My pond dredge side project is one clog after another

I decided to build a small dredge for my garden pond to clear out the muck, and it's been nothing but problems. The pump I got online says it's for heavy slurry, but it stalls out on the first thick patch. I rigged up a suction head with some pipe and a screen, but leaves and twigs jam it every time. After three weekends of tinkering, I still can't get a steady flow without something blocking it. It's maddening because I see the big rigs you all run and think my little version should be simpler. This was supposed to be a cool way to learn more about how dredges work, but now I just have a muddy mess. Maybe I'm missing a basic trick, like how to set up the intake better. At this point, I'm close to dumping the whole idea and calling a pro.

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3 Comments

the_parker6mo ago

What's the mesh size on your screen? Sounds like it's either too fine and catches everything or too wide and lets the wrong stuff through.

3

carr.noah6mo ago

Your pond's fighting back with its own defense system!

1

laura_coleman26mo ago

Remember my neighbor tried a fancy fountain last summer. The pump kept choking on pine needles no matter what cover he used. Sounded like a dying blender at 2 AM. He gave up and now it's just a mossy bowl for squirrels to drink from.

1