There are three types of filters that can help keep your backyard pond beautiful and healthy. Biological, mechanical, and chemical filters all have different purposes. Pond skimmers are a type of mechanical filter that grabs leaves and other debris off the surface of your pond. Other types of mechanical filters strain out suspended particles.

Pond skimmers are an important element of backyard ponds, since they keep ponds looking clean. Also, backyard ponds covered in debris and leaves are unhealthy, and can create an unsafe environment for your fish and water plants. Without pond skimmers, unwanted elements eventually sink to the bottom of the pond, decay, and create gases.

Pond skimmers are designed to work with other types of filters, as a sort of pre-filter that removes the larger elements such as floating leaves, which would clog other types of biological or chemical filters. These same floating leaves would also clog the pump. Many pond skimmers are creatively designed to fit with your pond's design. Some may have an artificial rock or natural-looking cover over the top. Some pond skimmers sit outside of the pond, and can even be covered up by garden plants or bushes.

POnd skimmers are an important part of ponds, since they help keep them clean, and works hand-in-hand with filtration and pumping systems. Pond skimmers are easy to install, and can easily be hidden from view. Pond skimmers should be positioned at the opposite end of a waterfall, if you have one; this will help provide for proper circulation throughout your pond.

The surface pond skimmers, or the lid, is usually the only part that is on the surface; the rest is typically buried underground. When digging the hole for the skimmer, it's important to make sure it fits tightly, so it will not settle in later and become too deep. The skimmer must be positioned so that the water level is accurate and the water flows in to the skimmer at the proper rate.