Koi Pond Skimmers

KOI POND SKIMMER-- Pond skimmers are an important element of koi ponds, since they keep ponds looking clean. Also, koi ponds covered in debris and leaves are unhealthy, and can create an unsafe environment for your koi fish and water plants. Without pond skimmers, unwanted elements eventually sink to the bottom of the koi pond, decay, and create gases. Most pond skimmers also house the pond pump, and contain filter media to clean the water. These products are effective while being easy to disguise or hide which helps your koi pond retain a natural look. We offer a variety of pond skimmers, including koi pond skimmers, water garden skimmers and more.



Koi Pond skimmers are designed to work with other types of filters, as a sort of pre-filter that removes the larger elements such as floating leaves, which would clog other types of biological or chemical filters. These same floating leaves would also clog the pump. Many pond skimmers are creatively designed to fit with your pond's design. Some may have an artificial rock or natural-looking cover over the top. Some pond skimmers sit outside of the pond, and can even be covered up by garden plants or bushes.

The surface skimming action of these skimmers removes leaves, pine needles, grass clippings and other debris before it sinks to the bottom of your koi pond. They are also creatively hidden in your landscape by placing simulated rock cover over the top of the skimmer. Pond skimmers can act as a prefilter to other filters by removing solids before they can reach and clog the second filter (most likely your biological and mechanical filter).

Example How Pond Skimmers Work (Atlantic Pond Skimmer)

Pond skimmers are usually installed at the surface of the water and will capture any leaves/sticks or other floating debris. Depending on how much debris is floating on the surface of the water will determine how often the basket or filter will need to be emptied.

How To Choose Pond Skimmers

There are many different brands of pond skimmers. When choosing which one is best for you consider these points:
1. Ease of Emptying
Depending on the amount of trees near your pond, you may be emptying your skimmer quite frequently in some seasons. For that reason, choose a skimmer that is easy to empty, and is also easy to access in your landscape.

2. Durability
Some low quality pond skimmers will not hold up well over time, especially when the weather gets cold and low quality plastics get brittle. Have a good look at the durability of the removable basket and choose one that slides in and out easily so as the basket won't get stuck in various weather conditions.

3. Pump Size
To ensure that your skimmer can always keep up with your pump, choose a skimmer that is rated to a similar flow rate as the pump. If your skimmer is matched to your pump, then it will be no problem in the future if you decide to squeeze a little more flow out of your pump (to build a bigger waterfall for example). For more information on flow rates and choosing a pond pump, click here.

4. Fish Considerations
If housing fish, you may want to consider a skimmer with some kind of floating door on the intake to prevent fish from entering and getting caught inside your skimmer.