PondMAX EVO II Skimmer & Water Feature Pumps

If you've been shopping for a pump that can handle both a skimmer box and a water feature without buying two separate units, the PondMAX EVO II is built for exactly that. It comes in seven sizes, so whether you're running a small backyard waterfall or pushing water through a larger koi pond system, there's a model sized for the job instead of you having to oversize or undersize to fit what's on the shelf.

This is the second generation of PondMAX's EV series, and the design changes are practical ones. SmartMag technology sits inside the motor housing and shuts things down before a clogged intake or a dry-run situation burns out the windings. That matters more than it sounds like it should. A lot of pump failures aren't really pump failures, they're someone forgetting to check the skimmer basket for two weeks and the pump running dry until it cooks itself.

Where This Pump Works

The EVO II is rated for use inside pond skimmers and as a dedicated water feature pump, and PondMAX designed the smaller models (EV700 through EV1200) with a flow control valve and an oversized strainer screen with sponge, so if you're feeding a fountain head, you can dial back the output without adding a separate valve to the plumbing. The EV1800 and up drop the flow control option but pick up flexibility elsewhere: those larger units can be mounted horizontally or vertically, which helps if your skimmer vault or pump housing has limited clearance.

Every size in the lineup, from the EV700 up to the EV3600, can also be plumbed inline using a flooded suction setup. That's the configuration most people use when the pump sits below the water line and gravity feeds water to the intake instead of the pump having to lift and pull. If your setup calls for that, this pump is built to run that way across the entire range, not just on the bigger models.

Specs and Wattage by Model

Notice the jump from 1" to 1.5" ports happens between the EV1200 and EV1800. If you're upgrading from a smaller pump and already have 1" plumbing in the ground, going past the EV1200 means re-plumbing that section, not just swapping the pump.

What Comes With It

Each pump ships with the plumbing parts needed to get it running, so you're not making a separate trip for fittings the day you install it. Maintenance doesn't require tools either. Baskets, screens, and the impeller housing are designed to come apart by hand, which is the kind of detail that only matters the first time you're standing in pond water at 7am trying to clear a clog and realize you left your screwdriver in the garage.

PondMAX also publishes a full instruction manual for the EV series pump, and there's a video walkthrough if you'd rather watch the install than read it.

Choosing the Right Size

A rough rule that holds up in the field: match your pump's max flow to your pond volume so the whole pond turns over roughly once an hour, then check the head height against how far and how high the water actually has to travel to reach your skimmer or waterfall. A pump rated 1,800 GPH at zero feet of lift might only be pushing 1,000 GPH by the time it climbs 8 feet up to a waterfall spillway. The head numbers in the table above are the maximum, meaning zero extra resistance. Real-world output will be lower once you factor in vertical lift and fitting losses.

If you're not sure which of the seven sizes fits your setup, it's worth sending us your pond's approximate gallons and the height your water needs to climb before we guess for you.

PondMAX EVO II Skimmer & Water Feature Pump Manual