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DIY Skimmers - Questions?
I think I need to install a skimmer due to serious trees and I want to
make it myself. If I can't - I'll just deal with a mucky pond at this point (getting fed up with the process). The concept seems simple enough. A container, a spillway cut into the container, a pump in the bottom, netting or crate to catch the junk. BUT.... 1. What about the swinging door thing? Do I need that? I think so because it will still work with raised or lowered pond levels. Right? Is that correct thinking on the door issue? If that's true, I guess one would want to get a replacement part door thingy from a premade skimmer manufacturer? Or - how would one create a proper door? Yet I see some that have no flappy door? 2. Also, I'm interested in a smallish footprint for this thing. I have an 1800 gph pondmaster mag pump. Is there any rule about vault/container sizes per the power of the pump? Or is it fair game for me in choosing the size of the container? I read here someone used a plastic file cabinet box. It would be great if I could use something similarly smallish. 3. What happens if the water level drops below the spillway? My pump would die. How do you prevent this? Does the flappy door idea prevent this from happening cuz you can sink the lowest level of the opening lower? Any pictures? :) |
DIY Skimmers - Questions?
Lisa wrote:
1. What about the swinging door thing? Do I need that? I think so because it will still work with raised or lowered pond levels. Right? Is that correct thinking on the door issue? If that's true, I guess one would want to get a replacement part door thingy from a premade skimmer manufacturer? Or - how would one create a proper door? Yet I see some that have no flappy door? I think the door is mostly so you can keep pond water out if you want to do maintenance to the pump or plumbing in the skimmer. 2. Also, I'm interested in a smallish footprint for this thing. I have an 1800 gph pondmaster mag pump. Is there any rule about vault/container sizes per the power of the pump? Or is it fair game for me in choosing the size of the container? I read here someone used a plastic file cabinet box. It would be great if I could use something similarly smallish. The issue here will be proper flow. If the skimmer opening is too small, the pump will not be getting adequate water supply. Too large and "skim" factor is reduced. I know the commercial skimmers have gph rates that they are rated for. 3. What happens if the water level drops below the spillway? My pump would die. How do you prevent this? Does the flappy door idea prevent this from happening cuz you can sink the lowest level of the opening lower? See answer to (2) above. Also, you want the bottom of the "spillway" to be typically located so it is below the usual level of your pond. I use a float valve in my skimmer box and have it adjusted so my pond level is always consistent. Hope that helps Joe -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 80,000 Newsgroups - 16 Different Servers! =----- |
DIY Skimmers - Questions?
If the skimmer door you're talking about is like the skimmer door on a pool
or spa, that door swings ONLY toward the flow and cannot swing out thereby acting as a check valve for the things you are skimming off. In a pool or spa, the pumps only run 3-4 hours/day or when you want them on and when the pumps are off, the lack of flow would allow the leaves to back flow into the pool or spa without the door. If you have a separate pump for the skimmer and you don't want to run it 24/7, the door would provide the same function - if you're using your filter pump and running constant, the door would only be necessary during maintenance. "joe" wrote in message ... Lisa wrote: 1. What about the swinging door thing? Do I need that? I think so because it will still work with raised or lowered pond levels. Right? Is that correct thinking on the door issue? If that's true, I guess one would want to get a replacement part door thingy from a premade skimmer manufacturer? Or - how would one create a proper door? Yet I see some that have no flappy door? I think the door is mostly so you can keep pond water out if you want to do maintenance to the pump or plumbing in the skimmer. 2. Also, I'm interested in a smallish footprint for this thing. I have an 1800 gph pondmaster mag pump. Is there any rule about vault/container sizes per the power of the pump? Or is it fair game for me in choosing the size of the container? I read here someone used a plastic file cabinet box. It would be great if I could use something similarly smallish. The issue here will be proper flow. If the skimmer opening is too small, the pump will not be getting adequate water supply. Too large and "skim" factor is reduced. I know the commercial skimmers have gph rates that they are rated for. 3. What happens if the water level drops below the spillway? My pump would die. How do you prevent this? Does the flappy door idea prevent this from happening cuz you can sink the lowest level of the opening lower? See answer to (2) above. Also, you want the bottom of the "spillway" to be typically located so it is below the usual level of your pond. I use a float valve in my skimmer box and have it adjusted so my pond level is always consistent. Hope that helps Joe -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 80,000 Newsgroups - 16 Different Servers! =----- |
DIY Skimmers - Questions?
