If you have been putting off cleaning your pond because it is too much work, the Pond Vacuum is a fantastic invention, it makes the job of removing all that sludge and dirt an absolute doddle and your pond will be clean in no time at all.
What is a Pond Vacuum?
A pond vacuum is a tool that has been specifically designed to clean the bottom of your pond and remove the build-up of sludge that can be disastrous in large amounts. It works in much the same way as a regular vacuum by sucking up the dirt and debris that has accumulated in the bottom of your pond.
Some pond vacuums use a sludge net to collect all the waste material and others will just pump it all out of a waste pipe directly onto your garden or into a drain. We will always recommend that you buy a pond vacuum with a sludge net as all that organic matter should never be thrown away, read more on why here.
Best Pond Vacuum
Using a pond vacuum means that you can stay clean and dry whilst getting all the muck out of your pond safely and easily. We are going to answer the question “What is the Best Pond Vacuum?” and give you our top 3 picks for 2022.
Oase Pondomatic 3 Pond Vacuum Cleaner
The Oase Pondomatic 3 (amazon link – opens in a new tab). This simple yet powerful device makes cleaning your pond as easy as can be. The vacuum itself is powered by a 1400-watt motor which is located inside the lid, leaving a 30-litre tank below meaning that this vacuum is more than up to the job of sucking up sludge, leaves and other debris from the bottom of your pond.
The Pondomatic 3 cycles between suction and drain once a minute and with the sludge bag (sold separately), the cleaned water can be pumped back into the pond to save you from having to do a refill.
The Oase also comes with 3 different attachments to help you get into those hard-to-reach places and the 4-metre suction hose means that it is also capable of being used on larger ponds.
Pro’s
- Well-built
- Easy to use
- Three-year guarantee
Con’s
- Sludge bags need to be purchased separately
Swell UK Compact Pond Sludge Vac
The Swell Sludge Vac (amazon link – opens in a new tab) Another simple device makes cleaning your pond no problem. This vacuum is powered by a 1350-watt motor and is no more difficult to use than your standard household hoover.
The sludge vac has a 25-litre tank but does not come with a mesh bag so you will have to purchase one of those if you intend to recycle the water after it has been pumped out. This is our preferred method to try and keep as many healthy bacteria in the water as possible.
Like the Oase, the Swell machine comes with a 4m suction hose and a 2m discharge pipe but unlike the Oase, this pond vac is a little more compact making it easier to store away when not in use.
Pro’s
- Cheap
- Easy to Use
- Two-year guarantee
Con’s
- No mesh bags to filter debris
PondHero Sludge Muncher Pond Vacuum
Sludge Muncher (amazon link – opens in a new tab). This is the cheapest of the 3 options and boy does it perform. It comes with a 1400-watt motor giving it all the power you need to clean your pond (one reviewer on Amazon said they tried to return it for being too powerful).
Like the other pond vacs in this range, it comes with a 4m suction hose and 2m discharge pipe and although it does come with a sludge bag, you may want to purchase one with smaller mesh to try and get the water as clean as you can.
The sludge muncher also comes with various nozzles to help you reach those little nooks and crannies and it also comes with a dust bag so it can be used indoors!
Pro’s
- Cheap
- Indoor Mode
- Dustbag included
Con’s
- None
Things to Consider When Buying a Pond Vacuum
There are a couple of things that you will need to consider before you choose a pond vacuum to ensure you get the one that is perfect for your pond.
There is a whole range of pond vacuums out there and you do not want to get lost in the jargon and that is why we have put together this list of top picks to help you choose what is best for your pond.
Size & Depth of Your Pond
The first thing to consider is the size and depth of your pond. Most pond vacuums in the lowest price bracket have a 4m suction hose which is great for most of the wider ponds out there, however, the depth of your pond is important too as most in this range with a 1400-watt motor will only retain suction to around 1.8m deep.
If you have an extremely deep pond, you may need something a little more powerful.
Pond Liner
Next up, you will need to think about your pond liner. If your pond liner is PVC, it will be prone to tearing so which attachments the vacuum comes with will be important. Most in this range will come with 3 but some will come with as many as 5.
You will likely get a large nozzle, a crevice nozzle, and a nozzle with a brush to remove stubborn algae. Just be careful if any of the nozzle attachments become sharp or damaged as a torn liner could quickly become devastating to your pond.
Conclusion
Pond vacuums are a fantastic tool and anyone that already has one will tell you that they are worth their weight in gold. They ensure that the most arduous of tasks that we often try and avoid can be done with ease.
For most garden ponds, a motor of around 1400-watts and a 4m suction hose will be sufficient with our favourite and one that I have at home is the Pondomatic 3 (amazon link – opens in a new tab).
Garden Doctor Tips
“Ensure that you check what sludge sacks come with your Pond Vacuum as having to wait even longer once you order those is a pain!”
“Keep your discharge pipe lower than your tank to ensure that the water is discharged efficiently!”
“The sludge that you collect makes a wonderful fertiliser or addition to your compost bin!”
“Always watch what you are doing and be careful not to suck up fish or other wildlife!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pond vacuums any good?
Yes, pond vacuums are fantastic. Gone are the days of being knee-deep in sludge with a bucket. A good pond vacuum will save you hours of hard labour and give you a better result when doing so.
Can I use a wet/ dry vac for a pond vacuum?
Yes, once the bag has been removed, you are able to safely vacuum water. If you choose to do this, we recommend that you purchase some mesh sacks to collect any debris and give it a good hosing down after as the sludge can be particularly smelly.
How does a pond Hoover work?
A Pond Vacuum works by sucking up the sludge and debris from a pond and pumping out the water through a discharge pipe. Some pond vacuums come with mesh sacks to ensure that all of the debris is collected.
About Me
Hi, I’m Trev and I’ve been growing things since I can remember. When I was younger, I grew up on a farm, so I have always been around plants and animals. After studying horticulture at university, I decided to start my own nursery which I have run now for 25 years. In my spare time, I run this website – which is a resource for people who want to learn more about their gardens.
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