DIY pond skimmer
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- Опубликовано: 28 авг 2024
- A how to explanation of how i built a really cheap skimmer for my budget ecosystem fish pond. This simple pond skimmer was built using a cheap, sturdy bucket. To create an effective pond skimmer all you need to do is create surface tension. The tension on the surface of the water pulls all the debris over into the skimmer. In this case a bucket. On top of the pump i have a sponge that collects all the debris and prevents small fish from being sucked into the pump. Once a week i remove the debris and rinse out the sponge. Not bad for under 10 bucks.
To learn more about building and maintaining a successful backyard fish pond visit ozponds.com/
Amazon link for waterfall foam amzn.to/34ITTrG
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Damn this channel deserves more credit. Way better information than most well known channels
Thanks Steven. Spread the word 👍
That's a beautiful winter there. Looks like summer to me.
We don’t freeze but it’s too cold for me!
I’ll be doing this one for sure! So much more straight forward then a lot of others
Good luck Craig 👍
Redoing my pond now, but curious about the membrane. If it's static in height and stretched across the gap, what happens when the pond water height drops?
So far this is the most clean-look diy skimmer i found.. Definitely will do the same.. Thanks
Excellent explanation. I was getting worried about how to do the skimmer on the cheap, but functional and efficient. This does that! Thanks for the info!
You're welcome 👍
Thanks! I'm finally getting the skimmer in tomorrow. Using your design with slight modifications. I've learned so much from your videos.
Thanks so much 😊🍻🍻👍
You are a genius! Excellent idea😊
Nice looking pond. No crazy streams or volcano or piles of rocks.
Garden and pond look amazing matey 👍🏻
Thanks. 👍
You should do an update on skimmer no I’m late to the party love the videos!!!
It works so good I’ve never had to rebuild it. I will do a revised video one day.
That is excellent idea. You’re a genius. Can’t wait to do ours. Thanks for your video. It’s been really helpful.🙂
Glad it helps 👍
You have a nice pond
Martin in SoFlo
I’ve been looking for this idea. I have lots of liner overlay, so this will work fine . Thanks for the directions.
Your pond is BEAUTIFUL. WOW. Thanks.
Wow man you inspired me to make my own! Thank you 🙏🏻🇳🇴
That’s great 👍
Hi Kev - these videos are so helpful. Really appreciate the time and effort you have gone to to get the information out there for other people interested in building ponds. I had a quick question about the flap. You mention that you tuck it under two smaller rocks but I am having problems envisaging how the flap stays vertical. Do you glue it on the sides and leave a section at the top to flap? Or does the pull of the water keep it against the rocks? Could you explain a bit more or draw a diagram. Many thanks!
I think it’s just one of those things you need to play around with. It’s just a scrap piece of liner and a few rocks. It’s easy to play around with or even retro fit to an existing pond.
I love your videos... thank you for sharing!! Beautiful ponds too!!❣❣❣😍😍😍
Thanks Belinda you are very kind 😊👍
Helpful, AS ALWAYS!!!! 😺
Great update kev 👍
Thanks Sam 😃
Beautiful pond
Cheers Terry 🍻
Thank you for sharing 👍
Elegantly done.
😂 maybe not elegant but it gets the job done 👍
Just another question. You said you drilled holes in the bucket so if the water level dropped below the lip of the bucket the pump wouldnt run dry. But wouldnt it run dry anyway if the water level drops below that narrow intake corridor? Again excellent channel!
If I did it again I wouldn’t even bother with the holes.
Excellent work
Thanks 😊
This is a beautiful pond. Do you have a video showing, how to build something like this?
Yes. If you scroll through my previous videos you can see how this pond was built. 👍
Another fantastic and informative video Mate! A great DIY system that can save some big bucks! Skimmer system makes perfect sense to me .... except for one thing.
When first constructing the pond, do I need to ensure that the EPDM liner is long enough (or wide enough) to accommodate the area where the bucket skimmer sits into, so as to maintain a waterproof area for the incoming water around the bucket, or is the waterproof "well" around bucket somehow created later, in a way that I'm just not seeing? I've watched this video 3 times now.
