How to Create a Homemade Pond Skimmer

Pond skimmers are an important tool for maintaining an outdoor pond. Organic debris, if not removed from the pond, will accumulate in the water, causing discoloration, odor and changes in the water chemistry that can be potentially deadly to fish. Daily pond-skimming is an important part of maintenance. Creating your own pond skimmer is actually fairly simple and inexpensive. You can even customize the size of the skimmer, depending on the size of your pond. For an extra-large skimmer, use a large wooden embroidery hoop that's 18 or 24 inches in diameter; for a small skimmer, use an embroidery hoop that's 8 or 12 inches in diameter.

Things You'll Need

  • Wooden embroidery hoop
  • Screening (metal or fabric)
  • Scissors
  • Marker
  • Screw gun
  • Screws
  • Wooden broom handle
  • Staple gun
  • Staples
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the embroidery hoop on top of a sheet of screening and use a marker to trace around the outside edge of the hoop. Trace a circle that's larger than the hoop; the diameter should be about 2 inches larger than the outside edge of the wooden hoop. You'll need the extra screen to allow you to attach it to the wood.

    • 2

      Cut the piece of screening, using the mark drawn in the previous step as a guide.

    • 3

      Remove the screw from the embroidery hoop and separate the outer ring from the inner ring. The inner ring can be discarded, but use the screw as a guide. Bring the screw to the store and purchase two screws of the same diameter.

    • 4

      Pull the embroidery hoop open slightly and place the end of a wooden broom handle between the two metal tabs (previously used to accommodate a screw that pulls the hoop closed), while securing fabric between the outer and inner ring.

    • 5

      Insert a screw through each metal tab to secure the hoop to the end of the broom handle. The screws should be fairly short -- about 1/2 inch long -- so the screws don't intersect inside the wood.

    • 6

      Place the piece of screening on a table, place the ring over the screening and staple the screen to the outer edge of the hoop. Staples should be inserted every 1/2 inch. If you're holding the skimmer upright, so it looks like a lollipop (the broom handle would be at 6 o'clock), place staples at 9 o'clock, 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock and on either side of the broom handle. Placing the first staples in these locations will ensure that the screening is stretched evenly over the hoop.

    • 7

      Trim off extra screening once all the staples are in place.