skimmer vs bottom drainer

Depends on what you want to do. They are both very effective at doing
different things. Kinda like asking 'Which is better, a sedan or a pickup
truck'. A bottom drain will keep the bottom clean if installed right. Won't
do a thing for crap in the water column, leaves, grass trimmings etc until
it settles to the bottom. A skimmer will remove most debris that falls into
the pond and will float for a period of time, again, if installed right. A
skimmer won't help with stuff that doesn't float on the surface For the best
of both worlds, use both.

Paul

"Drew Cutter" wrote in message
...
Which is more effective ?

Depends on what you want to do. They are both very effective at doing
different things. Kinda like asking 'Which is better, a sedan or a pickup
truck'. A bottom drain will keep the bottom clean if installed right. Won't
do a thing for crap in the water column, leaves, grass trimmings etc until
it settles to the bottom. A skimmer will remove most debris that falls into
the pond and will float for a period of time, again, if installed right. A
skimmer won't help with stuff that doesn't float on the surface For the best
of both worlds, use both.

Paul

"Drew Cutter" wrote in message
...
Which is more effective ?

On 21 Mar 2004 12:24:34 GMT, Drew Cutter wrote:

Which is more effective ?

A skimmer is designed to remove floating debris from the water
surface.
A bottom drain removes water, and hopefully some waste material from
the bottom of a pond.
I don't think I understand your question, which is more effective in
doing what? If the idea is pond maintenance, neither is perfect in
itself nor will either be an adequate cure all for pond problems.

I have a bottom drain that carries some waste material to the filter
barrels where I vacuum it out periodically. I don't have a skimmer,
but can't see it being as much an asset as a bottom drain. During
windy periods I wish I had a skimmer, but I use a dip net and don't
think about a skimmer again until the wind blows again.

If you have a pond without a bottom drain or a skimmer you can simply
use a dip net on top and vacuum the debris off the bottom and keep
your pond clean without either.

Regards,

Hal

On 21 Mar 2004 12:24:34 GMT, Drew Cutter wrote:

Which is more effective ?

A skimmer is designed to remove floating debris from the water
surface.
A bottom drain removes water, and hopefully some waste material from
the bottom of a pond.
I don't think I understand your question, which is more effective in
doing what? If the idea is pond maintenance, neither is perfect in
itself nor will either be an adequate cure all for pond problems.

I have a bottom drain that carries some waste material to the filter
barrels where I vacuum it out periodically. I don't have a skimmer,
but can't see it being as much an asset as a bottom drain. During
windy periods I wish I had a skimmer, but I use a dip net and don't
think about a skimmer again until the wind blows again.

If you have a pond without a bottom drain or a skimmer you can simply
use a dip net on top and vacuum the debris off the bottom and keep
your pond clean without either.

Regards,

Hal

On 22 Mar 2004 23:03:55 GMT, Drew Cutter wrote:

Suggestion on vacuum . wet/dry vacuum ?

One is brand name Shop Vac, but that is the way lots of us refer to
all of the shop type vacuum cleaners, as opposed to the ones used
inside the home. It is a pain to clean a large pond with one of
those because you have to dump so many times, but it can be done.

Regards,

Hal

On 22 Mar 2004 23:03:55 GMT, Drew Cutter wrote:

Suggestion on vacuum . wet/dry vacuum ?

One is brand name Shop Vac, but that is the way lots of us refer to
all of the shop type vacuum cleaners, as opposed to the ones used
inside the home. It is a pain to clean a large pond with one of
those because you have to dump so many times, but it can be done.

Regards,

Hal

"Drew Cutter" wrote in message
...
Where is the best place to dump it safely ?


Depends on how big the pond is, and how much you intend to drain. Pond water
is nutrient rich, and if possible use it to water plants around the garden.
Why waste good water? If it's not possible, then the storm drain is fine,

When I clean my filters, I make an extra effort to use the waste water for
the rose garden, but a 20% water change is more then I can use around the
garden, so I send a bulk of that to the drain

Sameer

"Drew Cutter" wrote in message
...
Where is the best place to dump it safely ?


Depends on how big the pond is, and how much you intend to drain. Pond water
is nutrient rich, and if possible use it to water plants around the garden.
Why waste good water? If it's not possible, then the storm drain is fine,

When I clean my filters, I make an extra effort to use the waste water for
the rose garden, but a 20% water change is more then I can use around the
garden, so I send a bulk of that to the drain

Sameer

On 23 Mar 2004 17:58:12 GMT, Drew Cutter wrote:

Where is the best place to dump it safely ?

Downhill. There is nothing really unsafe about pond water. It
washes off. Even if you have .1% salt in the water you shouldn't
have enough salt buildup from cleaning the pond to cause a problem, or
I haven't noticed one and I pour mine in the same grassy ditch most of
the time.

I don't use mine for watering flower pots because of the salt, but I
occasionally dump some in the flower beds.

Regards,

Hal

On 23 Mar 2004 17:58:12 GMT, Drew Cutter wrote:

Where is the best place to dump it safely ?

Downhill. There is nothing really unsafe about pond water. It
washes off. Even if you have .1% salt in the water you shouldn't
have enough salt buildup from cleaning the pond to cause a problem, or
I haven't noticed one and I pour mine in the same grassy ditch most of
the time.

I don't use mine for watering flower pots because of the salt, but I
occasionally dump some in the flower beds.

Regards,

Hal