I'm Planning on constructing a 3.5 X 3.00 X 0.6 Meter pool with one shelf. (approx. measurements) 2 shelfs I "think" would make it look too crowded. I will also be using a large old PVC bathtub to create a bog filter. "The Bathtub Bog Filter" should be capable of holding 380 Liters to support the pool volume 3,800-liter. The pond will hopefully be able to work in harmony with 4 to 6 goldfish. (10% bog filter to pool ratio as per your PDF)
PS: I paid for and downloaded your PDF from your website. Lots of great detailed info!
Cheers!
I like the bucket inside the liner. Keeps the whole area waterproof. The two large rocks, some waterfall foam and an off cut of liner are used to force the water between the two rocks. That creates the skimming action. Hope that helps 👍
@@OzpondsThanks for the quick reply. I agree that pacing the bucket inside the liner is the most "fail-proof" system.
@@Ozponds Thanks for the fast reply! On 2nd thoughts (as this is only a modestly sized pond with no major leaf fall), It might be simpler to just scoop /net out any surface matter. 👍
Thank you for all of your help. You've been so patient and I'll let you know how it turns out. I'm doing this alone so it may take a while. Do you know how you eat an elephant???
One bite at a time ;)
That’s ok Lynnda, we all need a little help and patience from others at times. I’m happy to be able to help you. Good luck with the Elephant you’ll be ready for dessert before you know it 😉
@@Ozponds Life is short...eat desert first.
Dessert
Hi Kev! This video is most helpful. I am, however, not fully understanding the "liner flap" and how it is situated. Could you provide a bot more detail on the liner flap?
It’s really hard to explain. It’s just a piece of liner that kinda flaps around to really create a thin layer of water over it.
@@Ozponds where/how does it attach?
@@BillyYIII99III it doesn’t. You just keep it in place with rocks.
@@Ozponds that's helpful, Thank you
Lovin your vids. Assume frogbit and other floating plants are a no-no with this set up?
You can use it just put it in a floating ring.
Hi Kevin. I hope you don't mind me asking a couple more questions. Did you subsequently put an auto-fill valve on your DIY skimmer? And what is the distance between the top of the liner flap in the narrow opening between the rocks and the actual water surface? Thanks.
No auto valve. The flap sits 5-7cm (about 2inches) below the water surface when the pond is completely full. The water level will drop over time if there is no rain. Because the flap has play in it the water can drop more than 5-7cm before needing a top up. Hope that makes sense.
@@Ozponds It all makes sense. Thanks for your speedy reply.
@@Ozponds You have built an absolutely great looking pond by the way. I don't have room for one that size, mine is going to be a mere 10 feet by 6 feet!
That’s still a nice sized pond 👍
@@Ozponds Sorry Kevin, yet another question. My rather large 38cm diameter bucket arrived today but I have a question about the pump to go inside it. The one I originally looked at here in the UK is the Jebao XTP Super Eco 5000 pump. I am not running a stream or waterfall but will have something like a terracotta urn for the water outlet at the other end of the pond. A 5000 LPH pump might be too much for this. In your experience, would I get away with using a small pump, say 1600 LPH, or would that not produce enough 'pull' for the skimmer to work effectively? Thanks.
Hi Kev, this is so helpful. Thank you!!
I was looking to buy a pond skimmer set up but as you know they are $1000 plus another $700 or do for the pump!
One question I have is, how far in cm does the top rim of the bucket have to be below the water level?
Kind regards Paul.
Depends I guess on how much fluctuations of water level you are wanting to have. I tend to allow this pond to go up or down about 5-7cm.
@@Ozponds thank you for the quick reply. Yes that makes sense. Thank you again.
Great video and excellent information. I make screenshots of all this "quick drafts", they are extremely useful to understand the setup.
By the way, I didn't fully understand the function of the "liner flap between the rocks", why it is needed?
And, if due to the evaporation, the water level falls below the flap height... this will not prevent the bucket to be refilled and will damage the pump?
The flap just makes the pull or draw into the pump more efficient. The water bends it so there is some flexibility in the water level. If you look at say an aquascape skimmer it has a weir door. The flap acts in a similar way. Hope that makes sense 👍
@@Ozponds Yes, thanks, a lot more clear.
I didn't know the word "weir door", if anyone didn't either, this image is helpful: i.stack.imgur.com/LRROI.jpg
Thanks mate that will help a lot of people 👍
@@CogitoBcn hey cogito....your question was a good one but even with your pics I still don't understand completely
Wow.. All great info.. Love it.. Big 👍 from me
Thanks Chris 👍
Brilliant tutorial, thank you. I would like to know if instead of a piece of a pond liner to use a 3mm piece of see through perspex ?
