What Is A Pond Skimmer?

Pond skimmers are a worthwhile addition to any pond filtration system.

Where a typical pond pump only removes debris that sink down to the pond floor a floating pond skimmer will remove any surface debris that won’t sink, this aids water quality and improves viewing of your Koi.

Surface skimmed water is also healthier because any oils or residues are removed this means better gaseous exchange. Also that  Pollen, petals, dust and leaves are removed as well, meaning they exit the pond system before they have a chance to break down and add to the pond’s biological load.

Types of pond skimmer

There are three types of  surface skimmers available.

The first is a skimmer which you actually build into the side of a block built pond like the Wide Mouth Black surface skimmer – cotswold koi – pond construction These are popular with koi keepers and they work by being fixed into the wall. Water then overflow into them. It is worth noting that they have no prefilter and will need to be connected to rigid pipework and then we would recommend connecting to a separate mechanical filter like a Evolution Aqua Tempest Filter

Retro-fitting is tricky with an in wall skimmer and ideally these are best pre-planned before the pond is built and are included as part of a comprehensive koi filtration system.

The next two types are both in-pond surface skimmers, meaning that they can be added or removed at any time and actually sit in the pond in the water. One needs to be powered by a separate pond pump (not supplied) and ideally a pond pump with two inlets like the Oase Aquamax Eco Premium 5000 OC – Cotswold Koi

This then means that just one pump can pull debris from the bottom like it normally would while at the same time removing floating debris from the surface. It literally is the  best of both worlds if your wanting maximum filtration capacity and top and bottom scavenging from just one pump. Floating Surface Pond Skimmer – Cotswold koi – Pond filtration

Then there is the self-contained floating pond skimmer, like the Oase Swim Skim 50 – Cotswold Koi – Pond Filtration – Pond maintainance Self contained pond skimmers have many advantages including lower cost  suitability for almost any sized pond from larger ponds to small ones and they come with their own built-in pump so they can be used entirely on their own and won’t affect or necessitate an existing pond filtration system.

The Aqua Forte Floating Pond Skimmer – Cotswold koi – Pond filtration  is also free floating. This can remove floating debris from virtually any depth of water as long as it is deep enough for the unit to float without touching the bottom of the pond.

How a floating pond skimmer works

UK law states that pond appliances are not allowed to be sold with pre fitted plugs so you will need to wire the skimmer into an RCD plug or a certified outdoor safe electrical switch box. Once you’ve done that familiarize yourself with the product.

The pump sits upside down in the bottom case and pond water is drawn in over the adjust ring before floating waste is trapped in the collection cup. The unit floats by way of three built-in floats, which must be attached before the unit is placed into the pond.

Before operation

Ensure that the pump and bottom case on the unit are fully submerged and fully tilted before turning the unit on. Without doing this air will be trapped in the base of the unit This will force it to float higher in the water column and it won’t skim the pond properly.

So submerge or tilt 90 degrees under the water to release air from the base Then turn back the right way up and switch it on. The skimming effect will be immediate and leaves and other debris will be drawn slowly towards the skimmer before overflowing into the collection cup or basket

A tether string is supplied This can be tied around one of the floats so that the unit can be retrieved easily from the middle of the pond once full of leaves.