This is my 1st version of a Air Lift pond vacuum. It lifts all gravel, leaves, and junk from bottom of pond and it was free to build out of common stuff from the house.
Greetings from Southeast Michigan on this rainy day. I made a vac pump with your directions and it worked great. Used women's panty hose and collected a lot of junk. Thanks
You are a genius. I have used an airstone in a gravel vac for aquariums that needed a little more suction power. I've been struggling to figure out a good system for vacuuming my indoor pond. Thanks!
Thanks for your quick answer! - this compressor's standard fittings size is 1/4" and 1/4" hose, also. I am using 1/4 inch fittings into my (un)flexible pipe , which is also 2" in diameter and 3 feet long. Your hose and fittings look a little bigger - maybe 1/2"? That would be over 4 times larger delivery than a 1/4" hose.
To say in your video I quote “ that other vacuum’s do not work, picking up leaves “is not accurate. I appreciate your idea and will give it a try.. some vacuums don’t work, but some do.
Hi was just wondering on the pond vac .where the airhose goes into the discharge hose what kind of of and did you put o the air hose for the air to come through.did you use just a fitting that continues to blow air
I'm having the same issues as Joe - not enough lift. Can you give some specs as the the size air hose / size of the fittings / diameter of the flex hose, etc.? Our air compressor is a 6hp Porter Cable 150 psi, so I think it is powerful enough.
Hello and Greetings from Malaysia. I cant seem to figure out how the air ( unless its hot ) will flow out upward instead of out of the hose ( in this case your outlets being the nearest or the easiest ) . I have tried with my wet vacuum and failed. I am now about to try this idea with my 2.5hp compressor. P/S... I will not be channeling the water back into the pond but straight out into the drain where hopefully in the process, suck out the algae
I would assume this would work for a plastic preformed pond with dead leaves on the bottom? You don't have the air pointed a certain way? Just let air rise like normal?
It's just a quick connect fitting on the side of the hose about 2" from the bottom . So as soon as the air is connected to the compressor it gets whatever output the compressor can put out. Yes it'll pick up leaves it picked up 2" stones on my pond.
This is amazing and I will be putting one together this weekend. How effective have you found this to work on removing the organic debris from the bottom and do you have any suggestions on the type of mesh to use for the bag?
nice video, thanks. Is it that the size of the mesh will determine what sort of slime/muck you'll pick up? has the bag ever been too heavy to pull out?
Mesh size will always determine the materials you can get out. In this case I used a large hole mesh bag just for rocks and large materials. Never too heavy to lift out. This would be way more efficient with a large air pump. I want to try it with high volume aquarium pump instead of an air compressor next. Don't need air pressure but rather more air volume.
I am trying to find something simple to make to use to clean out the gunk from the bottom of my duck pond. After watching your video and thinking about how this works, I am wondering what modifications I would need to do to make it work for muddy gunk, rather than stones. Or if it's even possible. Obviously the muddy gunk has a much smaller umm 'particle' size than a piece of gravel, and I am assuming that for this to work the material used as the 'collection bag' must allow enough air to escape to create the suction, while obviously having a small enough mesh size to not let the collected gunk seep through. By mesh size I am referring to the size of the holes in the material in the collection bag that ideally let air escape but are smaller than the collected gunk I want to retain.... (Not sure what the correct term is for the size of said holes in fabric! Lol) So I assume I need something with a very small mesh (any ideas? Maybe old stocking or something similar?) and also wondering whether anything that has small enough mesh size to collect what is basically smelly duck faeces rich mud is going to potentially not allow the air to escape, and then when I turn on the air compressor, presumably the collection bag will either come loose from the hose or rip/explode. To complicate the problem there is a LOT of gunk I need to get out of a large pond. I am hoping the author of this video, or anyone viewing this post who has some experience with this, (especially if they have made something like this for removing smelly mucky mud, rather than gravel or stones) can tell me: 1 whether what I want to achieve is even possible and... 2, if it is, suggestions of material to make the collection bag from, and suggestions of the size of the collection bag and size of hose/fittings etc. On one hand it would fill up really fast unless it was pretty massive, but I am guessing a large bag would not create enough suction? Also wondering if the mud gunk will mean that after a few times emptying the collection bag it will be too clogged up to allow air to escape any more. I have a budget of basically nothing. And have a cheap air compressor with from memory a 24L tank. The max actual psi that shows on the dial of it when using it for things like stapling is just over 105. Also wondering whether my tank is big enough? I currently have one of those cheapish stretchy cables for the aircompressor. Ie its made from rigid plastic shaped in a tight spiral and stretches/contracts via that. The hose is supposed to withstand up to 200psi but I think it would be more like 110-130 or thereabouts. I have a pond which is roughly 8m sq which has a LOT of smelly muddy gunk in the bottom I don't expect any pump will get all the gunk out, and no matter what tool I use I imagine its going to be a time consuming job, so really just looking for something a bit more time effective than me scooping it out by hand (especially since it's winter here and the water is far too cold to have my arms in past my elbows for more than a few seconds) Can anyone let me know whether it's feasible to make something using old bits and pieces (ie old hose from a house vacuum) Also best way to make sure the hole drilled to attach air hose is nice and air tight? I am not an expert with air compressors and fittings and so on. Have basic handy man tools to drill a hole, and some of that white tape stuff that you put around the screws on fittings to make them airtight and that's about it. The other thing I was thinking about was one of those things that attaches to your garden hose and uses the water pressure to create suction. Not sure how they work in general, and also whether they will work when the water is being pumped from a well not mains so the pressure is nothing like as high as what you get from a good mains pressure hose.
