Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Best pond-pool-skimmer net to buy?

Been over run with a lot of algae and duckweed in this heat wave. Thought it would be a simple task to buy a net to dip out stuff but reading online reviews has been futile. A long handled Smelt net is close to what I had in mind but can't find a net that doesn't have poor ratings for tearing around edges, too big an opening in netting or pole that bends. Duckweed slipping through netting is my problem right now so a net handle that different sized net heads can be installed would be an early Christmas present. Now if I could just figure out how to tape a flashlight to one so I can work while it's cooler!

I had a major duckweed issue and hired a local company to remove it. They used a mechanical conveyor that picked up the growth and piled it on the side of the pond. They waded into the pond (they also had a small boat if needed) and skimmed the duckweed to the conveyor with a surface boom made form pool noodles. They used boat paddles to move the duckweed from the shoreline into the open water that was then collected into the floating boom tied behind them. Once they had the remaining duckweed collected from the shorelines of the pond by paddling the ductweed into the body of the pond, they moved it over to the conveyor and removed it as the final step. They sprayed a combination of an herbicide and algae control chemicals to complete the service. The cost was around $1200 as I remember for approximately 4 hours of service, 2 technicians, and the specialized equipment. I have used the suggested chemicals since to maintain minimum growth of unwanted plants after I installed an aeration system. Hope this helps.