Pond Skimmer
A pond skimmer is a type of filter used in constructed ponds to remove organic matter and other debris floating on the surface. Powered by a pump, the skimmer sucks water in and through a mesh bag or plastic filter basket. Any material large enough is caught by the basket and can be easily removed from the pond. In some skimmers there is also a filter mat that particles will get trapped if it passes through the basket. Almost 85% of debris can be caught before sinking to the bottom.
One of the types of pond skimmers for ponds is one that requires no cutting of the liner and is used inside of the liner. These are used for ponds were you don’t have the room outside your pond or are hesitant about cutting your liner. However your pond pump will need to be used inline and does not fit inside. The intake of the pump will need to be connected by tubing to the skimmer. You also may need to put a little weight inside to hold down the skimmer if it starts to move around.
The most popular and common type of skimmer would be placed on the outside of your pond liner. There you will need to place a cut into your liner but not before your faceplate (opening for debris) is attached. Make sure to select a large enough opening based on the amount of leaves and debris you might have falling into your water garden. The submersible pump will be put inside your skimmer which also makes maintenance on your pump easy. An external pump may be used for these applications instead of a submersible.
Floating skimmers are used in smaller ponds. Yet they come and go out of the market place and are hard to find.
Whether or not a skimmer is necessary for any particular pond depends on the size of the pond, the amount of leaves, twigs, branches and other debris that fall into it, and the person you ask. Smaller ponds may not need skimmers, but most can benefit from them. Alternatives to a pond skimmer are to manually skim the pond regularly with a hand held pond net, or to cover the pond with netting in the off seasons when trees shed their leaves. Other types of pond filters can also be used to capture matter once it begins sinking, but not from the surface, and the particle size captured this way is usually smaller.
Skimmers for ponds require little maintenance, but do need to be emptied periodically, an easy task. The frequency of cleaning necessary depends on many factors including the size of the pond, the presence or absence of nearby trees or shrubs, and the current season.
A koi pond skimmer is a good idea for most garden ponds. They are a pond’s first line of defense when it comes to keeping water clear and pure. Not only do they keep water looking beautiful, they maintain the pond’s ecosystem and protect the health of fish and other life within. |
