Laguna Skimmer Filter

Heavy-duty pond skimmer boasts professional features for do-it-yourself convenience. Laguna Skimmer Filter provides essential filtration for beautiful and healthy ponds and water gardens. "Floating" weir door system ensures proper skimmer operation even when pond water levels change due to evaporation or rainfall. Four large filter brushes effectively trap debris for outstanding mechanical filtration.

Laguna Skimmer Filter is designed to keep maintenance and installation simple. Removable mesh skimmer net streamlines skimmer maintenance for easy upkeep all season long. Predrilled pump outlets (left and right side) accept flexible PVC pipe up to a 2" in diameter to suit your installation needs. High-density polyethylene construction. Laguna Skimmer Filter with 9" weir door includes: 16-1/4" x 12-1/4" x 8" deep filter basket with 3/16" nylon mesh, four 4" diameter x 16" long brushes, lid support bar, installation hardware, silicone and 17" x 23" lid.

Specifications
Dimensions: 23-1/2 x 17-3/4" x 22" high
For Ponds: Up to 600 sq ft
Recommended Pump Size: 2,000 - 4,000 gph

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Please click on "More Information" for installation and maintenance guide.

Excavating and Setting the Skimmer
The excavation should be a few inches wider and longer than the Skimmer body. The approximate depth of the hole below water level for the Skimmer is 16-17". Do not dig too deep. The Skimmer should be set on undisturbed earth if possible. In case you over-dig, be sure to compact the soil thoroughly to prevent settling. The bottom of the hole should be level side-to-side and front-to-back.

1. Place the Skimmer unit into the excavated hole.
2. Check the top of the unit to make sure that it is level front-to-back and side-to-side.
3. Check where your pre-determined water level falls on the face of the Skimmer unit. Water level needs to be between 1-3/4" and 1-1/2" below the top of the opening for the weir door.
4. Make sure that any unexcavated soil that is left in front of the Skimmer is at least 10" below the water level. This will ensure that there is enough room for the weir door to be installed and function properly. Tip: Before you proceed any further into the Skimmer installation, it is a good idea to place a few stones inside the unit to weigh it down and keep it from moving.
5. Install the 1-1/2" solid Support Bar and begin backfilling. The Support Bar must be in place for the unit to retain its shape during the backfilling process.
6. Loosely back fill the unit on all sides, lightly compacting the soil as you go. Do not over compact the soil. Over compacting may distort the unit and cause components to fit improperly.

Attaching the Liner

1. Hold the liner up against the face of the Skimmer, allowing a minimum of 2" to extend above the top of the unit.
2. Leave some excess slack in the liner below the weir opening. This will help alleviate any future strain on the liner connection.
3. Make sure that the front surface of the Skimmer and the back side of the liner are clean and free of debris.
4. Once satisfied with the position of the liner, clip it in place with the provided Spring Clips.
5. With a sharp razor or utility knife, cut a hole in the liner for the Weir Door using the hole in the face of the Skimmer as a guide. Once finished, remove the Spring Clips and pull the liner away from the face of the Skimmer.
6. Apply the fish-safe silicone around the Weir Door opening on all four sides. Apply the silicone in a consistent bead approximately 3/4" away from the opening itself.
7. Return the liner to its original position and replace the Spring Clips.

Attaching the Weir Door

1. Unlatch the Weir Door and lower the door to its fully open position.
2. Insert the Weir Door Assembly into the Skimmer opening. The Weir Door will not simply slip right into place.
3. With one hand, push the bottom of the Weir Door Frame tight against the Skimmer face. With the other hand, gently push down on the Weir Door Latch until it clears the top of the opening.
4. Push the Weir Door Assembly into the Skimmer opening until the frame rests against the face of the unit.
5. Line up the holes of the Weir Door Frame with the holes in the Skimmer Face.
6. Use a nail or an awl to help lineup the holes and pierce the liner in the top corners.
7. Loosely fasten the top corners using two of the supplied Machine Screws and Serrated Flange Nuts.
8. Install two screws in the bottom corners of the Weir Door Frame.
9. Once the Weir Door is tacked at the corners, install the rest of the screws. Do not fully tighten any screws until all of the screws have been installed. Tip: Use your fingers to hold the Flange Nut and a handheld screwdriver to tighten the screws. The serration of the Flange Nuts will grab the plastic enclosure once they make contact, eliminating the need to use a wrench. Use caution when tightening the screws. The screws only need to be snug for the silicone to make a seal.

Plumbing the Skimmer
The Skimmer is packaged with pump outlets predrilled on either side of the enclosure. The holes are sized to accept up to a 2" flexible PVC pipe. Note: Insert the pipe into the hole on whichever side of the skimmer that is most compatible with your application. The pump outlets are drilled above water level so there is no need for this to be a watertight connection. The pre-drilled hole that is not being used can be simply blocked off with a flat stone on the outside of the enclosure.

Skimmer Maintenance
During the pond season, the Skimmer Net and Brushes can easily be removed and rinsed with a garden hose as required to remove any dirt and debris. Biological media should be rinsed off with pond water periodically if there is an accumulation of sediments.

Winterizing and Storing

1. Drain the pond to below the level of the input opening of the unit.
2. Drain the water from the Skimmer unit.
3. Drain the water from the floating Weir Door (if necessary).
4. Remove and rinse off all filter media and store indoors,
5. Clean the Debris Net.
6. Remove the pump from the Skimmer unit and clean as per manufacturer's instructions. Store the pump indoors.
7. Make sure that the tubing is free of water and debris.