Small pond vacuum

17 years ago

Now for my next question. I really don't want to use a shop vac. I used one last year and it sucks out so much water so fast that I felt like I was getting more water than gunk. I have such a small pond that I think it is overkill. I also hate the noise! It is like when I am having a wonderful, tranquil time puttering in the yard with my plants and my husband comes along with his power lawn equipment. It just ruins it for me. So I don't mind more/longer work, I just don't want to get something that is not going to do the job. I'll use a shop vac if that is what it takes but want to avoid it if possible. I am also paranoid about sucking up some of my smaller fish in the shop vac, and worry about the whole thing stressing out my fish, especially in such a small pond. There can't go very far to get away from things.

I am surrounded by oak trees so I have alot of oak trash. Up until a couple of days ago my water was the clearest it has ever been, but I knew that nastiness was lurking on the bottom and I have put it off as long as I can. Now I have it all stirred up with raking the bottom with a net, but that only goes so far. I also have 'mud' down there that needs to come out. I'm also researching an external filter and pre-filter and am going to set those up today or when I can finally get all the components together. Something simple but more effective than the pitiful filter that is attached to the pump. I think I may also need eco-floc or whatever that stuff is called to bind some of this gunk. I'm going to go slow and see what works.

Has anyone tried those suction vacuums and found them to be any good, and if so, what brand? They aren't very expensive (another plus) and look easy enough to use in a small pond.

Thanks in advance!

Angela

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Comments (6)

sleeplessinftwayne
17 years ago
You don't say how big your small pond is.You can get a pool vac at Wally world for under $20 but it is run with water from your hose so using it is going to give you a water change as you use it. It is adequate for 500 gallons, more difficult up to 1000, over 1000, impossible. Figure on getting a new one every year because it is really flimsy. If your debris is as you say it is, figure on using it at least once a week. If you intend to try to suck up mud, etc. it will just pass through the catch bag back into the pond.
Python makes a more complex version that gives you the choice of sending the water outside the pond or back into the pond which is good if there is a bunch of mud such as you would have if a pot got knocked into the water. The big problem there is the plastic jar that is supposed to collect leaves and such is too large for anything but the largest hands. It is a wrestling match to empty it. Twigs quickly block the intake. I found it very clumsy to use. It runs about $70.
I find a sump pump for dirty water does a decent job of pumping out mud that is in one place rather than mixed with the water but it doesn't handle debris very well.
Your best option is to rebuild your pond with a bottom drain and a skimmer if you must put it under those oak trees. I understand the frustration since I have several 50 foot red oaks and sycamores and we get all the leaves from the neighbors, too. Even a net doesn't get all those twigs and small branches.
You might be interested in Floyds pond vac if you are into DIY. But then it uses a vacuum, too. Sandy

Here is a link that might be useful: Floyds Pond Vac
angelajgood
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks Sandy. I'm sorry, I meant to include my pond size. It is 6x6, so really anything beyond dipping it out with a net and my hands will work well. I can always resort to a shop vac, but am just looking for less intrusive options. I think I'll probably net most of it and then try out a cheap vac like the Python and see how it works. I enjoy the cleaning as long as I don't have to drain the whole pond or listen to loud machinery.
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teri904
17 years ago
I have a Python Pond Ulti-Vac and works very well on my small pond for the price. Only one down side I have with it is that you have to get on your knees and bend over the pond to use it. We have found out it works better to get inside the pond and use the vac (better on your back) lol. Usually hubby would get in the pond and use the vac while I stay out side of the pond and clean the container when it got full.
angelajgood
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks Sandy. I'm sorry, I meant to include my pond size. It is 6x6, so really anything beyond dipping it out with a net and my hands will work well. I can always resort to a shop vac, but am just looking for less intrusive options. I think I'll probably net most of it and then try out a cheap vac like the Python and see how it works. I enjoy the cleaning as long as I don't have to drain the whole pond or listen to loud machinery.
watershaper
17 years ago
Oase's pond vac is the only thing on the market that is worth a darn in my opinion. Its expensive, but well worth the money if you are going to use it regularly. As far as pulling out the water, that's just part of the process. I don't know of a single product that wouldn't do the exact same thing.
nbacres
17 years ago
angelajgood: I have a Pondavac 3 and I'M IN LOVE WITH IT! A friend pointed me towards e-bay and I got mine for around $130. It has 4 different tips, a VERY long electrical cord and VERY long vac hose and suction tube for the tips to fit on. It takes very little water out but sure sucks up the muck and leaves quick as a wink. It also has an automatic drain channel so you don't have to physically get out and empty the muck. I have my discharge hose pointed towards the iris bed and they love the fish poop and dead leaf water.

My pond is 15' x 20' and around 3'-4' deep. I can stand on the edge and vac the bottom very easily. I've attached a pic of the pond and waterfall berm.

In the summer, I use this vac more often than I use the Hoover for my house carpeting (opps, don't tell anyone that I don't vac or dust in the summer!!)

Here is a link that might be useful: South side of pond and waterfall