G’day John. I can’t see why not. 👍
We have made 2 fabulous big filters and getting ready to make one for a friend for her birthday!! How ever this skimmer is killing me... 😂😂🙏🙏🤦♀️🤦♀️
What the problem Rene? It’s so simple.
@@Ozponds I think I’m having pump issues.... ordered a new one!! I don’t have a way to get to the liner so I’m also having floating problems. Not really possible to nestle this in a tight spot.🤓
Can’t you just make a cove out of rocks? Then use those rocks to anchor in an off cut of pond liner? Seal the rocks with foam if necessary so that water passes over the flap.
@@Ozponds can you sketch the liner part and the rocks… I am lost there . Thanks
G’day Mario. I thought I did in this video. The off-cut liner flap is just tucked under 2 large rocks. The water flows over the top of the flap creating the tension or current.
So much helpful content, thanks! Would you say this would be possible to add outside the end of an existing pond? 14' x 3.5' x 1.5 avg depth. Or in that situation would it be better to lean towards the skimmer boxes that sandwich the liner between two pieces?
Have lots of leaves and original pond builder didn't build in any skimming and not enough bio filter.
If there are lots of leaves you might want to consider an intake bay. I built one for my large dream pond I’m in the process of building. There is a video it’s a few weeks back. Otherwise yes a commercial skimmer box is good, you might just need to check it daily. Hope that helps.👍
@@Ozponds Thanks! I've seen a bit about intake bays on larger ponds, would probably be perfect if I can scale it and work it into my space. Will keep researching and working my way through your videos. Learning a lot, looking forward to a healthier, easier to maintain pond.
Doesn’t need to be big. Although the bigger the area the more leaves it can fit and therefore go longer between cleans. Good luck with it all 👍
Is the flap piece of liner necessary? With the pump drawing water in i assumed that does the same thing. Reason I ask is I have a purchased skimmer missing the flap and it’s always continued to work without it. Thanks for your videos, find them more informative than the channels which are basically infomercials!
It’s not necessary in all cases. It always depends on the depth/ width and flow rate. I guess it’s just a great way to add the ability to change the depth and therefore create more “draw” into the skimmer area. I’m glad you like the videos 😊👍
@@Ozponds thanks! you sold me on bog filters for my next build! :)
Can I have an image or short video of "added a flap of pond liner and tucked into with a few small rocks?" I need help understanding how to make it.
I’ll add it to my list of things to do 👍
Very clever. Is the flap attached only at the bottom by a few rocks ? Also how far under the water is the bucket and is the bucket niche backfilled in snug or do you have space around it ? Also I’m thinking maybe attaching a bit of foam to the top of the flap much like the floating weir doors
Top of bucket is about 6 inches below water level. Bucket was back filled a little to hold in place. I thought about adding some foam but it was unnecessary in the end. 👍
Hi Kevin, I'm just building a 10ft x 6ft pond in my back garden. I have 2 questions please, apologies if you have already answered them previously. Firstly, with regards to your DIY skimmer, how many LPH is the pump you used in the bucket? Secondly, if the water level drops below the level of the flap, would the pump not suck all the water out of the bucket, then run dry? Thanks. Kevin Lorenzo (UK)
This pond pump is 4600 litres per hour. Yes that is the downside of a skimmer if the water level drops too low the pump runs dry. This was something I was very concerned about. But turns out I love my ponds so much I always look at them (at least once a day). I’m also lucky to live in a high rainfall area so only ever need to top up in summer.
Thanks for your reply. I'm concerned abour it running dry while I'm away on holiday for example but I know you can buy pumps that shut off automatically if water is not present.
The problem with most pumps with dry protect they keep trying to turn back on. If left for extended periods they would eventually burn out. You could add an auto top up valve and just turn it on when on holiday.
So there is only one pump that is near the surface of the water...does that mean there is no mechanical filtration for fish waste?
Well the sponges sitting above the pump provide some mechanical filtration.
Great video...... how would I add a skimmer like this to an existing pond that has a liner already?
It’s pretty easy but hard to describe. All you need to do is make it so that the water is forced between the rocks and over a shallow hump, so you get that water tension pulling motion. You’ll need to partially drain the pond to do it.
Doesn’t putting a pump into the skimmer box makes a slightly buzzing sound because it’s not damped by that much water?
