Learn how a pond skimmer works to keep ponds free from leaves and flowers

Another tool for the serious pond keeper is the skimmer. It is particularly useful in the autumn and if there are poolside shrubs that shed leaves and flowers and into the pool, or even the automatic removal of excess fish food. It can be like a swimming pool surface filter attached to the outside of the pool liner at ground level, or it can sit in the pool as an attachment to a pump.

The pump draws water into the chamber of the skimmer by pumping water out at the bottom. In this way any floating debris is drawn into the basket held inside. This can be emptied at regular intervals. There are more specialised skimmers adept at removing the protein scum that comes from soil and also floating algae.

The sort of algae and scum that might easily be removed by some sorts of skimmer.

More for the keen fish keeper, it is not the sort of product that would be useful for a natural or wildlife pond since so much activity goes on the surface of a proper pond that is integral to the make up of pond life.

The simple pond skater is a ubiquitous character in all real ponds.