Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - Do you need a skimmer if you have a biofilter?

I have recently build a pond and theres some debris and murky water some times. I have benoficial bacteria and I am going to add aeration and a couple water falls. I'm wondering if I need a skimmer, if I'm going to also put in a biofilter (plant area) where a lot of the debris seems to accumulate? Has anyone got away from using a skimmer and just having the biofilter? My pond is about 1/4 acre and 330,000 gallons. Work in progress pictures for reference. The blue circles are where I'm putting the waterfalls and the green is the biofilter. Thanks!

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I don't think just tilting an aerator to push water to the biofilter will be sufficient circulation.

You mentioned waterfalls. Is that going to be your water source into the biofilter (or your suction intake out of the biofilter)? I think biofilter size and efficiency versus circulation rate will be your balancing act. I would leave some room to modify your designs as the "plan" eventually runs into the real world.

The "natural swimming pool" people have some good design ideas on cleaning up your water. I have included one link to show you the kind of projects that fall into that category.

https://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/natural-swimming-pool-zmaz02aszgoe

The grass in your pictures is very green. Obviously, keeping any sources of fertilizer out of your pond and watershed will help with your project.

Best wishes!