Product Review - the Pump Buddy for Your Yard Pond

The Pump Buddy is a filter that fits over a submersible pond (waterfall) pump. It is said to allow the pump to run cooler, prevent the pump from clogging, and extend the life of the pump. It is made of filter media similar to what is used in a skimmer box and is covered by a mesh bag.

If the pump is relatively large, the fit will be snug. It has a draw-string to pull the mesh bag tight. Even so, it is wise to tie the string to the pump handle. Pond pumps are designed to sit on the bottom of the skimmer box, with the pipe rising from it. Depending on how the pond plumbing is designed, the pump may be removed by lifting it by the attached pipe. By not tying the pump buddy to the pump, the possibility exists that the bag, and therefore the filter, will slip off the pump.

The theory of the pump buddy is sound. Depending on the type and size of pond pump, it is possible for debris to clog the pump, thus causing it to fail. There is one big problem with the Pump Buddy. Well, it is actually more of a major inconvenience. As with the skimmer box filter, because of the nature of the filter media, it must be cleaned weekly, though many pond supply retailers recommend cleaning filter media a couple of times a season. Depending on how the pond pump is connected, it can be a time-consuming operation. If the filter media is not cleaned, water flow will decrease, and eventually stop, even with a pump with a 1,300 gallon-per-hour flow rate.

The company I purchased my Pump Buddy from, Unit Liner, has a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. The problem with this is that you must return the merchandise within ten days. No documentation comes with the Pump Buddy. I suppose it is assumed that the consumer knows the Pump Buddy must be removed from the pump and cleaned weekly. You won't see the effects of not cleaning the filter until well after the ten days have past.