Some people assume that the small size or manmade design of their backyard pond eliminates the need for pumps, filters, and skimmers. In most cases, the opposite is actually true. Small ponds typically need filtration and cleaning even more than large water features that have natural processes for breaking down waste. If you add fish to a small body of water, especially at near the maximum stocking rate, you’ll definitely need to add multiple filtration units to your pond. Explore how preformed pond liners make it difficult to add and change your filtration system and why flexible pond liners work better for water quality equipment.
Cutting the Liner for Skimmer Installation
In order to install a high-quality skimmer, capable of keeping a large pond clean, you’ll need to cut into the liner material to anchor the equipment to the bottom. Without a skimmer, floating leaves and other debris on the surface can build up and then settle to the bottom. Gathering the debris with a skimmer, while it’s still floating, is the best way to reduce muck and sludge at the bottom. Even small ponds accumulate too many leaves and twigs in the summer and fall for you to keep up with a net alone. Cutting the hard and rigid material of the preformed pond liner is difficult and can be downright dangerous if you don’t have the right power tools.
Even if you manage to cut an opening for a skimmer in your premade pond liner, you’ll find it nearly impossible to seal the opening again. Your pond will continue to leak, reducing the efficiency of the skimmer. Preformed liners that include integrated skimmer openings are highly limited in the equipment that fits the openings. Unless you’re fine with being locked into using a specific size and model of skimmer, stick with flexible liner materials instead.
Floating Skimmer Limitations
You may find floating and unanchored pond skimmers available in pond stores that are designed to work around the limitations of preformed liners. However, these units are far less effective than fixed skimmers in their ability to capture leaves and other floating debris. They tend to offer much smaller surface capture areas and holding capacity, requiring you to clean out the skimmer daily just to keep up with the flow of fall leaves. Don’t be afraid of switching to a flexible pond liner to make it easier to install the skimmer that matches the surface area and debris load of your particular pond.
Separate vs Integrated Filters
Filtration units, include bio-filters and charcoal based purifiers, are generally installed separately from the pond regardless of liner material. Yet, it’s possible to purchase preformed pond liners with filters built in or at the wells for adding your own equipment. It’s better to direct filtered water into a separate processing zone than to try to keep the filter in or just above your pond. Don’t assume that a preformed liner with an integrated filter will work any better, or even as well, as a separate unit you can install anywhere you like.
Access for Maintenance
Filters and skimmers need regular attention to function properly. During the winter and spring, you may only need to check the equipment monthly. The high debris loads of summer and fall increases this to weekly or sometimes daily visits. This is necessary to remove leaves and check for clogs. Place the skimmer and filters in areas that are easy to access without damaging the pond’s banks. You may need to extend the plumbing for your filtration unit slightly, so you can keep it away from fragile or planted edges.
Its relatively easy to add filters to preformed ponds, but skimmers are another story entirely. Since both types of equipment are necessary for a clean and healthy pond, make sure your liners are compatible with everything you plan to use. Flexible reinforced liners can be cut and sealed around skimmers, plumbing, drains, and other additions that help maintain water quality.
