.

Hydroponic water pump failures can be very damaging to any hydroponics gardening or farming operation just the same way heart failure has life and death ramifications in animals.

Features of Hydroponic Water Pumps and Related Terms

What is Flow Rate in Hydroponics?

Flow rate refers to the amount of water that flows through the grow beds (or through a hydroponic system) per unit time which is measured in minutes in most cases. It is measured as Gallons per Hour (GPH) or Liters per Hour (LPH).

What do Gallons per Hour Mean in Hydroponics?

Gallons per hour (GPH) refers to the amount of water that a water pump can move within an hour. This is a metric mostly used for measuring the capacity of submersible hydroponic pumps. The metric can also be measured as liters per hour (LPH) which will refer to the amount of water in liters that a water pump can move per hour.

The amount of water a water pump moves per hour (GPH) tends to reduce as the height through/over which the water is moved vertically (head height) increases. In other words, the higher the head height, the lesser the amount of water (GPH) that is delivered.

To calculate the flow rate of any water pump in minutes, simply divide the water pump’s GPH value by 60 to determine the flow rate (in minutes). For instance, if a water pump has a GPH of 500, the flow rate (in minutes) will be 500/60 = 8.33 Gallons per minute.

What Does Head Height Mean in Hydroponic Water Pumps?

Head height refers to the vertical height through which water has to be pumped from a lower area usually the reservoir or nutrient tank to a higher area or grow beds. Water pumps have to overcome resistance or back pressure (caused by gravity and weight of water) to be able to pump water over a vertical height.

As the height increases, the backpressure the water pump has to overcome also increases. The point where there is more back pressure than the pump can overcome to pump out water is referred to as the maximum head height.

Types of Hydroponic Water Pumps

There are three main types of hydroponic water pumps. They are classified based on whether they are placed inside or outside the water reservoir and how they are used. The three main types of water pumps for hydroponic gardening or farming include:

• In-line Hydroponic Water Pump

Inline water pumps are installed outside of the tank or reservoir and are air-cooled. The pumps are most suitable for large hydroponic gardens or farms because they are designed to have more power (which is measured in horsepower) and the pumps tend to be more efficient too.

• Submersible Hydroponic Water Pump

Submersible water pumps are installed inside the water reservoir or tank and are water-cooled. They have less power (usually measured as gallons per hour GPH) than in-line water pumps and are most suitable for small-scale or hobby hydroponic gardening.

• Sump Pump

Sump water pumps are used for transferring or moving water from one tank or reservoir to another. This is most useful for mixing plant nutrients in one tank before transferring the water to the grow reservoir where it can then be pumped to the grow reservoir.

• Solar Powered Hydroponic Water Pumps

Solar-powered water pumps are becoming more common as the need to utilize more renewable energy sources grow. Most of the available solar-powered hydroponic water pumps are connected to a solar power system instead of conventional electricity.

There are also designs of solar water pumps where the water pump is connected to a standalone solar panel that harnesses solar energy and stores them in batteries that power the water pump.

Most solar-powered hydroponic pumps also do not need any lubrication for maintenance and this eliminates the risk of water contamination from oil which can occur in other types of water pumps.

How to Determine the Best Type of Hydroponic Water Pump and Water Pump Size to Use

The two most important factors for determining the best water pump to use for your hydroponic system include:

1. The type of hydroponic system you plan to have or build

The amount of water needed can vary depending on the size of the hydroponic grow bed or unit and the hydroponic grow system that is used. The hydroponic systems that need or require the use of water include Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Flood and Drain system (Ebb and Flow), Drip systems, and Aeroponic systems.

2. The head height over which water will be pumped

The head height over which water will have to be pumped will determine the backpressure the water pump will have to overcome to get the water to grow beds. Most hydroponic charts come with a table in their product manual or on the product packaging that shows the back pressure the pump can overcome at each height level or the amount of water in gallons per hour (GPH) that a water pump can move for each head height.

What Kind of Hydroponic Water Pump Should You Get?

The rule of thumb is to always get a water pump that has the capacity to pump at least twice the amount of water that your hydroponic system needs. This is based on the fact that the capacity of pumps can wane over time and you need to allow some margin to accommodate this if it happens.

Also, getting a water pump with more capacity than your system needs can allow you to grow or expand your grow system without having to change the pump immediately.

Automating Hydroponic Water Pump with Timer 

Timers are simple devices that are used in controlling the operation of water pumps (or any other device connected to them). Most hydroponic water pumps can be automated by connecting them to a timer. The timer can be programmed to turn the water pump on and off based on specific intervals and durations.

This is helpful in maintaining consistency in the watering schedule and eliminating errors that are often common with manual processes as well as eliminating the risk of inconsistency in meeting plant nutritional needs.

How to Reduce Water Flow from a Pump

Water flows from a hydroponic pump can be reduced by attaching a T-connector to the outlet of the pump with one end of the T – connector emptying back into the tank or reservoir and the other end taking water to the grow bed. 

Hydroponic Water Pump Maintenance

Like any other device with moving parts, the hydroponic water pumps need routine maintenance to keep if functioning efficiently. Some of the simple things that can be done to keep a water pump from failing include:

1. Use it as recommended: Make sure the pump is not stretched beyond its capacity. Always check the product manual for recommended use and capacity.
2. Change any filters regularly: Filters help in removing debris that may otherwise clog the pump and prevent it from performing efficiently. Filters should be changed at regular intervals.
3. Clean the water pump regularly: Watch this video to see how to wash a hydroponics water pump:

Hydroponic Water Pump Accessories

There are various accessories that are needed in installing a hydroponics water pump or in ensuring that water pumps are functioning properly. Some of these accessories include:

• Pipes and Tubes: Hoses or pipes are the conduits through which water is pumped out to the grow bed and through which water is returned to the reservoir or tank. Most pipes are made from PVC plastic and tubes are often made from vinyl material.
• Connectors: Connectors are used in creating junctions where water is supposed to flow in different directions. The most common connectors that are often used when installing water pumps include T-connectors, Y – Y-connectors, elbow connectors (multiple directions), etc.
• Valves: Valves are used in controlling the flow of water from one container or location to another. Most of the valves used for hydroponics are PVC valves since they are most compatible with PVC pipes and vinyl tubes which are the commonly used materials for pipes in hydroponic systems.
• Filters: Filters are used in some water pumps to prevent debris from entering the pump and clogging it or the pipes through which water is pumped out. Some pumps may not come with filters but this can easily be inserted in most submersible hydroponic water pumps.

FAQs Hydroponic Water Pumps

Can you use a fish tank pump for hydroponics?

Yes, most fish tank pumps will work for hydroponics if you are planning to do a home-based indoor hydroponic garden. You will have to consider a more suitable water pump option if you are considering a larger hydroponic farm that is bigger than a home-based hydroponic kit.