Is a Pond Skimmer Necessary?

Your design will determine if a pond skimmer is necessary. A skimmer’s primary function is to prevent floating debris from sinking to the pond bottom. Let me tell you why that is important, other benefits, and different types you can use.

The reason we don’t want floating debris (leaves, sticks, pine needles, mulch, etc.) falling to the bottom of your pond is nutrient load.  

If that debris were allowed to sink to the bottom, beneficial bacteria would break the organic matter up and release nutrients into the water.

The right amount of nutrients for a balanced ecosystem is good, but too much is terrible.  It is leading to an endless battle of trying to control pond algae. 

Ideally, it is best if something lands on the pond’s surface to quickly move off into a pond skimmer or debris catcher to be easily removed. 

You could use a handheld skimmer net like a pool skimmer and try to clean the bottom out of any debris.  However, this would take much more time and effort than just lifting the lid on a skimmer and dumping the basket.  

Or, if your pond was located somewhere that floating debris wasn’t an issue- you might be able to get away with no pond skimmer at all. 

Additional Reasons Why a Pond Skimmer is necessary

What type of pond you have and how it is constructed will dictate how it is used.  Here are some secondary benefits of pond skimmers:

• Location for a submersible pump, or hook-up an external pond pump
• Additional filtration through UV, mechanical, or biological
• Provides more options for hooking up plumbing such as a pond bottom drain
• Keeps fish safe from being sucked into the pump impeller

Types of Pond Skimmers

Now that you know a pond skimmer is needed, lets me show you the different types. 

Floating skimmers are either free to move around or fixed, but usually placed in the middle of a small pond.  

Traditional designs were first adopted by the Aquascape Signature Series skimmers where the liner is sandwiched between the gasket around the weir and enclosure.  Fish can get trapped inside this type of skimmer.  If removed promptly, they should be okay but could die if trapped for an extended length of time.

The Helix pond skimmer is a hybrid of a floating skimmer and traditional.  Get installed outside the liner like a regular pond skimmer but the circle piece in the middle floats up and down.  One of the most fish safe designs.

In-pond skimmer meaning that this whole unit goes inside the liner. Advantage of this is there is zero risk of a leak developing if sealant failed in a traditional skimmer.

Satellite skimmers are placed away from the pond, usually with the help of some form of tubing extension.  This can increase the pond’s appearance since the skimmer is not visible for a more natural look.

Make your own using a gravel basin.  This is the best of all, but hardest to accomplish.  Usually only done by pond professionals. 

We hope you found this page helpful and answered your question, “is a pond skimmer necessary?”.  For more information and all kind of skimmers to choose from, check out our main pond skimmer page. 

Last Updated on February 26, 2022 by Davin