Skimming is removing only top water, so the door maintains the water level
into the skimmer box. The door should be made to float, hinged at the bottom so that as the water level is pulled down on the inside, the door is drawn inward, and water can then flow over it. As for the size of the skimmer box, it should be as large as possible. The leaves that you are trying to catch will fill a small box in very short amount of time and then the pump will be choked by the amount of leaves. A net on the inside will keep the leaves away from the pump, and the flow will draw the leaves near the skimmer, so if the skimmer is small, then a net can be used at that side of the pond to collect the leaves off the surface of the pond. -- RichToyBox http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html "Lisa" wrote in message om... I think I need to install a skimmer due to serious trees and I want to make it myself. If I can't - I'll just deal with a mucky pond at this point (getting fed up with the process). The concept seems simple enough. A container, a spillway cut into the container, a pump in the bottom, netting or crate to catch the junk. BUT.... 1. What about the swinging door thing? Do I need that? I think so because it will still work with raised or lowered pond levels. Right? Is that correct thinking on the door issue? If that's true, I guess one would want to get a replacement part door thingy from a premade skimmer manufacturer? Or - how would one create a proper door? Yet I see some that have no flappy door? 2. Also, I'm interested in a smallish footprint for this thing. I have an 1800 gph pondmaster mag pump. Is there any rule about vault/container sizes per the power of the pump? Or is it fair game for me in choosing the size of the container? I read here someone used a plastic file cabinet box. It would be great if I could use something similarly smallish. 3. What happens if the water level drops below the spillway? My pump would die. How do you prevent this? Does the flappy door idea prevent this from happening cuz you can sink the lowest level of the opening lower? Any pictures? :) |
DIY Skimmers - Questions?
"Lisa" wrote in message
om... I think I need to install a skimmer due to serious trees and I want to make it myself. If I can't - I'll just deal with a mucky pond at this point (getting fed up with the process). snip Google for bickal and pond or click here http://www.geocities.com/bickal2000/skimmer.htm. I have not found a better DIY site. Period. BV. |
DIY Skimmers - Questions?
Forget the door thing if your skimmer will run 27/7, it won't be needed.
Paul |
DIY Skimmers - Questions?
I disagree. The reason for the door/flap is to maintain a constant
spillway height adjusting to changing water levels. It causes the water to move faster at the opening causing it to pull floating debris in. If the spillway gets to shallow, debris can catch at and block the opening. If the spillway gets to deep, the flow gets to slow and doesn't draw the surface water. "Paul in Redland" wrote in message ... Forget the door thing if your skimmer will run 27/7, it won't be needed. Paul |
DIY Skimmers - Questions?
Solve that problem by having a valve on a timer to add water to the pond
daily and an overflow to carry away surplus water. The advantage is that the water level in the pond never varies, ( hence the skimmer doesn't need the door thingy ) and water changes are automatic. I have both of my ponds set up this way and the third one that is in the planning stage will also have this feature. Paul "Cleveland Ponder" wrote in message om... I disagree. The reason for the door/flap is to maintain a constant spillway height adjusting to changing water levels. It causes the water to move faster at the opening causing it to pull floating debris in. If the spillway gets to shallow, debris can catch at and block the opening. If the spillway gets to deep, the flow gets to slow and doesn't draw the surface water. "Paul in Redland" wrote in message ... Forget the door thing if your skimmer will run 27/7, it won't be needed. Paul |
DIY Skimmers - Questions?
