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Ponds & Aquatic Plants
dizzybluebaby

Why does everyone have such good luck with Skippy Filter??

14 years ago

I installed skippy style filter this past March. The pond, which is 1250 gallons, with about 10 medium goldfish, initially cleared, then went green and has stayed green. I had to clean out the sponges one time because the water flow slowed down to a dribble because the sponges were so dirty. I do water changes (Skippy says I shouldn't- ???), and I cleaned out the muck on the bottom of the filter twice. Nothing helps. The water in the filter itself is even green. It seems to me that its just recycling green water constantly! I don't have any plants in the pond as I live in the northeast and they won't over-winter (pond is only about 18 inches deep, and I can't afford to replace them every year). How do you folks get such beautiful clear water out of this thing??? I've spent hundreds of $$ on attempting to fix the problem, and my budget is limited (the skippy filter being the latest investment), and I sit here ready to cry, I am so frustrated. This pond is 3 years old and I have NEVER been able to get clear water.

Featured Answer
  • 14 years ago

    I can hear your frustration and can certainly understand it. Some of the recommendations that are often made are:

    1. PLANTS - PLANTS - PLANTS. Put plants in the water to use up nutrients that the algae is feeding on. The underwater plants multiply so you can get just one or two (about $6.00)

    You can use a piece of dense foam (like the kind of pad you kneel on for gardening) to poke holes in it and put plants bare-root. Some plants that are used are hosta, impatients, ajuga, creeping jenny, mint, etc. You don't have to spend a lot of money. You can use plants, even some weeds, that grow around your house. You don't say where you live in NY, but I know that where I am Creeping Charlie is a weed that is similar to creeping jenny. Gosh, even dandelions might work bare-root in a floating foam. hahaha

    Floating plants like water hyacinth and frog bit will multiply so just one or two will give you a good start. Fairy moss (azolla) is another plant that multiplies fast. One cup full is enough to get going. I am always scooping it out and giving it away.

    2. Covering the surface of the water about 50% - 60% with plants helps too.

    3. I use a starter (Microblift is my favorite) to get my skippy filter seeded in the spring. And I add a couple of ounces once a month in the summer. What makes it work well is that the organizims in the starter colonize the filter material and also use up the nutrients.

    4. Doing massive water changes isn't recommended. It is okay to replace a small amount of the water (or top off the pond) but anything more than about 10% to 20% can possibly throw the environment out of balance and can start the green water cycle over again. If your water is clorinated then you are killing off the organizims in the skippy filter that do the work especially if you are cleaning the sponges with it.

    I've never used sponges, I use mesh and air conditioner filter material, so I don't know if there is something special you need to do for that.

    Look at the various threads here related to green water. You will find even more information than I have included. Don't give up. You will hit on a solution that works for you and then you will be pleased with your pond.

    Anne

    Comments (12)

    • 14 years ago

      Go to your nearest grocery store and get a bunch of watercress. Put it in a bucket until it gets roots, or just throw it in your pond and skippy filter (on top of your filter media). It will grow fast and multiply quickly. Mine even made it through last winter. The roots are good for filtering water. I put watercress on top of my filter media in my skippy and it takes over the whole stock tank. You can't even see it. You can see pics of it if you go to my Frogs, frogs everywhere thread.

      Jenny

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    • 14 years ago

      Plants & Patience is the key. Follow Anne & Jenny's advice; their experience is invaluable. Trust me on that, they have both helped me immeasurably (thanks ladies:)

      Do.not.give.up.

      The skippy is a great start. Now on to the plants. It does NOT have to be wallet-draining. Start w/the watercress from the gro store as suggested. Sprig a few in your skippy & put the rest in the pond. You will be amazed.

      I'm not familiar with your zone so can't offer specific suggestions. I will add I like to experiment with terrestrial plants in the pond to see what works. Some do, some don't, but I have been amazed at some of my successes. (yeah, and the *experts* who say it's not possible miss it sometimes;) I just dig up what's thriving in my yard & try it...hey...the price is right...FREE! I'm adding a link below. Hopefully, something there will work for you.

      Stay away from chemicals & additives (other than declor) unless you have an emergency in which your fishies are in danger. They just drain your funds and are temporary measures at best. Always better to correct the problem itself rather than treating *symptoms*.

      You'll be enjoying your pond soon...have faith!

      blessings,
      ~digger

      Here is a link that might be useful: terrrestrial plants in pond

    • 14 years ago

      Thank you so much to everyone that responded! Your advice is invaluable, and I do believe that plants are the key to solving this green water problem! Patience is definitely not one of my virtues, lol, but I am putting my faith in your advice. I am attaching a picture of the pond as it looks now-it will look even better with clear water!

    • 14 years ago

      What a lovely pond! Thanks for the pic:)
      Keep us posted..

      blessings,
      ~digger

    • 14 years ago

      How are you faring there, dizzy?

    • 14 years ago

      Dizzy,

      O.... M.... G What a beautiful pond and such a creative spillway from the skippy filter.

      Hey, where's your fish-watching chair? You have to have one of those!!! hahaha
      Anne

    • 14 years ago

      WOW!!!!!! That is soooo lovely!!! Ingenious and lovely! Unique and wonderful!!!! WOW!!!!

    • 14 years ago

      I use a multilayered quilt batting (largest size I can find) on top of the Skippy. Don't bother to unfold it. Just tuck and trim to fit. Even when it is almost black it is still effective. I usually change it out in spring and late fall but due to DH's surprise siding project and his failure to tell the contractor I needed access to the pond I couldn't even clean the bottom let alone change the batting. The water is still clear except for some tannic acid discoloration.

    • 13 years ago

      This is an old post, but thought I would add to it. You don't need to buy a lot of pond plants, it the water is green, just add a few to the pond and they should reproduce like rabbits. No, even in Virginia floating plants don't survive the winter, cattails and non-floating plants do in pots. Does you yard every overflow into the pond, looks like it might be a little hilly from the picture? If so, fertilizer is running into your pond. I am no pond expert but 18 inches is rather shallow, I would have thought near 3 feet would be better with shallow steps sides. Algae loves shallow water. The sun is able to heat the water and pond liner in shallow water.

    • 10 years ago

      I've used skippy's stuff for 10 years and my ponds have always been crystal clear. Do you use the Skippy bacteria? that is a must! Put it in when the water reaches 50 degrees in the spring and it will clear. Also I use their green water clearing product, if I get some algie - 1


      teaspoon is all I have ever used. By the look of your pond it gets plenty of sun - the advice the other guys here give you about plants is invaluable - I too have plenty of plants in the top pond. Best not to have a pond in the open - but too late now!

    • 10 years ago

      Pauleen.. I love your pond. What fun it must be. great fish too.

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