Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think I'll regret it?

--
BenignVanilla
tibetanbeefgarden.com
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Remove MY SPLEEN to email me.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

"BenignVanilla" wrote:

My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think I'll regret it?

Depends on how many leaves fall into the pond.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

BV wrote
My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think I'll regret it?

yup! ;-)


k30a

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 15:50:57 -0500, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:

My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think I'll regret it?

Depending on how big your pond will be. 2 or 3 hundred gallons,
probley not. Larger than that you need the skimmer and a bottom drain.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

BenignVanilla wrote:
My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think I'll regret it?

--
BenignVanilla
tibetanbeefgarden.com
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Remove MY SPLEEN to email me.




I dont use one but if you have a lot of small floaty stuff blowing into
your pond they do come in handy
--
John Rutz

I'm not Porg am not am not am so
see my pond at:
http://www.fuerjefe.com

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

"Theron" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 15:50:57 -0500, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:

My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think I'll regret it?

Depending on how big your pond will be. 2 or 3 hundred gallons,
probley not. Larger than that you need the skimmer and a bottom drain.

My estimate, based on what I have seen in my friends yards...is that I will
end up with 2-3000 gallons. What issues arise without a skimmer? A bottom
drain too? I had not even planned on that at all. The skimmer was a possible
idea, but the bottom drain never entered my mind. I'd hate to cut my liner.

BV.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

"BenignVanilla"
wrote in message ...
"Theron" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 15:50:57 -0500, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:

My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think
I'll regret it?

Depending on how big your pond will be. 2 or 3 hundred
gallons,
probley not. Larger than that you need the skimmer and a
bottom drain.

My estimate, based on what I have seen in my friends yards...is
that I will
end up with 2-3000 gallons. What issues arise without a
skimmer? A bottom
drain too? I had not even planned on that at all. The skimmer
was a possible
idea, but the bottom drain never entered my mind. I'd hate to
cut my liner.

I've got a 3-year-old 1000 gallon pond with a skimmer and no
bottom drain(it was a kit). The skimmer helps keep leaves and
such from sinking to the bottom where they will rot. I can't
speak to any benefits of installing a bottom drain, but I know
this: They ought to take convicts off the rock piles and chain
gangs, and put them to work digging ponds. ;-)

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

On Thu, 30 Jan 2003 12:38:31 -0500, "BenignVanilla" My estimate,
based on what I have seen in my friends yards...is that I will
end up with 2-3000 gallons. What issues arise without a skimmer? A bottom
drain too? I had not even planned on that at all. The skimmer was a possible
idea, but the bottom drain never entered my mind. I'd hate to cut my liner.

BV.

IMHO....you need to do a lot more thinking about what your going to
build. Here is a good place to start.

http://webpages.charter.net/crush11/

Chuck has a real good web site on what it takes to build a workable
pond.

http://www.geocities.com/bickal2000/pond.htm

Greg has fantastic info on DIY stuff and great pond design

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

"Theron" wrote in message
...
snip
IMHO....you need to do a lot more thinking about what your going to
build. Here is a good place to start.

It's hovering in the teens here...and will not be spring for some months. I
think I have plenty of thinking time. *laugh*

Thanks for the links.

BV.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

"BenignVanilla" wrote:

"Theron" wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 15:50:57 -0500, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:

My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think I'll regret it?

Depending on how big your pond will be. 2 or 3 hundred gallons,
probley not. Larger than that you need the skimmer and a bottom drain.

My estimate, based on what I have seen in my friends yards...is that I will
end up with 2-3000 gallons. What issues arise without a skimmer? A bottom
drain too? I had not even planned on that at all. The skimmer was a possible
idea, but the bottom drain never entered my mind. I'd hate to cut my liner.

Everything that lands on a pond surface, unless skimmed off, or eaten,
will sink to the bottom.

If you have a good bottom drain, then you could get away without a
skimmer.

Without a bottom drain that can remove debris like leaves and such, it
is left up to you to do it, and you will have to do it each fall at a
minimum.

It is a lot easier to bite the bullet, and do the job right the first
time, rather than the last time.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

"BenignVanilla" sez:
My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think I'll regret it?

I'm in the minority apparently. I don't have a skimmer. You can see my
pond pics at http://www.fringeweb.com/Ponds/kc/MyPond.html

If you could put one in easily, do it. But if you can't, it's not going to
destroy the pond.

And no, I don't have a bottom drain either.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

"BenignVanilla" wrote in
message ...
My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think I'll regret it?

--
BenignVanilla
tibetanbeefgarden.com
x-no-archive: yes

Remove MY SPLEEN to email me.


