Looking for a cheap skimmer

[NewToKoi]

Hey Folks,

I am looking for a skimmer (used or new) that anyone wants to get rid off OR has available for cheap. I am looking to stay under $50. The skimmer will be connected to a 2500 GPH pump.

Thanks.

[Kntry]

Sachin, you can try a swimming pool skimmer. You can get them new on eBay for under $40. They don't look much different than a no-niche skimmer made for ponds and a lot cheaper. That's what I've used on my QT for about 3 years.

[NewToKoi]

Hey Sandy,

How's this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Above-Ground-Pool-Wall-Skimmer-18-hole-Wide-Mouth-/400129731827?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d29972cf3
OR this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WIDEMOUTH-SKIMMER-BOX-Above-Ground-Swimming-Pool-Filter-/270486208160?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3efa3bfea0

What is the difference between a pool skimmer and a pond skimmer? I would think not much, bust just checking.

[Kntry]

Those are awesome! Mine is round and the trash has to go over the top of it. These are much, much better.

The ones built for a pond are probably built a little sturdier but IMO not worth the difference in cost unless it's a "through the side" skimmer.

[NewToKoi]

okay, cool. So these will install the same way as a pond skimmer, right? I mean the mouth through the liner so that the weir is at the same level as the water and the rest of the skimmer sits on the outside of the pond on the ground, right?

I'm asking cause I got thrown off by your comment above -' unless it's a "through the side" skimmer. '

[Kntry]

I thought you were going to use them as an over the side, no niche skimmer. Yes, they should go through the side if possible. The bottom of the weir should be at a depth that it will always be underwater at the ponds lowest water level.

[addy1]

okay, cool. So these will install the same way as a pond skimmer, right? I mean the mouth through the liner so that the weir is at the same level as the water and the rest of the skimmer sits on the outside of the pond on the ground, right?

I'm asking cause I got thrown off by your comment above -' unless it's a "through the side" skimmer. '

I just finally cut in our skimmer, it is a hayward wide track pool skimmer. It is called an outside mount, through the side skimmer. The liner is between the two gaskets.
My husband made a 2x4 frame to support it, the 2x4 goes down about 2 feet. We put the frame around the skimmer, no heaving with our freezing.

The 2 inch pvc comes out of the bottom of the skimmer, goes along the bottom of the bog wall to the pump. (outside of the liner)

The opening is 16 inches the weir itself is around 8 inches

This is the removable lid of the skimmer, I will eventually put some rock on a roll over it. The red tape covers the thumb hole, I don't want little critters falling in and drowning. I made sure I bought a deep throat skimmer, 12 inches from the opening to the skimmer body. To make sure we had room to work on it and install it.

2551

Here is a picture of the opening. I have not dressed the liner yet, good old rock on a roll again....lol The face plate was white I covered it with roofing goop

2552

I hung over the edge to snap the opening for you. I took the black roof goop and smeared it over the white skimmer face plate, also used the goop under and over the gasket to make sure there would not be a leak. I took the black goop and smeared it all over the opening up to the wier.
The white you see is the weir/float. It is deep enough in the skimmer that the white does not show.

25492550

Once the leaves begin to fall, I will move the plants around, also use the ball valves installed to direct most of the pump draw to the skimmer. It has a large leaf basket also. big enough if you wanted to do some fine filtering could cut up some mats and put them in it.
With that wide opening a lot of water gets processed.

[NewToKoi]

Cool, thanks Sandy and Chris. I will buy the pool skimmer.
Chris, any idea on the model # of the one you have?

[addy1]

Cool, thanks Sandy and Chris. I will buy the pool skimmer.
Chris, any idea on the model # of the one you have?

model sp1085 wide track automatic surface skimmer

[Meganne]

an as another option, Ilove my no nitch skimmer, it is just a cleaner look to my eyes.....
http://www.fancykoioutlet.com/supply/skimmers.htm

[NewToKoi]

Thanks Chris for the great pictorial explanation.
Thanks Meg for the no-niche recommendation.

My skimmer will actually be hardly visible where I am planning to put it - it is going to be opposite the waterfall, at the place where people will be viewing the pond, so it will actually be below where they stand.. I'm planning to get the white skimmers and spray paint it black, then put a rock over the lid.
Thanks to Ebay, the Hayward wide mouth skimmer will be under ~$50.

[addy1]

Great price, glad you found it. I sure like the way it is working.

[Appliance Guy]

I profess Chris as the DIY matriarch of the forum. Just awesome work.

Edit: goes to show that you can get creative and build something more than adequate. Sure, premade skimmers are nice and there is a destinct need for them in higher demand ponds, but what a good way to get it done for your needs and constraints.

[addy1]

Thanks Chris for the great pictorial explanation.
Thanks Meg for the no-niche recommendation.

My skimmer will actually be hardly visible where I am planning to put it - it is going to be opposite the waterfall, at the place where people will be viewing the pond, so it will actually be below where they stand.. I'm planning to get the white skimmers and spray paint it black, then put a rock over the lid.
Thanks to Ebay, the Hayward wide mouth skimmer will be under ~$50.

The white pvc does not hold paint well, that is one of the reasons I smeared it with the black roofing goop, sticks, stays, blends it in, no messing with it again. I like doing things once and being done. Well do fuss with the stones off and on.

[ComputerGuy]

Chris, I've found that if you rough up the pvc just a touch, it holds the plastic paint real well. I put brown on the caps in my bog and it seems to be holding up well.

[addy1]

Chris, I've found that if you rough up the pvc just a touch, it holds the plastic paint real well. I put brown on the caps in my bog and it seems to be holding up well.

Good to know, I had some black goop left in the tube so just used it, what is on hand use!

[NewToKoi]

Good to know ComputerGuy. Thx Chris.

[koikeepr]

And use the spray paint that is specifically for plastic--and you get perfect coverage even years under water. It embeds itself into the pvc and lasts. It's called Krylon Fusion, but I think other brands make it too.

[ComputerGuy]

That's the same brand that I use. I've tried several brands in severe weather situations, and Krylon lasts much better than any of the others that I've found.