Skimmer

[bighollywood]

Wonder if something like this could be retrofit to be a skimmer

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Yes, if you can figure a way to incorporate a movable weir like is found in most manufactured skimmers and also allow for some form of debris basket or net. And be able to contain a pump large enough for the pond that it is attached to.

 

[bighollywood]

Basket would be easy...weir...now that may be a challenge

 

[Timothy]

I think I would look for a couple of the fine plastic wax stripping pads that go on commercial floor buffing machines, (looks like very course plastic steel wool,) and then fabricate a trap basket for the larger debris out of 1/4" hardware cloth.

 

[Gordo33]

Here is my DIY skimmer. 27 gal storage tub from Lowes..Enough space for pump and multiple layers of filter material.

Another option
HTH

 

[sissy]

Do you need a skimmer .I know I did not need one so instead used 2 filters .Nothing really blows into my pond .

 

[budgenator]

Do you need a skimmer .I know I did not need one so instead used 2 filters .Nothing really blows into my pond .

IMHO a skimmer also removes floating organic compounds which keeps oxygen in the air from being absorbed into the water. Algae cells contain as much as 50% oils, that when released will smother the pond. Skimming off any floating algae or foam is always a plus as well.

 

[sissy]

My top water is agitated by the aerator and no floating algae at all and never have had any .2 filters and my pvc pipe on the bottom with holes drilled in it to let extra water keep the bottom clean .Right now I have had only 1 9 watt uv running on a 5000 + gallon pond .You can see the bottom a littl over 4 feet down .I have had a lot of rain this year also and my pond has never had a skimmer

 

[Mmathis]

@bighollywood I'm curious as to how you would place/position it in the pond? Are you wanting it to sit in the pond.....have it pump-fed.....outflow to where....?

 

[bighollywood]

something like in the picture. would love to get that one... but it is so expensive.

 

[bighollywood]

however my pump has a 2 inch inlet on it that is threaded. I supposed I could rig something up pipe wise and make a surface skimmer to rest on top of the water.

 

[bighollywood]

maybe something like this. I am just tired of having to clean my pump off every other day.

 

[bighollywood]

as you can see here.. I have this plant - which I love - hanging over the sides of the rock and into the pond in places. The koi love to eat at these plants which eventually ends up in having little sprigs of plant floating in the pond daily. so a skimmer would help this issue. Also have an ornamental peach tree near the pond and the peaches always fall into the pond. The skimmer would help with that too I think.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

something like in the picture. would love to get that one... but it is so expensive.

Pond skimmers can be found for considerably less cost than the $500.00 that is asked for the Helix skimmer pictured.
Check around.I kno9w that EZPro and Atlantic Water Gardens both manufacture skimmers that sell for less than $200.00 and they both offer quality products.

As an aside, I don't know where this photo was taken but whoever installed this Helix skimmer did a less than quality job.

 

[bighollywood]

I would agree with that statement. yes less than quality job... looks like something I would do.