In-pond water quality maintenance system

A pond system, comprising:

• a skimmer filter basin configured to collect pond surface debris, the skimmer filter basin comprising
• an upper opening configured to permit a flow of water and debris into the skimmer filter basin from a pond surface,
• a strainer basket positioned within the skimmer basin to trap debris that enters the skimmer filter basin through the upper opening,
• a skimmer pump positioned within the skimmer filter basin below the strainer basket, the skimmer pump configured to draw water through the strainer basket and to pump the water out of the skimmer filter basin,
• one or more lower openings in a side of the skimmer filter basin at a level below the strainer basket and configured to permit a flow of water into the skimmer filter basin from a pond depth below the strainer basket, wherein the one or more lower openings and the upper opening are configured to have a water flow rate ratio of between 2:3 and 3:2 when the strainer basket is clear of debris.

A pond system, comprising:

• a skimmer basin configured to collect pond surface debris, the skimmer basin comprising
• an upper opening comprising a V-shaped notch to permit the flow of water and debris into the skimmer basin,
• a strainer basket positioned within the skimmer basin and configured to trap debris that enters the skimmer basin through the V-shaped notch,
• a skimmer pump positioned within the skimmer basin below the strainer basket, the skimmer pump configured to draw water through the strainer basket and to pump the water out of the skimmer basin via one or more hose systems configured to split a flow of water pumped out of the skimmer basin,
• a plurality of openings in a side of the skimmer filter basin at a level below the strainer basket and configured to permit a flow of water into the skimmer filter basin from a pond depth below the strainer basket, wherein the lower openings are matched to a pumping capacity of the skimmer pump to permit a volume flow rate of the skimmer pump to pass through the lower openings when the strainer basket is clogged.