DIY Network

Installing a Water Garden: Skimmer and Pipe Installation From "Waterscapes" episode DWAT-102

The pond skimmer is typically concealed in a completed water garden, but is a critical component since it serves to filter and purify the water to keep the pond life healthy.

In this segment of DIY's Waterscapes workshop, the skimmer and connecting pipe are installed in the ground at the edge of the pond.

Materials needed for laying out the water garden:

Shovels
Pick axe
2" flexible PVC pipe
Pond skimmer
Pond waterfall tank
Long carpenter's level
Line level and string
Wheel barrow

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The skimmer and connecting pipe are submerged in the ground at the edge of the pond.

Installing the Skimmer

According to water-garden expert Rick Bartel, the skimmer is the "heartbeat" of the pond system -- circulating, oxygenating and cleaning the water. This relatively large piece of equipment is mostly concealed underground by excavating a hole at one end of the pond that's about 24 inches in diameter and 20 inches deep. Only the reinforced skimmer-lid will be visible above the ground.

Figure A

• To provide for the proper amount of circulation, the skimmer and waterfall are at opposite ends of the pond. They are connected together by 2-inch flexible PVC pipe that is buried in a trench behind the rear of the pond. Host Heidi Robinson dug the 6-inch-deep trench for this installation (figure A) using a pick and shovel.

  Important: In colder climates, the trench for the PVC pipe may need to be dug slightly deeper to ensure that it's below the frost line during winter months.

  Important: Flexible PVC pipe is preferred to the rigid type. If the rigid type is used, the 45-degree and 90-degree elbow-attachments that will be needed to angle the route of the pipe will reduce water flow. The bendable type of PVC allows you to custom fit and mold the pipe around the curve of the pond (or any obstacles such as rocks or tree roots) without significantly reducing water flow.
  

  	Figure B
  	Figure C

• Meanwhile, Rick dug the 20-inch deep hole at one end of the pond for submerging the bulk of the skimmer below ground. When digging the hole, it's important to ensure that it provides a snug fit for the skimmer (figure B) so that it won't settle over time.

• It's also important to submerge the skimmer to the proper depth to ensure that water flows in at the proper water level. For this particular skimmer, the proper level for the water surface is even with the second screw-hole on the inlet of the skimmer (figure C). If the skimmer is set with the water level too low on the skimmer door, the amount of water-flow into the skimmer will not be adequate for most efficient operation. Problems can also occur if the water level is too high.
  

  	Figure D
  	Figure E
  	Figure F

• Once the skimmer has been set in position, the flexible PVC pipe can be rolled into the trench (figure D).

• Cut the flexible PVC pipe using a PVC cutter (figure E).

  Note: If you don't have a PVC pipe-cutter, you can use a saw for this step.

• Allow about 1 foot of extra PVC pipe for making any necessary adjustments. A 90-degree elbow at the end of the pipe will allow it to be connected to the pump.

• Once the pipe and skimmer are connected (figure F) and the dirt is filled back in around these plumbing components, only the top portion of the skimmer will be visible at the rear of the completed water garden.
  

RESOURCES :

The Water Garden Design Book
ISBN: 0764153730
Authors: Yvonne Rees, Peter May
Barrons Educational Series
(August 2001)
To order this book from Amazon, click here.

The Master Book of the Water Garden: The Ultimate Guide to the Design and Maintenance of the Water Garden
ISBN: 0821227963
Author: Philip Swindells
Publisher: Bulfinch
(April, 2002)
To order this book from Amazon, click here.