Connecting an External Pump to a Koi Pond Skimmer

Floating Skimmer

• 1

  Dig a small hole into the ground, adjacent to the koi pond and close to the power outlet. The hole should be deep and wide enough to fit your external pump. Flatten the bottom of the hole to ensure the pump can work efficiently. You can lay gravel at the bottom of the hole, if you prefer.

• 2

  Connect the end of a pond hose to the pump's filter intake valve. The intake valve sucks water into the pump. There it filters through the pump and is then pushed back out of the outlet on the pump.

• 3

  Attach the other end of the pond hose to the skimmer's water outlet port. Water will be sucked out of the skimmer and into the hose connected to the pump.

• 4

  Secure the ends of this hose with hose clamps. You can also use industrial strength glue.

Fixed Skimmer

• 5

  Dig a path from the pump hole to the area of the pond with the fixed skimmer.

• 6

  Wipe pipe glue around the ends of the PVC pipe. Then lay the PVC pipe into the depression you just dug.

• 7

  Connect the end of a PVC pipe to the pump's filter intake valve. The intake valve sucks water into the pump. There it filters through the pump and is then pushed back out of the outlet on the pump.

• 8

  Attach the other end of the PVC pipe to the skimmer's water outlet port. Water will be sucked out of the skimmer and into the pipe connected to the pump.

• 9

  Cover the depression back up with dirt.