My age is really catching up with me.
I have a 4.5 foot deep pond...Even with the netting over it...the wind blew in far more junk than I can stand. The water is too cold for me although the Koi are swimming and eating. My old bones just can't take the cold anymore.
I did order some pond gloves from Drs. Foster & Smith....cheapest I could find on the net. I got one good pair and a box of 5 pair of what they consider re-useable....or throw aways.
I noticed a couple of different types of pond vacs....the most expensive being electric and the cheapest being something you use on your garden hose......I don't understand the concept there.....It is probably very simple but then so am I...LOL
I really need something to suck the garbage off the bottom of the pond but I want to know what works the very best.....I'm not rich but I would rather buy quality if it really works.
Any answers out there for me?
Has Anyone Here Ever Used A Pond Vac? Which type..please?
Well this is my 2 cents worth.
I think the "perfect" pond vac has yet to be invented but I purchased the Oase Pondvac2 and I am overall VERY pleased. It is expensive but worth the money for me as I dont want to have to fool with a water hose and having to worry about getting too much fresh water in the pond. I'm just too clumbsy for all that !
Good Luck
Charlotte
Charlotte,
That is the vac I was most curious about. Could you answer a few questions for me please?
Most of the grunge on the bottom is narrow leaves from willows...and a few from some virginia creeper vines.....They aren't huge leaves but they need to be taken out. Do you think the pondvac 2 will suck them up?
How about algae? My water is clear but I always have algae growth a couple of inches out from the liner...all over...bottom and sides. Will it pull it off?
My grandkids have thrown some small stones in the pond...not many but I wondered if they would ruin the pondvac....What do you think?
Thanks for your reply....I am on a fixed income and need to spend my money wisely. You will be such a help in doing that.
Bell
Bell, have you checked any of the DIY vaccumm designs?
Heres a design by Claude Brown, I've tried it but my water pressure is too low (very low producing well) but I have a friend that uses it and likes it.
http://www.jandbk.org/pond_vacuum
Also, do a google search for muck mop - another DIY design, I believe it requires a shop vac though.
Good Luck
I think those do- it- yourself designs are great , I looked and looked at those but again, I didnt want to use a garden hose at all and all of them looked cumbersome(I'm so clumbsy .)
I'm a fairly creative and handy woman but I guess I was just afraid to bother with it-afraid it would be too much of a hassle to use and store. But some folks really love their homemade vacs.
Bell, based on what I've experienced and been told, the perfect vac still hasnt been made. But I really love mine, I agonized over the cost but got it for christmas finally. The Pondvac 2 cleans my pond really well. My pond is roughly 8 ft wide 12 feet long and 2 ft deep with EPDM liner.
The vac does get leaves out of the pond, not perfectly but the more narrow the leaves the better it will work. If you had a large amt of fat leaves you might have to work at it for a while but it has gotten all the leaves out of mine.
It is not a miracle cure for algea, algea grows so fast that even if you suck it out it will be back in a day or two. IMO better to manage that with plant/fish balance ect. but I do use my vac to get out as much string algea and stuff as possible.
Small stones will not ruin your vac, but if they are big enough they may get caught in your hose and you will have to stop and try to get them out. I would use a net to remove them if possible but not worry about the small ones, the vac will suck them up and then discharge them-no problem. I had alot of pea gravel and slightly larger stone (I think at lowes they call it small river rock) in mine that the fish had spilled out of plants and the vac sucks them out.
I really do love mine and next to my UV light is the best pond money I have ever spent. My only complaint is that the darn thing comes with several fittings to use for different purposes and the instruction manual stinks. I had to call OASE to find out what everything was. But the unit is super easy to use, not heavy to carry and easy to store in a small amt of space.
You hook up 2 hoses , plug in the electricity and hit the on button. The unit vacs until the holding tank is full, then it stops suction- you will hear and see the tank automatically empty out the discharge hose- a beeper will sound to warn you it is getting ready to start suction again and away you go ! ahh... sure beats having to fool with all those hoses I formerly used.
