How to stop the carnage? :(

[ashirley]

I had this problem too. Its depressing to lose healthy fish and frogs. I cut a small piece of deer fencing and tucked it inside of the skimmer intake. Its working so far.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

I'll continue the plant discussion and collection process here:https://www.gardenpondforum.com/threads/pond-in-the-foothills.10656/

I had a closer look at the fit of the basket, and it only seems to be an issue on the lower corners, maybe a 3/4 inch gap at the lower corners.
I think what I'm going to do is use a lower flow pump, either internal or external. I didn't have much of an issue when I used an external pump with this intake adapter that I built:




View attachment 90574

Careful not to reduce you turnover rate too much.

 

[MitchM]

I think I may have improved the situation a little bit.
I dug up the skimmer today and dropped it down about 3 inches.
One problem may have been that the berm I built up around the pond had settled and reduced my pond water level which caused a higher water velocity entering the skimmer.
Fingers crossed.
Digging isn't as much fun as I remember.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Little Giant skimmers should have a water level mark on the faceplate. Water levels should not be maintained below this mark.
I am assuming that this is the SK5 model/ Since this model will accommodate up to 5000 gph.Your pump is not too large.

 

[MitchM]

You're right, the water level had dropped below the mark on the skimmer.
I attribute this to the berm material settling.