Depends upon your location and possibility of leaves etc getting into the
pond. Also whether or not you have the time to physically remove leaves on
a daily basis when they get in the pond.
I think you only need a bottom drain if the depth is greater than 2ft 6in.
At this depth you will be able to 'paddle' in the pond to remove debris and
'vacuum' as required.
The depth also depends upon where you live. Most fish, including Koi, are
quite happy in 2ft of water providing you give them some kind of shelter and
plants to hide in.
You only need a greater depth when there is extemes of temperature.

Les.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

Don't have either a skimmer or a bottom drain,
Fringe. I do use BZT faithfully and will vacuum
the bottom this spring :(

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"Fringe Ryder" wrote in message
...
"BenignVanilla" sez:
My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think I'll regret it?

I'm in the minority apparently. I don't have a skimmer. You can see my
pond pics at http://www.fringeweb.com/Ponds/kc/MyPond.html

If you could put one in easily, do it. But if you can't, it's not going
to
destroy the pond.

And no, I don't have a bottom drain either.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

avoid leaves in the pond and losing fish... design the pond with netting. then you
wont need a skimmer or a bottom drain...Ingrid

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

I vouch for Theron's response. You'll be sorry if you don't do both!

--
_______________________________________
"Architecture is the ultimate erotic 'object'."
Bernard Tschumi, "Architecture & Transgression"

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino
"Theron" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 15:50:57 -0500, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:

My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think I'll regret it?

Depending on how big your pond will be. 2 or 3 hundred gallons,
probley not. Larger than that you need the skimmer and a bottom drain.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

wrote in message ...
avoid leaves in the pond and losing fish... design the pond with netting. then you
wont need a skimmer or a bottom drain...Ingrid

Nets are not necessary if predators are not an issue and if trees are
not dropping their leaves. They are a real help in the fall, however,
and I would recommend one. Aesthetics are key for me and I'd rather
not have one. I vouch for the bottom drain. I do not have a skimmer,
but would like one. The bottom drain removes much of the debris and
sludge that forms in the pond bottom. Best investment made for the
pond.

Justin
http://www.geocities.com/justinm090

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

"Carola / Les" wrote in message
.. .
Depends upon your location and possibility of leaves etc getting into
the
pond. Also whether or not you have the time to physically remove leaves
on
a daily basis when they get in the pond.
I think you only need a bottom drain if the depth is greater than 2ft 6in.
At this depth you will be able to 'paddle' in the pond to remove debris
and
'vacuum' as required.
The depth also depends upon where you live. Most fish, including Koi, are
quite happy in 2ft of water providing you give them some kind of shelter
and
plants to hide in.
You only need a greater depth when there is extemes of temperature.

I am in MD, zone 6?, and am planning on a pond about 3 feet deep at the
deepest point. I like the idea of the bottom drain, I am not sure about the
skimmer yet. My pond location has a good potential for dropped leaves, so
the bottom drain will be important I think.

BV.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

"Just Me "Koi"" wrote in message
...
I vouch for Theron's response. You'll be sorry if you don't do both!
snip

This is where I am confused...if the bottom drain will remove anything that
comes to the bottom, why bother having a skimmer? Why not let it fall, rot,
get sucked and become food for the veggie filter?

BV.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

I forgot... nets also keep fish from jumping to their death. and predators are
always an issue if the pond is outside. I dont even see the fine netting anymore,
but then the health of my fish are more imporant than aesthetics for me. I suppose
one of these years there will be enough sludge in the bottom that I will have to
clean it, but I one of those dont like to put holes in my pond at the very bottom
where if it leaks there would be no water left for my fish. Ingrid

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

"BenignVanilla" wrote:

"Just Me "Koi"" wrote in message
.. .
I vouch for Theron's response. You'll be sorry if you don't do both!
snip

This is where I am confused...if the bottom drain will remove anything that
comes to the bottom, why bother having a skimmer? Why not let it fall, rot,
get sucked and become food for the veggie filter?

Cause it makes the process more efficient?

Skimming is an easy way to get a good percentage of the stuff right
away.

It is like why have a door mat, when the vacuum will get all the dirt
once it gets into the carpet?

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

"BenignVanilla" wrote:

"Carola / Les" wrote in message
. ..
Depends upon your location and possibility of leaves etc getting into
the
pond. Also whether or not you have the time to physically remove leaves
on
a daily basis when they get in the pond.
I think you only need a bottom drain if the depth is greater than 2ft 6in.
At this depth you will be able to 'paddle' in the pond to remove debris
and
'vacuum' as required.
The depth also depends upon where you live. Most fish, including Koi, are
quite happy in 2ft of water providing you give them some kind of shelter
and
plants to hide in.
You only need a greater depth when there is extemes of temperature.

