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Concrete Pond without Skimmer - need some help/advice please

Posted by sammiesmommy NW Washington State (My Page) on
Sat, May 15, 10 at 19:01

Hi there -

I have a concrete pond in my backyard and there is not a built-in skimmer (don't ask - no bottom drain either... sigh). Of course, I would like to add a skimmer and increase water clarity.

Does anyone have experience with the Oase SwimSkim or the PondMaster 2002 in-pond skimmer system? Or maybe can recommend a different in-pond solution (taking out the concrete is not an option)?

My chief concerns would be preventing the fish and food from being sucked into the system (with built-in sidewall skimmers, I know you can create a buoy system that works - would a similar system work for an in-pond skimmer?). We have 6 koi and 2 shubunkin goldfish. The cottonwoods have begun and the pond is quickly becoming a morass of white fluffballs and fish waste.

I would estimate this is about a 2200 gallon pond. But that's a rough guess. Deepest point is about 38". Most sections are about 32... Maybe a little less on the gallon and depth but not much...

HELP PLEASE!


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Concrete Pond without Skimmer - need some help/advice please

KoiJoyii has a floating skimmer that works excellent in her 5K gallon pond. I think it is the swimskim. Hopefully she will post or I can ask her and get back to you. I don't believe she has had any problems with the fish being sucked in. As for the food you can get a hula hoop to use as a feeding ring. That will keep the food in long enough until they eat it.

Lisa


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RE: Concrete Pond without Skimmer - need some help/advice please

Lisa - Oh thank you so much for responding! I will absolutely use your hula hoop suggestion for the food (already do for the water hyacinths so will just make another - guess I just didn't make that mental leap... feel kind of silly now).

As far as fish - was much more concerned with the Pondmaster on that one. The Youtube video makes it look super powerful...

I saw the Swimskim online for under $100 so I will jump on that deal. Also added a second filter to the pond and am hoping that helps.

Again - thank you very much. Have a great day ~ Jaynie


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