New worry

[rubyduby]

Well I solved the toads in the skimmer problems (thanks to help from people on this site) with netting stretched over the skimmer baskets but now I am worried about another upcoming problem. The spring peepers are going to be hatching into tiny polywogs and I cannot see how I am going to keep them out of the skimmer baskets and then eventually into the pumps and chopped up in my filter media in my biofalls. I inherited this pond when I bought my property ten months ago so I missed peeper hatching season last year. Does anyone turn off their pumps for this period? I have two aerators going 24/7.... I have seen pics of grates put over the entrance to the skimmers but am afraid that they will clog and keep water from entering the skimmers. If anyone has any advice PLEASE share.

 

[addy1]

I did this one year. Made a 1/2 circle type covering of my skimmer, put some netting on it, it was out far enough from the skimmer opening the draw was less. Mine is controlled by a external pump. I can also dial down the draw at the pump. But the spinners from the huge maple were dropping so I wanted a lot of draw. With the covering it kept most of the little tads out but also collected the spinners. I would go and clean them off now and then.
The red was some chicken wire covered with door screening.

 

[rubyduby]

This is a great idea Addy but a challenge when it comes to constructing two of these (I have two skimmers) I will have to put my thinking cap on Thank you for taking the time to help me.

 

[addy1]

Np I don't have a pump in my skimmer so it is easy to control the draw. I have always used external pumps.

A friend of mine has a skimmer pump set up. I just thought of this, they took those course green matala pads, cut a few pieces to cover the pump intake and a piece that covered the skimmer entry. They have no issue with harming tads. It has been a year or so since I looked at it, had to help them get it running one year. They also had a piece over the top of the pump.

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