I find pumps usually only make a noise when they are partially blocked up.
What do you think about having another bucket with holes, inside that bucket. Then to empty, just lift out the tip bucket and dump out the schmoo
Sounds good. Sill add in some sponges.
Kev thanks for helping us with the skimmer idea, I ve made a 3x4 meter half above ground pond with oak beams holding down liner, how can I incorporate the skimmer with flap into this type of pond, thanks
You could just seal off a corner. Alternatively it might be worth looking at one of those hang on the side skimmers used in above ground swimming pools.
@@Ozponds can I make this myself and put it up on one of my shelf’s.
Question is that flap.
The skimmer and pump inside it
Before it goes up into my bog. Right.
I enjoy studying all of your great videos, I made a bog in a barrel which sits up above my pond but I did it more simply with out inner pipes, the water simply enters from the bottom and flows up thru the rocks and out above, I think I need to make a clean out drain pipe, I put active charcoal bag as well, filter floss, ceramic beads and a sponge, gravel and plants, the works,
it really cleared up the pond quickly, but cleaning it out from below is a good plan , thanks kev for your help,
Yes pump sits in a bucket with a sponge over the top. I anchored the flap in using rocks and used foam to seal the gaps in all the rocks surrounding the bucket. This means the only way in for the water is over the flap. Then yes the water is pumped from the bucket (skimmer) up to the bog filter. Hope that helps 👍
Just seen this! Amazing thank you. One question- does the skimmer need to be opposite the bog filter or can it be closer? Would that create issues? TIA
I think it’s best practice. I always position the skimmer on the opposite side to the inflow. Creates better overall circulation, in my opinion.
@@Ozponds thank you for your reply! So helpful
What happens when the water level drops? Is your flap able to move like the pivoting doors in commercial skimmers? I need to make mine adjustable to water level changes as I won't have an automatic method to top up the pond.
It’s can drop a few inches but any more than that and I need to top the pond up. The intake bays give me about a foot of fluctuations.
Does having a skimmer eliminate the need to draw water from the bottom of the pond?
Im making a 250-300 gal pond. If I don’t go with skimmer, would you recommend doing a false bottom with a Bog set-up, or would a standard bog set up be enough for the pond?
Most of the time if I have a skimmer I don’t draw from the bottom. Just the skimmer.
At around 1:54 you said to create some surface tension you add a liner flap???
What do you mean.....any insight is much appreciated friend....thank you
Nevermind....I got it.....
If this video was helpful???
Shoot brother I wish I could give you a thousand 👍
😂 thanks mate. Glad you worked it out 👍
@@Ozponds yeah I'm'a character for sure
😅😅😅
kiev, should the skimmer be placed at the lowest depth of the pond? or rather at a higher ground in the pond below the water level?
😂 Kiev. Sorry that made me laugh! The skimmer needs to be placed slightly below water level. 👍
@@Ozponds LOL....I was thinking that's how you say his name???
😅😅😅😅
Is the bog pond lower than the main pond? My main pond is approximately 20' from the lower, shallower pond. Can I make this work for a filter?
Yes you could certainly convert a lower pond into a skimmer or intake bay. 👍
@UC5uRSGrV7DrF2fJ6qk8FZLQ Can the main pond empty into the lower, smaller, shallower pond and then be pumped back into the higher ,large pond and work as a filter?
It could but it won’t be as efficient and will be more difficult to maintain.
Well shucks!
Thank you all.
Lindo trabalho, parabéns
Thank you 😊
would 12,000 ltrs per hour pump be too much for a bog filter, not quite sure which type of eco sort of system i should be using with it?
It depends on the bog size. But most likely it will be too much. As a quick rule a 12,000 litres per hour would be ideal for a 3,000 litre bog (15minutes to move through the bog, although it will be quicker once filled with rock and gravel, but you’ll also have some head loss) But the more flow you can pull into a skimmer or intake bay the stronger the current and the better it will work sweeping the surface clean. For example is you look at my aquascape pond it’s a small pond but moving 12, 000 litres per hour through the skimmer and waterfall filter. You could either split the flow or use a smaller pump for the bog. I hope that all makes sense. Sometimes just running a seperate pump is easier.
@@Ozponds yep it all make sense, so i can reduce the flow by splitting off a couple of underwater jets, the pump in the bottom of the skimmer to suck debris into that area, and i presume the bog filter can spill out for a waterfall?
