Helix Pond Skimmer Filter

A Helix pond skimmer is a great choice for all types of pond construction.  Can be used in koi ponds, hybrid ponds, lakes, and water gardens. It even won the award for best new product in Pond Trade magazine.

Designed with stainless steel hardware so you never have to worry about the faceplate nuts and bolts rusting.  Even if you decide to put salt in you pond.

Works with a variety of different pond construction styles including polyurea, concrete, and of course the most common using flexible EPDM rubber pond liner.

The Helix is rated as one of the top fish safe pond skimmers on the market.  As the 15″ floating weir allows fish to swim into the skimmer and swim back out (not trapped by a regular weir door).  Although, smaller fish can still get into the debris basket just like any skimmer.

THE HELIX POND SKIMMER PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

When it comes to pond skimmers you have many options.  Just about every main pond company sells one and has its own unique features.

The Helix skimmer was created by Eric Tripplet aka “The Pond Digger”.

Eric had been installing pond skimmers for around 20 years when he decided to make a pros and cons list to evaluate the many different types of skimmers he had installed.  To figure out which one of them was the best.

After evaluating the list he created it became clear that Eric needed to create his own skimmer that met the requirements and standards of his pond building.

He wanted a skimmer that was rugged, heavy-duty and easy to hide.  As a the unnatural look of some skimmers can really kill the appearance of a pond.

The skimmer also needed to be user-friendly and allow different pump applications (external rather than just submersible).  At the same time it needed to be able to create a large amount to surface tension to suck in as much debris as possible.  Just not the fish along with the debris.

With this list of needs, and pros and cons he set out to what became the Helix pond skimmer.

The Helix professional pond skimmer is compact and easy to conceal and handles a wide range of pump flow rates from 1500gph to 8000gph.  Giving you a large range of options for whatever pond filter system you’re creating.  While being able to use external or submersible pumps and keeping them running smooth the help of a pre-filter.

The opening of the Helix is 12″ wide and leads to the area around a circular floating weir that is self-leveling, and 15″ in outside diameter and 8″ deep to allow maximum debris collection.

The surface tension that the Helix pond skimmer can create allows it to compete with the biggest skimmers on the market.  Creating a “vacuum-like” effect while skimming and easy to grab ahold of to clean.

Another great feature of the Helix skimmers is that they are made in the USA with rotational HDPE material that is heavy-duty.  This helps prevent warping, or cracking like cheaper pond skimmers.

The skimmer body has a flat area for plumbing options (up to 2″ diameter).  While the main compartment of the skimmer will allow a automatic fill valve.  The fill valve will add water to your pond automatically in the event the water level gets too low.  This is important because if the level were to drop and you did not notice it in time there is a good chance your pump will fail.  From what pond installers call “running dry”.  Ofter heard by a gurgling or slurping sound.

One of the most exciting feature of the Helix pond skimmer filter is that they allow for air-lift applications.  Which instead of a normal pump an air pump is used.  Air pushes the water and acts like a pump while using very little electricity.

The Helix skimmer has been endorsed by leading pond professionals including, but not limited to:

• Kent Wallace – Living Water Solutions
• Randy Stewart – Unit Liner
• Mike White – White Water Filters
• Bill DeBrosky – Motion Aquatic & Mystic Koi

How to Install a Helix Skimmer

Location

To ensure optimal results you want to install the Helix pond skimmer at the opposite side of your waterfall.  While avoiding any plants or rocks from obstructing the water from flowing into the skimmer.  Excavate a hole slightly larger than the Helix by using it as a guide.

Water level should be designed to be 2-3″ below from the top rim.

Make sure the base you are setting your skimmer on is compacted enough to prevent settling.  Crushed stone can be used to help level and compact.  Also try to avoid digging too much and having to install soil back into the hole.  As this usually leads to settling.

Check to make sure the Helix is level on all sides.

Dig out the trench if not done so already for the piping.  Then, backfill trenching and skimmer once in place.  Compacting as you go.

After everything is in place you will need to install the liner to the Helix koi pond skimmer.

Install Helix Skimmer Filter to Pond Liner

Tools needed

• Screw gun / screwdrivers
• Razor knife
• Wrench
• Sealant
• Rag

1. Position pond liner underlayment correctly placed.
2. Remove hardware from faceplate and place in a container so they don’t get lost.
3. Clean the skimmer faceplate area.
4. Leave enough liner slack to allow movement and tension in case of settling.
5. Puncture a hole in liner to start to lineup and install the side panels of the faceplate
6. Clean the back of liner that will attach to the skimmer.
7. Apply sealant to outside of skimmer and lined up the the holes.
8. Push screws with plate attached into the top two holes (don’t worry about sealant drying up, as it take awhile for it to cure).
9. Make sure there are no folds in the liner across the skimmer opening.
10. Repeat the process with the bottom faceplate.
11. Once all the bolts are installed and tightened cut out the liner across the opening.
12. Smooth out sealant around the faceplate.

Here is a video showing exactly how it is done and a complete PDF.

Other Helix Pond Skimmer Videos: