Skimmer for above ground pond?

[pondlover]

Yes we will. I believe it will be tee'd off somehow. There is so much to consider and with external pump it seems like the plumbing part would be easier. Husband is concerned about initial cost of external and we want the lowest wattage to save on future elec bills.

 

[addy1]

I had a spread sheet that compared pumps, looking for it for you.

My external sequence pump cost around 125 or so, very quiet and have not seen any difference in our power bill.

 

[pondlover]

Addy what size is your pump. If my calculations are correct our pond is going to be about 2700 gals. Don't we need a pump with a minimum of 2700 gph?

 

[addy1]

My pond is around 10-11k my pump is 4200 gph. Technically 1/2 the size they say to use, but my water tests etc have been perfect.

 

[pondlover]

My pond will be in the sun for most of the day, will that have any affect on what pump size i need? Did you get your pump online?

 

[addy1]

My pond is in full sun, sunrise to sunset, a little less in the winter. I picked up one pump from the classified here (4200 gph). The other sequence, from a different source. I ended up with two just in case one stopped running to keep the bio alive mid summer. Easy quick swap.

I also have two dragon pumps being shipped from my arizona pond. I had to shut it down due to issues, up keep and renters.
So have a few pumps lol all external The dragon pumps were not cheap, so I asked to have them shipped east for me.My pond there was 14k, the dragon is the 1/3 hp one, don't recall the gph think 6k or so, would need to look it up to be accurate.

 

[pondlover]

Now after more rescearching. Pool skimmer vs floating skimmer. Beginning to think the floating skim will work for our pond

 

[addy1]

I used a floating skimmer in one of my first ponds, it did work well.

 

[pondlover]

I think a floating skimmer should be enough since we don't have any trees around.

 

[koiguy1969]

i gotta disagree about the plumbing....a submersable pump is far easier to plumb...you can use all flexible tubing (hose) and a few hose clamps.... 99% of the plumbing can be inside the pond. except a short length from the water surface to your filter. i have a total of maybe 2' of hose thats not inside the pond. any leaks...no worries. if you have an external pump all the plumbing outside the pond may have to be drained for the winter to avoid cracking or bursting and leaks. with a submersable you can remove the pumps and hoses in a couple minutes to put them away for the winter or just leave them in the pond and theyre still safe. any plumbing after the pump that is outside the pond increases head pressure on the pump as well. this lowers its output and efficiency.

 

[pondlover]

Koiguy I think your probably right. Since we are leaning toward using a floating skimmer, we will also use a submersible pump and plumb just as you described in an earlier post. This would also mean no trenching! We are also using your plans on the bio filter/falls. Haven't decided whether we will make a weir or try and flatten a piece of pvc for our falls. Liner is supposed to be here tomorrow. Now we are on the hunt for reasonably priced rock. Not an easy task. :goldfish:

 

[addy1]

lol koiguy everybody has their preferences. I find externals very easy to use and care for. Took about a minute to disconnect and stick inside for the winter.

 

[taherrmann4]

lol koiguy everybody has their preferences. I find externals very easy to use and care for. Took about a minute to disconnect and stick inside for the winter.

I have to agree with Addy here, I have had my external for 7 years now and found it simple. However my disclaimer is that I have never had a submersible so I don't know how easy they are.

 

[j.w]

A submersible is so easy for me cuz I don't even have to take it out of the pond ever. If want to turn off ok, turn off, if want to turn back on ok turn back on...........no freezing under all that water but guess if you live where your tubing or pipes buried along side your pond are able to freeze you might have a problem and need to blow them out or drain somehow. We don't get that cold here so never a problem. Even if I had an external might not ever need to turn it off in the winter so even steven for either type here I would assume as long as the water keeps moving through the external.

 

[koiguy1969]

My point was... that almost all the plumbing can be inside the pond....so no trenching. this also means most leaks stay inside the pond ..you dont even need clamps inside the pond before the pump.... i have nothing at all against external pumps. its just submersables are easier to plumb and repair/replace if needed. normal volumes, say, under 4000 gph, and lower head heights, i would stay with a submersable.....over 4000gph, and/or bigger head heights i would definately consider an external...