Paul in Redland mentioned:
and water changes are automatic. So how are you removing water? If the water is leaving via evaporation that's not a change, that is a topoff. Water should be removed and new water added 10-20% at least twice a month, if not more often. See water change-outs at: http://www.koiclubsandiego.org/H2oQual.html ~ jan On Thu, 22 May 2003 18:46:18 -0700, "Paul in Redland" wrote: Solve that problem by having a valve on a timer to add water to the pond daily and an overflow to carry away surplus water. The advantage is that the water level in the pond never varies, ( hence the skimmer doesn't need the door thingy ) and water changes are automatic. I have both of my ponds set up this way and the third one that is in the planning stage will also have this feature. Paul "Cleveland Ponder" wrote in message . com... I disagree. The reason for the door/flap is to maintain a constant spillway height adjusting to changing water levels. It causes the water to move faster at the opening causing it to pull floating debris in. If the spillway gets to shallow, debris can catch at and block the opening. If the spillway gets to deep, the flow gets to slow and doesn't draw the surface water. "Paul in Redland" wrote in message ... Forget the door thing if your skimmer will run 27/7, it won't be needed. Paul See my ponds and filter design: http://users.owt.com/jjspond/ ~Keep 'em Wet!~ Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a To e-mail see website |
DIY Skimmers - Questions?
If your method is to just overfill your pond, I have two things that
come to mind. 1.) It is an inefficient method of doing water changes because the overflow is already 'diluted' with the new water. Also, if the pond is near a house with a basement, such a method could cause problems. 2.) Either water is very cheap where you live or you have money to throw away. Where I live, sewer charges are based on water usage and are about 65% of the total water bill. It would be cost prohibitive to do your method. Also, for a lot of people, fresh water is not an unlimited commodity. Many areas have restrictions. For most, I don't believe your method is a viable option. "Paul in Redland" wrote in message ... Solve that problem by having a valve on a timer to add water to the pond daily and an overflow to carry away surplus water. The advantage is that the water level in the pond never varies, ( hence the skimmer doesn't need the door thingy ) and water changes are automatic. I have both of my ponds set up this way and the third one that is in the planning stage will also have this feature. Paul "Cleveland Ponder" wrote in message om... I disagree. The reason for the door/flap is to maintain a constant spillway height adjusting to changing water levels. It causes the water to move faster at the opening causing it to pull floating debris in. If the spillway gets to shallow, debris can catch at and block the opening. If the spillway gets to deep, the flow gets to slow and doesn't draw the surface water. "Paul in Redland" wrote in message ... Forget the door thing if your skimmer will run 27/7, it won't be needed. Paul |
DIY Skimmers - Questions?
Jan, what part of " an overflow to carry away surplus water " didn't you
understand? Wow! I've always wanted to say that. Actually, the timer comes on twice a day for 10 min and the surplus goes down the overflow drain and over a cliff in my backyard. Oh, I'm also on a well, so all the nasty things that are common in " city " water aren't a problem. Paul "~ jan JJsPond.us" wrote in message ... Paul in Redland mentioned: and water changes are automatic. So how are you removing water? If the water is leaving via evaporation that's not a change, that is a topoff. Water should be removed and new water added 10-20% at least twice a month, if not more often. See water change-outs at: http://www.koiclubsandiego.org/H2oQual.html ~ jan On Thu, 22 May 2003 18:46:18 -0700, "Paul in Redland" wrote: Solve that problem by having a valve on a timer to add water to the pond daily and an overflow to carry away surplus water. The advantage is that the water level in the pond never varies, ( hence the skimmer doesn't need the door thingy ) and water changes are automatic. I have both of my ponds set up this way and the third one that is in the planning stage will also have this feature. Paul "Cleveland Ponder" wrote in message . com... I disagree. The reason for the door/flap is to maintain a constant spillway height adjusting to changing water levels. It causes the water to move faster at the opening causing it to pull floating debris in. If the spillway gets to shallow, debris can catch at and block the opening. If the spillway gets to deep, the flow gets to slow and doesn't draw the surface water. "Paul in Redland" wrote in message ... Forget the door thing if your skimmer will run 27/7, it won't be needed. Paul See my ponds and filter design: http://users.owt.com/jjspond/ ~Keep 'em Wet!~ Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a To e-mail see website |
DIY Skimmers - Questions?