Kim. Few questions. What is the pond made of? Mud bottom, Liner? rock bottom? Filter bags can be used but on a pond of your size 8M you will need a high volume air compressor to make this work. My pond is small and is a bare bottom. So a smaller 6 gallon compressor just does the job although a high volume would be better.
If the level of the pond is kept high enough the discharge hose could be laid over the edge of the pond and all the sludge might be forced by the air up and out over the edge of the pond. I am thinking the air might be able to over come a 4 inch elevation. I have a sewage ejector pump that I use to empty my sludge filled pond. I am toying with an idea of attaching the hose to the inlet of the pump , to the pole and having the outlet to the pump going clear out of the pond. My muck would quickly plug any bag with fine holes and go thru any bigger holes.
need help! made the vacuum the same way you did air flows out the bag but has very little suction. using a 5hp compressor. trying to get the leaves off the bottomof the pond. My hubby would like to talk with you over the phone if possible.please help us the weather is getting cold and need to clean it for the winter.
OK Rob, I have copied your DIY pond vacuum using a 6 gallon air compressor. I have attached compressor hose at the base of the vacuum hose 1 1/2 inch flex hose similar to yours. However my compressor does not build pressure enough since there is an open end compressor nossel connected (bolted) into and through the vacuum hose. I have placed that end into the pond and for several minutes without getting suction. the catch bag is submerged into the water. So, do I need to install a shut-off valve in order for the compressor to build up?
Thank you for responding! My compressor works great normally, but the compressor gauge never builds pressure. I imagine it is due to the compressor hose nossel under water at the base of the vacuum hose remains open. What is the length fo your vacuum hose? And was it 1 1/2 in diameter? Thank you
this is awesome! I have a turtle in my pond as well as koi. a couple of huge dust storms blew in, and the bottom is all muck. I try to stir it up to get it threw the skimmer and pump but t settles rather quickly, which is strange because it is so fine, It would take days. I was wondering if you thought there would be enough suction to attach a hose instead of a bag to go straight into my sewer drain, its about 30 feet away from my pond.
+rghill100 Hmmm.....someone else's video of the one they made (that I found after seeing this) showed how it cleaned algae off the bottom of their pond.
+Lin Talbot-koehl I guess that depends on the type of algea. There are hundreds of types I'm sure this can pick up some. It'll also depend on the size of the holes in the sack you use to collect the materials.
That is easily the best version I've seen made for a pond! Nice work
Thank you! I have tried so many things that don't work. This is basically free since I already have an air compressor. Brilliant.
FINALLY !!!! YOU GENIUS !!! THANK YOU MAN, MAY GOD BLESS YOU, I REALLY NEED THIS INVENTION OF YOURS FOR MY KOI POND HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES !
This is briliant!
Greetings from Southeast Michigan on this rainy day. I made a vac pump with your directions and it worked great. Used women's panty hose and collected a lot of junk. Thanks
Rainy miserable day here too. Right across from Detroit.
The pantyhose is a great idea. Ill have to try that this year.
You are a genius. I have used an airstone in a gravel vac for aquariums that needed a little more suction power. I've been struggling to figure out a good system for vacuuming my indoor pond. Thanks!
You are a genius! I'm definitely trying this come spring!
Brilliant, I have a larger compressor, so now have seen yours I will build my own, thanks.
