Fall leaves are beautiful. They are even more beautiful when they are floating on the surface of a pond. However, when fall leaves clog the pond pump and begin to decay, action is required.
The Role of Debris in the Pond
In a natural pond, debris is not necessarily something to worry about. In nature, ponds often have small rivers that flow into and out of them, moving debris along with them. These streams also add oxygen to the pond water. A small amount of leafy debris provides homes for animals like mayflies and caddis flies. These animals may eat debris and make their home in it.
Natural and Artificial Ponds Have Different Food Chains
Often, artificial ponds are amply stocked with fish. These fish eat store-bought food, and they excrete waste. This adds to the ammonia in the pond. Artificial ponds are also surrounded by lush vegetation that often falls into the pond, maybe more so than a natural pond. A newer pond may lack some of the larger debris-eating critters that help eat waste and organic matter. If this debris decays, it can change the water and the gas composition in the pond.
Use a Pond Net to Catch Debris in a Small Pond
In a small pond, a handheld net or a pond cover will help keep leaves and other debris off the pond bottom and out of the filter. Keep the net close to the pond and remember to use it daily. A pond bench that has hidden storage is an excellent place to store such a net.
Use a Pond Skimmer to Remove Debris From a Larger Pond
In a larger pond, it may be necessary to hire a mechanical assistant. The pond skimmer is a device that sweeps the surface of the pond, preventing debris from entering the pump or sitting at the bottom of the pond.
Pond skimmers complement other filters in the pond. It is possible to use a hand net, a skimmer, and a biological filter to remove debris and ammonia from the pond. The pond skimmer collects leaves and moves them into a collection basket that pond owners can empty to remove the debris.
What Does a Pond Skimmer Look Like?
Pond skimmers wear many disguises. They may look like rocks that float around the pond. Some go outside the pond, where they can sit under furniture or plants. Generally, the lid of the pond skimmer is the only part that is visible.
Types of Pond Skimmers
A floating pond skimmer is attached to tubing and can easily be added to a small pond. A fixed skimmer uses a pump to collect debris. Generally, fixed skimmers are part of the initial concept behind a pond design. Floating skimmers can be added after the pond has been built.
In the design of a pond, consider how future maintenance will occur. Is the pond small enough for a hand net? Is a pond skimmer required? Also consider how natural processes can enhance the pond’s water quality. Fewer fish that rely on natural food sources will leave less ammonia in the pond. A moving water feature such as a pondless waterfall will help oxygenate the water. Judicious choices of plants make debris cleanup less of a concern. All of these elements help create a healthy pond environment.
Tricia Edgar - Tricia Edgar is a gardener, environmental educator, and science writer from the Pacific Northwest.
Join the Conversation