Pond vacuums remove fish waste and rotting leaves from the floor of your pond before it can foul the water, taking pressure off your filtration system too. At Swell UK, we carry a selection of vacuums from Oase, Hozelock, and our own Swell model, as well as collection baskets and other accessories.
Pond Vacs and Accessories
Help and advice on shopping for: Pond Vacs and Accessories
What is a pond vacuum?
Pond vacuums, also known as pond hoovers, are vacuums that remove waste from garden ponds. By moving the nozzle over the base, waste is drawn through a hose into a tank or basket. They are designed to handle algae and decaying leaves.
Our guide Why Use A Pond Vac? explains how they work in more detail.
Why should I buy a pond vacuum?
Waste from uneaten food and fallen leaves rot in pond water, which can degrade your water quality and affect the health of your fish. Removing waste reduces the amount your filter has to catch, lowering the required maintenance, and you can clean easily without draining it.
What types of vacuum are there?
- Collection tank type: waste and water collect in a built-in tank that you empty when full. Our Swell vacuum has a 25 litre tank, a 1400W motor and four nozzles, and suits small and medium ponds.
- Continuous-running type: the Oase PondoVac 4 and PondoVac 5 run continuously, so there is no stopping to drain a tank. The PondoVac 4 has a two-chamber system and a suction depth of up to 2.4m, while the PondoVac 5 has a pumped outlet that can push waste water uphill, reaches 2.5m and can also be used in pools and swimming ponds. Both suit larger ponds.
- Submersible type: the Hozelock Pond Vac keeps its pump head under the water and uses little power, and built-in cutter blades chop leaves to avoid blockages. Up to four aluminium tubes give a total reach of 2m.
- Extras: Hozelock's matching basket collapses flat for storage, and Oase's fine net bags fit the discharge side of PondoVac models; one also suits Swell's vacuum.
How do I choose the best pond vacuum?
Small and medium ponds suit a collection tank type, while larger or deeper ponds benefit from a continuous-running one. When choosing, make sure to check the reach against the depth, that a socket is within reach of the cable, and decide where the waste water will go. Be sure to check the specifications of the vacuum, as some are designed for soft waste, not twigs or large stones, which can block the hose.
How often should I vacuum?
This depends on size and whether you keep fish: koi and goldfish ponds need it more often, a wildlife pond without fish less. Many keepers vacuum at the end of autumn to clear rotting leaves, and again at the end of winter.
Do I get the water back after vacuuming?
That depends on the type. A tank vac holds the waste and water together, so the water level drops a little; top it up with water treated with a dechlorinator. With a basket fitted, the water can return while the debris is kept for disposal.
What else should I buy?
Stop leaves reaching the bottom with pond skimmers and, in autumn, cover nets protect your pond. You can lift floating leaves with skimmer nets. To see nets, maintenance tools and vacuums, browse our selection of Pond Vacs and Pond Maintenance products.