I'll be glad to answer any questions you have.. post here or email me privately.
charlotte
i use a large gravel vac from python products, it works great for me and you can get extension tubes for it in almost any length
I did a search on Pondvac 2 prices.....You can save quite a bit of money at AZPONDS......I ordered one. The sale is a short one but you also get free shipping.....worth about $15
Charlotte, I see you have ordered from them too.....A great place for pond supplies.
This message was edited Apr 7, 2005 9:47 PM
Yes, I have been overall pleased with them and I ordered my Pondvac2 there, also a UV light. My fav customer service site is pondliner.com where I got my pond liner and pumps but AZ ponds has been a good supplier for me.
When you get your vac you will be amazed at how simple it is but I does work well.
Yes Charlotte....I agree about Pondliner.com too. You must be a comparison shopper like me. LOL
I want to thank you for all the information you have given me.....it really helped me spend my money where it should be.
Not that you may need them, but parts for the vac are available at Drs.Foster & Smith.com.
Good ponding to you...
Bell
Yes, I have the DrsFS catalog. I ordered a SUV petstroller for my little dog. They have lots of good stuff but I can often beat their price.
Hope I dont need any spare part for a while. you will have fun with your vacuum-try not to vac up anyone special. I had a few tadpoles take a ride but they came out on the other end okay :)
you're welcome
charlotte
I, too, have bones and joints that don't like to get into my pond and I just ordered a Pondovac 2. I researched many catalogs and over the internet and finally ordered from AZPonds, over the internet. It was cheaper by hundreds of dollars and no shipping. I have not yet received it, but am anticipating an easier job.
Linden, you are sort of a neighbor....I know, I know.....quite a long way away but a neighboring state is like next door out here.
We will have to exchange information as we use our new toys. I can hardly wait. I have had the Microb-lift in and Algae Fix and the pond is now ready for the vac.
That discharged garbage should be good to add to the compost pile wouldn't you think?
Here's to weather that doesn't 'rattle our bones'!
Bell
It's kinda funny how I ran across this thread today because just last night, my neighbor and I were discussing on saving our money to go halves on a pond vac. I came up with an idea that would cost a fraction of the price of a pond vac. I'm sure all of you have seen or heard of those "EZ-Set" swimming pools?? Well, you can buy replacement pumps for them for about $40.00. The pump/filter combo has an inlet and an outlet along with a filter compartment. I was thinking of using this device as a pond vac; that way, you can salvage the already beneficial bio-system water. My design also acts as a double filter system.
It's quite easy -- attach the inlet to a piece of PVC or CPVC, to the end of that, attach a curtain/drapery vacuum attachment. Then to the outlet side of the filter/pump attach a double layer of cheesecloth or equivelant. Lay the output in the pond, place the input in the pond, turn it on, and start your cleaning!
I'm sure this is the same concept that those big expensive ($400.00) pond vacs use, but you can build your own for a little over 1/10th of the price.
tell me more
never heard of EZSet
need a vacume bad
Yes, some folks have made some ingenious home made pumps.
I'm sure your design may work and save you mega bucks.
However, swimming pool pumps are made to move water but not alot of gunk my concern would be the gunk might 1) clog up your motor if you dont use a filter or 2) clog up the filter so fast it will burn up the motor.
Anyway that was my concern with thinking of using a set up like that. Not trying to "rain on your parade" , I hope it works for you. Good Luck :)
Wow,
Your home made one sounds great. I use my Shop Vac, and just open the bottom drain to clean it every few minutes. Pain, but it works.
I have often though of using a small Spa pump. Just have the inlet go into a 5 gallon bucket, Then have a hose from the bucket to use as the vac part. Once you start the pump, it shoiuld create a vaccum in the bucket and pull everything into it. If you put filter material in the bucket as well, the pump would only pull in clean water, then the output of the pump would go straight back into the pond.......
One of these days....