Are skimmers needed in a small pond?

[Katydid]

Wow, that's why I love this forum! I'm learning so much from all of everyone's insight and experience. Thanks all for taking the time to respond!

 

[mariobrothersleeve]

http://www.pondcrisis.com/step_eight.ht

People argue ferociously about pond Oxygen levels. Some say oxygen levels are "always safe"
in ponds with waterfalls and fountains, while others don't regard fountains or
waterfalls as effective aerators. Either way, oxygen levels are very important.
If the oxygen level is chronically low (for example, 5.0 ppm), the fish will
grow much more slowly, they'll get sick easier, and they may even die. If the
oxygen levels are much too low on the short term (for example 3.0-4.0 ppm), the
fish will gasp or pipe at the water's surface and they will die.


Large fish die
first when oxygen levels are too low because large fish demand more oxygen to
live. When the first fish dies, it's body begins to break down and the decay
process increases the oxygen demand of the pond even more, causing a rapid
avalanche of fish losses. Always bear in mind that warmer water (78+) carries
MUCH LESS oxygen than cold water (< 68). Oxygen problems are VERY common in
summertime while the water is warm. To make it worse, submerged plants and algae
consume oxygen at night or in the dark. Submerged plants produce oxygen in
light, or in the daytime.


Pond depth
influences oxygen levels as much as temperature does. Oxygen-penetration down to
five feet of water is difficult. If your pond is more than four feet deep, you
will need to put a pump on the pond bottom in summer, to push the deepwater to
the surface for oxygenation. Waterfalls and fountains will not aerate "deep"
water unless the water is physically drawn from the bottom for these features.
Oxygen levels at five to six feet may still sag, despite this. Oxygen levels are
testable, with commercial kits, or have someone test the oxygen levels for you.
Assess a warmer, deeper pond much more scrupulously for oxygen problems.
Note, in warmer water the metabolism of your
fish and all the bacteria (good & bad) is at it's peak using much more
oxygen.

very awesome. great thoughts

 

[sissy]

I used a shop vac ,wet and dry vac to do my pond as I took the rocks out of the bottom .I used a hose on the inlet to suck water out and had a big laundry basket with quilt batting and course filter material in the waterfall with the outlet clamped to the basket .Found out the hard way it needed clamped after getting wet twice .Had to stop to move the batting around as i was doing it and then stop and clean batting off .I wanted to make sure i picked up all the bad stuff .I have 2 filters and 2 waterfalls plus a hose letting excess water now skimming the top of the pond .Pump is hung with a rope in the middle of the pond about a foot or so under the top of the water .And pump is right under the out let .
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[shakaho]

Wow... you guys are scaring me here. I only have goldfish, should I still be as concerned as a koi guy? (lol...no pun intended koiguy). How do I tell what my oxygen levels are? Or do I just do the best I can by keeping things as clean as I can and having lots of plants?

Goldfish can tolerate very low oxygen levels. Of course they do better with more, but you don't have to worry about them in a reasonably well-kept pond.

 

[shakaho]

Wow... you guys are scaring me here. I only have goldfish, should I still be as concerned as a koi guy? (lol...no pun intended koiguy). How do I tell what my oxygen levels are? Or do I just do the best I can by keeping things as clean as I can and having lots of plants?

Goldfish can tolerate very low oxygen levels. Of course they do better with more, but you don't have to worry about them in a reasonably well-kept pond.