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Ponds & Aquatic Plants

Pond skimmer on a preformed pond

15 years ago

I would like to add a skimmer to my pre-formed liner pond. Problem is my pump inlet is not threaded, and is just far enough between sizes on pvc fittings, that they are much too loose or too small (hole is 2 inches across). A skimmer that allows for the pump to sit in it, AND sits in the pond seems to be my only option, any suggestions?

Comment (1)

watershaper
15 years ago
First question would be how large of a pond? I'm assuming if its a preform we're talking 8 X 6 or less? Especially on smaller gph pumps rubber couplers will work as well or better on plumbing and will give you a little more wiggle room on fitting sizes.
As far as what type of skimmer to put in is going to be a big issue. I've seen 'little ditty' skimmers that may work if the pump is small enough, but unless I'm confused a 2" intake on the pump we're talking about a pump that wouldn't fit in any preform friendly skimmer I know of.
If its a small preform with a large pump you're in pretty tough shape. I'd suggest trying a Matala Barrel Pre-filter first, I've had little to no luck with standard laying on the bottom prefilters.
Honestly I would suggest ripping out the preform, laying EPDM liner, and putting in a compact skimmer. Probably not an option or what you wanted to hear. A little more info on the pump and pond, there could be much easier suggestions.
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Shelly, I have mated quite a few preformed ponds together and also added a fifty gallon drum onto the side of a preformed pond or two through the years. After cutting the desired size of area out with a jig saw/saber saw, I bolted the two sections together around the perimeter of the cut with 1/4" nuts and bolts to hold them securely. Prior to bolting them up tight I laid a bead of Plummers Goop between the two sections as a sealer. Using splicing tape, as suggested by taralynna, is also a good way to seal up the joints. Insead of buying it from a pond store, try going to a hardware store and ask for skylight/roof flashing, sealing tape. It is the same seaming tape used for EPDM pond liners, but is sold a lot cheaper as skylight/ roof flashing tape. You can get it double or single sided and it comes in a strip about five feet long. "Horton"
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I'm not sure what you want to do. Do you want to dig a second pond next to what you have now, cut away some of the preformed liner to connect them and then glue the EPDM liner to the preformed? That has little chance of working. But if that is your plan, just get an EPDM liner big enough to line your preformed and the new addition.
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