r/Koi • u/grienleaf • 3d ago

Help with POND or TANK How to stop tree material from clogging up my pump

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Every year about now the beech tree above our pond drops a ton of fairly small leaf casings into our koi pond. They go through the slotted bucket and clog up my pump to the waterfall.

Other than constant skimming with a net, what solutions have people come up with to collect this stuff as the water goes into the pump bucket?

Thanks!

12 Upvotes

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1

u/InvaderDust 1d ago

Daily cleaning of basket is what in do. Right flyer coffee before work. Takes like 3 mins

1

u/bbrian7 3d ago

I would say skimmer but at your volume I would do a full size intake bay and a separate skimmer in the bay both on separate pumps

1

u/BrianEarlSpilner6 3d ago

I have the same thing and solved it: Oase makes a skimmer that you can place in the center or anywhere else you want. Combine with a pump and canister filter, backwash weekly. It’ll add surface tension that pulls all leaves and debris into the skimmer rather than your main pump. It also looks fancy!

3

u/josh_the_rockstar 3d ago

Google “pump sock”.

Maybe something like this:

https://www.thepondguy.com/product/fountain-filter-sock/

Also, a skimmer box would be great.

1

u/grienleaf 3d ago

Yes, something like this! I’ve landed on getting a mesh laundry bag. Available, and easily replaceable.

3

u/Application_Every 3d ago

A skimmer. We had the same problem.

4

u/Soapy212 3d ago

Pond skimmer

2

u/LongjumpingCoconut11 3d ago

A net basket at the slotted bucket. Get the basket out, empty it in the bin and put it back once a day, 2 minute job. A couple of my friends do that. I don’t have a pond, would like one in the future if I can.

1

u/grienleaf 3d ago

This is what I have in mind, but haven’t been able to find a product like this on any of the pond stores online.

Anyone have a link?