Daily cost for waterfall pump question

If yall are willing to tell me, this would be wonderful.
My parents (Dad newly retired, and wanting something to do) have decided to put in a pond, nothing very large, just deep enough to keep a couple goldfish over winter, something pre-formed.
My Dad has recently been asking around, and has heard of costs per day ranging from $.50 -$3.00 a day to run a pump for a waterfall.
I would really appreciate any info I can get to relay back to him.

Totally depends on what type of pump you buy - how big , brand, etc.

I purchased the Pondmaster Pond Mag ones for me and my mom.. supposed to be more energy efficient... I have two running and have not noticed any increase in electricity...though I think I originally figured about $3 per month for the biggest one.

You are in CO wouldnt a small preform freeze solid outside ? Goldfish dont like that...LOL. I'm being silly but do some good investigation about watergardening in your climate before you buy anything... good luck

LOL I imagine they wouldnt like that at all. You are right, it would freeze completely solid. He will try some sort of floating heater for the winter.
We have been looking around quite a bit, and the idea to him is not new. If all else fails, we will just use no fish. We were going to use feeders, and figured, if they accidently froze, or didnt make it, they at least have a little longer life than they would have being eaten right off the bat.
He wants it mainly for a waterfall, and I of course popped right in offering MANY plants and ideas LOL. I get a roll of the eyes from him, and Mom whispers, "can you show me some pictures".

Thank you so much for the response about not noticing any increase.. this will be great!

Editted to change battery operated (OMG electrical surely wont work) heater, to just heater.

This message was edited Jun 24, 2006 6:01 PM

Amps x volts (115 or 230 volts) = watts x hours per day of operation ÷ 1000 x cost per kilowatt hour.

This a formula for calculating the cost of running a pump. The only problem is a lot of the smaller pumps don't advertise amps required to run the pump, but you can usually find specs on their websites.

Wow! Thank you so mcuh! I will send this onto him. I appreciate it.

I think the many of the pumps you will find locally (home depot, lowes, etc) will be bigger energy hogs that some of the more expensive more economically running pumps online or in a regular pond store. In any case, if they are an energy saving pump - they will list that as a feature. I would definately add a couple (2-3) feeder goldfish...just need that little heater :) You wont have to keep the pond warm just not frozen !! :)

Since the installation of our pond our electric bill went up $50.00 per month with it running 24/7 all year round. We were told by the pond maker that it will costs that much so we expected it. We can not bring it with us ($) so might as well enjoy it!! LOL !!! bellie