skimmer filter

[taxikoi]

hi.
having a new pond build.
i am going to have a skimmer in wall and was wandering which would be a good filter on line.[do not want to waste just going straight back into pond]
i was thinking of low maintenance and fairly cheap as my main filter is a nexus 200.
maybe cartridge filter or the likes.
also would the return be better of on water fall for added oxygen in summer,and mid water in winter, or switched of altogether in winter.
thanks for any sugestions.
taxikoi

[benyiii]

Hi

I personally turn my skimmer of in the winter but think your idea to fit a mid water outlet would be a good one while your building so you can run it to the waterfall in summer than have the option if you wanna run it in the winter.

As far as filter have no experience of cartidge filters but if you can would suggest something with some biological properties as wells as just mechanical. A couple of options that wouldn't be too expensive would be either a fiberglass trickle tower (got mine for about £350) or a bead filter(the biomax are quite reasonably priced).

Regards

Ben

PS I got my trickle tower from coldwater collection and you are welcome to have the plastic media that fits it that they recommend as have now switched mine to BHM.

[Gin Rin]

I have my skimmer feeding to a Nexus EasyPod. This is then pump fed back into the pond via either a mid water return or via a waterfall depending on which ball valves are turned on or off.

[hoofman]

hi gin rin i am thinking of using a pod on skimmer line is yours gravity fed ? if so what size pipe work are you using and what size pump? and do you get enough pull off the surface water many thanks gary

[easylife]

Hi taxikoi,
i run a pod on my skimmer line with mid water returns which seems to be ok but the biomax filters are getting good reviews at the moment

Hoofman my pod is gravity fed on a 4" converted skimmer with 2" returns using a aquamax 8500 pump, there is plenty of pull with this pump although most people recommend the 10000 but remember to leave the basket out. i used the 8500 so that i could use it on a biomax if i decided to change but then i would need to refit the skimmer basket
cheers alan

[dibble]

HI EasyLife

You happy with the amount of 'pull' you get with your gravity skimmer set-up? I want to go down that route to avoid over the side returns but wonder how these compare to pump feed/gravity return skimmer set-ups?

Thanks
Dex

[easylife]

Dex,
as long as the water level is kept over half way up the skimmer, the pull is no problem and clears the surface a treat, the water level in the pod drops about 1.5", but if the pond water drops lower, water changes ect the pump tends to run a bit dry so has to be switched off
hope this helps
cheers alan

[Gin Rin]

hi gin rin i am thinking of using a pod on skimmer line is yours gravity fed ? if so what size pipe work are you using and what size pump? and do you get enough pull off the surface water many thanks gary

Sorry that I initially missed your question Hoofman.

My Easy Pod is gravity fed. The pipe work is 3 inch in and 1.5 inch out. It is returned using an Oase Aquamax 4000 ECO. The pull off the water is sufficient for my pond as I don't get a lot of leaf fall or debris on the surface. I definitely have to turn it off when feeding else all I end up feeding the pod too

I have removed the strainer basket which does aid the pull somewhat. I also have a very good flow on the pond which helps to direct debris towards the skimmer.