I use a 1/6 HP sump pump. I vacuum in 2 steps. First I remove the
leaves with my Muck Mop, water stays in the pond. I wait a day for the
silt to settle and then I vacuum with a hose attached to the pump
intake and pump the dirty water out of the pond. This is the only
setup I've found that doesn't clog the vac head, hose, or pump with
leaves and string algae.

Here's a web page with all the pond vacuuming info I have:

http://www.waterbugdesign.com/pond_vac/

It takes alittle tweaking to get the set up that's right for you and
your pond but I've found vacuuming to be a big help. Once the pond is
clean you can do a monthly vacuuming with just the Muck Mop to keep it
clean.


"Chi Tran" wrote in message igy.com...
I have my pond for almost a year now and it has started to accumulate
dirt/leaves on the bottom
of the the pond and stream.

Any recommendation on the type and size of pump needed to "suck/vacuum" the
dirt out
from the bottom of the pond? Note that my pond has small gravels on the
bottom for natural looks.

Thanks!

- Chi

My pond pictures...
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/chivantra...Garden&.view=t