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  • Results 1 to 10 of 10

    Thread: Pond vacuum

    1. #1
      souvikch is offline Member
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      Pond vacuum

      Hi - I have a 6,000 gallon pond. Wondering if anyone has suggestions for a pond vacuum? Looking for something that is reasonably priced and works. Any diy options? Or do I have to bite the bullet and buy the pondovac 5 which will be $800+?

      Regards, souvik

      Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

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    2. #2
      Craigger7's Avatar
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      So I'm guessing this is for a garden pond without a bottom drain. Reason I say that is because I don't see a reason for a pond vac with a koi designated pond with a bottom drain. So this may help save you money. Pond Vacs are nothing more than glorified wet/dry vacs. At one time I took the plunge and spent $800+ on the latest and greatest Oasis Pondvac. This was when I just had my garden pond. To be honest, I believe I used it 3 times, and its in my garage where it has been sitting for the past 6 yrs. If you have a garden pond. This a bylevel pond with steps leading down, the classic Aquascape build. You really need to clean out the pond once a year. Yes its a long dirty job, but it gets easier as you do it. Nothing like power washing the rocks to get the slim off, and the pond looks great after. After a good cleaning a skimmer net works just as well as a $800 pondvac.

    3. #3
      nota is offline Senior Member
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      I have a no filter huge concrete swimming pool 37x17x9
      that I dump the water and do a 150% water change as needed
      s fla water is less then 10 ft down no restriction on wells
      and sandy soil drains quickly so no puddles

      when the water is at a minimum I use a big shop vac to remove the fish poop and algae
      I buy used shop vacs for about 20 at yard sales they last about one year and get replaced
      handy to have extra tubs to swap as I get about 3 16 gal loads per maybe 1/3 water

      biggest vac problem is getting a hose that will not collapse sucking mud

    4. #4
      icu2's Avatar
      icu2 is offline Administrator ~ WWKC President
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      Some past threads... they're older and have broken links and missing pictures but might be good for ideas:

      https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showt...1-DIY-Pond-Vac

      https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showt...5-DIY-Pond-Vac

      https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showt...t-do-you-think

      You can also go to this custom Google search and type in something like "DIY pond vac" and it'll list threads on Koiphen
      related to the search terms:

      http://cse.google.com/cse?cx=0070364...19978874%252Fc
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    5. #5
      joe09 is offline Senior Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by icu2 View Post
      Some past threads... they're older and have broken links and missing pictures but might be good for ideas:

      https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showt...1-DIY-Pond-Vac

      https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showt...5-DIY-Pond-Vac

      https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showt...t-do-you-think

      You can also go to this custom Google search and type in something like "DIY pond vac" and it'll list threads on Koiphen
      related to the search terms:

      http://cse.google.com/cse?cx=0070364...19978874%252Fc
      i have the pond vac 4.it workes great.i have had minefor a long time..the shop vac is a pain to use .it fills up too quickly and you have to empty it.the pond vac emptys it self.quicker and easier.you did not say hoe deep your pond is

    6. #6
      aquaholic is offline Supporting Member
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      Would be very easy to add a 55 gallon blue barrel chamber in front of a shop vac I'm thinking. Add a large diameter bottom drainage tap to make empting easier.

    7. #7
      Enrgizerbunny is offline Senior Member
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      Has anyone designed a pond vacuum that works on venturi? You would need a pump that puts out decent pressure, maybe a pressure washer with a larger outlet to reduce the pressure. Since they're positive displacement pumps the volume wouldn't change, but the pressure would be reduced with a larger "nozzle" on the end. Shouldn't even need a vessel to pump to if you have enough hose.

      This might be a viable project. I have a pressure washer that I don't use at the moment...

    8. #8
      souvikch is offline Member
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      First, my apologies for the delayed response. Forgot my password and somehow the forgot Password link in the forum is not working. I hate typing long emails on my phone and that's the only option remaining.


      Second, as always I am super grateful for the detailed and thoughtful responses. Always amazed at the level of experience and empathy. Hopefully I will be able to pay it forward someday.

      Responding to questions asked, my pond is about 5 feet deep ( about 7,000 gallons) in the middle. Got it built last year, it has a bottom drain but I don't have it hooked up yet to a filter yet - no rocks in the bottom but only in side walls. I have a gc tek filter standing by setup in the next few weeks. This has resulted in leaves, algae built up and green water this spring.

      Based on the responses I ordered at pondovac series 4. Arrived yesterday and will try out tomorrow. Will share update soon.

      Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

    9. #9
      icu2's Avatar
      icu2 is offline Administrator ~ WWKC President
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      Quote Originally Posted by souvikch View Post
      First, my apologies for the delayed response. Forgot my password and somehow the forgot Password link in the forum is not working. I hate typing long emails on my phone and that's the only option remaining.
      Feel free to email me at forum@koiphen.com and I'd be happy to help you with any password issues.
      --Steve



      Koiphen 2021 Koi Person of the Year!

    10. #10
      Enrgizerbunny is offline Senior Member
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      Came across this DIY one and I think I'll give it a whirl in lieu of a venturi system since I only have to buy some brass. I just need to get the acorns out.

      Thoughts?

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjgIhDdRbPg

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