Hey! Lighten up. I'm on a well, my water cost is next to zip and the nearest
sewer is in town, 12 miles away. I don't care about being efficient with water changes. My system adds about 75 gallons daily to the large pond and if half of that goes down the overflow, I don't care, because the other half stayed in the pond and displaced 'old' water. This system has worked very well for me for 4 years now. My water ALWAYS tests great, I have zero muck (mulm) on the bottom and I have NEVER cleaned the pond out, oh did I mention that I've not had a single fish die in 4 years? Oh and I forgot to mention I have never had green water either. I'm not saying that everyone should set their pond up like this, like you say, it wouldn't work for all situations, but for me it works great. The only reason I even mentioned it was that I figured someone may get an idea that may help them. Paul "Cleveland Ponder" wrote in message m... If your method is to just overfill your pond, I have two things that come to mind. 1.) It is an inefficient method of doing water changes because the overflow is already 'diluted' with the new water. Also, if the pond is near a house with a basement, such a method could cause problems. 2.) Either water is very cheap where you live or you have money to throw away. Where I live, sewer charges are based on water usage and are about 65% of the total water bill. It would be cost prohibitive to do your method. Also, for a lot of people, fresh water is not an unlimited commodity. Many areas have restrictions. For most, I don't believe your method is a viable option. "Paul in Redland" wrote in message ... Solve that problem by having a valve on a timer to add water to the pond daily and an overflow to carry away surplus water. The advantage is that the water level in the pond never varies, ( hence the skimmer doesn't need the door thingy ) and water changes are automatic. I have both of my ponds set up this way and the third one that is in the planning stage will also have this feature. Paul "Cleveland Ponder" wrote in message om... I disagree. The reason for the door/flap is to maintain a constant spillway height adjusting to changing water levels. It causes the water to move faster at the opening causing it to pull floating debris in. If the spillway gets to shallow, debris can catch at and block the opening. If the spillway gets to deep, the flow gets to slow and doesn't draw the surface water. "Paul in Redland" wrote in message ... Forget the door thing if your skimmer will run 27/7, it won't be needed. Paul |
DIY Skimmers - Questions?
In article ,
"Paul in Redland" wrote: Hey! Lighten up. I'm on a well, my water cost is next to zip and the nearest sewer is in town, 12 miles away. I don't care about being efficient with water changes. My system adds about 75 gallons daily to the large pond and if half of that goes down the overflow, I don't care, because the other half stayed in the pond and displaced 'old' water. This system has worked very well for me for 4 years now. My water ALWAYS tests great, I have zero muck (mulm) on the bottom and I have NEVER cleaned the pond out, oh did I mention that I've not had a single fish die in 4 years? Oh and I forgot to mention I have never had green water either. I'm not saying that everyone should set their pond up like this, like you say, it wouldn't work for all situations, but for me it works great. The only reason I even mentioned it was that I figured someone may get an idea that may help them. Fair enough... but you should of added that your water doesn't contain chlorine (or other), deadly to koi. jay Fri, May 23, 2003 Paul "Cleveland Ponder" wrote in message m... If your method is to just overfill your pond, I have two things that come to mind. 1.) It is an inefficient method of doing water changes because the overflow is already 'diluted' with the new water. Also, if the pond is near a house with a basement, such a method could cause problems. 2.) Either water is very cheap where you live or you have money to throw away. Where I live, sewer charges are based on water usage and are about 65% of the total water bill. It would be cost prohibitive to do your method. Also, for a lot of people, fresh water is not an unlimited commodity. Many areas have restrictions. For most, I don't believe your method is a viable option. "Paul in Redland" wrote in message ... Solve that problem by having a valve on a timer to add water to the pond daily and an overflow to carry away surplus water. The advantage is that the water level in the pond never varies, ( hence the skimmer doesn't need the door thingy ) and water changes are automatic. I have both of my ponds set up this way and the third one that is in the planning stage will also have this feature. Paul "Cleveland Ponder" wrote in message om... I disagree. The reason for the door/flap is to maintain a constant spillway height adjusting to changing water levels. It causes the water to move faster at the opening causing it to pull floating debris in. If the spillway gets to shallow, debris can catch at and block the opening. If the spillway gets to deep, the flow gets to slow and doesn't draw the surface water. "Paul in Redland" wrote in message ... Forget the door thing if your skimmer will run 27/7, it won't be needed. Paul -- Legend insists that as he finished his abject... Galileo muttered under his breath: "Nevertheless, it does move." |
DIY Skimmers - Questions?