Thanks for your quick answer! - this compressor's standard fittings size is 1/4" and 1/4" hose, also. I am using 1/4 inch fittings into my (un)flexible pipe , which is also 2" in diameter and 3 feet long. Your hose and fittings look a little bigger - maybe 1/2"? That would be over 4 times larger delivery than a 1/4" hose.
i also have a turtle. this works really well thanks!
What skimmer is that?
To say in your video I quote “ that other vacuum’s do not work, picking up leaves “is not accurate. I appreciate your idea and will give it a try.. some vacuums don’t work, but some do.
Mine does & every year we use them. Cost $170.00, but YES it does work and LESS playing around.
Amazing!!!! Thanks so much
Hi was just wondering on the pond vac .where the airhose goes into the discharge hose what kind of of and did you put o the air hose for the air to come through.did you use just a fitting that continues to blow air
Same standard fittings for everything. Just drill the hole and screw it in.
Legend
I'm having the same issues as Joe - not enough lift. Can you give some specs as the the size air hose / size of the fittings / diameter of the flex hose, etc.? Our air compressor is a 6hp Porter Cable 150 psi, so I think it is powerful enough.
Barb Kent standard airhose and fittings that come with air compressor. Into a 2" flex hose about 4' long.
Hello and Greetings from Malaysia. I cant seem to figure out how the air ( unless its hot ) will flow out upward instead of out of the hose ( in this case your outlets being the nearest or the easiest ) . I have tried with my wet vacuum and failed. I am now about to try this idea with my 2.5hp compressor. P/S... I will not be channeling the water back into the pond but straight out into the drain where hopefully in the process, suck out the algae
Good luck. Follow what I did and you'll see. If you run the hose out of the pond it may not work as well. I don't know I didn't do it to a drain
I would assume this would work for a plastic preformed pond with dead leaves on the bottom?
You don't have the air pointed a certain way? Just let air rise like normal?
It's just a quick connect fitting on the side of the hose about 2" from the bottom . So as soon as the air is connected to the compressor it gets whatever output the compressor can put out. Yes it'll pick up leaves it picked up 2" stones on my pond.
This is amazing and I will be putting one together this weekend. How effective have you found this to work on removing the organic debris from the bottom and do you have any suggestions on the type of mesh to use for the bag?
The finer the mesh the better. Even womans nylons may work.
nice video, thanks. Is it that the size of the mesh will determine what sort of slime/muck you'll pick up? has the bag ever been too heavy to pull out?
Mesh size will always determine the materials you can get out. In this case I used a large hole mesh bag just for rocks and large materials. Never too heavy to lift out. This would be way more efficient with a large air pump. I want to try it with high volume aquarium pump instead of an air compressor next. Don't need air pressure but rather more air volume.
I am trying to find something simple to make to use to clean out the gunk from the bottom of my duck pond. After watching your video and thinking about how this works, I am wondering what modifications I would need to do to make it work for muddy gunk, rather than stones. Or if it's even possible. Obviously the muddy gunk has a much smaller umm 'particle' size than a piece of gravel, and I am assuming that for this to work the material used as the 'collection bag' must allow enough air to escape to create the suction, while obviously having a small enough mesh size to not let the collected gunk seep through. By mesh size I am referring to the size of the holes in the material in the collection bag that ideally let air escape but are smaller than the collected gunk I want to retain.... (Not sure what the correct term is for the size of said holes in fabric! Lol)
So I assume I need something with a very small mesh (any ideas? Maybe old stocking or something similar?) and also wondering whether anything that has small enough mesh size to collect what is basically smelly duck faeces rich mud is going to potentially not allow the air to escape, and then when I turn on the air compressor, presumably the collection bag will either come loose from the hose or rip/explode.
To complicate the problem there is a LOT of gunk I need to get out of a large pond.
I am hoping the author of this video, or anyone viewing this post who has some experience with this, (especially if they have made something like this for removing smelly mucky mud, rather than gravel or stones) can tell me: 1 whether what I want to achieve is even possible and...
2, if it is, suggestions of material to make the collection bag from, and suggestions of the size of the collection bag and size of hose/fittings etc. On one hand it would fill up really fast unless it was pretty massive, but I am guessing a large bag would not create enough suction? Also wondering if the mud gunk will mean that after a few times emptying the collection bag it will be too clogged up to allow air to escape any more.
I have a budget of basically nothing. And have a cheap air compressor with from memory a 24L tank. The max actual psi that shows on the dial of it when using it for things like stapling is just over 105.
Also wondering whether my tank is big enough?
