How to Choose the Correct Pipe Size
Maximum Recommended Flow Rates For PVC Pipe with
Pond & Water Feature Pumps
Pipe Size |
Gallons Per Hour (GPH) |
Gallons Per Minute (GPM) |
| 1/2" |
480 |
8 |
| 3/4" |
900 |
15 |
| 1" |
1,500 |
25 |
| 1-1/4" |
2,700 |
45 |
| 1-1/2" |
3,600 |
60 |
| 2" |
5,700 |
95 |
| 3" |
13,500 |
225 |
| 4" |
21,000 |
350 |
| 6" |
42,000 |
700 |
Head Loss (in feet) per 10 Feet of Horizontal PVC Pipe
GPH |
1" |
1-1/4" |
1-1/2" |
2" |
3" |
4" |
6" |
| 1,200 |
2.18 |
.56 |
.23 |
.08 |
- |
- |
- |
| 1,800 |
- |
1.19 |
.55 |
.16 |
.02 |
- |
- |
| 2,400 |
- |
2.02 |
.94 |
.28 |
.04 |
- |
- |
| 3,000 |
- |
- |
1.05 |
.43 |
.07 |
.01 |
- |
| 3,600 |
- |
- |
2.0 |
.58 |
.09 |
.02 |
- |
| 4,200 |
- |
- |
- |
.78 |
.11 |
.03 |
- |
| 4,800 |
- |
- |
- |
.99 |
.14 |
.04 |
- |
| 5,400 |
- |
- |
- |
1.24 |
.18 |
.05 |
- |
| 6,000 |
- |
- |
- |
1.50 |
.22 |
.06 |
.005 |
| 7,500 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
.33 |
.10 |
.01 |
| 9,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
.46 |
.13 |
.02 |
| 10,500 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
.62 |
.18 |
.025 |
| 12,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
.79 |
.21 |
.03 |
