filtration type

[iceman27030]

can someone help me decide on a skimmer with filtration and uv or seperate uv and waterfall with filtration and what pump to use with this and where to buy - i currently have a approx. 6000 - 7000 pond

[Flounder]

What's your current filtration? BDs?

[MikeM]

I have no experience with UV in the skimmer. I've seen posts around where folks talked about how happy they were with such skimmer units. I've also seen the contrary. A separate unit gives more opportunity for control, future modification, unit replacement when something wears out, etc. An in-skimmer unit has main benefit of compactness in tight space. Personally, I think it optimal for UV to be after all mechanical filtration so the UV rays are most effective. So... I have a Savio skimmer with leaf trap and a filter mat, which leads to a pump (with leaf basket.. which gets leaves etc that manage to get around the mat), which feeds a bead filter, with a return line going thru the UV before returning to the pond. Given the amount of gunk the bead filter captures, I'm sure the UV would be much less effective if it was not located last in line.

[MCA]

Iceman,

When you mention skimmers or waterfall boxes doing filtration, and yet no mention of a bottom drain.....I have to wonder if you are talking water garden. Koi are best served by larger ponds (6000-7000 gallons qualifies) that are relative deep (ie 6') and have smooth walls and floors so as to not trap debris that will decay. The also should have bottom drains that feed external filter systems.

So what is the planned depth and who are the intended residents? Is this for plants and goldfish, plants and koi, koi only? It there at least one bottom drain. If so, what is it feeding?

[Birdman]

I have long praised the merits of the large Savio Skimmer with the 16" Wier. They are very well made, have a very good rigid basket and a easy to service pre filter matt. They will flow a lot of water. I have used 8500 gph pumps from them. But I think the neatest thing is the drop in UVs. Savio has always made a good quality UV but now they have their new UVnix that doesn't have the fragile quartz sleeve. The new UV's have a heat shrink directly on the bulb that eliminates the fragile quartz sleeve. They are 50 watts and you can use two in the large skimmers. This is a very well made unit, just drop it in and away you go.

[MCA]

Emperor makes a UV kit for eithe old or new style UV mounting in Savio skimmer.

Retro-Fit UV's for SAVIO Skimmers

AZPonds has either at good prices...

Pond Skimmers

[dick benbow]

in your search to collect info and competitive bids you might check with birdman as he has access to Savio products.

[rockman]

I also have a Savio skimmer with the 16 inch weir, and it works well for me.

Not only id the type of skimmer important, but I think the location is also very important, in order to try and avoid "dead spots" in the pond.

For example, I have my skimmer at the opposite end of my pond from my waterfall, and it works pretty well, but I still have a few dead spots where debris can collect in the pond. I am actually thinking about maybe evern putting in a second skimmer...