I currently have one of those cheapish stretchy cables for the aircompressor. Ie its made from rigid plastic shaped in a tight spiral and stretches/contracts via that. The hose is supposed to withstand up to 200psi but I think it would be more like 110-130 or thereabouts.
I have a pond which is roughly 8m sq which has a LOT of smelly muddy gunk in the bottom
I don't expect any pump will get all the gunk out, and no matter what tool I use I imagine its going to be a time consuming job, so really just looking for something a bit more time effective than me scooping it out by hand (especially since it's winter here and the water is far too cold to have my arms in past my elbows for more than a few seconds)
Can anyone let me know whether it's feasible to make something using old bits and pieces (ie old hose from a house vacuum)
Also best way to make sure the hole drilled to attach air hose is nice and air tight? I am not an expert with air compressors and fittings and so on. Have basic handy man tools to drill a hole, and some of that white tape stuff that you put around the screws on fittings to make them airtight and that's about it.
The other thing I was thinking about was one of those things that attaches to your garden hose and uses the water pressure to create suction. Not sure how they work in general, and also whether they will work when the water is being pumped from a well not mains so the pressure is nothing like as high as what you get from a good mains pressure hose.
Kim. Few questions. What is the pond made of? Mud bottom, Liner? rock bottom? Filter bags can be used but on a pond of your size 8M you will need a high volume air compressor to make this work. My pond is small and is a bare bottom. So a smaller 6 gallon compressor just does the job although a high volume would be better.
If the level of the pond is kept high enough the discharge hose could be laid over the edge of the pond and all the sludge might be forced by the air up and out over the edge of the pond. I am thinking the air might be able to over come a 4 inch elevation. I have a sewage ejector pump that I use to empty my sludge filled pond. I am toying with an idea of attaching the hose to the inlet of the pump , to the pole and having the outlet to the pump going clear out of the pond. My muck would quickly plug any bag with fine holes and go thru any bigger holes.
need help! made the vacuum the same way you did air flows out the bag but has very little suction. using a 5hp compressor. trying to get the leaves off the bottomof the pond. My hubby would like to talk with you over the phone if possible.please help us the weather is getting cold and need to clean it for the winter.
It's all about the amount of air flowing up the pipe. The more air that's introduced the more suction you'll get.
what's the diameter of the pvc pipe/tube?
OK Rob, I have copied your DIY pond vacuum using a 6 gallon air compressor. I have attached compressor hose at the base of the vacuum hose 1 1/2 inch flex hose similar to yours. However my compressor does not build pressure enough since there is an open end compressor nossel connected (bolted) into and through the vacuum hose. I have placed that end into the pond and for several minutes without getting suction. the catch bag is submerged into the water. So, do I need to install a shut-off valve in order for the compressor to build up?
Sounds like it's doesn't have enough air volume
Thank you for responding! My compressor works great normally, but the compressor gauge never builds pressure. I imagine it is due to the compressor hose nossel under water at the base of the vacuum hose remains open. What is the length fo your vacuum hose? And was it 1 1/2 in diameter? Thank you
The hose is 1.5" ridgid pond hose about 5'. You need lots of air volume to make it work. The higher the gpm the better.
this is awesome! I have a turtle in my pond as well as koi. a couple of huge dust storms blew in, and the bottom is all muck. I try to stir it up to get it threw the skimmer and pump but t settles rather quickly, which is strange because it is so fine, It would take days. I was wondering if you thought there would be enough suction to attach a hose instead of a bag to go straight into my sewer drain, its about 30 feet away from my pond.
Great let me know how it works for you.
wait so just put an air pump in the side of a hose and it pushes the water into a bag that's in the water!
rghill100
Stephen Vick in a nutshell yes that's it.
Not sure only way is to try it.
I assume this will work for removing algae, as well?
I don't think so. Uv light is the best for algae. String algea. Add Clearity max plus and do manual removal.
+rghill100 Hmmm.....someone else's video of the one they made (that I found after seeing this) showed how it cleaned algae off the bottom of their pond.
+Lin Talbot-koehl I guess that depends on the type of algea. There are hundreds of types I'm sure this can pick up some. It'll also depend on the size of the holes in the sack you use to collect the materials.
By getting the crap out that is releasing the nutrients the algae is feeding off it will reduce it from growing 😉
Those commercial vacs do not work. This sounds like what I've been looking for, and I have a pump like that.
Thanks for the info, I'll try it.
Great let me know how it works for you.
Air pumps don't suck the water out of the pond.
The air does by lifting the water.
Your an idiot