Clearpond Eco User manual

Installation Instructions for
Clearpond Eco Skimmer
Thank you for purchasing the Clearpond Skimmer. You are about to
experience the difference in water feature products, components that
are simply designed for the home owner. The simple designs of the
Eco - Skimmer provides you with reliable, trouble free installation
and maintenance for all your water feature designs.
Step One – Design and Excavation.
Layout the pond. Position the skimmer opposite your waterfall
for best skimming action, preferably in a corner where there
will be extra liner.
Placement
Filter
Skimmer

Dig a pocket for the skimmer on the edge of the pond. Over dig
the pocket by at least 10cm in all directions to ensure plenty of
room for the skimmer.
Level the pocket in all directions. Establish the water level for
the pond, then the proper placement and height for the
skimmer.
The skimmer should be set so the ideal water level is 3cm
below the top of the skimmer face plate window (see
letter A). This allows for fluctuation of the water up and down.
These measurements are from the base of the skimmer, up to Water Level
the surface water level. The measurements at right should be
followed when excavating the pocket.
A
Eco = 30 cm
Melody = 46 cm
Ovation = 55 cm
Step Two – Installing Liner and Underlay.
Before installing the underlay, be sure to check over the
pond bottom really well to get rid of any sharp rocks, sticks or
any other object that could puncture the liner.
Carefully install the protective underlay. Work the wrinkles
out of the bottom of the pond. Lay folds flat against the side wall.
Repeat for the liner. Again, work the wrinkles out of the pond
floor. Lay the liner neatly in the pocket for the skimmer.
Step Three – Installing the Skimmer.
Set the skimmer in the pocket. Double check to make sure it is level in all
directions.
Stack a few courses of stones up the front of the skimmer to lock it in
place and prevent movement during the backfilling process.
Fold the liner and underlay back towards the pond, to reveal the void
spaces created when digging the skimmer pocket. Backfill around the
skimmer with soil in 4" to 6" increments. Compact the soil around the
skimmer using the end of the shovel or a 2 x4.

Step Four – Finishing Up.
Finish stacking stones up the front of the
skimmer. Place the stones on the horizontal
ledges to help lock in the skimmer. Use stone to
conceal the skimmer door opening.
Hook up the check valve assembly to the pump
and install the pump in the skimmer. Hook up
the flex pipe to the check valve assembly. Install
the filter mat divider and the leaf basket into the
skimmer. Plug the pump into a GFCI protected
outlet. Place the cover on top, and enjoy.
How it Works.
Pond maintenance begins and ends at the skimmer.
90% of debris is windblown or falls from trees.
Capturing surface debris before it becomes water
logged and settles to the bottom of the pond lessens
clean-outs, eliminates decomposing matter, lightens
the load on your Bio filter, keeps water clearer and
prevents discoloured water. A surface skimmer
helps eliminate areas where diseases, anaerobic
bacteria’s and pathogens thrive.
Skimmer Maintenance.
Shut off pump prior to cleaning
skimmer. Remove the cover to
expose the clean out area.
Empty the leaf basket on a
weekly basis, more often if
needed. In the fall, skimmer
may need to be cleaned daily.
Leaf basket must stay clean to
allow water into pump to
prevent overheating the pump.
Spray out the leaf basket to get
rid of decomposed material.

Slowly lift out the filter mat. Do
this slowly and carefully to
retain the most debris on the
mat.
Spray off the filter mat. Do not
rinse 100% clean, you want to
leave the some bacteria on the
mat.
Add a maintenance dose of
bacteria to help seed the
skimmer mat.
Clearpond – Head Office, 17 Discovery Drive, Bibra Lake, Western Australia 6163
Freecall 1800 222 010 – Email [e-mail]
www.clearpond.com.au
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