
Important to know:
- A skimmer removes leaves and other debris from the surface of the water.
- Regular cleaning prevents clogging and keeps the skimmer effective.
- Skimmers are especially effective when combined with other pond equipment.
- Continuous use helps prevent algae formation and dirt build-up.
Soil Dirt Pond Removal Package: The better alternative to a pond skimmer
A skimmer requires constant maintenance and regular emptying, which is time-consuming. Bacta Clear and Insta Clean naturally break down organic matter, keep the water clear and clean the pond floor, without constant manual intervention. As a result, you create a self-regulating ecosystem that requires much less maintenance than a skimmer.
Best skimmers: premium quality and energy efficient
If you do want to use a pond skimmer, we've tested the 3 best options for you. That way we keep it organized and you don't have to choose from an overwhelmingly large assortment of skimmers.
Oase Skimmer Swimskim 50 Pond Skimmer
- Energy efficient
- Additional functions: aeration and priming function
- Improved performance through valve technology
Oase Skimmer Swimskim 25 Pond Skimmer
- Maximum surface area: 25 m²
- Self-contained with internal pump
- Capacity: 2500 liters/hour
Skimmer SkimMax Pond Skimmer with Fountain
- Suitable for ponds up to 30 m²
- Function as skimmer and fountain
- Removable sump tray for easy cleaning
Skimmer alternative: Bottom Dirt Pond Removal Package
- For 1,000 to 10,000 L
- Cleans up bottom mud and stabilizes KH, GH and PH
- 100% eco: quickly clear water, safe for humans, plants and animals
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?
Plants can do this too!

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 |
This is what our customers say!
Excellent 200+ reviews at
Oxygenating plants and a bottle 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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
Removing soil sludge without a vacuum cleaner
Purchased: Soil Dirt Pond Removal Package - M
After years of accumulation by fish, quite a bit of silt had accumulated in my pond.
At first I thought about a pond vacuum cleaner, but after contacting customer service I opted for the bottom debris removal package. I was skeptical, especially because the water became murky the first week. But after a month, the silt has reduced considerably. No hassle with a vacuum cleaner, and great results!
I am a fan.
water lilies for more biodiversity
As lovers of greenery, we were looking for a sustainable addition to our project. Van der Velde's water lilies were a hit! With DROP & GROW, it was really simple: plant and enjoy. We asked for different varieties and this was no problem either. Delivery was perfect. Within a week we already saw leaves above water, and meanwhile there are several flowers blooming. Both we and our customer are very enthusiastic.
Oxygen plants save my fish
Purchased: Oxygen Plants Pond Package - L
My fish were gasping for air, so I was looking for an air pump. Then I read that oxygen plants could also solve this problem. I ordered the package that fit my pond, and now my fish are swimming around carefree again. Additional plus: my pond water is much clearer. Fish happy, me happy!
Very happy with my small pond
Purchased: Complete Pond Package - XS
This handy kit helped me set up my mini pond quickly. Everything you need is included! The service and advice were top notch, much better than at the garden center where no one really knows anything.
From maintenance to an organic swimming pond
Purchased: Complete Plant Filter Package - L
I was tired of constantly cleaning the pump, so I decided to convert my pond to an organic swimming pond. With the plant filter package from vdvelde.com, it worked out perfectly! Now I enjoy a beautiful, natural filter and lovely swimming water.
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.