Skimmer
Our natural alternative to a skimmer: plant filter
Buying a skimmer? Don't!
A Skimmer catches dirt that ends up in the pond so it doesn't sink to the bottom. But is this really the only way to keep your pond clean? We suggest a natural solution!
What is a skimmer?
A skimmer is a device that captures debris before it sinks to the bottom of the pond, the skimmer prevents bottom silt from forming. Did you know there is a natural alternative that eliminates the need for a skimmer?
Plants can do this too!
In a properly designed pond, snails and mussels can replace a skimmer. Snails clear debris from the bottom and clams filter the water, as much as 10 gallons per hour per clam. Also, a bottle of pond bacteria from Bacta Clear helps prevent and clean up algae. This natural way keeps your pond clean and healthy without machines.
Customers give us a 9.2/10
My vision is to let nature do its work in your pond. You don't need to buy all kinds of measuring equipment and water improvers. If the fish are swimming nicely and the plants are growing well, you know the water is of good quality.
Skimmer vs. pond bacteria
A skimmer is unnecessary provided the pond is properly decorated. A properly designed pond includes pond bacteria, but also pond plants and pond substrate. A naturally designed pond with pond bacteria offers many advantages over a pond that is designed with mechanical aids such as a skimmer. A skimmer and pond bacteria are contrasted below.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
Skimmer |
pond bacteria |
|
| ❌ Regularly | ✅ Minimum | |
| ❌ 5 years | ✅ Long-term | |
| ❌ No | ✅ Yes | |
| ❌ Minimum | ✅ Promotes the | |
| ❌ Higher (energy consumption) | ✅ Low to no cost | |
| ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes, effectively | |
| ❌ Limited | ✅ Effective | |
| ❌ Energy consumption | ✅ Environmentally friendly | |
| ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Algae Eater Natural Pond Vacuum Kit
Algae Eater Natural Pond Vacuum Cleaner Package - S
- For 100 - 400 Liter
- Soil and wall cleaner
- Does not attack pond plants
Algae Eater Natural Pond Vacuum Cleaner Package - M
- For 500 - 1.250 L
- Soil and wall cleaner
- Does not attack pond plants
Algae Eater Natural Pond Vacuum Pack - L
- For 1.500 - 3.000 L
- Soil and wall cleaner
- Does not attack pond plants
Algae Eater Natural Pond Vacuum Pack - XL
- For 3.500- 6.000 L
- Soil and wall cleaner
- Does not attack pond plants
Algae Eater Natural Pond Vacuum Pack - XXXL
- For 10,000 - 15,000 L
- Soil and wall cleaner
- Does not attack pond plants
Simon van der Velde
Pond specialist & aquatic plant breeder
Tip from Simon: More plants in your pond is always better.
Too few plants increases the risk of algae and plant death. If necessary, choose additional plants you like in addition to the package.
This is what our customers say!
Excellent 
200+ reviews at 
Marjoke Bakker
Oxygenating plants and a bottle of Bacta clear
Purchased: Pond clear package - M
My pond was quite murky, so after a good conversation with Simon, I decided to follow the advice: more oxygen plants and a bottle of bacteria. I ordered the recommended package, but after four days no improvement was visible. Full of disappointment, I contacted customer service. They advised me to be patient and give the process 2-3 weeks. Although I had my doubts about it, I decided to wait anyway. And what turned out? After two weeks, the water started to clear and I even saw frogs that I had never noticed before! Thanks team vdvelde, and apologies for my impatience!
Patrick Müller
Plants are growing much better now and water is crystal clear
Purchased: POND SUBSTRATE pond substrate - 40 liters
Last year I had a landscaper install a plant filter at my swimming pond, recommending lava and some plants from the local garden center. Unfortunately, things went completely wrong; the plants died one by one and I suffered an algae infestation. After contacting customer service, I was advised to replace the lava with pond substrate and order some more plants. Now, several months later, the plants are growing well, and my filter is finally free of algae.
Fenna Schmidt
My little city pond
Purchased: Complete Pond Package - S - Red
I had been dreaming of having a pond in my urban garden for some time, but it always seemed like such a hassle. Online I found a complete package and decided to take the gamble, although I was skeptical about the quality of plants sent through the mail. But to my surprise, everything was delivered neatly and well-packaged. Within no time I had my pond set up. To my delight, after only two months I saw the first water lily bloom, and as icing on the cake I discovered salamanders in my pond. No idea how they got there, but it only adds to the joy. Truly enjoying it!
Susi Werner
A must for anyone with a pond (large or small)
Purchased: Simons Pond Advice Book
This book completely meets my expectations. A great guide with lots of great tips on pond construction, pond plants and design.
Highly recommended purchase on my part.
Great book!
Jules Chabot
Blue lily: beautiful!
Purchased: Hardy Blue Water Lily - Nymphaea Blue Queen
Thank you very much for the generous delivery of the swamp iris "Blue Lis".
The new plants have been planted and I am curious to see if they will bloom this year.
There is good news about the water lily "Blue Queen": It is also blooming here in blue - and how beautiful!
Where do you connect the skimmer?
The skimmer in a pond must be connected correctly to function optimally. First, choose the right location for your skimmer. Ideally, you should place the skimmer on the side of the pond where the most common wind direction blows. That way, floating debris will be pushed to the skimmer by the wind. Dig a hole at the desired location, keeping in mind the size and depth of the skimmer. The skimmer should be flush with the surface of the water for best performance. If your pond is equipped with a pond liner, make an opening for the skimmer and attach it securely to the skimmer using special glue or other suitable method to prevent leaks. Connect the skimmer to the pond pump. Water is drawn from the pond through the skimmer and then pumped through the pump. Generally, a flexible hose is used for this purpose. This hose runs from the skimmer to the inlet of the pump.
Why a skimmer?
People who do not want to add plants to the pond opt for mechanical equipment such as skimmers, pumps and filters. A skimmer has several functions.
- Removal of floating debris: The primary function of a skimmer is to automatically collect and remove floating debris such as leaves, branches, blossoms and other organic material before they sink to the bottom.
- Improved water quality: Removing organic waste can improve water quality in the pond. This waste, when it breaks down, can release nutrients into the water that promote algae blooms.
- Reduced maintenance needs: With a skimmer, you need to manually scoop floating debris out of your pond less often, reducing maintenance.
- Prevention of pond bottom saturation: By removing floating debris before it sinks to the bottom, a skimmer prevents the bottom of the pond from becoming saturated with organic material, which can lead to a buildup of silt and potentially water quality problems.
Do you need a skimmer?
People often have the general idea that ponds always need a skimmer or other mechanical means to balance the water values, but this is not the case, when the pond is set up according to our step-by-step plan, use of mechanical or chemical means is not necessary. Skimmers can, just like a properly set up pond with: substrate, pond bacteria and different types of aquatic plants keep the pond in balance, only this is not in a natural way.