I am in MD, zone 6?, and am planning on a pond about 3 feet deep at the
deepest point. I like the idea of the bottom drain, I am not sure about the
skimmer yet. My pond location has a good potential for dropped leaves, so
the bottom drain will be important I think.

Go for both. It isn't that hard. Look on the web, you'll find lots of
diagrams of peoples pond plumbing.

In my latest re-build of my pond, I'll finally get there. That is why I
say it easier to do it right the first time.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

"John Hines" wrote in message
...
snip
It is like why have a door mat, when the vacuum will get all the dirt
once it gets into the carpet?

Good point.

BV.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

"John Hines" wrote in message
...
snip
Go for both. It isn't that hard. Look on the web, you'll find lots of
diagrams of peoples pond plumbing.
snip

OK, I am sold the more I think about it.

Now the question...

I am going to hook my bottom drains to a settlement chamber, and pull water
from their into my veggie filter. I plan to use three settlement chambers,
in case I ever want to add some mechanical filtration. Anyway, Should my
skimmer empty into my veggie filter as well or should I just loop back to
the pond somewhere? I figured the skimmer output could be used for a nice
water feature of some sort. Also having a short run behind a skimmer would
lessen my need for a sizable pump, I would think.

BV.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

You are a wise man John Hines!

--
_______________________________________
"Architecture is the ultimate erotic 'object'."
Bernard Tschumi, "Architecture & Transgression"

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino
"John Hines" wrote in message
snip
It is like why have a door mat, when the vacuum will get all the dirt
once it gets into the carpet?

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

I'd hate to cut my liner.
BV.

If you looked at my website you'll see what we did "after the fact, I'm
smarter now" to install skimmer and bottom drain. I don't expect my skimmer
to handle all the leaves that could fall in, what a skimmer really does,
imo, is keep the surface clear of dust, small floating debris AND spawning
foam! Ponds without skimmers often have very dirty surfaces as it takes all
matter different amounts of time to sink, and a dirty surface pond detracts
from looking at the fish, especially when picture taking.

The lily pond is all plumbed with bottom drain & skimmer through the liner
for the eventual filter, years away. ~ jan


See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

Based on the religious here, I will probably try BZT (and koi clay too)
this spring.

Having fallen in both my ponds this year, I know what the bottoms are like.
Mine don't need vacuuming yet. But a good jacuzzi heater would be a
winner.

"Nedra" sez:
Don't have either a skimmer or a bottom drain,
Fringe. I do use BZT faithfully and will vacuum
the bottom this spring :(

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"Fringe Ryder" wrote in message
.. .
"BenignVanilla" sez:
My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think I'll regret it?

I'm in the minority apparently. I don't have a skimmer. You can see my
pond pics at http://www.fringeweb.com/Ponds/kc/MyPond.html

If you could put one in easily, do it. But if you can't, it's not going
to
destroy the pond.

And no, I don't have a bottom drain either.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

"BenignVanilla" sez:

"Just Me "Koi"" wrote in message
.. .
I vouch for Theron's response. You'll be sorry if you don't do both!
snip

This is where I am confused...if the bottom drain will remove anything that
comes to the bottom, why bother having a skimmer? Why not let it fall, rot,
get sucked and become food for the veggie filter?

I don't have either, but the answer is partially that some gunk floats.
Forever. Like cedar pollen in the summer... you get this film on the
surface.

My waterfalls fix that, as does my regular water change which I do by
overfilling the pond which effectively skims the entire top, but that would
be one advantage of a skimmer over a bottom drain.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

wrote:

. design the pond with netting

I've never seen a pond with netting over it, but doesn't it look kind of,
ah, ugly?


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! =-----

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

Trying to make a leak-proof hole in the liner at the
bottom that will stay leakproof for years... too big an effort.

The tetra bottom drain is made so well that I've yet to hear of anyone
locally or elsewhere (and I'm in pond club of 80 some families) having a
leak from the bottom drain.

One ponder when he first put one in didn't put the elbow under the liner in
cement and his ground settle pulling the drain downward, the EPDM
stretched, but was water tight.

Btw, I've heard that putting any fittings thru an old liner isn't worth
trying. Either figure some else out, or buy a new liner. ~ jan

See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

I've never seen a pond with netting over it, but doesn't it look kind of,
ah, ugly?


Joe

Well Aaaah no take a look at this
picture
these people covered the whole pond area
with an arbor
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...7e31ac26044a48
d82/fe1b5014.jpg
TerryinTexas
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292208749

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

Fringe, I know exactly what you mean about the
Jacuzzi heater. Pond water is at 34 degrees F.
It was a horribly cold January! Glad to see
February happen.
Our air temps are supposed to be 50 degrees
tomorrow. I don't know when I've so looked
forward to spring.

Nedra in Missouri
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"Fringe Ryder" wrote in message
...
Based on the religious here, I will probably try BZT (and koi clay too)
this spring.

Having fallen in both my ponds this year, I know what the bottoms are
like.
Mine don't need vacuuming yet. But a good jacuzzi heater would be a
winner.

"Nedra" sez:
Don't have either a skimmer or a bottom drain,
Fringe. I do use BZT faithfully and will vacuum
the bottom this spring :(

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"Fringe Ryder" wrote in message
.. .
"BenignVanilla" sez:
My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think I'll regret
it?

I'm in the minority apparently. I don't have a skimmer. You can see
my
pond pics at http://www.fringeweb.com/Ponds/kc/MyPond.html

If you could put one in easily, do it. But if you can't, it's not
going
to
destroy the pond.

And no, I don't have a bottom drain either.

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

On Sat, 01 Feb 2003 03:50:54 GMT, "Nedra"
wrote:

Fringe, I know exactly what you mean about the
Jacuzzi heater. Pond water is at 34 degrees F.
It was a horribly cold January! Glad to see
February happen.
Our air temps are supposed to be 50 degrees
tomorrow. I don't know when I've so looked
forward to spring.

I checked the temp of the jacuzzi today. 44 degrees. I suspect the
pond is about the same. Some time next month i will get some vitamin
inhanced GF food for thier first spring.

·.·´¨ ¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
jammer
((¸¸.·´ ..·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

Now that's an idea I haven't thought of ... Vitamin
Enhanced Koi Food. Hmmm - I usually
get Sho Koi or something similar. Your temps
sound really good. I wont be feeding my guys
and gals until the water warms up to 55 and stays
there. Have no idea when that will be .. Where
are you located??

Nedra in Missouri
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"jammer" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 01 Feb 2003 03:50:54 GMT, "Nedra"
wrote:

Fringe, I know exactly what you mean about the
Jacuzzi heater. Pond water is at 34 degrees F.
It was a horribly cold January! Glad to see
February happen.
Our air temps are supposed to be 50 degrees
tomorrow. I don't know when I've so looked
forward to spring.

I checked the temp of the jacuzzi today. 44 degrees. I suspect the
pond is about the same. Some time next month i will get some vitamin
inhanced GF food for thier first spring.

·.·´¨ ¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
jammer
((¸¸.·´ ..·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

On Sat, 01 Feb 2003 05:20:37 GMT, "Nedra"
wrote:

Now that's an idea I haven't thought of ... Vitamin
Enhanced Koi Food. Hmmm - I usually
get Sho Koi or something similar. Your temps
sound really good. I wont be feeding my guys
and gals until the water warms up to 55 and stays
there. Have no idea when that will be .. Where
are you located??

I am in north central Texas. I don't know if there is such a thing as
vitamin enhanced GF food, i am just thinking they will be hungry and
since they are months old they could maybe use a good start. I don't
expect to be able to hand train them, but i sure would enjoy having
pet fish instead of just skeeter eaters.

·.·´¨ ¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
jammer
((¸¸.·´ ..·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

(Justin) wrote:

Hello Justin

J Nets are not necessary if predators are not an issue and if
J trees are not dropping their leaves. They are a real help in
J the fall, however, and I would recommend one. Aesthetics are
J key for me and I'd rather not have one. I vouch for the
J bottom drain. I do not have a skimmer, but would like one.
J The bottom drain removes much of the debris and sludge that
J forms in the pond bottom. Best investment made for the pond.

I'd guess this depends a lot on the type of pond. That sludge is very
useful to have in a nature pond.

Been reading this group for a week and it seems mostly to be fish
ponds, am I right in thinking this?


ObIntro: 90% finished on my fourth pond project. A 45' x 15' x 3'
bottom pond (butyl lined), pumped 12' to a 4'x4'x3' square raised pond
in rendered block faced with granite and topped with sandstone via
submersible 200w pump. That overflows into small splash pool/grotto
via slate, which in turns enters a rendered butyl stream edged in
granite and about 30' long. Alas, phots not developed yet.

--
Simon Avery, Dartmoor, UK Ý http://www.digdilem.org/

Will I regret not having a skimmer?
 

no... http://puregold.aquaria.net/ponds/pond1.html
6th and 7th picture down, no aluminum posts anymore either. Ingrid

joe wrote:

wrote:

. design the pond with netting

I've never seen a pond with netting over it, but doesn't it look kind of,
ah, ugly?

Will I regret not having a skimmer?