Spot on 👍
Sadly I'm not a genius, (close though!) so I'm going for the bog. How much higher does it need to be than the main pond and would that be measuring only the top of the two? I'm moving dirt from a high point close by to the perimeter of the proposed bog and making it about 1/4 the size of my big one. Does it need to be shallow?
It only need to be about 6 inches to a foot above the main pond. Yes that is top of the pond to top of the bog (water levels). The water in the bog can be as deep as you like it can even still look like a pond. Just try and layer the gravel and rocks if possible. Big on the bottom and slowly get smaller as you approach the top of the rock/gravel layer. 2 foot of gravel/ rock is plenty. Hope that all makes sense. Ive got lots of bog filter videos that will help explain the layering and how to make it easy to clean etc. Good luck.
@@Ozponds Can I access the videos from your website?
I don’t have them all there only the early ones. I wrote the articles over a year ago. Now I focus more on RUclips.
What pump are you using?
One of these sorts of pumps amzn.to/45p3sKu. Low volt dc sine wave. Very efficient.
What if my pond is all rock, without any plastic liner?
If you’ve got a natural rock pool you probably don’t need any filtration, just enjoy nature at its best.
@Ozponds I have a 5000 gal pond. You can't see any fish because the sun is causing too much algae and green water. There is no bottom drain, so I added retrofit drains. I have a huge eucalyptus tree that blows leaves and bark, so I covered the pond with a net. I have six large tubs of blue flag iris plants that clog pre filter leaf basket, so muck and leaves don't allow water to flow. So, no, I'm not enjoying the natural pond. I'm going to follow your instructions on the bog filter system, using a 300 gal Rubbermaid tub also. ☹️
300 gal bog on a 5000gal pond with the issues you talk about is too small.
This may be a silly question, I'm still learning, but if I already have a biofalls sort of filter (sponge and bioballs and spillway waterfall)... would I need a separate pump to add a bog filter too? Because the flow rates need to be different?
No you could divert some water to the bog filter. Just remember it will take away from the waterfall though. You don’t want the waterfall to have too little water flowing over. Showtimes it just easier to add a small energy efficient pump to run the bog. But the choice is yours. Hope that helps 👍
@@Ozponds that does help! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer! I love your channel!
That’s ok. I’m happy you are enjoying the channel. Good luck with your project 👍
At minute 2:28 what kind of rocks are those ?
Those are called “Colac rock” at my local landscape yard.
I'm sorry but I cannot tell from the video if the bog pond is lower
No bog is higher than main pond. Water is pumped to the bottom of the bog then wells up and returns to main pond via gravity.
@@Ozponds so I have to build up the bog pond?
To a higher level than the main pond?
Well it would be best if you want a bog filter. But I’ve been thinking a bit more about it and maybe you could build an anoxic filter. If you search that on RUclips that might be just the thing that saves you a lot of work. I want to build one but I haven’t personally tried it so I can’t offer any in-depth advice. Let me know if you go that route I would be interested in hearing how it goes.
@@Ozponds I will definitely research that. Thank you and I'll let you know what I do.
Do you do this to save money an not buy aquascape products or do you just not like aqascape
I’ve got nothing against aquascape. I’ve built 2 ponds using only their products. The basic signature series skimmer 200 costs $480 dollars here in Australia. This bucket cost less than $10. That’s a big saving.
@@Ozponds lol i gotchu thats what i was assuming is youd rather go cheaper but still have the water quality i have a 1100 gallon pond an i can see straight to the bottom not like yours but i got a bio falls an make shift filter out of a stream i built cause i dont got money to put in a bog or wet land filter or even a skimmer so i just skim everyday but have thought about using a bucket to do a skimmer i just dont really have a place to put one considering i trimmed the liner an dont really any little nooks or anything to hide it in but i love the idea pretty sure thats how greg witstock started out by building um out of buckets an old trash cans
@@Ozponds and i wanted to know if your certified or you just do ponds as a hobby or a job or just like water features
Sorry for all the questions just really like pond an water features am hoping to join a team or start a water feature business in the near future just lack of funds
Just a hobby. I was planning on going through aquascapes certification process but I’m a terrible salesman. People would come visit my ponds and love the diy filters and not want to go for the aquascape equipment. That’s why I decided to just focus on this channel and my website to help people create nice ponds but on a budget. 👍
Nice🐡🇩🇰