Sorry if I came across poorly. My point was simply that for many of
us, your method is not a viable alternative. For you, your only cost is for the electricity to run your pump and water is plentiful. This is not the case in many areas. "Paul in Redland" wrote in message ... Hey! Lighten up. I'm on a well, my water cost is next to zip and the nearest sewer is in town, 12 miles away. I don't care about being efficient with water changes. My system adds about 75 gallons daily to the large pond and if half of that goes down the overflow, I don't care, because the other half stayed in the pond and displaced 'old' water. This system has worked very well for me for 4 years now. My water ALWAYS tests great, I have zero muck (mulm) on the bottom and I have NEVER cleaned the pond out, oh did I mention that I've not had a single fish die in 4 years? Oh and I forgot to mention I have never had green water either. I'm not saying that everyone should set their pond up like this, like you say, it wouldn't work for all situations, but for me it works great. The only reason I even mentioned it was that I figured someone may get an idea that may help them. Paul "Cleveland Ponder" wrote in message m... If your method is to just overfill your pond, I have two things that come to mind. 1.) It is an inefficient method of doing water changes because the overflow is already 'diluted' with the new water. Also, if the pond is near a house with a basement, such a method could cause problems. 2.) Either water is very cheap where you live or you have money to throw away. Where I live, sewer charges are based on water usage and are about 65% of the total water bill. It would be cost prohibitive to do your method. Also, for a lot of people, fresh water is not an unlimited commodity. Many areas have restrictions. For most, I don't believe your method is a viable option. "Paul in Redland" wrote in message ... Solve that problem by having a valve on a timer to add water to the pond daily and an overflow to carry away surplus water. The advantage is that the water level in the pond never varies, ( hence the skimmer doesn't need the door thingy ) and water changes are automatic. I have both of my ponds set up this way and the third one that is in the planning stage will also have this feature. Paul "Cleveland Ponder" wrote in message om... I disagree. The reason for the door/flap is to maintain a constant spillway height adjusting to changing water levels. It causes the water to move faster at the opening causing it to pull floating debris in. If the spillway gets to shallow, debris can catch at and block the opening. If the spillway gets to deep, the flow gets to slow and doesn't draw the surface water. "Paul in Redland" wrote in message ... Forget the door thing if your skimmer will run 27/7, it won't be needed. Paul |
DIY Skimmers - Questions?
Fair enough... but you should of added that your water doesn't contain
chlorine (or other), deadly to koi. Small amounts of chlorine are not a problem. I use a slightly different scheme, a 1/2 gal/hr drip irrigation emmiter into my filter, thus overflowing 12 gallons a day. My vege garden is downhill from my pond so I just move a hose around to use the water. I'm happy with it. Pond always full, water clean and I use the water twice :-) |
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