Skimmers and fish

[Faebinder]

My fish keep going into the skimmer and I think it's cause of the spawning chase. How do you guys prevent this from happening? Anyone with ideas? One of mine go stuck in the doorway today and nearly died from being without water.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

There is not much that can be done that will not impair/reduce the functionality of the skimmer. Large adult fish should not have a problem if the skimmer is not too small. I have for years observed fish that enjoyed 'playing' in the skimmer....swimming in and out....enjoying the area of increased water velocity. There is always the danger of a fish getting trapped in the skimmer if the skimmer is small and the fish cannot turn around to swim out.

 

[Faebinder]

I'm debating finding a chiken wire that can be put there or maybe a paint screen.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

I'm debating finding a chiken wire that can be put there or maybe a paint screen.

That will keep the fish out, but it will also keep any but small debris out of the skimmer. Any barrier will greatly reduce the functionality of the skimmer and may result in higher pond maintenance.
One has to decide if the trade-off is worth it.

 

[Faebinder]

Fish is more important.

 

[sissy]

I have seen people string a pool noodle across in front of the skimmer .Not sure it works but they claim it does

 

[Tula]

I found one of my female koi in the skimmer a few weeks ago, while spawning. She was fine, but I don't think she wanted to come out - LOL! She'd released a bazillion eggs in the skimmer. My skimmer design has a sizable plastic basket and no exposure to the pumps.

 

[ashirley]

I put a piece of plastic deer fencing over the opening of mine for this very same reason. So far, no more casualties.

 

[Faebinder]

I put a piece of plastic deer fencing over the opening of mine for this very same reason. So far, no more casualties.

how are you securing that?

 

[Lisak1]

I think the concern here would be for any one who has a lot of leaves, etc that might build up against the barricade, stopping water flowing into the skimmer. You could damage your pump and/or accidentally empty your pond if you didn't watch it carefully.

 

[ashirley]

how are you securing that?

I cut a piece just larger than the opening and I slipped it into the flap inside my skimmer. So far its holding. I don't have any trees near my pond to shed leaves so I haven't noticed that its hindering the function of the skimmer.

 

[Smaug]

I gave up on my skimmer working correctly for that reason. I keep my skimmer box stuffed full of filiter media and they can't swim in.

 

[Faebinder]

I gave up on my skimmer working correctly for that reason. I keep my skimmer box stuffed full of filiter media and they can't swim in.

BRILLIANT!!!